Pregnancy on a Budget? Ten Ways You Can Save

Pregnancy could probably be the single most costly thing during your life, but with a little tweaking here and there, it can be cost effective and at times completely free.  With two pregnancies under my belt, I have learned a thing or two about taking something you need and making it budget-friendly.

These are ten things that not only saved my budget, but made me a happy pregnant Momma:

1. Luxury Beauty Services: Skip the spa (upwards of $125). Put your significant other to work and have them give you a foot, shoulder, neck, or full body massage ($0).


2. Prenatal Vitamins: Sometimes the prenatal vitamins that are prescribed by your doctor can be very expensive ($45 co-pay for a 30 day supply).  Go to Whole Foods or Vitamin Shoppe and get a prenatal that fits your needs (the staff at the stores are very knowledgeable).  I went with New Chapter Perfect Prenatal which was on sale for $66 for a 2 month supply.


3. Parking: Forget about valet services at the mall because you're still going to have to walk ($7-$14).  Almost any big mall will have an "Expectant Mother" parking spot, indicated by a bold pink line and a sign with a stork on it ($0).


4. Stretch Mark Creams: No need for fancy stretch mark creams that make hopeful promises ($19-$125).  Go into your pantry and look for some olive oil. Give your belly a good rub and it does the job just as well ($2.99-$12.99).


5. Designer Maternity Jeans: Skip the expensive premium denim ($64-$202).  If you have a pair of designer jeans you absolutely adore, just let Belly Jeans convert it into a maternity jean for you ($17 for a half band and $22 for a full band).


6. Pregnancy Magazine: Want to read about pregnancy or how to raise a baby in general, but don't want to pay for a yearly subscription ($10-$45)? Then sign up for a free subscription to Babytalk magazine which has equally great articles, tips, and advices for parents-to-be and new parents as well ($0).


7. Sweet Cravings: Salivating over a five pound watermelon or some decadent chocolate cake could literally take over our sanity to the point of crying in public places when we don't get it. With my first pregnancy, I wanted fruit all the time and I mean buckets full of blueberries in one sitting ($10-$25).  Go to your local farmer's market and indulge in free samples of fresh, delicious produce ($0).  Don't have a farmer's market?   Ask a store employee or manager and most likely they will gladly cut some apples or wash some grapes for you to try.  Oh, and desserts?  Most bakeries and even grocery stores will happily give you a sample if you ask ($0).


8. Doctor's Appointment: Stretch your doctor or midwife's appointment, not by time, but by how much you get out of it.  You may be paying out of pocket or even a co-pay ($5-$100), but stretch that dollar.  When I went in for my visits with my midwife, I asked if there were any samples she could give me.  To my surprise, I got a re-usable bag filled with books, prenatal vitamins, wipes, pregnancy lollipops and a full-size organic lotion (approximately $125). Just ask.


9. Swollen Feet: It's the number one complaint besides having an achy back.  There are tons of expensive lotions targeted for pregnant women with swollen feet, ankles, and legs (upwards of $55).  If you look at the main ingredient, it's almost always peppermint.  Save your hard-earned money and buy some organic peppermint tea, I use the one from Traditional Medicinals (on sale for $3.99). Steep the tea in warm water in your bathtub and let your feet relax while the tub tea does some peppermint magic on it.


10. House Cleaning: You're nesting and want everything neat and clean, but don't have the energy.  Don't hire a cleaning company ($95-$300).  This is the perfect time to enlist the help of family and friends who have been offering their help for months ($0).

Pregnancy can be very expensive, especially if you decide to do everything and anything that is suggested.  By making some easy, smart choices or choosing an alternative to the high-priced services or products, however, you can save a good amount of money that you will actually need when the baby arrives. So stay prudent and pampered during your pregnancy!