First Pregnancy Checklist: What You ACTUALLY Need

Ah, pregnancy.

The season of excitement, nausea, and suddenly questioning every single purchase you’ve ever made.

One minute you’re glowing and Googling baby names.

The next, you’re staring at a £79 breast pump online thinking, “Should I get this?”

If this is your first pregnancy, welcome.

You’re not doing anything wrong.

You’re just overwhelmed, like every single one of us was.

That feeling of overwhelm is not just about stuff.

It’s about your mind, your emotions, and what it really feels like to step into motherhood.

And sadly, most people don’t tell you about that.

(If you want to discover more things about life as a new mum people don’t talk about, grab my FREE guide with 9 truths about early motherhood no one warns you about.)

There is so many options to choose from, you get headache just thinking about it.

And the internet will happily convince you that unless you buy everything, you’re going to miss something.

So let’s calm the hormones, step away from the shopping cart, and talk about what you actually need… and what you really, truly don’t.

Let’s do this.

First Things First: You Don’t Need Everything at Once

Before we even touch a checklist, I need you to hear this:

You do not need to buy everything while you’re pregnant.

Babies don’t arrive with opinions about aesthetics.

They don’t care about matching muslin cloths.

They mostly care about milk, sleep, and being held.

That’s it.

And remember: you’re not living on a deserted island. You can always buy things later.

Okay.

Checklist time.

What You ACTUALLY Need During Your First Pregnancy

1. Comfortable Maternity Clothes

Let’s get this out of the way.

You do not need to reinvent yourself because you’re pregnant.

You don’t suddenly need 14 matching maternity sets or jeans with buttons that defy physics.

What you actually need is comfort.

Your body is changing. Rapidly. Rudely. Without asking permission.

So aim for:

2–3 pairs of soft maternity leggings (trust me—you’ll need them even after the baby arrives)
A few of loose tops
One outfit that makes you feel like you
2-3 summer dresses (if you’re pregnant in summer)

That’s it.

And here’s my personal tip: before you even start looking at maternity clothes, try sizing up in your normal clothes.

It’s cheaper, and you probably already own a few pieces that will fit (and feel comfortable) even in the last trimester.

Most of what I wore during pregnancy was my regular T-shirts.

The only thing I really bought was leggings. (This is a must!)

I also got a few pregnancy dresses from friends – and I think I only ended up wearing a couple of them (even post-birth.)

Because here’s something many first-time mums don’t know: your belly doesn’t magically disappear the moment you give birth.

Trust me, we overthink this way too much.

Even if you didn’t buy any pregnancy clothes, you’d be fine.

Well… apart from the leggings. You do need those.

2. A Good Pregnancy Pillow

Sleep during your first pregnancy starts off fine.

And then one day… it doesn’t.

Suddenly your hips ache, your bump feels in the way, and every sleeping position feels wrong.

And if you’re carrying multiples or a big baby, they might press on your ribs.
(I don’t wish that pain on anyone!)

This is where a pregnancy pillow becomes a lifesaver.

You don’t need the fanciest, influencer-approved one on the internet.

You just need something that:

Supports your bump
Takes pressure off your hips
Stops you from stacking six pillows

Yes, it might take up half the bed, but you are growing a human.

A good pregnancy pillow helps you sleep longer and wake up less sore.

That alone makes it worth it.

3. Pregnancy Vitamins (Boring But Absolutely Necessary)

I know.

Pills aren’t glamorous.

They don’t come in cute packaging.

But these little capsules are doing some serious heavy lifting.

Your body is working overtime, and pregnancy vitamins help with:

Folate to reduce the risk of birth defects
Iron to support your energy levels
Essential nutrients your changing body needs

You do not need to buy five different supplements.

More pills ≠ better pregnancy.

Consistency is what matters here..

4. A Water Bottle You Actually Use (Not Just a Pretty Prop)

Pregnancy thirst is no joke.

A water bottle you genuinely carry everywhere is worth its weight in gold.

It doesn’t need to be fancy.

It just needs to keep water within arm’s reach.

Hydration = fewer headaches, less nausea, and a slightly less grumpy version of you.

Skip the twelve cute mugs you never touch.

Pick one bottle you like (or already have) and take it everywhere.

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5. A Simple Pregnancy App or Notebook

Your brain is already full.

Appointments, symptoms, cravings… it’s a lot.

You don’t need five pregnancy apps sending notifications like tiny panic alarms.

