“Surprise! We’re pregnant!” Now what?
(And no, I’m not currently pregnant, but oh how those days are burned into my brain forever and ever. Amen.)
I remember going through my pregnancy with innocent, naive eyes about how things would be just glorious during the nine months of pregnancy. I quickly learned that being pregnant is a whole new ball game! It certainly is a time of growth, to say the least. To help you get through this most wonderful (but difficult) life journey, I came up with my top 10, can’t-live-without, essential items during the 40 wonderful (but difficult…did I say that already?) weeks of pregnancy. Because like I’ve said before, “We’re in it together, sister!”
This was one of the very first gifts I received when I was pregnant. I loved this book and used it as my journal throughout my entire pregnancy. It gives you insight about your baby’s daily development, and it provides health information for the mama. There is also space for you to write notes about how you’re feeling along the way. You’ll want to remember these times, because your memory tends to go elsewhere once you have your little bambino. This is a precious book that I’ll treasure forever, and I know you will, too.
These are the prenatal vitamins that my OB recommended to me at my first pregnancy appointment. I loved these because they were every vitamin that have been recommended for best fetal development. I knew I wasn’t missing anything with these. Ask your OB if he/she has a code for you to get a special discount. As long you are taking some sort of prenatal vitamin, you should be growing along just healthily. This specific brand was what worked for me.
3. Tylenol
No need for a link here! I used the generic acetaminophen (found at any grocery or drug store) when I had those pesky pregnancy headaches and horrible aches and pains. I used sparingly, but sometimes, you just need some relief! You can’t take ibuprofen during pregnancy, so Tylenol becomes your new go-to for pain management.
4. Canada Dry Caffeine Free Ginger Ale
Ahh, the whole new world of living caffeine free. I’m not much of a soda drinker, but when I was battling nausea during my first trimester, I craved this stuff. Ginger naturally combats nausea. And there is something about the sweet fizziness that also made my tummy settle. It truly made me feel better. I hope it does the same for you.
This pillow, y’all! I don’t know how I, in my holy bigness pregnancy state, would have ever slept without it. It wraps your belly and helps you sleep on your left side. We have a queen-size bed, and we made it work. Trust me when I say, you don’t want to skip out on any sleep before your sweet little angel arrives. I started using this pillow right around the beginning of the 2nd of trimester.
Depending on your rate of growth, your clothes may fit you for quite some time in the beginning. But the buttons just may be getting a run for their money in the stretch department. Here’s where the Tummy Sleeve comes in. You simply place this over your unbuttoned pants to hold them in place. Genius! This will give some of your pre-maternity stretchy jeans a little more wear as your beautiful belly continues to grow.
7. Belly Laughs
There’s nothing that I love more than being able to relate to people. Life experiences are so much greater when you can share and connect with others. This book had me in tears from laughing so hard at Jenny McCarthy’s pregnancy experience. Definitely a must-read for the shear joy of laughter. Your hormonal soul will thank you.
This is quite the pregnancy accessory. Thank heavens it goes under your clothes. I always wore this over my maternity pants, underneath my long maternity blouse. Why is this necessary? Because when your belly grows to be an entity on its own, it causes great pain to your back. With this contraption, it helps your posture and gives you some support to carry around all that extra weight. I started wearing this in the middle of the 2nd trimester, right before the longest trimester of all.
9. Tums
I had the worst heartburn in the world when I was pregnant, so Tums antacid was absolutely necessary. I carried around these puppies everywhere I went and ate them like candy. It was a purse staple.
10. Pregnancy Apps for your phone
My two favorites were What to Expect and Baby Center. Both are free! You’ll love the updates about your ever-growing baby and your ever-growing body. Consider this your on-the-go version of your pregnancy journal. This was always fun to look at when I waited at my check-ups to make sure what I was experiencing was “normal” and when I should be asking questions.
And as a bonus, here is a book that I wish I would have known about during my pregnancy. It’s a daily devotional for every day of your pregnancy journey. How sweet is that? Prayer is absolutely a necessity during this most blessed time.
What have been some of your favorite must-have essentials during pregnancy?
This is the first post in the New Mama 101 Series. To see more helpful tips and encouraging stories for the expectant mommy and new mom, click here.
Love this. My younger sister is pregnant and I've tried to tell her all of the stuff she needs while she is pregnant and after my niece comes and I swear she thinks I am full of it, so I love showing her what other people have found helpful
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No problem! Hopefully, she'll listen to you. I know all about those little sisters. ;)
Great list! The body pillow was a total life saver. I would add granola bars to the list … I used to carry them around in my purse so help keep my blood sugar up as well as keep the nausea at bay. :)
Thank you! And oh, yes! I ate plenty of those, too. :)