With the UK on the brink of a second wave of Covid-19, life for pregnant women and people, who the NHS lists as being at 'moderate risk' of the virus, may feel especially isolating right now. With no antenatal classes and limited options to socialise with others who are also expecting, a generous dose of reassurance can go a long way towards banishing pregnancy anxiety.
That’s where your phone can come in handy. And no, we don’t mean frantic late-night Google searches that are only going to make you more worried. We’re talking about the apps designed to guide you through the nine-month journey to the precious arrival of your little one. The Modern Midwife, Marie Louise, agrees that they’re a useful tool for those in need of general tips and advice. 'As Covid-19 has understandably increased anxiety levels amongst pregnant women, apps and digital support have been even more helpful during this time,' she tells WH.
'From exercises and nutritional recipes to meditation, this additional support can help women to understand their bodies so they’re better able to care for themselves. It’s important though to remember that apps can’t replace in-person assessments and should only be used for support and information. Any specific questions should always be addressed by a doctor or midwife.'
Want to learn all there is to know about what’s happening inside your body and how your baby is developing? Check out our list of the best pregnancy apps for mums-to-be.
A huge 400 million expectant parents have used BabyCentre. The app serves as a one stop shop for expectant mums and lets you know how your pregnancy is developing week by week, with additional daily parenting advice all the way up until your baby’s first birthday.
Available on IOS and Android / Free to download, https://www.babycentre.co.uk
From the world-famous What to Expect When You’re Expecting brand, this app wants you to feel in control throughout every stage of your pregnancy. Get clued up with its 15,000+ articles or join its super-active community forums which are updated with new posts every three seconds.
Available on IOS and Android / Free to download, https://www.whattoexpect.com
Brought to you by the Kicks Count charity, the app helps you get to know your baby's movement patterns so that you can report reduced movement and help reduce the risk of stillbirth or other pregnancy complications.
Available on IOS and Android / Free to download, apps.apple.com
Peanut is a social network for women at every stage of motherhood, including those who are pregnant or trying to conceive. With a strong emphasis on community, it allows you to build friendships and seek support from women who are at the same stage of pregnancy as you.
Available on IOS and Android / Free to download, https://www.peanut-app.io/http.
Endorsed by the NHS, Baby Buddy is an interactive pregnancy and parenting guide designed to support the work of front-line practitioners. Once you’ve signed up you can create your own baby expert avatar and keep track of your appointments.
Available on IOS and Android / Free to download, bestbeginnings.org.uk/baby-buddy
As well as being able to track your pregnancy, Emma’s Diary's member-only benefits give you access to discounts of up to 80% off some of the biggest UK baby brands, plus free gift packs.
Available on IOS and Android / Free to download, emmasdiary.co.uk
Pregnancy+ prides itself on its beautiful imagery, so if you’re after an app that’s visually appealing then this one ticks the box. It’s not all about looking pretty though. In addition to the common pregnancy tracker functions, Pregnancy+ also comes with a handy hospital bag tool and a customisable birth plan to help you prep for labour.
Available on IOS and Android / Free to download, apps.apple.com
