Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting thing. It can also be very exhausting and complicated and leave you with a few aches and pains along the way. While a healthy diet, enough activity, and regular checkups are obvious necessities while being pregnant, there are a few essentials that will make your overall experience easier.
If you want to have the best pregnancy experience possible (for you and your new bundle of joy), you need the right essentials. Below, you will find our pregnancy essentials for every trimester.
First Trimester: Pregnancy Essentials
Ginger Chews
The first trimester is when most moms feel nonstop nausea which may be accompanied by vomiting. This is not only a significant hassle (hello, running to the toilet every other hour), but it can be detrimental to your health. In addition, vomiting can cause dehydration, and the lack of calories isn’t ideal for growing a baby in the womb.
What should a new momma do? Novice parents across the globe will agree that ginger chews are a lifesaver. Ginger works to keep your digestive system stable and helps to encourage consistent blood pressure. Together, this relieves the onset of nausea and vomiting.
Supportive Bra
Amongst nausea, another significant indicator of being pregnant is extremely sore breasts. This will likely extend through your first trimester if not your entire pregnancy.
With that in mind, now is the perfect time to invest in a supportive bra. You might want to go up a size or two. Your breasts will continue to grow throughout pregnancy (and after when you start to produce breast milk). Some women get a headstart and opt for a nursing bra during pregnancy.
Prenatal Vitamins
During your first trimester, it’s time to ditch your regular daily vitamins and swap them for a prenatal vitamin. Prenatal vitamins are specifically designed to keep you and your growing baby healthy.
When on the hunt for prenatal vitamins, there are a few things to look for:
- Folic acid – Helps prevent defects, especially in the brain and spinal cord
- Iron – Supports the overall development of your growing baby
- Calcium and Vitamin D – Encourages the development of your unborn baby’s bones and teeth
While these are the four most important ingredients of prenatal vitamins, you should also look for Vitamin C, A, E, and B, as well as zinc and iodine.
If you are currently in your first trimester, make sure to also read these 5 things that you should do during the first trimester.
Second Trimester:Pregnancy Essentials
Lotion/Cream
A growing belly during the second trimester can only mean one thing: stretch marks. Eight out of ten pregnant women will develop stretch marks during their pregnancy? Don’t want to be one of them? Then you need to find a good lotion or cream that will prevent stretch marks.
There are many options available on the market. Overall, these products will have one (or many) of these stretch mark-fighting ingredients:
- Hyaluronic Acid (Works Best)
- Centella (Runner-Up Best Option)
- Vitamin A
- Aloe Vera
- Coconut Oil
Body Pillow
Stretch marks aren’t the only thing that accompanies a growing baby belly. Pain, discomfort, and aches – especially when trying to find a comfortable position to sleep – are also a part of it. To combat this issue and give you the best sleep possible, consider purchasing a body pillow.
Comfy Clothes
For plenty of women, the second trimester is the “easiest.” The belly isn’t too large yet, but most of the issues from the first trimester have diminished. But as you start to approach the third trimester, you’ll likely notice a lot of your first trimester clothes no longer fitting.
Well, it’s time for a shopping spree! Comfy clothes, especially those specifically designed for pregnant women, are highly recommended. There are so many cute styles these days, from jeans to blouses, summer dresses to rompers.
Third Trimester:Pregnancy Essentials
Stability Ball
It’s almost time for the baby to arrive! While this is an exciting time, it can also be complicated. Some women don’t dilate as quickly as they’d like to. There is also the fear of giving birth in itself. How can you prepare?
While there are plenty of great ways to prepare for your baby, one way to prepare your body specifically is with a stability ball. Stability balls open the pelvis to allow your baby to move through more readily. This will be beneficial in the weeks before and during labor.
Many women also claim that bouncing on a stability ball helped them through contractions.
Belly Support Band
The last three months of pregnancy will leave you with a large belly. You are, after all, growing an entire human being in your womb. What’s to be expected?
Needless to say, a pregnant belly in the 8th or 9th month can cause plenty of discomfort. Combat the issue by investing in a belly support band. Some bands can be used after pregnancy, too, to help the stomach return to “normal.”
Heating Pad
Speaking of discomfort, that tiny human expanding your belly is going to wreak havoc on your back. Take the edge off by purchasing and using a heating pad as often as you’d like.
Hospital Bag
Last but not least, have a hospital bag packed and ready to go. Most women will put their bags together in the 7th or 8th month, just in case, their little bundle of joy arrives early.
What should you pack? There are many necessities that you need for yourself and your new baby. Here are just a few prime examples:
- Comfy pajamas – Hospital gowns aren’t comfortable or cute
- Slippers – Hospital can be cold
- Chapstick – All that hard work might dry out your lips along the way
- Snacks – Hospital food isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
- Phone charger – The last thing you want is to miss out on photos due to a dead phone
- Car seat – Remember that the case should already be installed
- Going home outfit – You know, that special one you bought months ago
Final Words
Pregnancy is rewarding, and every step of the way is magical. While everyone’s experience is different, these pregnancy essentials will ensure the best experience possible. Are you ready for your new phase of life, mom-to-be?
Hi – I’m Alina and I am a soon to be mom going through the journey of becoming a parent. I am a writer at heart and I love sharing about pregnancy tips and other busy mom hacks.