Pregnancy brings on many changes to our body that will leave us feeling tired, achy, and stressed. As our body changes, our needs do too. I found myself buying new pregnancy products often while my body was going through many changes, both physically and emotionally. Some products were great, and some were not. I wanted great products I could use every day that helped me feel healthier, happier and more comfortable. This list was made for you in hopes that they help you feel healthier, happier, and more comfortable because nobody wants an entire pregnancy of discomfort and stress. After my fourth pregnancy, I am happy to say that you CAN feel healthier, happier and more comfortable.
Prenatal Vitamins
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Prenatal vitamins are the number one pregnancy products on my list before and during pregnancy because this keeps baby and me healthy. I start taking prenatal vitamins before I’m pregnant to lower the risk of problems with my baby’s spine and brain. There are two brands that are great. New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Vitamins, and Garden of Life myKind Organics Prenatal. My favorite prenatal vitamin is the Garden of Life myKind Organics Prenatal Multi. I love this prenatal vitamin because it is organic, and made with whole foods. It was gentle on my stomach and it did not make me feel sick. They were easy to swallow and I chose the 3-a-day. There is also a one-a-day option. This prenatal vitamin has all the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthier pregnancy including 800mcg of folate.
Bellaband
There comes a point in my pregnancy, and it’s usually around week 13 or earlier, when a rubber band around my button to hold my pants up just won’t do, so I used my Bellaband by Ingrid & Isabel. I have used them for all my pregnancies and have purchased one in white, ivory and black. What I love about this Bellaband is that it has a silicone lining that keeps the band in place and holds my pants up really well. It stretched nicely as my belly grew and it went back to its original shape after washing. I also love how soft they are and it never made me feel like I had an extra layer of clothing. There was no way I’d wear something that made me feel hot and uncomfortable. Especially in third trimester.
Birth Ball
My birth ball is one item I couldn’t live without! I used my birth ball for back pain, pelvic tilts, to open up my pelvis, and to get my baby in a good position for birth. I also used it to soothe my newborn by bouncing gently on the ball. When choosing a birth ball, choose one that is the right size for you, and is made from anti-burst materials. You can also find a birth ball that is anti-slip, BPA free and made from non-toxic PVC materials. Can’t go wrong with a non-toxic ball during pregnancy! The Birth Ball, or the URBNFit Exercise Ball are both made from high quality anti-slip and an anti-burst material. There are also many colors to choose from to match your style.
Body Pillow
Pregnancy can get uncomfortable very quickly, and leg pain had me tossing and turning. I am a very light sleeper to begin with, and my leg pain wasn’t helping. I was very uncomfortable at night and getting less sleep so it was time for a new body pillow. There are many wonderful pillows, and I chose a rectangular pillow so it wouldn’t take too much room on my bed. The cover was velvet and extra soft like a feather. The softness and length of the pillow allowed me to rest my entire body and get the rest I needed. Other amazing pillows are U-shaped pillows. They are a little bigger, but perfect for pain relief and comfortable sleep. A great U-shaped pillow that is soft and perfect for rest is the Queen Rose pregnancy pillow. Choosing one really depends on your needs. Once you get one, you won’t want to sleep without it.
Maternity/Nursing Bra
As your pregnancy progresses, your breasts will slowly start to change and get bigger. Before you know it, your bra will feel a little tight. During my last trimester, I start wearing my nursing bras to feel more comfortable since my breasts are growing to get ready for baby. I usually get one size up, a soft and cool fabric, no underwire, and one with a clip that comes off quickly. Breastfeeding can make you feel hot and getting a cool bra with no underwire will probably be the most comfortable when your milk comes in. I also get a seamless sleep bra for extra comfort at night. Comfort is really important, especially in the beginning.
Yoga Maternity Pants/Exercise Capris
When your belly starts growing, or you feel bloated and uncomfortable in your first trimester, you will want to change into the most comfortable stretchy pants after work or when you’re home all day. Comfort is something you’ll want every day so get yourself some yoga maternity pants or exercise capris. I actually wore regular exercise capris at home and they comfortably went under my belly. They were comfortable during squats and prenatal exercises. A good maternity yoga pant is breathable, stretchable and gives your belly good support. If you live in a warm area, you may not want one that is very thick because during pregnancy, we get hot easily.
