Pregnancy Journal NZ: The Complete Guide to Made With Love
There's something about those first weeks of pregnancy that time seems determined to blur. The moment you saw those two lines. The way your partner's face changed. That strange mix of terror and joy that had you crying in the Countdown carpark at 7am on a Tuesday.
These moments matter. And yet, without somewhere to capture them, they slip away faster than you'd expect. By the time your baby arrives, the early weeks can feel like they happened to someone else entirely. That's exactly why we created the Pregnancy Journal Made With Love — not for perfection, just for remembering.
With 194 reviews and a perfect 5-star rating, this journal has become a trusted companion for thousands of New Zealand parents. But what actually makes it different from the dozens of pregnancy journals out there? Let's walk through everything you need to know.
What's Actually Inside: A Week-by-Week Journey from Fertility to Fourth Trimester
Most pregnancy journals start at the positive test. But honestly? For many of us, the journey begins much earlier. The hoping, the waiting, the trying — these chapters deserve acknowledgment too.
Pre-Conception and Fertility Chapter
This is where Made With Love differs from almost every other pregnancy journal on the market. We've included a dedicated fertility chapter because we know that for some families, conception isn't straightforward. Whether you're tracking cycles, navigating IVF, or simply preparing your body and mind for pregnancy, this section gives that chapter a place of its own.
It's completely optional — you can skip straight to trimester one if that suits your story. But if your path to pregnancy involved months or years of trying, you deserve somewhere to honour that journey.
Week-by-Week Prompts Through All 40 Weeks
From the moment you find out (if you've just discovered you're expecting, our guide on what to do when you first find out you're pregnant might help) through to those final impatient days, each week includes thoughtful prompts. Not generic ones either — real questions that capture how you're actually feeling, what's changing, and what you're looking forward to.
Postnatal Chapter
Here's something that surprised us during development: almost no pregnancy journals include the weeks after birth. But the fourth trimester is such a significant, overwhelming, beautiful blur that deserves documenting too. Our postnatal chapter covers those precious early weeks with your newborn, creating a bridge between pregnancy and the baby book that follows.
The Design Details That New Zealand Parents Actually Notice
When you're creating a keepsake that families will treasure for generations, the details matter more than you might think.
Every page features our signature gold foil journal prompt stickers — a design element that's become synonymous with Forget Me Not Journals across our entire range. They're tactile, elegant, and somehow make even your tired 3am scribbles feel intentional.
The journal is designed right here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and we ship daily from both Auckland and Melbourne. That means if you order on Monday morning, you could be writing in it by Wednesday — no waiting weeks for international shipping.
We're also incredibly proud to be the first New Zealand baby journal brand to offer full Māori macron support in all our personalisation. Because names like Māui, Aroha, and Tūhoe deserve to be spelled correctly on keepsakes that will last a lifetime.
What 194 Five-Star Reviews Actually Tell Us
A perfect 5-star rating across 194 reviews isn't something we take lightly. But more valuable than the stars themselves are the patterns in what parents write about.
The most common feedback? Parents appreciate that the prompts feel genuine rather than overwhelming. There's no pressure to fill every page or write essays — some weeks you might jot three words, others you might pour your heart out. Both are valid.
New Zealand mums specifically mention loving that it feels designed for them, not adapted from an American template. No references to baby showers in August (when it's winter here), no confusion about trimesters and seasons, no imperial measurements.
Many reviewers also note they wish they'd started earlier. Which brings us to an honest point: if you're already well into your pregnancy, this journal still works beautifully. You can back-fill earlier weeks with what you remember, or simply start from where you are. Some moments deserve more than a camera roll, and it's never too late to start capturing them.
Pairing Your Pregnancy Journal With What Comes Next
Pregnancy is just the beginning of the story. And one question we're asked constantly is how to create a cohesive keepsake collection that flows from bump to baby to toddlerhood and beyond.
For parents who want both pieces sorted from the start, our Pregnancy Journal and Baby Book Bundle pairs Made With Love with our award-winning Your First Years Baby Book at a bundled price. The design aesthetic flows seamlessly between them, creating a beautiful matching set for your shelf.
You can explore our full range of baby books and personalised baby journals to see how they complement each other — whether you prefer neutral tones, sage green, or something bolder.
Supporting Your Pregnancy Beyond the Journal
A journal captures memories, but pregnancy itself requires proper support and information. Health New Zealand offers comprehensive guidance on maternity care, from finding a midwife to understanding your options for birth in Aotearoa.
We've also created resources to support your pregnancy journey. Our guide to what foods to eat when pregnant covers nutrition advice specific to New Zealand, while our collection of pregnancy affirmations for every trimester offers something to turn to on harder days.
And when baby arrives, Plunket becomes an invaluable resource for those early weeks and months — their support is free and available across New Zealand.
Is This Journal Right for You? An Honest Assessment
Let's be direct: no single product suits everyone, and we'd rather you make the right choice than buy something that doesn't fit your needs.
Made With Love is ideal if you want structured prompts to guide your journaling, appreciate quality materials and design, and like the idea of documenting from fertility through to postnatal. At $69, it's positioned as a keepsake investment rather than a budget option.
It might not be right if you prefer completely blank pages for free-form journaling, or if you're looking for something ultra-minimalist. Our journal is comprehensive by design — 40 weeks of prompts plus fertility and postnatal chapters means there's substantial content to work through.
What we can promise is that it's made with genuine care, designed specifically for New Zealand families, and backed by thousands of parents who've trusted us with their memories. Record today, remember tomorrow — that's been our philosophy since two sisters started this business around a kitchen table in Auckland, and it guides everything we create.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start my pregnancy journal?
Ideally, as soon as you find out you're pregnant — or even earlier if you're using the fertility chapter. However, you can absolutely start at any point in your pregnancy. Many parents begin in their second trimester and simply back-fill earlier weeks with memories. The best time to start is now.
Does the Made With Love journal include space for ultrasound photos?
Yes, there are dedicated spaces throughout for ultrasound images and bump photos at various stages. The pages are designed to accommodate standard ultrasound print sizes from New Zealand clinics and hospitals.
Can I use this journal if I'm having twins or multiples?
Absolutely. While the weekly prompts are designed with single pregnancies in mind, there's plenty of space to note details specific to multiples. Many twin and triplet parents use the journal successfully, simply adapting prompts where needed.
How long does shipping take within New Zealand?
We ship daily from Auckland, and most NZ orders arrive within 2-4 business days. Urban areas like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch typically receive orders faster, while rural delivery may take an extra day or two.
Is the pregnancy journal a good baby shower gift?
It's one of our most popular gift choices. Many people pair it with our baby book in the bundle option for a complete keepsake set. Gift wrapping is available at checkout, and we can include a personalised message.