Pregnancy can be such a beautiful journey, but it also comes with many new & unexpected changes! Be prepared with some of my first, second, and third trimester must haves.
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I am a mom to a 16 month old boy named Noah & am currently pregnant again with a baby girl (coming April 2022). Yes, that means that in about a 2.5 year span, I will have spent 18 months pregnant - wow! Needless to say, pregnancy has been my reality recently, and I have become quite familiar with all of its stages & must have products.
Pregnancy products are a HUGE industry. There is pretty much a product for everything. Pregnant woman are the perfect "target" for companies because we are going through so many changes mentally, emotionally, and physically that we pretty much will buy anything to find relief. Once the internet finds out you’re pregnant you’re going to get bombarded with ads, emails, coupons, and more for every pregnancy product known to (wo)man. I know that I have experienced this first hand & have fallen for the bait - purchasing things that I didn't use or need.
The problem with this is that we all experience pregnancy so differently. Just because we all share this common thing - being pregnant - doesn't mean that we all need the same things. In fact, my second pregnancy has been quite different than my first - thus requiring a tweak or two in my pregnancy essentials. With that being said, use this list of must haves to best suit your needs and pregnancy journey - knowing that what you feel/need is unique to you.
Keep reading to discover my pregnancy must haves - from nausea relief, to belly butters, to wardrobe musts!
First Trimester
*Images linked a the bottom of each section - in the order they are presented*
1. Belly Band
Whether this is your first pregnancy or you're an old pro, you will start to notice some changes in your body - starting in the first trimester. Although you may not be sporting a major baby bump just yet, you will start to notice that many of the things you used to wear, pre-baby, just don't seem to fit like they used to. Not to worry! You can still rock your favorite jeans with the infamous Belly Band. This magical creation is a small piece of fabric that can cover up the fact that you can't actually button your pants anymore - it's AWESOME!
I have both the black & white color options (size S/M) from Target.
2. Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are ESSENTIAL to a healthy pregnancy. If you had planned on getting pregnant, I am sure that your doctor recommended that you actually start taking them prior to conceiving. They are FULL of vitamins and nutrients that support the growth and development of your baby.
There are a variety of ingredients that your prenatal vitamin needs to have - ie. folic acid and iron, but it is hard to know which brand is best. Talk to your doctor about what prenatal vitamin is best for you and your baby before making a decision. Personally, I take an over-the-counter prenatal from Kroger - which my doctor has approved.
3. Yeti Rambler
Water, water, water - a word that you will hear, repeatedly, while pregnant - followed by hydration, hydration, hydration! You are typically required to drink at least 90 ounces of water a day (about 10 cups of water) while pregnant. Some health care providers even recommend more - intaking up to 100 ounces per day. That's A LOT of water, especially if you aren't typically a water drinker. Having a large water bottle or cup with you, at all times, will help you be successful in maintaining an appropriate water intake. There are tons of pretty ones to choose from nowadays. Some even have waterline measurements on them to keep better track of your intake.
I, personally, LOVE my Yeti! It goes everywhere with me! The Yeti Rambler comes in a variety of colors & two different sizes. I prefer the larger (32 oz). They are also sold by a variety of retailers, so they are easy to get your hands on. My favorites are the coral pink & white!
4. Sea-Bands
Morning sickness & nausea are, unfortunately, a reality for most women during pregnancy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 70% of pregnant women get morning sickness. Although there is no magic formula to fixing morning sickness/nausea, there are some things that you can try to help. Something that helped me tremendously are my Sea-Bands. I originally bought them for a cruise that I went on a few years back, because I get terrible seasickness & wouldn't you know - morning sickness, for me, feels just like that! When feeling dizzy, light headed, or even nauseous, I would just place the bands on my wrist to provide me relief.
Other great nausea relief items are: ginger ale & saltine crackers. Both were a major food group during the first trimester of both of my pregnancies!
5. Pregnancy Books & Websites/Apps
Since pregnancy can be such a new & overwhelming journey for some, it is important to educate yourself on what your body is doing & how it is growing. A great way to to do that is by reading. There are tons of great pregnancy books out there that cover just about any topic you can think of & more! One that was gifted to me at the beginning of my first pregnancy was What to Expect When You're Expecting. It is a classic book (more like encyclopedia) on all things pregnancy! It is truly a one stop shop!
Websites and apps are also great ways to get information about pregnancy. A quick google search of a symptom or question & you have a world of information at your finger tips. Many of the pregnancy websites that you can visit for information also have apps. They can even track your pregnancy for you, send you weekly bump date emails, and more. See the list below of some of my favorites:
Second Trimester
Skin care is also an important part of pregnancy! As your belly starts to grow, you may notice some of the following: tightness, itchiness, & those pesky lines (dreaded stretch marks). Although stretch marks are beautiful and proof that your body performed a miracle, I get wanting to combat them - if you can. I use the Palmer's Cocoa Butter products to hydrate and nourish my skin. The best part about their products is that they aren't overly fragrant - which I like - & they can be used all over.
