Being pregnant is a unique adventure that is tough to understand unless you have been through it yourself. Some pregnancies seem magical and wonderful, while others are filled with discomfort and loads of vomiting. My pregnancy was all of that and then some, but there were a few items that helped me keep it *somewhat* together and not spiral into the abyss. These 5 items are my recommended must haves!
First, here is a picture of me when I was pregnant to give some validity to this post. As you can see from the photo, this was the first time I realized I was pregnant, hence the shocked look. (Ok, obviously I am joking. The shock was that I was able to squeeze into that dress.)
Now that we’ve checked out the bump, let’s get right to it.
Yes, I made pillows plural on purpose. You (or your pregnant partner), are going to want more than one pillow. Trust me.
I started off with this Boppy Side Sleeper in the early months of pregnancy. It was perfect to support my smaller bump and my back, where most of my discomfort was.
This slide sleeper pillow is smaller than most other pregnancy pillows and was easy to take with me on road trips or overnights. It didn’t take up much room in the bed which is considerate to your partner (or your fur babies if they sleep in bed with you). Plus, the cover is machine washable.
When you are uncomfortable enough to throw the “partner consideration” out the door, this pillow is the next step. Yes, it takes up a good portion of room, but so does that baby inside of you kicking your ribs and having a field day with no regrets.
The cover on the PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow is also machine washable and even has a detachable portion to allow you some wiggle room in your very own pregnant pillow set-up.
But beware, non-pregnant partners have been known to steal this pillow for themselves, so make sure you’re limber enough to fight them if need be.
Morning sickness is very common during pregnancy, which means taking prenatal vitamins can make nausea even worse. These Garden of Life organic fruit gummies allowed me to get in all the necessary and important vitamins needed during pregnancy, but were easy to eat when sometimes even drinking water was a no-go.
One thing that surprised me about being pregnant was how my body naturally wanted to sit in certain positions. And sitting on an exercise ball was one of those instinctual positions that felt great.
This Trideer Yoga and Exercise Ball is thick and durable which made me feel comfortable bouncing on it without fear of popping it and taking me and baby down.
The ball comes with a pump so tell your lungs to calm down. Oh – and this is an amazing item to use during labor, so this is definitely a must have.
Weakened immune system. Need I say more?
Ok fine, I will say more. Although growing a human is basically a super power, the pregnant immune system is weaker than normal and has a harder time fighting infections. I had a 3 month cough that would not go away, no matter what I tried. Finally, I bought the Pure Enrichment MistAire Humidifier and I swear it significantly helped my cough go away.
Bonus: This is great for when the baby is here to help keep their little boogers soft and easy to remove.
Last, but definitely not least, is Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Soaking Solution. Always check with your provider first, but if you are cleared for taking warm baths, then you need this. Pregnant bodies rapidly go through massive change and that can cause discomfort everywhere…literally everywhere. And even in places you didn’t know existed!
Epsom salt soaks in warm water is not only great physically for the pregnant person, but also mentally and emotionally. Some of my favorite moments were alone in the bath feeling and watching my little one kick and communicate to me while I relaxed. I always looked forward to my pregnant baths.
You Got This
Pregnancy is unique to each and every woman, but I am confident these items are must haves for all pregnancies! They won’t take away the discomfort and sometimes physical pain of growing a human (or two or three), but they can definitely help. Please let me know in the comments what items benefited you and your pregnancy!
But just remember, regardless of how you choose to live out your pregnancy, YOU. GOT. THIS.
-Jennifer (A recent first time mom)
Sometimes, having a supportive partner at your side also helps…😉
Hugs to all!