Finding out I was pregnant right as the pandemic news hit us all (for me in mid-March), I was thanking my lucky stars that everything I needed was online. Then I got overwhelmed.
I downloaded THREE apps for tracking my pregnancy, all of which are amazing. They included Babylist, What to Expect, and The Bump.
One caveat… they ALL had different advice. And I was overwhelmed.
Part of this was because I didn’t prepare in advance. I waited a bit longer to invest in too many products to help during the first trimester until week 10 because I needed to hear a heartbeat to know my pregnancy was healthy.
If this is you, either because of previous pregnancy loss like myself or because you’re one of the lucky ones who didn’t have many symptoms until the end of the first trimester, you’re in good company and you have PLENTY of time to find things to make your pregnancy more comfortable.
Before Google searching all the things you need, I recommend starting here with this list of all the things I actually needed and what worked. See the Midnight Googlers blog here if you’re catching yourself Googline everything and finding it stresses you out for some comedic/practical advice relief.
Here’s what THIS mama needed by trimester. Of course, all moms are different, so if I left something out, let me know below!
Please note, the following blog contains Amazon links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. With that said, I will never promote products I don’t stand by 100% because the point of my blog is to help mamas like me and you.
First Trimester
Hang in there, mama, the morning sickness will get better and clothing limbo will be over soon! In the meantime, here are the staples that got me through the first 12ish weeks!
Morning Sickness Tea & Sweets
Need some nausea relief, STAT?! I sure did, and that’s why I ran to Pink Stork, a brand I’ve heard so much about. And their stuff works, whether you have nausea but not enough to throw up (just keepin’ it real), or you’re making bathroom trips every few seconds. Here’s what worked for me:
Morning Sickness Sweets in Mango Ginger and Raspberry Ginger – $13: These look like cough drops but don’t worry, they’re delicious! My favorite is the Mango Ginger flavor. You just unwrap it and pop it in your mouth and within a few minutes, it can really help. It did for me.
Morning Sickness Tea in Ginger Peach – $12: Sometimes you just want something warm and soothing. I loved it with a little honey!
Cozies for Those Rougher Days
Silky Satin Pajamas – $20-$29 (depending on color and size) – There’s nothing like a good set of soft PJs with an elastic waistband, and these are wonderful! They come in pink and light blue leopard that’s somehow understated (I have the light blue). Tip: size up one, you’ll be grateful later. While I wore size small comfortably until about week 26, I had to size up.
Cozy Slippers You Can Also Wear Outside – $22 – $32 – Maybe we differ here, but from the second I got pregnant I was all about being comfortable over having amazing style, but these slippers make it so you don’t have to compromise. Plus, while you may not have swollen feet now, you will later! In 6-8 different colors depending on availability, from Camel (the color I have, shown above) to Pink, you’re bound to find a color that matches your wardrobe.
A Cute Robe You Can Just Throw On – $28 – $30 – I was so impressed with this soft little robe, and on days I’ve felt sick, it’s been a day-long lifesaver, and I say that proudly! Plus, it comes in 19 colors AND the little fabric belt is attached. That’s huge for me because let’s be real, I’d misplace it otherwise.
Small Things for Big Time Comfort
Pregnancy Waistband Extender to Make Clothes Last Longer – $22 – By the end of the first trimester, I was so grateful for this! Admittedly, I would misplace it from time to time and a rubber band also worked, but this helped make it less obvious that I’d unbuttoned my pants under T-shirts. Also, a small price to pay to delay buying a bunch of maternity clothes!
Pregnancy Belly Band That Looks Like a Cami – $28 – Another genius invention I couldn’t live without, I used this cami well into my second trimester. The nude color was my favorite because it didn’t show through shirts and if it peeked out, simply looked like an undershirt. I recommend!
A Lip Balm With Clean Ingredients for Chapped Lips – $18 – One of the first things I noticed in the first trimester (other than nausea, of course,) was chapped lips. I was worried about any potentially harmful ingredients in my bag full of lip glosses, so I ditched them for this! It smells like roses and seals in moisture overnight so that my lips don’t flake like they used to.
Everyday Must-Haves for Mind & Body
A Pregnancy Themed Activity Book to Distract You – $15 – $18 – That first trimester can feel never-ending, trust me, I know! That’s why a book full of tongue-in-cheek jokes book about pregnancy woes is just what the doctor ordered! Entertain yourself (and forget nausea for a minute!) with crosswords, fill-in-the-blanks, sketches, and more. Great for a laugh AND as a baby shower gift for your pregnant friends (everyone will love it!).
A Prenatal Vitamin That’s Easy As Far as Prenatals Go – $27-$30 – I had three requirements for a prenatal vitamin: easy to find anywhere, easy-ish to swallow, AND value-packed with good ingredients. While this pill IS the typical horse pill size of Prenatal Vitamins, it has a slick soft gel capsule that even those who are HORRIBLE at swallowing pills (like me) will get used to quickly. Plus, they never once made me sick and have DHA to boot!
