Dating during pregnancy doesn’t have to be all that different than dating at any other point in your relationship. However, there are a few extra things to consider, especially if this is your first time being pregnant.

Pregnancy is a unique stage of life, and while it can seem to drag on forever (especially in the third trimester), it also goes by in the blink of an eye. After baby arrives, your life and relationship will change forever.

If this is your first child, it is likely that these will be the last few months that you spend together as (only) a couple. If there are things you have always wanted to do as a couple (maybe even a couple’s bucket list), now may be the best time to check those things off your list!

Soon, you’ll be celebrating a whole list of “firsts” with your baby, but for now, take some time to celebrate some of the “lasts” as a couple. Take a little extra time to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

Remember that as you near the end of your pregnancy, you may not be comfortable doing some of the things you would normally do otherwise. It is worth taking some time to plan a few dates that will be easy, even if you don’t really feel like moving too much.

Even though due date calculators are great for getting an estimated due date, it is impossible to know exactly when your baby will arrive. Make sure you don’t put off dating as a pregnant couple until the “last date before baby comes.” Make dating during pregnancy a regular habit, and be sure to document your time together. Hopefully this post will give you plenty of ideas for regular date nights throughout your pregnancy!

21 date night ideas including romantic, fun & practical ideas for early & late stages of pregnancy

Romantic Date Night Ideas

1. Get a couple’s massage

Although your options may be slightly limited since some facilities will not allow pregnant women to book certain massages, there are still plenty of options to spoil yourself with a massage. Many spas will have alternative options for pregnant women, including facials and foot/leg massages.

You can always look into a specialist who offers pre-natal massage, or you can opt for something simple. You know that foot massage kiosk you always walk past in the mall? This could be the perfect time to give it a try.

2. Cook dinner together

If you don’t already cook together, this can be a great way to have fun working on something as a team. But even if you already love cooking together, take a chance to change it up a little during pregnancy.

You could have fun and try to create the most random recipe possible based on her cravings, or you could start practicing perfecting those staple meals that almost all kids love, like mac and cheese! Be sure to be aware of nutrition recommendations for pregnant women.

3. Recreate your first date

This may or not be “romantic”… depending on what you did for your first date. My husband and I met at a Dave Matthews Band concert back in 2003, and we often re-create that date by going to see them live.

Even if you don’t re-create your first date exactly, make a list of some of the best dates you’ve been on together and take some time to re-create your favorite date nights.

4. Go dancing together

Dancing is a great way to connect intimately and also get some exercise! This would be a great activity for the second trimester after the nausea has slowed down (hopefully), and before you get to the point where you are too uncomfortable to move.

Consider trying several types of dance, or taking dance lessons together. We love contra dancing and swing dancing, and have always talked about trying a ballroom class.

Fun Date Night Ideas

5. Follow your cravings

Craving pickles and ice cream? Turn it into a date. Go to the restaurant with the best fried pickles in town and then follow it up at an awesome ice cream shop.

For me, I loved really hearty salads. Big salads with bacon, blue cheese, cucumber chunks, etc. And greek salads with olives, feta cheese, etc. I also loved Moose Tracks ice cream with hardshell on top!

6. Go to a comedy show

You know what they say… laughter is the best medicine. If you hit a point in your pregnancy where you feel discouraged and ready to be done, consider going on a date to a comedy show.

Depending on where you live, it may be easy to find a popular comedy club with regular comedians, but if you don’t have something like that near you, check out meetup.com and see if there are any comedy or improv meetups in your area!

7. Have a game night

Sometimes you just want to stay home and have a simple date night. One great at-home idea is to have a game night. You can have hours of fun playing games together, whether that be simple board games or classic party games (maybe even throw in a little naked Twister).

As a way to get to know each other better, consider picking a favorite board game from your childhood. Otherwise, check out a local toys and games store and ask for suggestions. There are thousands of board games, and you may just find a new favorite!

8. Go to a drive-in movie

If there is one available in your area, consider going to a drive in movie! You can either relax in your car, or bring a blanket and pillows to have a picnic on the lawn in front of the big screen.

If you don’t have a drive-in theatre, try an indie theatre, or consider a concert, ballet, orchestra or other live show!

Dating in Early Pregnancy

9. Go on a babymoon

If you would like to go on a “babymoon” that requires flying, you might want to do it earlier than later in your pregnancy. Most airlines will allow you to fly up to 36 weeks pregnant, but there are other things to consider, especially if you are traveling out of the country.

Take the time to do something that the two of you have always wanted to do, but that may be difficult with children. This could be anything from going on a cruise or staying at a resort that isn’t “kid friendly” to going to Vegas or NYC to see shows where young children are not allowed.

10. Do one last photoshoot before you are showing

If you find out that you are pregnant early enough, one great idea is to have one last couple’s photoshoot before the baby bump appears. This is especially a good idea if it has been a long time since you have had portraits made together.