You do need one place to track:

Doctor and midwife appointments
Questions for your care team
Symptoms, cravings, and weird things happening

Notebook, calendar, app, or a due date calculator—whatever works.

Pick one and stick with it.

Think of it as your sanity insurance.

What You Do NOT Need (Let’s Be Honest)

Let’s get real.

First-time pregnancy comes with a lot of unsolicited advice.

And somewhere along the way, Pinterest and Instagram convinced you that you need everything yesterday.

Trust me, you don’t.

Here’s a list of things you might be obsessing over… but can safely skip for now.

1. A Baby Monitor

Yes, some parents swear by them.

But unless you’re planning to leave your newborn alone in the next room straight after birth… you don’t actually need one right now.

Maybe not at all.

Most first time mums keep the baby in the same room or nearby during those early weeks.

2. The Perfect Nursery

I know. Pinterest has convinced you that every baby room must look like a “Moonlit Woodland Dream.”

But here’s the truth: your baby doesn’t care.

All they need is a safe place to sleep.

Paint, wall decals, colour-coordination? Optional.

Your sleep and sanity are way more important than a themed room.

You can always do that later, or not at all – both options are fine.

3. Cute Baby Clothes

I know how tempting it is to buy cute tiny outfits.

But in the first months you;ll spend most rime at home so waht you’ll need is baby grows and vests.

Even when going out, you will not dress them in fancy clothes, believe me.

All you need is a handful of practical newborn clothes.

Everything else can wait, be gifted, or bought as needed.

4. Bottle Sterilisers

Unless you already know you’ll be bottle-feeding from day one, a fancy steriliser is totally optional.

Boiling water works just fine.

Your baby won’t notice the difference between a £100 gadget and a simple pot on the stove.

Save your money, save your space, and save your sanity.

You can decide on gadgets later, when you actually need them.

5. Fancy Breastfeeding Gear (or Expensive Nursing Kits)

Yes, there are a million nursing bras, pumps, and gadgets claiming to make your life “easier.”

But the truth is: you don’t know yet what you’ll actually need.

I saw many first time mums invest in expensive breastpumps or baby bottles, only for them to gather dust when the baby arrived.

So save yourself money and don’t worry about it just now .

Wrapping It Up

First-time pregnancy is exciting, confusing, and overwhelming.

You naturally worry and want to make sure you have everything you need before your baby arrives.

But trust me when i say most mums throw half of the things they bought in advance away.

So relax and focus on what matters: your comfort, your sanity, and a safe, happy space for your baby.

The rest? You’ll figure it out as you go, just like millions of mums before you.

And if your mind is racing right now…

I created 19 powerful pregnancy affirmations just for mums to be that will calm your mind instantly!

Grab your free affirmations here and give your nervous system a break.

FAQs

1. Do I really need all the baby gear everyone talks about?

Nope. You only need the basics: a safe sleeping space, a few newborn outfits, a small stash of nappies, and whatever you need to stay comfortable. Everything else can wait. Seriously, your sanity matters more than gadgets.

2. When should I start buying baby clothes and nappies?

Just enough for the first few weeks. Babies grow fast, and people will probably gift you plenty of clothes. Stockpiling too early is mostly stress you don’t need.

3. Are pregnancy pillows really worth it?

Absolutely. They help support your bump, hips, and back so you can sleep better. Sleep is already tricky in pregnancy, so invest in comfort – it’s a sanity-saver.

4. What’s the deal with baby monitors? Do I need one?

Not right away. Many first-time mums keep their newborn in the same room for the first few months, so a monitor isn’t essential immediately. You can always get one later if you feel it’s necessary.

5. Should I buy all the breastfeeding gear before the baby arrives?

Nope. You won’t know exactly what you’ll need yet. Start simple and see what works for you and your baby. Less clutter = less stress.

6. How do I know what maternity clothes I actually need?

Focus on comfort. A few pairs of soft leggings, loose tops, and one outfit that makes you feel human again are enough. You don’t need a full maternity wardrobe.

7. What’s the one thing most first-time mums forget?

The most important thing is you. Comfortable bras, snacks, rest, and emotional support matter way more than any gadget or outfit.

And if you want to discover more little known truths about life as a new mum, grab my FREE pdf 9 Motherhood Facts Most Parents Find Out TOO LATE.

First Pregnancy Checklist: What You Actually Need (and What You Don’t)

First Things First: You Don’t Need Everything at Once