Pregnancy can bring up a lot of emotions, especially for first-time moms. Excitement, worry, and fear are all common for pregnant women to feel from time to time.
Many companies try to capitalize on these emotions by pushing products on pregnant women. How do you know what you need versus what others are telling you that you need?
That’s where we come in to help. We’ve created this ultimate list of everything you need to thrive during pregnancy. We’ve broken it down by trimester to help you navigate the must haves based on where you are in your pregnancy.
Get thesepregnancy must-haves for comfort and get your glow on!
Please Note: Always consult with your doctor first before taking any supplement. We are not medical doctors and do not provide medical advice.
First Trimester
You may not be showing yet, but most women in the first trimester definitelyfeel pregnant. While some pregnant women breeze through their first trimester, most women need a little help to get through the morning sickness and exhaustion.
Here are some ways to make your first trimester of pregnancy easier.
Prenatal Vitamins
Ideally, most women should start taking prenatal vitamins before getting pregnant. However, it’s never too late to start. Not only is it great for your baby, but it will also help you stay as strong as possible. What isn’t present in your diet, the baby will take from your body.
Your prenatal vitamins should contain:
- Folic acid, or folate
- Calcium
- Iron
- Vitamin D
Also, depending on whether you eat fish or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, you may need a separate supplement during pregnancy for that as well.
Your doctor may recommend a prenatal for you based on your body and situation. However, if your doctor doesn’t have a recommendation, consider these top-rated brands:
MegaFood Baby & Me Herb Free Prenatal Vitamin.A food-based prenatal, it is non-GMO and pesticide/herbicide- free.
Garden of Life Vitamin Code RAW Prenatal.Non-GMO and made without filters, this vitamin is processed at a low heat for optimal nutrient retention.
Thorne Research Basic Prenatal. Great for those with an MTHFR defect. Those with this gene mutation cannot process folic acid normally, so this formula has a more absorbable version.
Smarty Pants Organics: Gummy Prenatal Formula. An organic vitamin for when swallowing a pill feels impossible. Smarty Pants is a great vitamin for morning sickness!
Hana Tonic
Morning sickness may be common, but it is also miserable.Hana Tonic is full of ingredients traditionally used to fight nausea during pregnancy, all in one convenient shot. It’s full of pregnancy-safe, food-based ingredients, such as ginger, lemon, pineapple, and cayenne pepper.
Most nausea remedies are off-limits during pregnancy. Hana Tonic offers a great way to get back on your feet.
Gum
Another great way to fight pregnancy nausea, consider a peppermint or ginger flavor to boost gum’s nausea-busting qualities for another great way to fight nausea. A natural gum, such asSimply Gum, can give you a boost without the unwanted additives of other gums.
Comfortable Clothes
You may not have a bump yet, but new clothes may still be in order. Both water retention and bloating are common in the first trimester, which may make your clothes uncomfortable.
Try yoga pants, leggings, and dresses to keep comfy during this awkward transition time. They can double as comfortable clothes during postpartum while you’re still waiting to fit in your pre-pregnancy clothes!
Skin Care
You might think that you’re a teenager again with the raging hormones of pregnancy. It can cause many of the uncomfortable side-effects of pregnancy, and your skin will be more prone to breakouts.
Your skin might benefit from some extra care as your body adjusts to a new you. In addition, traditional acne fixes, like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, are off-limits during pregnancy.
True Botanicals has a safe pregnancy collection to give your skin a little love while you have a bun in the oven. Their organic line will provide you with a great glow and peace of mind during pregnancy.
Second Trimester
Second trimester is often like being in the eye of the storm: you leave behind the exhaustion and nausea of the first trimester, and you're not facing the uncomfortable third trimester yet.
Use this time to make the most of your cute bump and returning energy!
Maternity Clothes
The rubber band trick might help you fit into your jeans for another week or two. However, treat yourself to some maternity pants as soon as possible. The feeling of relief that maternity pants bring is better than the pride of being in your pre-pregnancy jeans. You’ll wonder why you waited so long when you finally give in to maternity jeans!
If you want to keep your expenses down, consider thrifting your pregnancy wardrobe. You can find barely worn clothes for a fraction of the price.