If you have already had portraits made recently, consider doing an announcement photoshoot so that you have pictures to share when you decide to share the good news with your friends and family!

11. Go to an amusement park

Once you are pregnant, you may not be able to go on any intense rides, but in early pregnancy, you can still have fun on moderate rides. Even if you don’t go to a large amusement park, you can always try out go carts or laser tag at a small amusement park.

If you are pregnant during the summer, consider going to a water park, even if you just float around in the lazy river all day.

12. Go hiking or rock climbing

Obviously you don’t want to do anything that will put you in danger, but if you are someone who likes to be outdoors, now may be the time to get in that hike or climb that you’ve been putting off.

Even if you aren’t up for a grand adventure, try to get out into nature and go for a walk together. This is also a great way to establish healthy habits in the first trimester so you can stay fit and healthy throughout your pregnancy.

Date Night Ideas for the Third Trimester

13. Stream some pregnancy themed movies

Now that you are two thirds of the way through pregnancy, you may want to stay home more often than you want to leave the house. A perfect date night idea to you might be to Netflix and chill. Why not have a night (maybe even every week) where you sit down together and watch a movie about pregnancy.

There are dozens, if not hundreds of movies centered around pregnancy, just head over to Google and search for “movies and shows about pregnancy” and you’ll find an interactive and filterable list of ideas! A few top suggestions are Juno, Knocked Up, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Baby Mama, and Nine Months.

14. Schedule a maternity session

Most photographers recommend scheduling your maternity session to take place between 32-36 weeks pregnant. Many photographers are happy to involve both parents in a maternity session, and this could be a great date night idea. The session will be much easier for momma if she has her partner there to support her, even if they are solo maternity photos.

Be sure to book your maternity photographer well in advance. Some of the best ones will book up several months ahead of time, especially during the spring and fall.

15. Look back at photos of your relationship so far

Take some time to round up photos from your relationship so far, and just spend all afternoon looking at them. Tell each other stories and reminisce on your relationship so far. Talk about which stories you want to tell your children, and which ones are better left untold.

This is also a great time to organize your photos, delete some of the junk, and make sure you have a good backup so that you’ll be able to find them for years to come!

16. Go for a long walk and eat some spicy food

At the very end of your pregnancy, you’ll be ready to get that labor started. Spend some time together walking, dancing, and trying all of the (safe) natural remedies you can find.

Getting Ready for Your Baby Together

17. Interview birth centers or midwives, or tour hospitals

When you first find out that you are pregnant, you have to decide on where you will have your baby, and who will help you with the delivery. You may already have this picked out, or have an idea of what you will do, but even if you do, consider interviewing a few alternative options.

We chose a local hospital and got a tour ahead of time. Knowing where things were made the hospital stay more comfortable, so my husband could come and go easily without getting lost.

18. Go to a bookstore or the library and look at baby name books

If you haven’t already picked baby names, this can be an awesome date night! Get a few books of baby names (or baby name apps) and sit down in a coffee shop and make a list of names that you love.

Start by each making a separate list, then see if you have any names in common, or names that go well together. While you are at it, take some time to laugh at the most ridiculous names in the books as well.

19. Start a baby registry

If you are having a baby shower or expect that people will want to buy you a gift, consider starting a baby registry together. You can start a registry at a typical baby store like Buy Buy Baby, or register at a regular department store like Target.

Make sure that you both have a chance to add some items to the list that you want, and be sure to pick things in a variety of price ranges.

20. Take a childbirth class together

The birth center where we gave birth had education built in to the checkup process, but not all hospitals or birth facilities will do this. You may get some basic resources, but it is surprising how little is generally taught about the process of birth.

This is a great thing to do together, because during labor, it is very likely that one of you will forget everything you learned. Practicing birth positions and breathing techniques might seem cheesy, but I promise that you won’t regret it when it is go time! There are many different types of birth classes, so pick one that is appealing to you and give it a try!

21. Buy a keepsake for your baby

On one of your date nights, you can go shopping for a special keepsake for your new baby. Spending time together while you pick this item will make it even more special, and will give you both stories to tell your child one day.

You could also buy a special piece of jewelry that you will give them right away, or that you will wear until they turn a certain age and then pass down to them. If you already have a keepsake in mind, you could also use one of your dates to write a letter to your baby, either about the keepsake or just in general. Later on when you really want to tell the stories about the months when you were pregnant, you’ll be surprised how little you remember if you don’t take the time to record it now!

Bonus Idea: Start a Vlog

Speaking of recording your thoughts, why not also record your dates?! Almost everyone has a high quality video camera right on their cell phone, so use it to record these months that are leading up to your life changing forever. Even if you don’t share the videos publicly, you’ll be happy that you have a video log that you can share with your child later!

Over to you! What are some of the best date night ideas you have for pregnant couples? Share your ideas and stories in the comments below!