So you're pregnant? There's an app for that

When I discovered I was pregnant, I wanted fast access to information to answer the all-important questions: What happens to my body? How will my baby change each week? Will I really crave gherkin-flavoured ice cream even though I've never eaten gherkins in my entire life? What does the name Beyoncé mean?

Three months into my pregnancy, I find it frustrating that these all-consuming questions always come to mind at the most inopportune times and I can never remember them when I have the internet in front of me.

This is where mobile phone applications have saved me more than once. With so many free and low cost pregnancy-related apps available, they’re fast becoming a convenient resource for expecting parents – and in some cases, a good source of entertainment, too.

Here are some of the most useful and popular pregnancy apps available for the iPhone.

iPregnancy - $4.99

Baby brain sufferers, look no further. This app shows how far along your pregnancy is, calculates Body Mass Index, tracks weight gain and records vital stats pertaining to mother and unborn bub, notes on medical visits, questions for the obstetrician, important pregnancy contact numbers, as well as all relevant medical appointments, with a reminders of scheduled appointment popping up each time the app is opened. It also features a ‘Baby Names’ list to add possible choices to.

The app provides quick tips and information divided into baby, mummy and daddy. The daddy component has some great pointers for handling hormonal partners and any potential mood swings such as, “The fact is, she is looking even more gorgeous than usual right now. You cannot tell her enough ways. Take her to dinner at your favourite restaurant and describe them to her.”

Best part: The images of baby at each week, in both 2D, 3D and drawn form, as well as the ability to put a snap of your own expanding belly in at each new week. 

dad2be - $2.49

The intention of dad2be is to “provide general information with a fun edge that you might get from a friend” – and it does precisely that.

With simple subject titles such as Dos, Don’ts and Nevers such as “Never check the scores during labour”, language and notes are short and direct - “Giving birth is usually very painful. Be prepared to witness your pregnant partner in pain.” It cuts through all the waffle and just presents the facts as they are – and sounds exactly like the kind of advice men would dispense to each other, and actually listen to.

Best bit: Besides the fact this is one piece of pregnancy literature expectant dads will be happy to read, it contains a glossary of pregnancy-related terms expectant mums will find useful too.

Pimp My Ultrasound - Free

Clearly designed for entertainment purposes only, users upload an ultrasound image of their unborn child to the app and ‘pimp’ it. 

With a large variety of accessories and props on offer, including hats, mohawks, sunglasses, sporting goods, footwear, musical instruments and speech bubbles, it’s definitely giggle-worthy and will help create at least one ultrasound image those outside of the immediate family will genuinely enjoying looking at.

Best Bit: It’s free – and the ultrasound image will possibly become your child’s first embarrassing photo.

Foods to Avoid When Pregnant - $1.19

During pregnancy hunger often strikes hard, fast and out of nowhere – and if food consumption isn’t imminent, a spray of vomit often will be. For those of us who have found themselves in a food court thinking fries from McDonalds is the only safe option available, this app takes the headache out of one of the most confusing aspects of pregnancy.

Including categories such as ‘Cheese & Dairy’, Fish & Seafood’ and ‘Drinks  & Beverages’, each is divided further into sub headings, providing more detailed information and clarification as to exactly what can and can’t be eaten of that group. 

This is especially handy when on the run and in need of a quick ‘Foods to Avoid’ refresher.

Best Bit: Cheese lovers can rejoice in devouring the relatively long list of safe cheeses.

Baby Names Wizard - $1.19

You never know where you’ll be when you discover a potential baby name, so an application devoted to this is an absolutely necessity.

While some name apps boast databases of 25,000 names ore more, the search functions can be confusing at times. The Baby Names Wizard is very cute and very simple to navigate, allowing names to be searched by gender, meaning, origin, trends and popularity. You can also create a list of favourites, which can be easily emailed to family and friends.

And for the record, Beyoncé, African/American in origin, means ‘freshwater lagoon.’

Best Bit: Searching for names is a great for keeping occupied in doctor and obstetrician waiting rooms.

Essential Baby has a Weekly Guide to Pregnancy app, available for free download from the iTunes store.