Pregnancy Must Haves
Congratulations, mama! Welcome to the wonderful world of pregnancy. So much is going to happen over the next nine months. Here’s what you need to survive!
Clothing
Leggings
This one is a no brainer, so of course it has to go on the list. I invested in three pairs of black maternity leggings and I wore them ALL THE TIME. I was pregnant from February to November and I wore them all year round. Even after Weston was born, my maternity leggings were still the only thing I wore for months.
Belly band
There is this really fun phase of pregnancy where you’re not big enough for maternity clothes, but you’re too big for your regular clothes. Say hello to the belly band. This thing allows you to keep wearing your regular clothes for a little while longer. Just keep your pants unbuttoned and pull the belly band over top.
Update: You can get a FREE Belly Band from Belly Button using the code COFFEEANDCOOS1 at checkout!
Undergarments
Everything on your body is likely to grow with pregnancy. I was not prepared for needing pregnancy friendly panties and bras as quickly as I did. When it came to getting larger, more comfortable bras, I went ahead and got nursing bras so I could keep wearing them once the baby arrived.
Stretch Mark Control
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lotion
Ya’ll, I wish I could tell you that you can prevent stretch marks, but you can’t. But, what you can do is be good to your skin and minimize the appearance of those darn things. Not to mention, your ever growing belly is going to be ITCHY (and your boobs probably will be too). I rubbed this stuff all over my stomach before bed. My belly made it out of pregnancy with only a few marks, but, my thighs and booty… now that’s a different story. I would recommend applying some type of stretch mark lotion all over your body, not just your midsection.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks and brightens your skin. I have a girlfriend who swears by it. She uses it from the day she finds out she’s pregnant. She’s on baby number three and has a few tiny stretch marks on her hips… that’s it.
Nausea Relief
Preggie Pop Drops
I talked about how much I love these things in an earlier post, First is the Worst when it Comes to Trimesters. Preggie Pop Drops are sour nausea relief drops. I was addicted to these things and they made me feel so much better in those early weeks.
Ginger Beer
No… it’s not alcohol, it’s ginger beer (like root beer, but ginger). I was, and still am, obsessed with this drink. It’s like a ginger ale, but has a much stronger ginger flavor. It’s great for nausea and it always made me feel like I was having a treat. It’s what they use to make a Moscow Mule, so when everyone else was having a cocktail, I was drinking a ginger beer.
Preparation
Prenatal Vitamins
One of the easiest things you can do to ensure a healthy pregnancy is take your prenatal vitamins. Prenatals are packed with nutrients that support your health and the health of your baby. I love these prenatal vitamins from Ritual. They are made with 12 essential nutrients in their cleanest form, and, they get delivered straight to your door so you never run out.
Oh Baby Pregnancy Planner
Nothing will get you ready for your new baby better than the Oh Baby Pregnancy Planner. It’s packed with over 50 pages that guide you step by step through your pregnancy. It has checklists, to do lists, provider questionnaires, newborn care sheets, and more. It’s perfect for the mom who wants to stay organized and stress free throughout pregnancy. If you’re not sure what to ask in a pediatrician interview, how to create a birth plan, or what a newborn sleep schedule should look like (for example), you should check out this awesome planner.
Birth it Up
I am a firm believer in educating yourself, especially when it comes to something like giving birth. The best way to empower yourself and have the best chance at the birth you want is by learning. I love the course, Birth it Up. It’s created by a Labor and Delivery nurse and it’s the most affordable online birthing class that I’ve found. She focuses on natural births, but I have found the course to be helpful for any pregnant mama. I loved it and had absolutely no intention of having a natural birth. She teaches you things like contractions, birthing positions, how to push, and more!
Sleep
Pregnancy Pillow
You definitely don’t need this right away, but it’s my favorite pregnancy product of all time! My pregnancy pillow saved me once I could no longer sleep on my stomach. It helped with hip pain, back pain, and supported my massive belly. I’ve already warned my husband that it will be coming back in our room the minute I find out I’m pregnant next time around.
Mattress Cover
I had a weird fear that my water was going to break in the middle of the night. We have a memory foam mattress and I did not want to ruin it. An inexpensive mattress cover is way cheaper than a brand new mattress.
Update: I was very grateful to have a mattress cover when I went into labor with baby number two and had a small leak. It’s also been great to have now that I’m breastfeeding and nursing our newborn in bed each night.
I hope this list of pregnancy must haves gets you ready for the months that lie ahead. Best of luck, mama!
DISCLOSURE: Coffee and Coos is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
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