When my fingers started swelling during my first pregnancy, I had to cut my wedding ring off at 8 months. Not exactly romantic. So when I asked my readers what they actually wanted for Valentine's Day, comfort and practicality topped the list (with a side of romance).
Here's what expecting moms really want this Valentine's Day, based on real feedback from women in their second and third trimesters.
Quick Picks: Top 3 Valentine's Gifts
- Maternity Pillow - For the sleep-deprived mama who can't get comfortable
- Hatch Mama Must Have Kit - Natural care for well-deserved pampering
- Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer - Because cold coffee is a new parent's nemesis
Gifts for Better Sleep & Comfort
Frida Mom Adjustable Keep-Cool Pregnancy Body Pillow
After testing five different pregnancy pillows, the Frida Mom Adjustable Keep-Cool Pregnancy Body Pillow remains my top recommendation. Unlike standard U-shaped pillows, its adjustable design means you can customize support as your belly grows. The keep-cool fabric is a game-changer for pregnancy night sweats, and it cradles your body to relieve pressure on hips, back, and pelvis which is perfect for third-trimester sleep.
Why it works: Most pregnant women start experiencing hip pain in the second trimester. This pillow prevents you from rolling onto your back while keeping your knees aligned, and the cooling feature actually helps when you're overheating at 3 AM.
Available at Target and online retailers
Comfortable Sleepwear
There's something about clean, pretty pajamas that lifts your spirits when your body doesn't feel like your own. I love PinkBlush pajamas because they work for both maternity and nursing, so she'll get months (even years) of use. The fabrics are soft, they have real nursing access, and they actually look feminine, not like hospital gowns.
Shopping tip: Nordstrom has a great selection of pajama styles from PinkBlush and other maternity brands that are well curated (Amazon is a bit of a crap shoot so I would skip them for pajamas). Use what she wore pre-pregnancy as a guide to what style she likes – if she loved silky camisole sets before, look for maternity versions of that same style.
Neck and Back Massager
Lower back pain affects nearly 50% of pregnant women. This heated massage pillow targets exactly where pregnancy pain lives: the lower back and shoulders. Plus, you can use this long past the baby years.
Pro tip: Use it while sitting in a supportive chair, not lying down, for maximum relief.
Find on Target
Self-Care & Pampering Gifts
Hatch Mama Must Have Kit
I've tried dozens of pregnancy skincare products, and Hatch Mama stands out for using truly natural ingredients without the greasy residue. This kit includes three bestsellers:
- Belly Oil - Top-to-toe hydration that actually absorbs
- Down, Girl - Relief for swollen legs and feet (this was a lifesaver in my third trimester)
- Nipple + Lip - Clean lip care now, nipple protection for nursing later
Why I recommend it: Most belly oils leave you feeling like a glazed donut. Hatch's formula sinks in and actually helps with itching as your skin stretches.
Available at Hatch website
Pregnancy-Safe Herbal Tea
Earth Mama makes pregnancy-safe herbal teas formulated for specific issues—third trimester preparation, heartburn relief, stress management. When I had brutal heartburn with my second, their Heartburn Tea was the only thing that helped besides Tums.
Gift idea: Pair it with a special mug that makes her morning (or midnight) tea ritual feel more indulgent.
Practical Gifts She'll Actually Use
Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer
Motherhood means reheating coffee three times and still drinking it cold. The Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer has been a game-changer for me. You just set your mug on the warming plate and it maintains the perfect drinking temperature all morning. No more microwaved coffee that's nuclear hot on the outside and cold in the middle.
Why it's perfect: Unlike complicated gadgets, this is simple – plug it in, set your mug down, enjoy warm coffee for hours. And at under $25, it's an affordable gift that gets daily use.
Pro tip: Works with tea, hot chocolate, and any ceramic or glass mug.
Available at Target
Snack Box Filled With Her Favorite Treats
Pregnancy cravings are real, and having a stash of her favorite snacks within easy reach is pure gold. I found this red snack box at Target that fits the Valentine's theme perfectly. Fill it with a mix of sweet and salty options like chocolate-covered pretzels, fancy nuts, dried fruit, crackers and cheese, and whatever she's been craving lately. FYI, Sour Patch Kids are highly rated for combating nausea and queasiness from morning sickness.