Probiotics Perfect for Common Pregnancy Troubles (AKA TUMMY) – $24 – Let’s just be real, digestion (and everything involved with it during pregnancy) sucks! But it really doesn’t have to be that bad. I was able to clear up the main problem I had that nothing else, not even prune juice, could fix. I was able to avoid Colace thanks to this stuff, it’s THAT good. I ran out of a bottle a couple of months ago for a few days and the difference was PAINFUL. I immediately got back on it and my gut was restored. It WORKS.
Second Trimester
While it took until about week 15 for the clouds to part for me, the second trimester was the BEST! Here are some items that made it even more comfortable, especially toward the end of it.
Yoga Props Perfect for Prenatal Yoga & Barre
Yoga Blocks to Prevent Overstretching & Make Things Easier – $12-$18 – Prenatal Yoga and Prenatal Barre became a big part of my pregnancy exercise routine and I knew I needed some props. Blocks are an amazing and reasonable investment because what you can do easily in week 13 is MUCH tougher by week 26. A preemptive strike so that you can enjoy the benefits is so worth it!
A Strap for Increasingly Difficult Poses – $8-$11 – You don’t need me to confirm all of the aches and pains of pregnancy, but WOW, there we so many I didn’t expect! I mean, stiff SHOULDERS, anyone? I guess all of that left-side sleeping took its toll! I recommend the 10 ft. so you never run out of room to accommodate different poses, but the 8 should also be plenty for us shorter mamas.
A Set of Lighter Weights Than You’re Used To – $16 – This is a personal preference, but the more pregnant I became, the less weight I wanted to add to things. Still, I wanted that burn. Two-pound weights were just what I needed to stay in the game without compromising my form or worrying about my bump. I recommend getting some BEFORE you need them.
A Supportive Non-Slip Yoga Mat With a Pattern or Plain Cute – $29 – $35 – My old torn up yoga mat wasn’t cutting it so I went with a reliable brand with reliable reviews. The exact mat I bought was nowhere to be found but these two are the same brand (Gaiam) and come in 4mm to 6mm thick. If your knees are anything like mine, I recommend you splurge for the 6mm! Totally worth the few extra bucks to me!
Back-Saving Support for Your Growing Bump
Lightweight Shaping Panty to Wear Under Dresses – $20 – “Did she just say ‘shaping’?” Yes, I did! Let me just say that I don’t think shapewear and pregnancy are compatible in MOST cases, except for select garments that also add compression. And these made me feel supported without getting all sweaty or feeling squeezed, making them a real MUST!
A Compression Tank You Can Wear With Anything – $72 – I’m currently wearing this as I’m writing and it REPLACES my support belt when I need support but want something that feels less constricting. It’s worth the price because just one will grow with you the rest of the way without you breaking a sweat (and is so comfortable and stretchy yet somehow incredibly supportive). I have winter white and sized up from my usual small to a medium, which I recommend to avoid that too-tight feeling.
Pregnancy Support Band for When Weight Starts Getting Reaaaaal – $70 – This is THE belt to get when you’re at that point in your pregnancy where your bump is just too heavy to carry alone. You’ll know when this happens because your round ligaments, back, or hips (or all three) will be doing some screaming. This small belt does BIGTIME wonders. It also comes with an ice/heat pad, though I have to admit I tried it once and didn’t use it again. With that said, the belt itself is worth its weight in gold for the daily support it gives, especially during exercise. It has saved me a lot of sciatic and other pain that I know I’d otherwise be feeling. Try it, you won’t regret it.
Maternity Support Leggings for Everyday Wear – $64 – Last bigger-ticket comfort investment, and just as worth it, I promise! These leggings fit like compressive tights but LOOK like leggings. While they are prone to some pilling because of the material (even when you care for them carefully and line dry them), that is easy to shave off and the leggings themselves feel like a second skin you will forget is there. It’s worth it for the added layer of support your back and belly will suddenly have (and appreciate).
Glow in Comfort as You Grow & Affordably So
Skincare Products That Actually WORK for Redness & Puffiness – $39 – Tired of your tired eyes and all of that redness? I sure was! I missed Retinol but avoided it during pregnancy, of course. This starter kit of five favorites has a plant-based retinol alternative that has done just as much for my skin (especially around my eyes). Always ask your doctor, but I’ve never felt (or looked!) better. I say pregnancy glows aren’t natural, they’re made. 🙂
Finally, a Pregnancy Pillow That Supports Your Back & Hips! – $40 – I admit that this WASN’T the first pregnancy pillow I bought… but I wish it was! I had a U-shaped pillow during part of my first and second trimesters but found it harder and harder to sleep as the weeks went by. This C-shaped pillow is EVERYTHING I needed! Seriously, it gives me a big hug and allows me to cheat with left side sleeping a little bit by leaning back (I was a back sleeper pre-pregnancy). Recommend for anyone tossing and turning!
Underwear That Grows With (Not Against) Your Belly – $26 – The least comfortable thing about pregnancy hasn’t been clothing or even bras for me (size up, buy maternity, pretty standard). But when it comes to underwear, everything started hurting my belly and legs. And I DIDN’T want to wear huge underwear to be comfortable. This very awesomely priced 8-pack did the trick. They’re low rise so they fit UNDER your tummy! While at first they seemed almost too low-rise, the further I get into my pregnancy, the more grateful I am for that feature. They’re so comfortable!
