I’m currently writing this post while I’m 38 weeks pregnant and I can’t believe I only have a couple weeks left before our little bean arrives! (If you missed the announcement, read about it here!) The first trimester felt really slow (hello, EXHAUSTION) but the rest of it just flew by. I still have a few things left to do to prep for her arrival, but I thought I’d share a few of the pregnancy essentials that really helped me get through my pregnancy. Some are simple and others have been lifesavers. Overall, I really can’t complain about my pregnancy. I’ve been extremely fortunate to feel pretty great overall, with minor issues or complications (especially at my age) but there are still some items that really made the journey easier on me. These are a few of my favorite pregnancy essentials that will hopefully make the journey easier for you too!
1// As you know, with pregnancy your belly increases in size, but so do a lot of other areas of your body! I didn’t really think much about underwear in the beginning, but as my pregnancy progressed, I realized that I needed to find some something that was going to grow with me. This pack of seamless underwear are still a go-to for me. They’re so comfortable and really stretch without losing their shape. They don’t dig into the bottom of my belly and you can’t even tell you’re wearing them. Very comfy and something I will absolutely purchase again. And with over 50K reviews, you know they’re a winner!
2// I’ve seen a lot of these listed on many pregnancy essentials lists, but I didn’t really start using this pillow until I was further along in my pregnancy. (Probably around the middle of the second trimester). Once my belly started gaining some ground and getting bigger, the towels I had previously been using just didn’t cut it anymore. After using it for a few nights, my husband now knows that this baby is coming with us anywhere that I need to sleep, including the hospital. I place this pillow right on top of my normal everyday pillow to elevate me a little bit (pregnancy congestion is REAL). It has one side that seems a bit puffier and one that’s a little more flat. I really liked having the option to switch between the two, if needed. I also like that the length allows me to use it between my knees, which I think has helped me to avoid a lot of back pain!
3// For the first few months of pregnancy these were not needed, but it did get to a point where I was no longer fitting into my old bras, and even the larger maternity bras that I had purchased had bands that were too constricting on top of my belly. I found myself reaching for this pack of nursing bras over all of my others, especially during my last trimester. You just get to a point where you want to be comfy and these bras are definitely that! I will say that if you have a larger chest, these are not the most supportive, but if you’re just lounging around at home, they are absolute winners. (And even more so for less than $30 for 3!) I definitely see myself wearing them exclusively during those first few weeks at home postpartum.
4// When I first found out I was pregnant I went through all of my skincare and beauty products and stopped using the ones that weren’t pregnancy safe. I kept having little breakouts here and there and it was really frustrating not being able to use my normal go-to’s, but I did find that this serum was totally safe to use and worked great to help me fight any pimples that decided to pop up out of nowhere! Any time my skin felt a little less than stellar I would put on a thin layer before bed and was usually go to go that next morning. There’s a reason this lifesaver made it onto my pregnancy essentials list and not just because it’s under $10!
5// During pregnancy you have to drink A LOT of water. I always wondered how it was even possible to drink that much in a day, but here I am now crushing my water goals. I feel like water bottles are kind of a personal thing and know that we all have our own favorites, so whichever yours may be just make sure to use one that you like and will help you drink water frequently throughout the day. I’ve linked to this one before because I always find myself reaching for it over any other. I like that I can throw it in my bag without worrying about it leaking and love that my water stays cold in it for hours and hours. If you’re partial to a straw, you can also add one if needed. A little bit pricier, but I’ve had mine for years and years and it’s still just as good as new.
6// I know that the ability to get or avoid stretch marks comes down to genetics, but this belly butter and this belly oil really kept my skin hydrated and moisturized throughout my entire pregnancy and I do feel like it played a small part in keeping the stretch marks at bay. A lot of women also complain about itchy belly skin, but I never had any issues with mine at all and I credit it to these two products. (You can also buy the bundle together). I used the oil anytime I came out of the shower and would use the belly butter on days I didn’t shower. During the first trimester I wasn’t as religious about using them, but once my belly started growing in size, I tried to remember to use one of the two products every day. The company also makes baby safe products that I can’t wait to try once the little Ms. arrives. I’ve also already purchased their nipple butter (which has a cult following) to try once I’m in my postpartum stage.