Why it matters: Pregnancy hunger and cravings are no joke. Having everything in one cute box next to the couch is both practical and thoughtful. I mean, who wouldn't want a Snackle Box?!
Red snack box available at Target
Compression Socks
I know, "compression socks" doesn't scream romance. But when your feet are so swollen you can't see your ankles, these become precious. They improve circulation, reduce swelling, and actually prevent varicose veins. The true gift if helping her put them on (it sounds sexy but it isn't, they are TIGHT, man.)
Where to shop: Quality compression socks can be found at Nordstrom. They carry better brands with proper compression levels and styles that don't look medical.
Learn more: Why compression socks are essential during pregnancy
Enso Silicone Rings
At some point in pregnancy, wedding rings can stop fitting. Rather than the panic of trying to remove a ring from a swollen finger (been there), these flexible silicone rings adjust with her body. It’s romantic AND avoids sausage fingers from a ring that isn’t flexible.
You can find them on the Enso site and on the Target site.
Reacher Grabber Tool
If everyone has a sense of humor, this is genius. Pair it with a basket of her favorite snacks and treats. Nothing says "I love you" like acknowledging that bending over is now a full-body workout.
I found this folding one at Target.
Gifts That Grow With Her
Lingerie
Just because she's pregnant doesn’t mean she can’t be rocking some awesome lingerie. Personally, I would go the gift card route on this one. Boobs and bodies change a lot before, during and after pregnancy (you may have noticed) so a measurement is a good idea. I would recommend Hotmilk and Cake Maternity as your two best bets to find something to suit her needs.
Harmony Ball Necklace
Traditionally, harmony balls have been used in Bali and Mexico. Pregnant women wear it on a long necklace during their pregnancy so the gentle chime soothes the baby in the womb as the mother moves. After the baby is born, mom wears it on a shorter necklace so that it can be played with by the baby while nursing. It is believed to be extra soothed by the sound because he/she associated it during the time in the womb.
You can find a selection on Etsy.
Hatch Restore
So if the idea of giving her an alarm clock sounds crazy because she's about to give birth to one, bear with me.
The Hatch Restore is a smart light + sleep sound machine that combines a reading light, a robust sound library, unique wind-down content, and a sunrise alarm. It has a soft glow reading light which would be great for night feedings and the Sunrise Wake-up Light that gently wakes you up instead of jolting you out of sleep like a typical alarm clock.
Anything 'gentle' is a nice change when you've been jolted out of sleep by a baby all night, plus, it can be used long past the baby years.
You can find it on the Hatch site.
New Mom Wine Labels
For the wine-loving mama, these labels stick on her favorite bottles to have ready once baby arrives. Labels include messages like "First Night Home" and "Baby Finally Sleeping."
When to gift: This works best if she's already told you she misses wine. Don't assume all pregnant women are counting down to alcohol.
Find them on Etsy.
The Gift That Costs Nothing
Time and Service Coupons
You don't need to spend money to give something valuable. Download these printable coupons offering:
- One wicked foot rub
- One craving outing
- One full sleep in
- One blow out pass
Make it special: Tape them to a box of her favorite chocolates. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts cost nothing but time.
What Pregnant Women Really Want
After years of talking with expecting mothers, here's what matters most:
Physical comfort - Anything that reduces pain, helps with sleep, or addresses swelling is gold
Feeling seen - Gifts that acknowledge how hard pregnancy is show you're paying attention
Practical support - Things she'll actually use beat generic "pregnancy" gifts every time
Maintaining identity - She's still herself, just pregnant. Lingerie, nice clothes, and self-care remind her of that
Your Next Steps
- For sleep issues: Start with a Frida Mom pregnancy pillow and compression socks
- For body changes: Hatch Mama skincare kit and comfortable sleepwear
- For daily comfort: Mr. Coffee mug warmer and massage pillow
- For romance: Harmony ball necklace and lingerie gift card
Remember: The best Valentine's gift acknowledges both the magic and the difficulty of growing a human. Choose something that makes her life easier or helps her feel like herself.
About Amy Morrison
Amy has been researching and writing about pregnancy and newborns since 2010. As a mom of two boys, she's personally tested hundreds of pregnancy products and interviewed countless mothers about what actually works. She founded Pregnant Chicken to share honest, experience-based advice that cuts through pregnancy marketing hype.
Related: Valentine Notes for Pregnant Ladies
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