Pregnancy Essentials
Hellooooo 20 weeks pregnant (I actually turn 21 weeks pregnant tomorrow but still counts)! I am officially half way there with baby number two! This pregnancy is flying by and given that I don’t consider myself one of those glowy pregnant gals, I am feeling blessed that I feel well and that baby is healthy!
Over the last two weeks, Baby L has definitely made him/herself known and loves to remind me that “they are there” any time I get to sit down with some strong kicks and little wiggles.
Today I thought I would share a blog post of all my favorite pregnancy essentials that I have used throughout this pregnancy, as well as when I was pregnant with Lilly.
For any new moms-to-be out there, I hope this helps you find a little normalcy in this time where your body doesn’t quite feel your own. We are all in this together and I think the more we share about our journeys, the easier and more aware we allow other moms journeys to be.
Pregnancy Essentials:
Ginger Tea:
I didn’t struggle with morning sickness when I was pregnant with Lilly, but with the babe in my stomach right now, I struggled from all day sickness. I wasn’t super sick, and am thankful for that, but would have bouts of feeling nauseaus throughout the day until I was about 14 weeks. Sipping slowly on a little ginger tea really seemed to help get me through the bad days.
Pregnancy Flakes:
I love that these epsom salt flakes are designed specifically for pregnant women and to help ease nausea. They also have magnesium in them which eases sore muscles and helps to reduce swelling.
Stretch Mark Creams and Oils:
My absolute two favorite products that help prevent stretch marks is Bio-Oil and Mustela Stretch Mark Cream! I used both with my pregnancy with Lilly and didn’t get any stretch marks on my belly. I did get a few on my back and the backs of my legs because I wasn’t good about applying the products there. I swear by these two products. I have very sensitive skin and expected to get stretch marks but 100% think these products do the trick!
Real Pregnancy Food Book:
I will be 100% honest with you. The day after I found out I was pregnant with Lilly I had pizza and Mexican food in one day. Then I developed a horrible addiction to chocolate chip cookies. By the end of my pregnancy I had gained a whopping 55 pounds on my small frame. It took every bit of a year and a half of perfect nutrition and daily exercise to lose the extra pounds I gained.
With this pregnancy I knew I wanted to make my nutrition a priority from the start…not just because I wanted to gain less weight but because I wanted my body to be healthier, and to provide better nutrition to my growing baby.
There are so many studies that talk about how essential your diet is to your baby’s health inside and outside the womb. I wanted to give this baby the best start at life possible, and that starts with me and the healthy choices I make daily.
I came across the book “Real Pregnancy Food” when I was about eight weeks pregnant and it has been life-changing. It talks about foods that help prevent preeclampsia, what foods are essential to baby’s brain development, etc.
If you are pregnant be sure to pick up a copy of this book or listen to it on Audible before you indulge in those “pregnancy cravings”.
Prenatal Vitamins and Probiotics:
Again, you live and learn, just learn from my previous mistakes. Not all prenatal vitamins are created equal. After finding I was pregnant the first time, I went to the local grocery store and picked up the cheapest prenatal I could find. After doing some research I found that many prenatal vitamins don’t have methylfolate in them which is absolutely essential to your baby’s development. The two best prenatals on the market are Rainbow Light and Ritual both have so many amazing ingredients that go above and beyond your typical prenatal you can pick up anywhere.
I also highly suggest taking a probiotic and I highly recommend this one by Hyperbiotics that is specifically designed for expecting moms.
Bras and Underwear that Also Work for Post Partum:
I love the soft bralette-style nursing bras that can work as a pregnancy bra too. Towards the end of my first pregnancy my ribs hurt and I hated wearing a wired bra because it dug in and made things more uncomfortable. Invest in a soft bra that can double as a nursing bra when baby arrives to save some money…and save your ribs from end-of-pregnancy pain.
Maternity Bottoms:
Maternity bottoms are definitely more essential than maternity tops. I typically buy more tunic style tops or a t-shirt set that I can layer with and wear open cardigans, etc so I can wear them after I give birth, but you really can’t escape buying maternity bottoms. Definitely invest in a good pair of maternity jeans, leggings, and a pair of joggers. I linked all of my favorites below.
Bump and Nursing-Friendly Pajamas:
Once again, I try to buy things like pajamas that will not only last throughout my pregnancy but will also work for postpartum. I love soft sets from Soma that button in the front so you can nurse the baby when they arrive if you choose to, but also fit throughout pregnancy.
Pregnancy Pillow:
I am a guilty stomach sleeper. If I’m not on my stomach, I’m on my back and both sleep positions aren’t good for a pregnant mama. My hips start to hurt at the end of pregnancy when I have to sleep on my side for too long, and my pregnancy pillow becomes my best friend. It adds a little comfort to those last few weeks where sleeping comfortably seems impossible.
Compression Socks:
I swelled at the end of my pregnancy with Lilly and compressions socks brought a ton of relief. I also wear calf sleeves that you can throw in the freezer to bed sometimes and they really help to reduce swelling if that is something you struggle with during pregnancy.
Water Bottle:
Drinking enough water is essential when you are pregnant. You can cause early contractions/labor if you overheat or get dehydrated. I love this fun pregnancy tracker water bottle that was sent to me! It is a fun way to remind yourself to drink up!
Pregnancy Belly Band:
I found this one on Amazon that I use during my workouts to help support my belly and lower belt, but if there is something I can tell you to invest in, it’s a Belly Bandit band. You can wear it as support during pregnancy and it also helps you feel more secure after giving birth while your uterus is shrinking back to its normal size. I know I felt a little unsteady right after giving birth and loved the support my Belly Bandit gave me.
Pregnancy Essentials:
I hope this helps you find some great things that will make your pregnancy a little bit easier!
xoxo,
Kalyn
