Comfort
1. ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion: $49.95
Somehow I breezed through my first pregnancy with basically no side effects, but my 2nd pregnancy? HA! That one showed me what it’s REALLY like to be pregnant. I started experiencing sciatica by the 2nd trimester and tailbone discomfort for months after giving birth. The weight of my sweet first son was a bit much for my body, so I’d feel sore after sitting in the same spot for too long. Then my husband bought me this lifesaver. 😍
It provides a super soft cushion to sit on for extra comfort, and the little gap in the center allows your pelvic bone to float instead of cave under the pressure of your growing baby. So for 2 pregnancies now I’ve used it on the couch, my office chair, the bed if I’ll be sitting in it for awhile before I sleep, and in the rocker that I nurse my babies in. It’s very comfortable and relieves me of the tailbone pain! I love this thing so much I just might start putting it in my purse and taking it everywhere I go: the coffee shop, the parent-teacher conference, church, there are no limits. So if you see me in any of those places with my big butt cushion just be happy for me and my comfort, and mind your business. 😉
2. Leachco Back ‘N Belly Bliss Pregnancy/Maternity Body Pillow: $99.99
If you’re having trouble finding a sweet-spot for a good night’s sleep that suits your body and the addition of your new tummy let me introduce you to my new bed-time buddy:
Honestly, this picture cracks me up.
I mean, LOOK HOW HAPPY SHE IS.
That is me each night now that I’ve discovered this treasure and it can be you too mama…this happiness can be yours too.
Seriously, I wish I had used one of these with my first two pregnancies. By keeping your body in a nice little cocoon this body pillow makes it easier to stay asleep on one side of your body (preferably the left side, which gives baby the best heart circulation and blood flow!) instead of ending up on your back for too long which places the full pressure of your growing uterus on your organs and spine.
The sense of being spooned that it creates can also be soothing and help you fall asleep easier. (My husband tries to do this for me, but we really did create a little bun because I really am an oven and I get QUITE warm overnight. This keeps me comfortable, while sparing my husband the heat-stroke, win-win!)
Buy Buy Baby sells these, but they’re slightly cheaper on Amazon and this one is currently on sale for $86, so you’re saving twenty bucks!
3. Loose-fitting clothing and nice, BIG UNDIES
Yes, you read that right. BIG UNDIES. Buy them, know them, love them. As much as I still like to keep it cute during pregnancy, there are some days where I can feel that baby is definitely growing and just going naked would be my preferred route. Since that’s frowned upon, the next best thing is to make sure you have a stack of barely-there, loose-fitting clothing and undies that won’t create discomfort for your growing tummy or any other part of your body that you don’t want restricted by tight clothing.
They can still be cute though! I wore a pair of mine in my recent baby bump photo session and I felt cute, confident, and most importantly COMFY.
It’s also great to create a stash of these during pregnancy because you’ll want this same comfort during your postpartum days while you’re healing after having that precious baby. One of my favorite go-tos is an oversized t-shirt and a cute pair of good ol “granny pannies”. Add a bowl of ice cream and YOU ARE SET MAMA!
Confidence
These first two items are my stretch mark-prevention secret! Nothing fancy, just simple, old school, and effective!
4. Bio-Oil Skin Care Oil: $7.99-$23.91 (depending on the size you choose)
Part I of my stretch mark prevention combo! I love this stuff. I’ve used it since month 2 of my 1st pregnancy and it’s earned a permanent spot in my metaphorical medicine cabinet, even once I’m done having babies. It easily glides onto the skin, leaves behind a beautiful glow, feels really good and moisturizing on the skin, and it smells great. Since it’s oil-based, I apply it every night before bed as the final step to my skincare routine to allow it to penetrate my skin during the body’s best time for uninterrupted repair and rejuvenation.
You can find it on Amazon, but if you need it NOW you can also find it at most pharmacy and grocery stores, and at Target!
5. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion For Stretch Marks: $5.99
Part II of my stretch mark prevention combo! I grew up using Palmer’s Cocoa Butter as a moisturizer, and remembered just always knowing that many women used it to prevent or reduce the appearance of stretch marks. I know it’s 2022 and we have fancy things like pregnancy masks (as in a facial mask for your stomach) and expensive bottles of chemicals deemed as “the IT products we need”, but sometimes the not-so-fancy less than $10 stuff that your grandma used is all it takes…and when you’re saving for a baby every dollar counts!
As suggested, I apply it twice a day – first thing in the morning, and then mid-day or early afternoon.
Using this combination of Body Oil and Cocoa Butter worked so well for my first two pregnancies that I’m using them during my third pregnancies as well. Since your tummy doesn’t just immediately disappear once baby arrives (if only!!) I keep this routine up for the first few months after I have my babies too. If you’re concerned about stretch marks on your bum or your breasts you can apply this regimen there as well! (Just steer clear of applying to the nipples while breastfeeding. I don’t think the products taste as good as they smell, so your baby will thank you.)
Another advantage to the not-so-fancy products like this is that they can pretty much be bought anywhere that sells lotion. If you have a grocery store or pharmacy near you, you’re good!
6. Facial Skin Care Regimen
I’ll dedicate a separate post to the nitty gritty of my skin care regimen, but the point here is that if you don’t have one, get one! I didn’t really have one before my first pregnancy. I just washed my face with soap and water twice and day. 🤷🏾♀️ Then hormonal acne came out of nowhere during the 3rd trimester and really did a number on my face. Because I was pregnant and then breastfeeding afterwards I didn’t want any harsh acne medications or procedures that would put harmful chemicals in my body, so I just did nothing as the acne raged until at least 6 months postpartum, and it took nearly a year for all of the scars to fade. I had never seen my skin in such bad shape and I was so self-conscious, it was horrible! So once I became pregnant with my second baby I said “NOT THIS TIME!!!” and I did some research on how to build a skincare regimen (this was right as the pandemic hit and the world shut down, so I had plenty of time).
