HALFWAY THERE.
It’s crazy how fast pregnancy goes by. In the beginning, it is exhausting (physically) and nerve-wracking, but so exciting. After the anatomy scan showed all in the clear, I started to feel less stressed and more anxious to pick out all of the cute baby things. We started working on our baby registry and adding to my current maternity essentials – which I need more and more these days. It’s really a joyful time and I never realized how much I would appreciate pregnancy.
MY PREGNANCY FAVORITES
MATERNITY LEGGINGS
When we were getting ready to head to Florida, I had gotten to the point where I couldn’t comfortably wear my athletic leggings. I knew nothing about maternity leggings so I decided to try Amazon first! After reading reviews and basing my size off them, I ordered a full-length pair of blue heathered leggings and a capri style black legging – both with pockets. They were so comfortable and had the perfect amount of stretch for early pregnancy and beyond. Now that we are past the 20-week mark, my belly is taking advantage of the extra stretch in both pairs.
EBERJEY GISELE PJ SET
While this pajama set is of a higher price point, it is worth every penny. I have had the Gisele Long PJ Set for YEARS and it is so soft, stretchy, and comfortable. Sometimes I just wear the top, sometimes just the bottom, and frequently both together (especially in the winter). The set has been perfect for pregnancy because it doesn’t squeeze the belly and the material is beautifully smooth. This set comes in a ton of colors that hold up very well. I have the black and it is as black as the day I got it!
PREGNANCY WAISTBAND EXTENDERS
Are your jeans too tight? These are the answer! I ordered a denim waistband extender multi-pack so I could wear these with all shades of denim from light to dark wash. While you can’t fix the zipper problem, these keep your jeans up and comfortable. So you couldn’t see the fly, I wore shirts that draped just past the waistband so you couldn’t even tell I had them buttoned on! The set also comes in nude so you can wear them with any work pants that button up and need an extra boost.
FLEXIBLE BRALETTES
Target has some of my favorite affordable bralettes. At the beginning of my pregnancy, I picked up the Women’s Waffle Bralette and it quickly replaced my regular bras. It is stretchy and soft for growing breasts and has nice feminine details like the waffle print and the lace touch. The Women’s Triangle Bralette also has a great shape, fit, and is only $7. If you anticipate continued growth, I would purchase a size up. I normally buy a small or medium and ended up in a large for comfort.
WOMEN’S WICKED GOOD MOCCASINS
Staying true to my New England roots, these moccasins are essential all year round. I have worn many pairs of comfy slippers but these are, by far, the best! I have the blue but the Wicked Good Moccasins come in pink, red, and three different neutral shades. Between working from home and being tired, I spend a lot of my time shuffling around the house. Slippers are far superior to fuzzy socks and, without question, are better than wearing shoes around all day long.
BURTS BEES MAMA BEE BELLY BUTTER
I just recently started using the Burts Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter to reduce stretch marks and help keep my belly moisturized. It is so creamy soft and nourishing on the skin. It’s packed with Vitamin E and Shea and is fragrance-free so you know can feel assured it’s safe for your growing baby. My belly has started to show a growing line and is naturally expanding so I have a feeling this will help me out in the long run. So I don’t waste it, I have been using it only on my belly, waist, and lower back.
JERGENS NOURISHING MOISTURIZER
This has forever been my favorite lotion. It keeps the skin soft and smooth and has a relaxing neutral scent. To keep my skin moisturized as it stretches (and to combat the cold weather dryness), I have been applying Jergens Nourishing Moisturizer at least once a day in the morning or at night. The pump style is the best if you’re lazy and don’t want to pop the cap on and off between applications. I usually pick up Nourishing Honey from Target but they have other scents too.
TRESEMME KERATIN SMOOTH SHINE SERUM
My hair has been growing thicker and faster than normal, thanks to pregnancy hormones. Unfortunately, it has also been getting dirty faster. I wash with TRESemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner and follow up with the TRESemme Keratin Smooth Shine Serum. The Shine Serum keeps my hair shiny and smooth for longer and it makes it feel so healthy! I love how it has made my hair look and feel for days after a wash and it’s also anti-frizz which is essential this time of year.
NATURE MADE PRENATAL MULTIVITAMIN
From the very first day I found out I was pregnant I started taking the Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamin. After reading reviews and comparing prices and availability, it seemed like a perfect option. This vitamin contains folic acid along with 19 other nutrients for our baby girl’s development. Choosing a prenatal vitamin can be intimidating so be sure to read the ingredients and reviews before purchasing. These have no ‘fishy taste’ as I’ve read others do and are easy to take down.
VITAMIN D3
I have been taking Vitamin D3 since before we got pregnant because, well, it’s good for you. Extra Vitamin D3 is great to promote a healthy immune response and to support your bones, muscles, and teeth. As you should with all vitamins and supplements, I asked my OB for approval before I continued taking these. The softgels are perfect because they are smaller than a penny and have no bad taste. Like the prenatal vitamin, these are extremely easy to swallow for sensitive stomachs.
PREGNANCY BELLY BOTTLE
One of the first recommendations my doctor made to me was an increase in water intake. My mom, dedicated to making me as healthy as possible, gave me a Belly Bottle. The pregnancy water bottle encourages you to drink up and refill throughout the day and even comes with milestone stickers for each week of pregnancy. It is fun putting the stickers on every week and it has been a talking point whenever I do take it somewhere new – people love it!
YOGI LEMON GINGER TEA
One of the common issues in pregnancy is bowel issues (i.e. the unglamorous sh*t none of us want to talk about). Though some common supplements and medications can be used during pregnancy, I have stayed away from anything unnecessary in the pharmacy section. For natural relief, I highly recommend the entire line of Yogi Tea; especially lemon ginger. The tea supports healthy digestion and is comforting to drink in the winter months.
PREGNANCY SONOLINE B DOPPLER
Generally speaking, I can be a very high-stress person when it comes to health. Pregnancy is certainly a time when you want to keep your stress levels down. But how can you when you only hear your babes heartbeat once a month? After doing some research and reading reviews, I decided to order the Sonoline B Baby Doppler. It was hard to hear her at first but now Paul and I can listen together. It has been special because he, thanks to COVID, is not allowed at any of the appointments.
Every individual and, consequently, every pregnancy is different. These are things I have found to be helpful so far and I am sure there are many more recommendations out there. As we are only halfway, I would love your recommendations on what I should try! As the second trimester picks up speed and I continue expanding, I see lots of changes happening in the very near future.
First Trimester Updates | Our Debt Free Journey
* These are my honest thoughts and opinions. I am not a doctor so consult your OB before making decisions on what is best for you and your pregnancy.
