As a prenatal yoga teacher I like to say that everything you need is already within you – but that doesn’t mean I don’t reach for my phone when I need information! Pregnancy apps have become a go-to resource not just for tracking and learning about your pregnancy week-by-week, but also to connect with other mums-to-be and share your journey with your loved ones.
We asked Australian mums-to-be what pregnancy apps they’re using at the moment, and what they liked most about them.
Here’s the most popular pregnancy apps selected by Australian mums-to-be:
Pregnancy +
Rating: 4.8/5
Cost: Free, with in-app purchases
Overview: Pregnancy+ is a comprehensive app designed to support expecting parents throughout their pregnancy journey. It was the most popular app amongst the Australian mums that we surveyed, and we can see why. It’s a great all-round choice.
Features we like:
- Track Baby’s Development: Unique, interactive 3D models showing baby’s development, and baby size guide to help you visualise baby’s size (using fruits and animals!), while week-by-week guides explain what to expect.
- Share the Journey: You can customise the user on the app, so that a second parent, carer or grandparents can also keep updated with your pregnancy journey
- My Bump: Upload your own photos to track your bump’s progress
- Guides & Information: Covers a wide range of topics including nutrition, health, breastfeeding, twins
- Kick Counter and Contraction Timer: Useful tools for monitoring baby movements and labour contractions.
- Planning Tools: Create a birth plan, baby shopping list and search baby names
BabyCentre
Rating: 4.8/5
Cost: Free
Overview: BabyCentre is a pregnancy and parenting app providing extensive resources and tools. Just be prepared for the ads!
Features we like:
- Daily Pregnancy Calendar: Tracks pregnancy day-by-day.
- Baby Name Finder: Helps in choosing a baby name.
- Expert Advice: Articles and videos from health professionals.
- Community Groups: Connect with parents who have similar due dates
- Bumpie picture tool: To track your bump’s development
- Baby Care Advice: Get baby care advice and track your baby’s first year
Pregnancy & Baby Tracker – What to expect
Rating: 4.7/5
Cost: Free
Overview: What to Expect is a popular app based on the book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” Visually appealing and with a large community, this is another great all-round option.
Features we like:
- Daily Tips: Offers daily advice and insights based on your pregnancy stage.
- Week-by-Week Guide: Detailed information on what to expect each week.
- Community: Connect with other parents-to-be.
- Personalized Content: Tailored articles and videos.
- Links to Apple Watch: So you can get cute fruit analogies on the go!
- Continuity: You can keep using the same app postnatally to monitor baby’s development.
Flo
Rating: 4.7/5
Cost: Free, with in-app purchases
Overview: Flo is a health and period tracker app that also provides insights and support for pregnancy. This was popular among Australian women, presumably because it’s one of the downloaded period trackers, with the option to then switch into ‘pregnancy mode’, however it doesn’t have as many features as some of the other apps mentioned here.
Features we like:
- Cycle and Ovulation Tracking: Helps in tracking menstrual cycles and predicting ovulation.
- Pregnancy Mode: Provides detailed information and support once you switch to pregnancy mode.
- Health Insights: Personalized health and wellness tips.
Best of the rest
Ready to Cope
Rating: 4.9/5
Cost: Free
Overview: Ready to Cope is designed to support mental health and resilience during pregnancy and postpartum. Developed by the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE), Australia’s peak body in perinatal mental health and funded by the Australian Government.
Features we like:
- Weekly Insights: Information about what to expect and how to cope with the range of changes during pregnancy.
- Personal Calendar: Keep track of all those antenatal and postnatal appointment.
- Mental Health Resources: Articles and tips on coping with pregnancy and postpartum challenges, and personal stories from parents.
- Daily Check-Ins: Track mood and mental health.
- Community Support: Connect with others for mutual support.
- Professional Advice: Connect to supports and services using the e-COPE directory
- Hydration Reminders: Optional, but keeps you accountable for keeping up your fluids
GentleBirth
Overview: GentleBirth combines brain science, birth science, and technology to empower women for a positive birth experience.
Features we like:
- Hypnobirthing Techniques: Uses hypnosis for pain management and relaxation.
- Birth Preparation Courses: Comprehensive courses for expecting parents.
- Daily Mindfulness Practice: Encourages daily practice for mental wellness.
- Personalized Birth Plans: Helps create and manage birth plans.
Mindful Mamas
Overview: Mindful Mamas offers mindfulness and stress-relief techniques for moms and moms-to-be.
Features we like:
- Mindfulness Exercises: Short, guided mindfulness exercises.
- Daily Inspirations: Positive affirmations and motivational quotes.
- Personalized Recommendations: Content tailored to individual needs and stages.
- Stress Management: Techniques to manage and reduce stress.
Nurture
Overview: Nurture is a pregnancy tracker app from Glow that provides detailed tracking and information.
Features we like:
- Daily Log: Track symptoms, nutrition, and exercise.
- Detailed Articles: Information on all aspects of pregnancy.
- Health Insights: Personalized tips and advice.
- Community: Engage with other users for support.
Peanut
Overview: Peanut is a social networking app that connects women throughout all stages of motherhood.
Features we like:
- Community Connection: Find and connect with other moms or moms-to-be.
- Groups and Forums: Join groups based on interests and experiences.
- Expert Q&A: Access to advice from experts.
- Meetup Planning: Organize and attend local meetups.
Pelvic Floor First
Overview: Pelvic Floor First focuses on exercises and education to strengthen the pelvic floor.
Features we like:
- Exercise Programs: Tailored exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.
- Educational Resources: Information on pelvic floor health.
- Symptom Checker: Helps identify potential issues.
- Video Guides: Visual demonstrations of exercises.
Premom
Overview: Premom is designed to assist with ovulation tracking and fertility awareness.
Features we like:
- Ovulation Predictor: Tracks ovulation cycles with precision.
- Fertility Insights: Offers insights and tips for improving fertility.
- Health Tracking: Monitors various health metrics.
- Community and Resources: Access to a supportive community and expert resources.
Technology will never replace the magic of face-to-face connections and continuity of care from a trusted health care provider BUT it can be a fun way to learn, track and record your progress. So check out some of these apps today and let us know which one/s you like best!
