My Top 10 Pregnancy Essentials
Welcome back to the blog! With all the internal and external body changes that come along with pregnancy, being comfortable is one of my top priorities and there are definitely items I’ve incorporated into my routine along the way that have helped with that. I was thinking the other day that if one of my friends were to get pregnant, I would want to get them a basket of all of my favorite essentials because each of these have been lifesavers for me. These are all the things I recommend most!
1. Nursing bras and bralettes
Things are growing and I’m pretty sure my rib cage has expanded as well, so pretty much none of my pre-pregnancy underwire bras fit. This has left me with just my looser bralettes and I purchased nursing bras as well, which have been my most comfortable options!
- Nursing bras (3-pack) — if you’ve grown at all, I recommend sizing up so you have a bit more room!
2. Nursing pads
I started lactating before 20 weeks and haven’t stopped since, so these are a must on the days I choose to wear normal bras/bralettes instead of nursing bras. I use these disposable ones right now and they do the job! You can also get reusable ones on Amazon that you can wash, but like everything else, I’ve heard mixed reviews on how absorbent they are. It all depends on the person, I’m sure.
3. Pantiliners
TMI, but there is a lot of leakage going on down there during pregnancy and these bad boys are pretty essential — at least for me. I wear one every single day and I specifically like the U by Kotex ones. They’re thin and they come wrapped, so they’re easy to throw in your purse!
4. Medication: Gas-X, Tums and Unisom
These are the medications I like to have on hand that my doctor has approved, but of course, ask your own doctor before taking any of these yourself. I’ve found that gas often gets stuck, heartburn and acid reflux are a daily struggle, and sleep isn’t the same as it used to be. These medications help with each of those!
- Gas-X
- Tums
- Unisom — I can’t find the one I have that’s the smallest dosage that my doc recommended (I take half of one of those tiny pills sometimes), but I found mine at my local drugstore if you want to check yours!
5. Heating pad
I’ve found my heating pad to be essential for cramps, aches and pains, and I take mine to work with me every day. I like to sit on it when my tailbone is sore, put it between my legs when I feel lots of bladder pressure (so fun! 😅), etc. Ask your doctor to make sure it’s okay to use!
6. Belly butter and oil
I’ve applied both to my belly and hips every single night (butter first, then oil on top) after I get out of the shower since around week 13 and I’ve had success with it!
7. Pregnancy pillow
I received mine as a gift from my mother-in-law and it’s been a lifesaver for me! Personally, I sleep with it every single night because it helps create my own little cacoon where my dog can’t get to me to add any additional pressure to my back. She’s such a cuddler, which I love, but the extra weight is too much during pregnancy.
8. Maternity underwear
You’re going to want to wear loose, comfortable underwear whenever possible, especially when lounging at home and sleeping. I’m fine wearing my usual pre-pregnancy underwear during the day, but I always want to change into my maternity ones when I get home and wind down. I can’t find the ones I have online, but Amazon has tons!
9. Maternity leggings
I didn’t get the hype about these in the beginning or even halfway through my pregnancy, but now that I’m larger, these are all I want to wear. Make sure you get a pair that isn’t too uncomfortably tight and has some give to it in the belly area. I LOVE my Storq ones!
10. Loose shorts/pants to sleep in
Again, when sleeping, if you’re like me, you won’t want to wear anything restricting. I’d size up in some loose-fitting shorts and get a few pairs so you don’t run out between laundry days. I’ve had three pairs of Brandy Melville ones for YEARS that they don’t sell anymore, which makes me so sad because they’re my absolute favorites!
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Those are my top 10 pregnancy essentials! I hope you found this post helpful, and if you did, you can check out all of my other pregnancy-related blog posts here. Thanks so much for reading & I’ll see you in my next post!