7// My mom purchased this for me as a gift when I was in my first trimester and I honestly didn’t think I was ever going to use it, but I was so wrong. It’s definitely up there as one of my most used pregnancy essentials! As my belly grew in size it would ache after walking for a long period of time or on days when I was doing a lot around the house, or running a lot of errands. It gave my belly that extra support it needed and really alleviated the weight and pressure. I ended up packing it and taking it with me on my babymoon in Italy and I used it almost everyday since we were walking so much. The brand also makes postpartum products, C section support undies, maternity clothing, and more. I’m planning to purchase their post pregnancy belly wrap next!
8// If you’re top heavy and have some larger ladies, take special note of this item on my pregnancy essentials list. As my belly got bigger and my body temperature continued to rise (third trimester furnace problems), I started developing a heat rash underneath my breasts, because they would sit on top of my belly all day and rub. Bra bands didn’t help and would only irritate the problem. I started using this powder because it was all natural, fragrance free, and baby safe. It worked like a charm and my rashes didn’t stand a chance. I tried to remember to use it after a shower, but if I forgot and started to get any irritation, I put it on and the rash and itching went away almost immediately. I’m planning to use the rest of the container on the baby and any rashes she may get!
9// Speaking of heat and the third trimester, I lived in these nightgowns to sleep. My body was constantly running hot and these were the only thing I could comfortably sleep in during those last few months. I also really like these ones as well (just size up for your belly), and lived in this one during the first and second trimester. Most of these will work postpartum for breastfeeding or pumping too!
10// There comes a point in every pregnancy where putting on your shoes becomes a major problem. You can no longer just bend over to tie your laces or pull on a pair of boots, not to mention being able to not run out of breath while attempting! When that day does come, these shoes are the absolute BEST. I don’t know what I’d be wearing at this point if I hadn’t purchased these shoes, because I wear them literally every single day. They are completely hands free. No tying, no pulling, no heel crushing, no hands. You won’t have to spend your pregnancy attempting to bend down to put shoes on or asking others to help. A little pricey, but worth every single penny in my opinion. I purchased the Lima style in graphite, but they have a bunch of different styles and colors. (I also really love these ones). Would be perfect for an elderly family member, someone who just had surgery, or kids too!
11// A prenatal supplement is an essential during pregnancy and should be on all pregnancy essentials lists. There are a lot of different brands on the market, but I really enjoyed this brand and what was included in the ingredients. I took their Once Daily Prenatal and the Omega-3 DHA supplement. The prenatal is organic, gluten free, and vegan, and they never upset my stomach at all. I also really liked that I only had to take one pill a day! The Omega-3 DHA doesn’t have a fishy aftertaste either and was really easy to take. I started taking these before we were trying to conceive and throughout my entire pregnancy too. I take them right before bed, which works best for me to ensure I don’t forget, but you can take them with food too.
12// Another supplement that I highly recommend is this one! It contains magnesium, calcium, and also lemon balm extract. Magnesium is known to help with leg cramps during pregnancy, aids in hydration, and also boosts relaxation and more restful sleep. (I had some issues with pregnancy induced carpal tunnel in both of my wrists and my doctor also mentioned that magnesium would help to alleviate my systems). I never experienced many leg cramps during my pregnancy and I’m chalking it up to this supplement! Plus, when paired with calcium it’s helpful for bone structure development too! Two pills per day kept me feeling great throughout my pregnancy. They are vegan, non-GMO, tested for over 125 chemical substances, made without 9 allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame) and they’re gluten-free. Make sure to talk to your doctor about adding them to your pregnancy plan. If you’re looking for a different form of magnesium to use, I also really love this bath soak!
All pregnancies are different and unique, but these pregnancy essentials of mine are the ones that really stood out and made my pregnancy more enjoyable. Pregnancy can be A LOT to handle and I’m a big believer that anything that can help to make it better is worth it in my book. Let me know if you try out any of these during your pregnancy or if we already have some of the same favorites!