Some clothes you'll need include:
Bra.You’ll need some extra support as you grow.True and Co offer a comfortable bra that provides lift and minimal lines.
Pants.Madewell offers excellent maternity pants that both flatter and comfort you.
Dresses. Dresses can help you feel both cute and comfy when you’re tired and don’t have the energy to put yourself together.ASOS offers a number of dresses for any occasion.
Swimsuits. Even if you don’t plan on vacationing while pregnant, swimming is an excellent exercise during pregnancy. Plus, it feels great to be weightless as you grow.This great one-piece from Amazon is reasonably priced at only $27.
Yoga Props
Now that your energy is returning, you're likely ready to start exercising again. Prenatal yoga is amazing for pregnancy. It helps with flexibility, reducing stress, and improving sleep. Plus, exercise during pregnancy is shown to be healthy for babies, as well.
However, yoga can start to get more challenging as your center of gravity shifts. Don’t be afraid of using props to make it easier and safer for you.Hugger Mugger Wool Yoga Blanket can be a great prop for your yoga routine.
Pregnancy Pillow
As your second trimester wears on, sleep may start to grow more challenging. Especially if you’re formally a stomach sleeper, a bump can pose a problem for a comfortable night. The right pregnancy pillow can make it easier and will be well-used over the second half of your pregnancy.
Don’t wait until you’re sleep-deprived and miserable to invest in a great pregnancy pillow.Leachco Snoogle has great reviews on Amazon and is reasonably priced to help you get the sleep you need.
Belly Oil
There’s no proven way to prevent stretch marks. However, belly butter can help relieve the itching and might help minimize damage.
Mustela Stretch Mark Oil can help you feel better as your stomach grows.
Belli Elasticity Belly Oil is another great oil for your skin. It contains Gotu kola, which may help boost collagen production.
Third Trimester
You're in the final stretch! This is the trimester when everything starts to get REAL. Your baby is growing bigger every day, and your body starts to really feel the effects of it.
As you’re getting ready for your baby’s arrival, be sure to keep comfortable and pamper yourself. These are some of the things that can make this trimester smoother for you:
Heartburn Relief
Thanks to hormones and your growing baby, heartburn is common during the third trimester. You can use some over-the-counter remedies, such as Tums, to help your stomach. If you're looking for more natural relief, there are some options for you:
- Digestive bitters.These can provide your stomach with natural relief by helping the digestion process. However, be sure to choose ones specific for pregnancy, such asChamomile Urban Moonshine.
- Bentonite Clay. Some women swear by mixing ½ teaspoon in water to help quell heartburn.
- Aloe Vera.
- Apple Cider Vinegar.Take some mixed with water before meals to help digestion.
Compression Socks
Swelling is common in the third trimester because your body is creating extra blood and retaining water to prepare for delivery. Compression socks help to prevent fluid from pooling in your feet and ankles. Plus, it can help deter varicose veins by encouraging blood flow!
Vim & Vigr offer compression socks that can keep you cute as well.
Tea
Give yourself a bit of peace and quiet before your baby comes. While raspberry leaf isn’t recommended in the first trimester, it may help in your third trimester lead to a smooth delivery.
Pregnancy tea can help keep you strong and healthy until the end.The Republic of Tea offers a blend specifically for pregnancy with herbs believed to help during pregnancy and labor.
Stability Ball
Stability balls are useful as you near the end of pregnancy and prepare for labor. It helps you maintain a correct posture, as well as gently stretching hips to help get your body ready to give birth.
Many women use stability balls for relief during labor, as well. At $15,like this one from Amazon, it doesn’t hurt to give it a try!
Maternity Belt
Your growing babe can put a lot of pressure on your joints. Maternity belts help with back pain and achy joints. Plus, you can use it during postpartum for extra support as your body adjusts back to normal.Belly Bandit has a great maternity band to give you the help you need.
Feel Your Best During Pregnancy!
Pregnancy should be a time of excitement and preparing for parenthood. With the right assortment of prenatal items, you can keep the discomfort of pregnancy to a minimum.
Give these must have products a try and pamper yourself today!