Let’s talk pregnancy must haves for each trimester!
From body pillows to perineal massage oil, there is no better time for comfort and support than during pregnancy.
So whether you are a first-time mom or looking for inspiration to renew your pregnancy must-haves, now is the time to get informed and get what you need.
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This post will provide expecting moms with an all-inclusive guide to pregnancy must-haves, the essential items to help make your nine-month journey smooth sailing.
From wardrobe staples to sleep and pain management products, you’ll find the perfect items to make your pregnancy experience as comfortable and successful as possible.
So get ready to learn what you need to make this journey magical and nurture your mental and physical well-being.
Table of Contents
Pregnancy Must Haves: First Trimester
1. Prenatal Vitamins
You know we couldn’t have started our pregnancy must-haves without mentioning prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins provide essential nutrients to your growing baby, so taking them as soon as you find out you are pregnant, but preferably before conceiving, would be best for you and your baby.
Check out my Best Prenatal Vitamins post for tips on how to pick the best prenatal vitamins and some of the top prenatal vitamins for you to choose from!
2. Maternity Bra
Sore and growing breasts are common early signs of pregnancy, so finding a comfortable maternity bra early on is recommended. I got this maternity/nursing bra that was great for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
3. Pregnancy Books
If you’re a new expecting mom, I’m sure you have many questions about what to expect from pregnancy and would appreciate knowing the important do’s and don’ts.
This book, Expecting Better by Emily Oster, will not only guide you through what to expect of pregnancy, but she uses researched statistics to inform you about the things you shouldn’t worry about during pregnancy.
4. SodaStream
If you read my Morning Sickness Relief post, you know that cold carbonated water was my best friend when it came to morning sickness in my first trimester.
This sodastream was a pregnancy must-have for me! It allowed me to make as much carbonated water as I wish from home, and if it loses its bubbles, I can pump some more into the bottle.
5. Baby App
The What to Expect app is a great pregnancy app for all expecting mothers. This app shows how your baby grows in the womb during that particular week and what the baby can do.
The app also shows how your pregnant body changes and what symptoms you can expect during that week. This app was helpful and reassuring to me during pregnancy, and it should definitely be one of your pregnancy must-haves!
6. Pregnancy Journal
Pregnancy is tough, but it’s also magical, especially with your first baby. There is so much you want to remember, like your first prenatal visit, the first time you heard your baby’s heartbeat or saw them during your ultrasound.
A pregnancy journal is a perfect place to write down all those unforgettable memories in real time so you can remember how you felt that day and what you were thinking, and you can also someday show it to your baby.
Toddlers love to hear about the time they were in mommy’s belly!
Pregnancy Must Haves: Second Trimester
1. Belly Butter & Oil
By now, most know that genetics plays a big part in determining who will or will not experience stretch marks (I know, I wish it wasn’t so, either). However, daily moisturizing your growing belly during pregnancy will help prevent more severe stretch marks.
And when your belly is itchy, don’t scratch; apply some belly butter, oil, or both instead.
2. Belly Band
Belly bands are great during pregnancy. They support your lower back and belly, reducing aches and pains caused by your stretching uterus and surrounding ligaments.
Pregnancy aches and pains make it hard to walk or stand for long periods without taking a rest. If this is you, give the belly band a try.
3. Compression Socks
Compression socks are a pregnancy must-have if you have started to experience swelling in your ankles and feet. Swelling in your ankles and feet can become painful and is usually worst by the end of the day and the further into your pregnancy you get. So if this is you, give these compression socks a try.
4. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is another must-have during pregnancy! Soaking in bath salt during pregnancy helps relieve aching muscles and reduces inflammation, pain, and leg discomfort. This means that if you are experiencing swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles, lower back pains, round ligament pains, or even leg cramping, an Epsom salt bath will benefit you greatly.
Of course, our body goes through so many changes in so little time, so experiencing aches and pains is normal. However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make ourselves more comfortable during pregnancy, so give this bath soak by Aromasong Salt Co. a try!
5. Water Bottle
Expecting moms should drink between 64 to 96 ounces of water during pregnancy daily. Water helps you form amniotic fluid, produce extra blood, build new tissues, carry nutrients, enhance digestion, and help prevent leg cramps during pregnancy.
This bottle will keep you accountable and is a great visual reminder to drink more water! (Remember to drink for two but eat for one!)
6. Maternity Pants
There will come a point in your pregnancy when wearing pre-pregnancy pants, especially jeans, are no longer an option.
These maternity pants are incredible! They are so silky soft, and comfortable, and you can roll up or down the top of the pants to your growing belly. Add these maternity pants to your pregnancy must-haves; thank me later!