Coconut oil is also a great, natural, option for your skin - one that I also use regularly both while pregnant & not!
2. Maternity Leggings
Your belly is growing bigger now, meaning, you may need to start thinking about maternity clothes. Although wearing oversized items up top works for most people, pants aren't as forgiving. The second trimester is where I start to become uncomfortable in my everyday leggings. The band sits oddly on the middle of my belly & just don't give me enough stretch where I need it. I end up pulling them down, below my belly, and feel like Pooh Bear as my belly hangs out the bottom of my shirt!
I buy most of my maternity leggings from Target (size XS). They have a great selection, are reasonably priced & you can actually try things on. I LOVE me some online shopping, but when It comes to my maternity leggings - I want to know how they feel, without the hassle of making returns. Also, who wouldn't want an excuse to make a Target run?
3. Nursing Bras
As your belly starts to grow, so will another part of your mommy body - your breasts! To some of us, this a welcomed changed (ow ow!) - for others, not so much. Regardless of how you feel about your new "friends," they are going to start begging for some extra support and comfort. Nursing bras are a great way to meet "their" needs while also checking off a MUST HAVE baby item in the future - if you choose to breastfeed.
I have a collection of nursing bras, both from Target & Amazon. Typically, I wear a small (34B), but during pregnancy, I size up to a medium for some extra room. When you have a nursing baby, you never know how big those puppies may get!
4. Tums
Heartburn, my arch nemesis! I have struggled with heartburn with both of my pregnancies. It typically presents itself after eating and/or drinking - so, pretty much, its constant (ugh). With that being said, Tums are my best friend! Side note: The smoothie one are MUCH better than the original. Trust me, I'm a PRO!
Please make sure you read the label on recommended dosages as well as get approval by your doctor before you take any medications and/or antacids.
5. Snacks
Now the fun part of pregnancy - ENDLESS snacks! Much like hydration, proper nutrition & maintained blood sugars are also essential to a healthy pregnancy. Keeping little snacks on hand is a MUST because you will get hungry - A LOT!
One of my favorite on the go snacks is Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Kind Bars. YUM! You can find them online or in most grocery stores.
Third Trimester
1. Mama Gear
Your bundle of joy is now just weeks away from coming into this world. In typical mom fashion, it's time to start adding Mama gear to your wardrobe - if you haven't already! Mama gear is super popular & can be worn pre and post baby. Etsy has about a million shops that sell hand/custom made Mama gear from shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more. You can also find Mama gear at popular online boutiques such as Made With Mercy & Pink Lily.
2. Baby Sleep Books
As you anxiously await your baby, you may want to start reading some books on major elements of baby life - ie. sleep. Baby sleep is a fairly controversial topic in the baby world - weird, I know! There are lots of different suggested ways to schedule your baby's day, feed them, and even get them to sleep. Remember, how you choose to care for your baby is YOUR CHOICE! Choose books, apps, and follow accounts that match your philosophies as a parent.
Before having Noah, Babywise was suggested to me as a great book to read on baby sleep. Although I didn't follow their protocols religiously, it did give me some ideas that helped me create Noah's daily schedule. It also educated me on baby sleep & how ever-changing it is.
I also get a lot of helpful tips and tricks from The Peaceful Sleeper & Taking Cara Babies on Instagram.
Sleep becomes another big complaint in pregnancy as your belly becomes bigger. It makes it harder to get comfortable - especially if your baby likes to party at night! The best way that I have found to get optimal sleep is with a pregnancy pillow.
It's long, c-shaped structure, allows you to cradle the pillow - supporting your head, knees, and belly. The only pitfall that I have found is that they are MASSIVE! Tell your partner to scoot on over for the next 12ish weeks - Momma needs her space!
A birthing ball is so helpful when you’re nearing the end of pregnancy! Bouncing on it can be a great form of exercise, and will help prepare you for labor. You can sit on it while working at your desk, watching TV, eating dinner, etc. Sitting on an exercise/birthing ball helps with your posture and will help open the pelvis.
Other benefits Include:
Helps strengthen the lower back
May support an easier, shorter labor
May reduce pain during labor
Can relieve back pain and back labor; and more!
This exercise/birthing ball is available in five sizes & comes in a variety of cute colors. Best part is, it can also be used outside of pregnancy - so it's like a two-for-one!
Adding to your list of to-dos in the third trimester, you will want to start thinking about packing your hospital bag. Any large weekender bag will do, but these ADORABLE Mommy Bags are PERFECT for packing for the big day. It is a great size for all of your essentials, and it comes with two additional toiletry bags - both labeled for mom and baby. They also come in a variety of fun colors!
I hope you found this list helpful! Leave a comment below letting me know your thoughts and/or your personal pregnancy must haves! Also, spread the word. Go like, follow, and share on social media!
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