We're experiencing a little calm before the storm of a wave of house projects on the docket starting in the next week, and as I'm also approaching the last days of my second trimester, I thought it would be fun to pull together some of the things that have really helped me along in my first pregnancy! There have been so many everyday products that have made life with a growing bump more manageable, but here are a few of my current favorite clothing + apparel items, clean skincare products, helpful nutrition staples, and a few miscellaneous must-haves.
Apparel
For the majority of my first and second trimesters I was able to get away with a few non-maternity athletic skorts that I already had in my closet, but around week 25 my bump was just getting a little too big to contain! I did a big Old Navy haul around this time and these were BY FAR my favorite item I got. The material is stretchy and lightweight and hugs the bump in all the right places without feeling like too much coverage.
Being already pretty tall and carrying a bit lower, I had some difficulty finding tank tops long enough to cover my bump even early on. I couldn't resist snagging a few of these in basic colors on a quick Target run one day simply because of how soft they were and they're now some of my everyday staples.
I waited way too long to make this purchase but these are truly a must-have. Don't be stubborn and wait until you're busting at the literal seams of your normal undies. These are more than worth buying early on and your stretching skin will surely thank you.
I actually bought this dress before I knew I was pregnant because I thought it would make a great go-to for announcement photos or a baby shower down the road. And I was right! It's also been perfect to wear to church and a few weddings we've attended as my bump has been growing. Even though it's long sleeved, it's a super airy and breathable material so I've been able to wear it throughout spring and into summer.
My mom gifted me these at the beginning of my pregnancy and they've truly stood the test of time! Lightweight, lined, and breathable, their lower mid-rise fit sits nicely below my bump and has proved to be my first choice for the hottest Arkansas summer days. I'm mostly wearing them on the go, but they're so comfortable that I've definitely slept in them a time or two as well.
These aren't true maternity overalls, but I bought these in a size up and have been able to put some real miles on them! Sizing up definitely gives you more of a slouchy fit and extra room for baby, and they are super cute thrown over a fitted tank, airy blouse, or a one piece swimmy if you're headed to the pool!
I had to include these because of how much they have helped my pregnancy lower back pain being on my feet most of the day! So many stores carry these now and many are a little cheaper than the original Clouds, but these are undeniably more cushion-ey when compared to my husbands dupes. Definitely size down!
Okay, I had to include this because it's one of the only things I feel super comfortable sleeping in at this point in pregnancy! I flip flop all night long and trying to get comfortable with a big t-shirt or loose fitting pjs tangled all around me just wasn't working out. I love that these hug nice and close to the body and have a good stretch for the growing bump! And they come in so many cute colors.
These were my first trimester heroes when breast tenderness was at its maximum. I kept a few pairs on hand for days when wearing a bra was out of the question but I still needed to leave the house, and nobody would've ever been able to tell! While they might not be a solution for all, my fellow small-busted friends might appreciate the freedom (and relief) these bring.
Skincare
This is one of those products that feels like it should cost twice as much as it actually does. My sister gifted this to me at the start of my pregnancy and I've been using it every single night since! It's become a nightly ritual that I look forward to every day and really gives a stretching and itchy belly so much sweet relief. The Luminous scent is pretty much what dreams are made of and proved to smell just as delicious even when all the smell-aversions were heavy at play. If you're having a tough time with smells and not willing to risk it, it also comes in an unscented option!
Naturally, I'm very fair, so I've been trying to be super careful about my skin especially during pregnancy when burning and dark spots can occur even more easily. This mineral sunscreen was a direct recommendation from my dermatologist because of it's zinc oxide (that's the good stuff) and I've been really pleased with the protection and how light it feels on my face! I rub in a little pea-sized amount between a quick morning cleanse and applying makeup and it lasts all day.
I swapped out most of my skincare for cleaner alternatives after becoming pregnant, but this is one of my new routine favorites! Aside from the ingredients being super clean and nutrient-rich, it feels so light on your face and you get a really fresh deep cleanse without being drying. I use this both morning and night and have had zero breakout issues during pregnancy!
This may be the holy grail of hydrating serums? I love everything about this super clean plant-based product from the fresh + organic scent to the way my skin feels instantly re-hydrated after use. My skin leans more naturally dry, especially during pregnancy and amidst a regularly dusty home renovation, but since using this serum regularly, I've had zero concerns about my dry skin. I've worked it into my nightly routine and it only takes a small pump to get your skin feeling totally reset and refreshed for another day.