Try different products that work best for your skin-type, but make sure you’re covered with the basics:
✨ A good cleanser to wash the dirt away
✨ A toner to extract any excess dirt, makeup, etc and prep the skin for the good stuff in your products
✨ Vitamin serums for boosting overall skin health
✨ A mask or spot treatment to nip any signs of acne in the bud before they get worse
✨ A moisturizer to keep skin hydrated
✨ A jade roller to promote circulation and help all of your products really sink into your skin
I’d also recommend trying to keep the products as natural as possible, since you’re sharing your body with your baby. ❤️ After putting this basic structure into practice my skin has faired MUCH better during my second and third pregnancies, with no more severe acne outbreaks, just the manageable stuff that occasionally pops up with stress. Unless I’m going out for some fun, I don’t even wear makeup most days lately and it feels really good to do so confidently!
7. What to Expect When You’re Expecting: $12.70
I couldn’t wait to buy this book during my first pregnancy. I knew nothing about carrying or having a baby and I wanted in on all of the secrets. It didn’t disappoint!
Of course we can Google anything these days, but having this book has been a fun way to learn about what’s going on in my body and baby’s during each stage of pregnancy, from the trimester down to the week. It gave me more confidence (and sometimes relief!) going into each stage more knowledgeable about what changes I could expect and how to be as comfortable and prepared as possible each step of the way. Chances are we won’t remember every little detail, so the book can also be revisited in subsequent pregnancies. I think it makes a thoughtful gift for first-time mamas too! (If you’re a friend of mine who hasn’t had a baby yet, just act surprised when you receive this from me.)
8. Exercise
Keep that body movin! We all know that pregnancy comes with body changes that we aren’t always thrilled to see. Committing to some form of consistent exercise can not only help you feel more confident during pregnancy, but make the postpartum “bounce back” easier as well. Superficial benefits aside, and more importantly, consistent exercise during pregnancy is also good for you and baby’s mental and physical health, and a strengthened body can make the labor process easier as well!
So whether you’re a runner (or in my case, a barre babe 😉 ) and you keep it up for the majority of your pregnancy, or you’re more comfortable taking it easier and switching to walking, just make sure you find something you enjoy that helps you stay active.
Calm
9. Ultrasonic Oil Diffuser: $30 + Essential Oil: $10-$30 (depending on the brand)
For some at-home aromatherapy to help with any stress or anxiety you may be experiencing during pregnancy, invest in a diffuser or two and place them in the spaces in your home where you’d benefit from them the most. For me, that’s my home office and my bedroom. When stressed with work during the day or ready to unwind at night, it’s really helpful to have a diffuser to create an environment that promotes stress relief, focus, and relaxation, all while making the room smell amazing. I’ve bought really expensive diffusers and more affordable models, and honestly my affordable option from Target has stood the test of time better than my others. It also doubles as a night light if you’d like to buy one for your babes!
Every diffuser needs a great essential oil and lavender would have to be my favorite. Known for its calming properties, lavender is often used to promote relaxation in many forms. I clung to lavender oil after having my first baby and needing allll of the calm and rest I could get. I diffused it in my daughter’s nursery as a toddler to encourage restful sleep and I diffuse it in my bedroom when I’m feeling stressed or having trouble sleeping to help me relax and get restful sleep myself. I also purchased lavender-infused stuffed animals for my daughter to cuddle with at night, and my current sleeping mask is lavender-infused as well. You can also add drops of the oil to your lotion, clothing, anywhere you can use this calming scent to maintain sanity for the sake of your mental health and your baby. The possibilities are endless. Overkill? NEVERRR! Go ahead and “put this **** on everything”. It really is soothing, smells wonderful, and personally, it will always remind me of my daughter, my first baby, who experienced it with me for the first time. 💜
I’ve ordered most of my essential oils through Doterra, (we all probably have a friend or a friend of a friend who sells oils!) but you can also find them in some grocery stores, and of course, on Amazon. Just be sure to read up on what the oils are made of. They are safest and most beneficial when they are natural.
There are plenty of other essential oils with so many benefits. Try some out and discover a favorite of your own!
10. Beloved Lavender and Chamomile Tea Bath Salts: $9.99
My final self-care must-have is really an entire luxury bath experience. Again, I could create an entire post just on that…and perhaps I will. But for now, I’ll highlight the lavender bath salts by Love, Beauty, and Planet. I love their products because they’re made with naturally-derived ingredients including essential oils, and they don’t contain harmful ingredients like phthalates, parabens, and sulfates – better for me and better for baby!
A nice warm bath elevated with calming bath salts and other add-ins like a bath bomb and essential oil is one of my favorite ways to relax and unwind when I’m feeling restless, uncomfortable, stressed or all of the above, and especially while pregnant. It’s a great way to soothe the body in preparation for a well-deserved good night’s sleep.
Hopefully you found something here that you’ll find helpful in your pregnancy! (Or some thoughtful gift ideas for a pregnant friend or family-member) Building brains and bones is hard work! You deserve to do the job as comfortably as possible. Sending all the positive pregnancy vibes your way. xx
Follow my family on Instagram as we navigate the chaos of raising cubs @cubsandchaos. 🤎
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