I am 6 months into my pregnancy and my doctor has insisted I stay at home until I give birth. My infant's weight is putting far too much pressure on my back. But I am also getting readying to give birth to my first infant at the ripe old age of 36. So, my doctor wants to avert any potential risks.

The fact that it has been snowing every other day in the last week, is another reason to stay home. But I have been home now on leave for just under 4 months. I am not ready to greet my child. I haven't done any of the required shopping and left most of that to my husband. Mistake. He still hasn't worked out how to find diapers for newborns in the supermarket.

But for my birthday I was offered a shiny new laptop. So I spend my days online doing the shopping I need to have done before my baby comes home from hospital. I was shocked at all I found up for sale on the internet. There are entire stores online which sell everything from memorabilia, like military patches, to lingerie.

I need diapers, hygiene accessories, warm little boots, clothes, toiletries, blankets, bedding, and so much more. I wanted to buy a small music player for my child's room because I believe music will soothe him to sleep and when he is feeding. I also wanted to place a telephone in the room so I wouldn't have to be interrupted while caring for him if it rang. There's a few other gadgets I wanted to find, like one of those automatic babysitters and a video camera to film his every moment.

This is a spiritual moment for me. I had not planned it and I was actually quite sure that I didn't want children just yet. But when it finally happened, I was overjoyed. My fears have, at times, been over-bearing. I have spent some time reading advice from other parents and feel I am ready now.

I have spent my time at home preparing my house for the newcomer to the family. Shopping online has given me such pleasure. I have managed to set up my child's room but I've also redone quite a few things throughout the house. And all my Christmas shopping was done online too. Not only is it more pleasurable, but it is a very efficient system indeed. No hassles. No lines. No time lost. Within days, the goods you purchased arrive at your doorstep.

To give a little tranquility to the last few moments of my pregnancy, notoriously more difficult, I even purchased some art tools to help me pass that period, and I am actually looking forward to doing some painting.

I don't know if would have coped with the stress of pregnancy had it not been for online shopping. Of course, my husband has been doing a few extra hours at the office in order to pay our credit card bill...

This article gives reference to allneedsandwants discount store, arttools.com and My Baby Advice Blog.