7. Maternity Underwear
These maternity underwear are so comfortable and support your growing belly so well. Your usual pre-pregnancy underwear will begin to feel tighter and more uncomfortable during pregnancy.
Therefore, getting a pair of maternity underwear will be insanely helpful during pregnancy. If you don’t like high-waisted underwear, you can also try these underwear that curve under the belly.
8. Heartburn Tea
Heartburn is most common in the second and third trimesters, but heartburn happens during the first trimester for some expecting moms.
If you are experiencing heartburn during pregnancy, this heartburn tea by Earth Mama will help relieve your symptoms. This tea is 100% organic and includes spearmint, marshmallow root, lemon balm, chamomile, and red raspberry leaf. Give this tea a try!
9. Body Pillow
Let’s talk about an expecting mom’s best friend, the body pillow! I’m sure a body pillow is already on every expectant mom’s list of pregnancy must haves!
And since we are talking about a best friend, it must be the best of its kind! This body pillow by Momcozy is one of the best! It supports your entire back, hips, legs, belly, and neck and is also great for side sleepers (not that we have much of a choice but to be side sleepers during pregnancy). It’s so soft!
10. Notebook (for mommy brain moments)
Mommy brain is a real thing! Therefore, having a notepad or notebook will help you keep track of things you want to remember.
11. Birth Books
There is no better time to read about birth than during pregnancy! Birth is a common fear most women, pregnant or not, experience. I’ve feared birth long before I became pregnant, and I’m not alone. Studies show that 15-22% of women worldwide fear giving birth.
This book Mindful Birthing by Nancy Bardacke will give you the tools and information you need to achieve your desired birth, whether that’s having an unmedicated birth, water birth, home birth, or birth center birth. I find information makes things less scary, so if you fear birth, make sure this birth book is on your list of pregnancy must-haves.
Pregnancy Must Haves: Third Trimester
1. Slip On Shoes
The bigger your belly gets, the harder it becomes to put on shoes that require tying; for that reason, the third trimester should consist of easy slip-on shoes like these Adidas Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 running sneakers. These sneakers are cute, comfortable, and easy to put on.
2. Birthing/ Exercise Ball
In the third trimester, much of your focus will be on preparing yourself and your body for birth. Sitting upright on a birthing ball like this one will encourage the opening of your pelvic muscles, allowing your baby to descend and prepare for birth.
A birthing ball can also relieve pregnancy pain like lower back and pelvic pain.
3. Perineal Massage Oil
Perineal massages during the third-trimester help prevent tearing during childbirth by encouraging the muscles and skin around the perineum to become flexible enough to stretch during birth. Use this perineal balm for your massages.
Check out this article for more information about perineum massage during pregnancy.
3. Raspberry Leaf Tea
Raspberry leaf tea has been a pregnancy must-have for many expecting moms because it helps support a healthy uterus and induce labor. This Earth Mama Raspberry leaf tea is 100% organic and has fantastic reviews!
Learn more about Raspberry Leaf Tea here.
Also, try Earth Mama’s Third Trimester Tea if you are experiencing a lot of leg cramps during your third trimester, as I did! They are painful, and this tea helps!
4. Mattress Protector
As you get closer to your due date, it’ll be a great idea to put a mattress protector on your mattress (if you don’t have one already) in case your water breaks while in bed or you experience some vaginal bleeding.
5. Breastfeeding Books
If you are a first-time mom, you may think breastfeeding comes naturally to most moms, but it doesn’t. Breastfeeding is new to you and the baby, and you will have to learn a few tools and tricks to use when breastfeeding for the first time.
This book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International, will give you all the essential information and what to expect when starting your breastfeeding journey!
6. Sunscreen
By now, I’m sure you know how important it is to use sunscreen when out in the sun, and pregnancy is no different. Using clean sunscreens like this one during pregnancy helps prevent toxins from getting to your baby.
7. Hospital Bag
If you plan to give birth at a hospital or birth center, adding a hospital bag to your pregnancy must haves list may be a great idea. I know it’s not pregnancy related; however, around 35-37 weeks pregnant, you should have your hospital bag ready for birth.
So if you don’t have a weekend bag or carry-on luggage at home, the third trimester is the time to get one.
Last Thoughts
First, I want to congratulate you on your pregnancy and for making it through this list! Second, I hope you found some beneficial pregnancy essentials in this list of pregnancy must haves that will make your pregnancy much more comfortable.
Pregnancy is an exciting time, and being prepared with the right must-haves can make a big difference. Let me know if you decide give any of these a try!
In the comments below, I would love to know what trimester you are currently in and what’s your current pregnant must have!