Candy
Feeling queasy and nauseous is awful during pregnancy. Especially if you have little ones running around or are at work. Being prepared for that moment of nausea or queasiness can be a life saver. I had morning sickness with all my 4 pregnancies and my morning sickness got worse as the months went by, but during first trimester, I was able to snack a lot and suck on hard sour candy. For some reason, sour candy made me feel better during that moment of nausea. It may help for some, not all, but it’s always great to be prepared. The Three Lollies Organic Preggie Pop Drops are great to have in your purse, car, kitchen, or night stand. They are free of dyes, gluten free and safe for you and baby.
Pregnancy Books
Pregnancy books can be helpful when we have a list of questions for our doctors during pregnancy. That was my case with my first pregnancy. I had many questions about symptoms and my baby’s development because I wanted to educate myself and be prepared for what was to come. I knew that a book was not a substitute for professional medical advice, but educating myself while I waited for my next appointment would only be a benefit to me. A book that had all the answers to my questions was What to Expect When You’re Expecting. It has information about each trimester of pregnancy and beyond. One book I wish I would have purchased is The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth. Both recommended for their great details and topics.
Pregnancy Journal
A pregnancy journal is something I wish I would have purchased to keep track of my milestones and baby bump photos. Now that I’m not pregnant, it would have been nice to look back and read what I was feeling at the time. I found a cute pregnancy memory book called Bump for Joy!, by Studio Oh! One thing I love about this memory book is the space for writing notes for each trimester, room for photos, and the envelopes it comes with to keep ultrasound scans. All my scans are in one drawer, but not organized at all. This is exactly what I need. I can keep pictures, scans, and thoughts all in one! Would it be too late to purchase one now that my youngest is almost a year? Maybe not.
Safe Skin-Care Products
Our skin needs attention every day, and pregnancy might affect the way our skin looks or reacts to certain products. Having a good skin routine with safe products will help you keep that beautiful pregnancy glow. During my first pregnancy, I wanted clean ingredients in everything I used. I never thought that what I put on my body may be harmful as well. I did my research and found amazing skin care products with organic ingredients, free of parabens, retinoids, retinols, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. My favorite products are from Juice Beauty. Juice Beauty carries clean face cleansers, moisturizers, serums, face masks and even make-up. There is a pregnancy section on the Juice Beauty website with safe and clean ingredients for pregnancy. Super easy! You’ll feel better knowing that what you put on your body is safe for you and your baby. Click here to check them out.
Comfortable Shoes
The shoes you wear during pregnancy can make you feel great or miserable. During the last half of your pregnancy, you may experience leg pain, swollen feet and swollen ankles. I experienced foot and leg pain in my second trimester, and it was affecting my daily activities. Exercising, stretching, good posture and the right shoes helped relieve the pain I had and allowed me to do more during the day. The best shoes for me were the Roxy Bayshores. The Roxy Bayshores are slip-on shoes, and have extra arch support which is what I needed for my foot pain. The insole is memory foam padded, and the sole is super flexible. This made my day easier when I had to be on my feet for most of the day.
Subscription Boxes
I didn’t know how excited a subscription box made me feel until my first one arrived. Treating yourself to a pregnancy or beauty box once a month while your body is working hard is well deserved! There are many subscription boxes to choose from like Bump Boxes, The Stork Bag, or Petit Vour. Choosing the type of box you want really depends on what works best for you. I chose the Petit Vour Beauty Box because I wanted clean and safe products to use during and after pregnancy. I really just wanted to feel pampered. As a mom, that doesn’t happen often and this was perfect! Every month, I receive a beauty box with vegan, clean, and non-toxic make-up and skin care products to try out. Also, every time you shop, you get 20% back in points to use toward your next purchase. Can’t beat that!
Find Your Healthy, Happy, Comfortable You
There are many pregnancy products out there that you can get to make you feel healthy, happy, and more comfortable during your pregnancy, but not all of them will work for everyone. What works for me, may not work for you. The products I listed are products that I found worked well for me for all my pregnancies, and maybe I added one for some extra happiness(beauty box). I always try to use safe, non-toxic products to keep my baby and me safe. Find what works for you because only you know yourself best and what your needs are. I hope you find these pregnancy products as helpful as they were for me. What products do you think you’ll give a try? I’d love to know!