The Classic Stretch Mark Lotion to Soothe Itchy Skin – $5-$10 – Palmer’s Cocoa Butter is liquid (well, lotion) GOLD. It’s smooth, smells good, and so easy to slather on any time you need it. It’s not greasy or runny and is so pleasant, you may just find it replacing your other lotions for awhile!
Third Trimester
This part of the pregnancy is all about minimizing discomfort, because as my OB said well, “At this point, you’re not going to be comfortable!” 😛 These things got me pretty close, and I hope they help you. 🙂
The Future is Near Here, These Help
Bamboobies Everything for Ultimate Comfort During & Post Pregnancy – $13 – $25+ – I can’t say enough about this brand. I found out about it from another mama-to-be and couldn’t rush to get these quickly enough. If your skin is dry, you’ll love the organic nipple balm, it has SAVED my life. Same with the pads for those of us who start leaking early or just want to be prepared with some incredibly comfortable, reusable day and night pads (plus, the daytime ones are shaped like hearts, how cute is that?!). Also, this bra is SO soft and stretchy, yet somehow also supportive! It’s witchcraft! It’s true to size, a medium fit me, and I’m a 36ish C during pregnancy.
I recommend ANY of their bras and can’t talk about them enough! Maybe I should contact them directly… this is just me loving their stuff and knowing you will, too! If you really want to go all-out to get comfortable during the third-trimester or to prepare for nursing, I recommend their Amazon Storefront.
A Sturdy Yet Comfy Birthing Ball for Prepping and Pressure Relief – $19-$27 – Don’t underestimate the power of getting some weight off your bump at this point. Easy to inflate as they come with a ‘quick pump’ that did the job, the real winning feature is that the ball feels sturdy and firm yet perfectly squishy. The ball I chose came in three different sizes, and because I’m 5′ 0″, I went with the smallest size. For most, I’d recommend the next size up (large) because it is more suited for the average height mama. Get ready to feel weightless, these things are really that good.
The Clothes You’ll Wear Over & Over
ASOS DESIGN Maternity Lounge Sweat & Jogger Set in Blue and Grey – $33.60: (20% off at time of writing) – I can’t wait for the weather to cooperate so I can wear this in blue. These are perfectly thick like your favorite blanket, and yet still flattering somehow. Plus, while they are long, the tapered end and cuff make it easy for me to slide them up nicely. While a pre-pregnancy 2 or 4 depending on the brand, I sized up to a 6. At 28 weeks, I thought I’d bought a size too big. By 33 weeks I knew I’d made the right choice! The comfier the better, plus my bump appreciates the space!
PinkBlush Lace Trim Maternity Pajama Set – $52 – One word: BUTTER. Seriously. That’s how soft these pajamas are. I’m packing these in my hospital bag immediately! While the legs were a little long for my 5′ 0″ frame, I bet they’d fit most and they aren’t a deal-breaker for me. I went with a medium and they’re the perfect amount of loose. Pro buyer tip: buy on most Tuesdays, sometimes Thursdays, for 40% off, it’s a nearly weekly promo they have going right now. Other days often offer discounts, too.
Silky Satin Pajamas – $20-$29 (depending on color and size) -There’s nothing like a good set of soft PJs with an elastic waistband, and these are wonderful! They’re the same cute PJs from the first-trimester pic, just size up one for the perfect fit post-partum too, or two for extra roominess. For reference, I am 5′ 0″, currently 138 at 33 weeks (pre-pregnancy weight of 110) and was a size small before pregnancy. A medium is my jam now, and I could go to a large if I wasn’t so worried about the pants being too long.
Cozy Slippers You Can Also Wear Outside – $22 – $32 – One more must-have borrowed item from the first trimester, you’ll appreciate these most when you suddenly find that none of your shoes fit! Seriously! Like walking on a cloud and with a forgiving stretch, with 6-8 different colors depending on availability, from Camel (the color I have, shown above) to Pink, you’re bound to find a color that matches your wardrobe to replace those shoes that no longer fit (shoe shopping time here!). I have a feeling that new shoes will be a blog topic in the near future.
Remember to Document the Many Happy Baby Memories
Oh my goodness, the Promptly Journals ‘Childhood History’ Video!
I challenge you NOT to cry watching an overview of this journal that takes you from your first trimester all the way through to your baby’s 18th birthday and ‘letter from the parents’ send-off. I have a picture of me crying that I sent to my husband that I keep debating sharing. Lol. You’ve been warned, it’s that good.
In the meantime, here is the amazingly sentimental and meaningful journal I selected for my baby boy, Finnley, under $40, and priceless.
There’s no doubt that this is a beautiful, tiring, happy, emotional, and all-around wonderful time! I hope these suggestions based on what worked for me have been helpful to you! Did I leave anything out that’s a MUST for you? Let me know in the comments! And above all else, know that what you’re doing now is the best thing because…
You are perfection, mama! As-is.