1. Flats – Your feet are doing double duty these days. Not only are they supporting you, but your baby as well! Treat them to a little TLC and ditch the heels (which can exacerbate swelling and cramps) during your pregnancy. You’ll see that a little love will go a long way for your tender tootsies!
2. Maternity Leggings/Yoga Pants – These puppies will be a lifesaver once the old ‘hair elastic through the buttonhole’ trick starts to fail. Leave the pre-maternity jeans in the closet and slip into something stretchy!
3. Belly Cream – As your belly expands, your skin stretches to accommodate the new shape. Make sure you slather on some Vitamin E rich belly cream to keep the stretch marks at bay and keep you comfortable as your bump grows.
4. Pregnancy Documentation – During pregnancy, the body and mind both go through an amazing series of changes. Your body transforms to grow and nourish a new life and your mind has to adjust to the new role you’ll be taking on as a parent. Use a camera, journal, sketchbook or scrapbook to capture details and meaningful moments from this special time.
5. Prenatal vitamins – Recommended by many doctors, these supplements help ensure your body is getting the nourishment it needs to sustain you and your growing baby. Talk to a healthcare professional to get advice about which vitamins to add to your diet.
6. Body pillow – Many women find it difficult to get a full, good night’s sleep as their bodies change and grow. A body pillow can offer comfort and stability as the shape of your belly grows helping to stabilize your sleeping position to avoid backaches and pressure on your stomach.
7. Pregnancy-safe beauty products – While pregnant, there are some beauty products to avoid because of the chemicals they contain. Product lines like Belli, Mama Mio, Lush and others provide safe alternatives to your usual beauty regime. And, when in doubt, you can’t go wrong by using baby products!
8. Morning sickness remedy – One of the less fun aspects of the first trimester is morning sickness. Some women swear by ginger (ginger tea, Ginger ale or ginger cookies). Others rely on lemon water or sticking to a liquid diet until the nausea passes.
9. Decaf coffee/tea – Once you’ve made it past the morning sickness, the coffee/tea withdrawal may kick in, full force. Treat yourself to the next best thing to a caffeine fix and invest in quality decaffeinated hot drinks.
10. Water Bottle — Last on our list is water — possibly one of the most important ‘must-haves’ during a pregnancy. Water reduces bloating, keeps your skin hydrated and helps send oxygen rich blood cells to your baby! Bottoms up!
Did we miss any ‘must-have’ items on our list? What products or habits have you picked up to carry you though your pregnancy? We’d love to hear from you via email or, feel free to post a comment below.