First let me start out by saying... I have had a really easy pregnancy. I say that cautiously, with all of the pregnancy "horror" stories I have heard from women in the back of my mind. But when I first got pregnant, the amount of "just-wait-until's" was actually a bit disheartening. Just wait until you get big. Just wait until you start swelling. Just wait until you get back pain. Just wait until they kick you in the ribs. And the list goes on.
Don't get me wrong, I get it! Pregnancy is not simple, by any means. The initial nausea was rough, and luckily short lived, but for the most part I have LOVED being pregnant and I've learned THAT'S OKAY! I wake up every morning feeling so lucky God chose me to carry this little man. I love feeling him move, imagining what his cute little face is going to look like, getting his nursery ready, and asking Kevin 3x a day if he sees how big my bump has gotten (as if he could miss it). It's one of the greatest joys I have ever experienced. I could cry just thinking about it...hello hormones!
As I step into my third trimester, I decided to round up my top 8, very necessary, pregnancy items for all my fellow mommas-to-be (I feel like I'm part of a tribe now, it's adorable). And when I tell you these are all NEEDS, I truly mean it. Husbands & S/O's: do not question the amount of Amazon boxes you see on the front porch. They have been so incredibly useful and helpful to me so far and you need them in your life. Trust.
Here we go! You can also find everything listed on my Amazon storefront here.
1. A good water bottle. Set aside the Bloody Mary's and Pinot Noir, sister. Water is going to become your best friend and worst enemy because....well, the amount of times you'll visit the bathroom in a day is record setting. I personally love the 32oz Hydro Flask, but if you're looking for something more affordable, the Thermoflask is an excellent dupe. You'll also want this for labor and delivery!
2. The pregnancy "bible" -- What to Expect When You're Expecting. This has been a really great resource for me, as it provides week by week information and occasional reassurance that I'm not the only one having a weird symptom (you'll be surprised!). With that being said, I take everything with a grain of salt and always utilize my doctor as my most reliable source of information.
3. Preggie Pop Drops, AKA a lifesaver! My only major symptom thus far was the ridiculous nausea during weeks 5-8. I lived off saltines, Sprite and these drops for three weeks straight. They help "take the edge off" and are highly recommended by lots of mommas. They even have a "plus" version, containing Vitamin B6, if you have extreme nausea!
4. Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter for stretch mark prevention! I don't know about you, but I started thinking about stretch marks day 1. Although it's often left up to genetics, I wanted to do what I could to keep my skin moisturized and this was a great natural and safe option! I also highly recommend Beauty Counter's Baby Soothing Oil if you have extremely dry skin like me. I go back and forth between the two!
5. A pregnancy pillow. I have only used this a couple times, however it is highly recommended by a lot of pregnant moms! I've also heard pregnancy wedges are amazing. Right now my king sized pillows on either side of me have felt the most comfortable, but I fully expect to use my PharMeDoc more in my third trimester as my belly grows!
6. Comfortable panties and bras -- I cannot emphasize this enough! Your body is growing and you will soon learn to sacrifice cute/sexy for comfort. I love these super soft cotton underwear (I've heard they are amazing for postpartum as well!) and this three pack of nursing bras (even though I'm not nursing yet, they are so comfy to wear under tees while lounging in quarantine). Neither disappoint!
7. A belly band. This one didn't even cross my mind until recently, but because I am carrying low I've had some minor lower back pain for a couple weeks. Wearing a belly band provides support for your belly, alleviating pelvic pain, bladder pressure, and spinal strain. It's been super helpful so far!
8. A heating pad. This goes right along with #7 and I use exclusively on my back, on a medium setting, for temporary pain relief.
For all of you mommas-to-be, I truly hope your pregnancy is smooth and exciting! Enjoy the roller-coaster and soak it all in. It goes by faster than you think!
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