Pregnancy Journal for Mom and Dad: A Diary for Both Parents
Reviewed by Safi Allah Khan
Medically reviewed by: Safi Allah Khan · Written by the Momi team · Last updated 20 October 2026
Quick answer: A pregnancy journal for mom and dad gives both parents a place to record the same nine months from two points of view. Mom writes about symptoms, kicks and feelings; dad or a partner writes about the news, scans, worries and hopes. Keep separate entries or a shared one, add weekly bump photos, and swap entries to read later.
Most pregnancy journals are written for the person who's pregnant. But partners have their own story. This guide adds partner prompts to the basics in how to write a pregnancy journal, and explains how Momi's pregnancy journal handles two diaries.
Why partners should journal too
- A different view. The partner sees the pregnancy from the outside: the first time they saw the bump move, the drive to the scan, what it felt like to wait.
- It helps with the change. ACOG says pregnancy and parenthood are huge life changes, it can take time to adjust, and it's not unusual for both partners to have ups and downs.
- It builds involvement. ACOG notes that when a partner is involved and supportive, the pregnant partner may be less anxious and have less stress after the birth. Writing is one more way to stay engaged.
- A gift to your child. Two voices make the story richer.
Prompts for dads and partners
First trimester
- How did you find out? What was your first thought?
- What did you do in the hour after you heard?
- What are you most excited about? Most worried about?
- How are you supporting your partner through the tiredness and nausea?
- What did you feel at the first scan?
Second trimester
- Describe the first time you felt the baby kick.
- What did you see at the anatomy scan?
- What kind of parent do you want to be?
- What do you want to teach your child?
- What have you learned about pregnancy that surprised you?
Third trimester
- What are you doing to get ready? (Car seat, nursery, classes)
- What's your role on the big day?
- What scares you about the birth? What are you looking forward to?
- Write a letter to your baby.
- Write a letter to your partner.
Prompts for mom
- How did you tell your partner?
- When did it start to feel real?
- What does your partner do that helps most?
- What do you want your baby to know about this time?
For more, see the trimester prompts in how to write a pregnancy journal.
Couples' prompts to do together
- What were your first words when you found out?
- Your favorite (and funniest) name ideas
- The songs, foods or places you want to share with your baby
- What you each think the baby will be like
- Your hopes for your family a year from now
One shared journal or two?
| One shared journal | Two separate diaries | |
|---|---|---|
| Story | A single timeline in two voices | Two parallel stories |
| Honesty | You may write for each other | Easier to write freely |
| Effort | Easy to keep in one place | Each writes at their own pace |
| Sharing | Already shared | Swap and read later, or share chosen entries |
There's no wrong answer. Some couples keep separate diaries during pregnancy and read each other's after the baby arrives.
Sharing entries
- Read them on a set day, such as when the pregnancy week changes.
- Save some for later, like a letter to open on the baby's first birthday.
- Print or export your journal as a keepsake.
- Be kind. Entries are honest snapshots, including the hard days.
When to look beyond the journal
Journaling isn't a substitute for support. The NHS says fathers and partners can also have depression after a baby is born. ACOG notes that it's often a partner who first notices signs of postpartum depression. If either of you often feels low, anxious, panicky or unable to cope, speak to a GP, midwife or doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
How Momi's dad diary works
Momi has two diaries in one app:
- Mom's diary for the pregnant parent's entries
- Dad's diary for the partner's entries
Both live on the same phone. Momi doesn't sync diaries between two devices yet, so it works best when you share the phone or take turns. Add a weekly bump photo and ultrasound pictures alongside. With Premium, the journey becomes a timeline you can export as a PDF ebook.
How Momi helps
Beyond the two diaries, Momi tracks your pregnancy week by week with baby size and tips, so partners can follow along when they open the app. The kick counter and contraction timer are easy for a partner to use, too: one taps while the other focuses.
Download Momi free on the App Store or Google Play. Free with ads; optional Premium.
Related: pregnancy app for dads · pregnancy tracking app for both parents · pregnancy week by week
Sources
- ACOG, A Partner's Guide to Pregnancy
- NHS, Postnatal depression
- NHS, Mental health in pregnancy
- ACOG, Postpartum Depression
- NHS, Your baby's movements
Medical disclaimer: Momi and this website provide general information, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or midwife; in an emergency call your local emergency number.
FAQ
Should dads keep a pregnancy journal?
It's a lovely idea. A partner's view of pregnancy is different, and those memories are easily lost. ACOG notes that pregnancy is a big change for both partners and that ups and downs are common; writing gives partners a place to process it and leaves a keepsake for your child.
What should a dad write in a pregnancy journal?
How he heard the news, his first scan, the first time he felt a kick, worries and hopes, what he's learning, names, preparing the nursery and a letter to the baby. Short, honest entries work best.
Should we keep one shared journal or two separate ones?
Both work. One shared journal makes a single story with two voices. Separate diaries let each of you write freely, and you can swap and read them later. Many couples do separate entries and share the special ones.
Can dads get depression during or after pregnancy?
Yes. The NHS says fathers and partners can also have depression after having a baby. If a partner feels low, anxious or unable to cope, they should talk to a GP or doctor. Support is there for both parents.
Can Momi's dad diary sync to my partner's phone?
Not at the moment. Momi has a Mom's diary and a Dad's diary in the same app, so you both write on one phone. There's no cross-device sharing yet. With Premium, you can export your timeline as a PDF ebook to keep or share.
Related guides
Track this in Momi
Momi is a free pregnancy tracker app for iPhone and Android that follows pregnancy week by week, estimates the due date, and keeps a pregnancy journal, weight log, kick counter and contraction timer in one place.