Just another great product that you can snag on your next Target run here! I took a chance on this Shampoo/Conditioner in my first trimester when everything in the world smelled like garbage. The coconut & vanilla scent sold me, but for a girl with some thick locks, this stuff lathers like no other! It’s free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and dyes so you won't get that heavy build-up of junk on your scalp. If this was twice the price, I would probably still buy it, and I'm pretty sure Kyle is secretly stealing pumps of this over his own shampoo now too.
Another must-have for pretty much anyone, but especially those experiencing extra dryness due to pregnancy. I lather this stuff on thick every single night and wake up to plump, hydrated lips. I've kept the 'berry' flavor in my nightstand for almost a year now and it's just so fresh and doesn't have that artificial fruity smell (we all remember lip-smackers, yes?).
Nutrition
Fruit smoothies have been one of the easiest ways I've found to pack in that extra needed fiber into my pregnancy diet. I picked up this Nutribullet from Walmart at such a great price and because it's so simple to use, clean, and store, I'm using it almost every single morning! It's the perfect single-serving size so you're not dealing with a bunch of waste, and the plastic canister is even great for prepping and freezing your smoothie the night before!
There are loads of great options for Prenatal vitamins out there and it's entirely up to preference and price point which one you decide to purchase! I went with Nature Made's brand due to the added Folic Acid critical for baby's early brain and spine development and actually started taking them a few months before getting pregnant to make sure my body was getting what it needed to support baby in its very first days.
I'm not a coffee drinker, and after becoming pregnant, I was on the search for a 'special drink' alternative to the high-caffeinated hot teas I was used to. I decided to give matcha a try after reading about its lower caffeine content and natural benefits and it's been the perfect refresher during a very hot summer pregnancy! I've been picking up this latte powder mix on my regular Walmart grocery run and mixing up a little latte over ice whenever I'm craving a little Starbucks-at-home moment. It's seriously delicious and gives me some peace of mind knowing I'm not blasting baby with a huge caffeine rush.
Another item that was gifted to me very early on that proved to be a life-saver for those early days of morning sickness! The cool peppermint flavor helps ease your tummy and at the very least puts a refreshing taste in your mouth so you're not so focused on how cruddy you feel. I haven't needed these for morning sickness in my second trimester, but I do keep a few in my purse because they're just so delicious!
Anything peppermint flavored always proved to help me ease morning sickness, and if the little candies weren't quite enough, I would steep a deep mug of this peppermint tea. There are so many tea options at the grocery store, but anything caffeine-free was always my first-choice.
Miscellaneous
There are a lot of different options as far as pregnancy pillows goes, but this is the one I chose after reading dozens of reviews on Amazon. I was initially worried I might get irritated by the fact that it wraps all around your body, but that little feature has been singular reason why this pillow is such a game changer. If you're flipping sides all night long, having the 360-degree model means the pillow doesn't have to travel with you and get readjusted every single time you move, and it's filled to just the right cushiness level to comfortably tuck under your bump for extra support. I'm not willing to try at this point, but I'm not sure I could sleep without this guy now!
Ah yes, the cup we all know and love and set every possible in-stock notification for at some point. This thing might as well be permanently attached to my hand during all walks of life, but I've loved it especially during pregnancy when water intake is constantly at the front of mind. Because of its size, it's so easy to keep myself on target each day knowing I need to strive to drink two full tumblers before my head hits the pillow at night. More recently, getting good amounts of water in my system has also been a noticeable help with keeping Braxton Hicks at bay.
These! I didn't even buy these because of pregnancy, but now that we're using them everyday I'm so thankful for them. The larger bath sheet size is actually perfect for a growing bump and feels so dang luxurious after stepping out of a warm shower. They really do get softer and more plush with every single wash! Currently striving to get both of our bathrooms up to this level of spa-like.
My mom snagged this for me in early pregnancy and it's another one of those nightly rituals I look forward to all day long. I truly believe this Target version of the waffle robe could compete with the best of the higher end textile companies selling similar options! The waffle material is so much softer than you would ever imagine and lightweight enough that you don't feel too hot or confined after a steamy shower. I didn't used to be a robe girl, but again with the growing bump, it's been great to throw on and get a break from all those tight-fitting clothes for a while.
This is a great buy for the soon-to-be dads, but I will say Kyle and I have read a good portion of this book together and it's definitely informed me of a few things that 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' didn't always touch on. It's an easy read that gives you a few pages each week on what's happening with both mom and baby's bodies at each stage. I love that this book has given us another way to connect and both be mentally in-tune with this season of pregnancy!
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