Maternity Must-Haves

Happy  Friday mamas! Today on the blog I’m rounding up some of my favorite maternity items and I’ll also be sharing some that I don’t think are that necessary. For the record, so far I’ve had relatively “easy pregnancies” so maybe think of this as a “maternity starter pack.”

Now first things first, let’s talk a little about what’s going on with our bodies. I’m no doctor, but I know that our bodies are going through major changes. Everybody is different and so of course all our bodies are different, which means…every pregnancy is different! So let’s remember to have grace with ourselves as our bodies go through this amazing journey. It’s good to remind yourself of the basics. #1. You’re going to gain weight, #2. You’re probably going to feel sick at one point or another, #3. You’re going to be tired, and #4 YOU’RE MAKING A BABY!!!

I think #1 is one of the hardest for a lot of women to overcome . You’re definitely going to feel overweight and it’s going to be a little harder to find outfits that make you feel comfortable. But this is normal! And remember, your identity is not in how you’re feeling at the moment, how you look or in what you wear. My identity is found fully and completely in Christ. Keep that in mind! Eat healthy, get a decent amount of exercise/movement and listen to your doctor. With my first pregnancy I gained about 40lbs and with this one I’ve only gained about 20lbs and we’re already in the home stretch (31 weeks). I haven’t done anything much different except for chase a toddler around, so I’m pretty sure that has a lot to do with it!

Now let’s begin! Let’s start off with a few products reviews and we’ll save the fun outfits for last!

Product Reviews

1. Ovia Pregnancy App
   

 

This app is my all time favorite pregnancy app. They have so many great pregnancy resources, from safe foods, baby’s current size, and weekly baby/mama updates. I definitely recommend checking it out! 

 

2.  Organic Coconut Oil

There are a lot of different products out there to help prevent stretch marks as your belly grows. Options range from body butters, to combinations of lotions and different creams. I personally prefer coconut oil over all the other stuff. It’s natural, inexpensive, and something you may already have at home! I’ve read and heard that your body can absorb the oil better. So I opt to skip all the fancy shmancy stuff and go straight for the oil. I recommend looking for an organic option with no added scents/flavors. And remember, DON’T SCRATCH YOUR BELLY! It’ll get itchy, but try rubbing it as scratching can increase your chances of stretch marks.

3. Floss, Floss, Floss!

As you may already know , your hormones are all over the place! But what many people may not know it that it can affect your gums. The high levels of hormones change how your gums react to plaque (i.e: inflammation, redness, tenderness, and bleeding gums). So make sure you do a good job of brushing and flossing daily (even if it bleeds!) and seeing your dentist for regular cleanings. Some dentists may even recommend dental cleanings every 3-4 months during pregnancy vs every 6 months.

4. Belly Bands/Kinesiology Tape

For my first pregnancy I didn’t feel a need to buy either of these products as I didn’t have much back pain. But this time around I definitely need some! I’ve tried a belly band from Target that seemed to work well (plus, it had a hot/cold pack!). So I walked around Target “testing it out” but it was more than I’d prefer to pay ($39.99), so I put it back. But I’m definitely going to try K-tape next. I’ve seen a few tutorials for the pregnant peeps, but have yet to actually buy some!

**Update: I recently found a belly band for half the cost at Walmart and I’ve been using it for a couple days and can already feel a difference! They didn’t have my usual size (small) so I got the next one up (M/L) and it feels fine! Click here to find it.

5. Body Pillow

 

Another product I didn’t feel the need for during my first pregnancy but am so grateful for this time around is a body pillow! It’s made my sleep so much easier and for only $10 how could I not get it! You can find it here.

 

6. Tums

Towards the end of my pregnancies the heartburn kicks in, and these bad boys are my new best friends! I think I’ve made my point!

Maternity Wear

Yay! My favorite part! Below I’ll link a few of the maternity items I’m currently using and some super cute ones I’ve seen online that I may or may not be looking into buying. One thing I like to keep in mind while shopping for clothes that will work with the bump is if I can still wear it after pregnancy. If I can’t, most of the time I won’t purchase it.

1st & 2nd Trimester Rubber Band Trick

First up we have maternity jeans and shorts. I don’t think they’re that necessary until about the second trimester. So no rush, unless you can’t get your regular bottoms on. One trick I do use during the 1st trimester and maybe about 1/3 of the way into the 2nd is the rubber band trick. You can click here for a quick tutorial I found online, or head over to Pinterest!

Maternity Jeans/Shorts

I’ve really like the maternity jeans sold at Motherhood Maternity, but it leans a little towards the expensive side, but at the same time, they are a must have in my opinion. However, after my first pregnancy I found out that Ross has a teeny tiny maternity section! I’ll check there every so often to see what they have available and they’re usually all under $20. I will admit, the quality is not as good as the ones sold at Motherhood Maternity, but you get what you pay for!

Here are a few options from Motherhood Maternity. I currently have the first two pairs of jeggings. 

Black Maternity Jeggings    |        Blue Maternity Jeans      |    Distressed Maternity Shorts

I really like these pants especially because they have a good stretch! And I’m a fan of the belly band, it’s also super stretchy and helps keep the pants up! I’ve tried the shorts as well and I really like those too. They have a lot more options online/in-store, but these are a few I know I would recommend.

Isabel Maternity Shorts $22.99

This pregnancy I needed to find shorts since I borrowed some from a friend last time (which is always an option that’s free!) I found these at Target after having no luck at Ross for a while. Although I do like the style of these shorts (I usually add a small cuff) I’m not the biggest fan of the belly band. It’s not as stretchy as the jeans that I have and I don’t think I’m a big fan of the slit in the back, but that’s just my opinion. Try on different types and see what works for you!

Maternity Tops

I haven’t had much of a need for maternity tops. I usually just look for shirts/blouses that have a bit of a stretch and a little “flowy-ness” around the belly. Always keeping in mind if I can use it after pregnancy as well!

Dresses (Maternity/Non-Maternity)

My favorite, because who wants to wear pants? Here are a few maternity dress options that I personally own thanks to BeachCoco Maternity They were so kind and gifted me these two dresses!

  

            Pink Midi Length Dress                         |     Long Sleeve Midi Length Dress                                   $15.95 (4 colors)                                                      $21.95 (5 colors)

They’re very stretchy which is a must and the material is so soft. And if that’s not enough, they have great prices too! Yay!

Non-Maternity Options

Here are a few non-maternity options that have plenty of space for the bump and you can definitely wear after baby comes! When looking for pieces in the non-maternity section look for “flowy-ness” and/or stretch!

Off the Shoulder Maxi Dress | Button Front Midi Dress with Tie | Floral Halter Dress                              $24.99                                               $19.99                                         $24.99

Double scoop sleeveless dress | Floral maxi dress | Off the shoulder floral bodycon dress                       $14.99                                   $24.99                                             $34.99

 

Outfit Ideas

Here are a few non-maternity pieces that I’ve worn while pregnant that work great!

One of the easiest looks to put together is a bodycon dress with either a jean jacket, cardigan, or kimomo. So simple and you’ll look like you actually took the time to get dressed!

You can also head to my Instagram for more fun outfit ideas that are all affordable!

---

I hope this guide helps you as you prepare for your precious little one to come! And remember, be kind to yourself, your body is doing an amazing thing!

With love,

Christina

---

Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know what you think, or if you have any questions!