Maternity Pillow | Belly Band | Cocoa Butter Body Oil | Mom's On Call Book | Belly Tape 

 Maternity Leggings | Compression Socks | Peppermint Essential Oil | Prenatal Vitamins 

My first pregnancy was overall very easy. I was uncomfortable of course, but I really had nothing to complain about. I was in good shape, and I was still able to work out. I really took that pregnancy for granted. My second pregnancy, exhausted was an understatement. I had more nausea than the first time, but the real challenge was the groin pain, "lightning crotch", and the round ligament pain. With all this pain, it was much harder to keep the workout regimen. Shoot, it was hard to get out of bed without having a sharp, shooting pain right up my lady hole! I also work long 12-13 hour shifts that I spent most of the day on my feet. Now understanding my pregnancy challenges, show why I have these items on my pregnancy must haves! Here's a breakdown of each item and why I love it!

Maternity Pillow

Does this really need an explanation? It is the best pillow that I have ever had! It makes repositioning so much easier, especially when you're in the home stretch. It really is just way too hard to turn over when your pregnant belly is about to blow. I'm not ashamed to say that my son is 18 months old and I still use it. I mean, it's really just an adult sized Doc-A-Tot right? No wonder my babies liked that so much!

Belly Band

With all the pain, the ever-growing bell, and the long work hours I needed some support! The belly band provides just enough pressure in all the right places and helps to lift the belly up. This was saving my back and groins after being on my feet all day.

Cocoa Butter Body Oil

There are lots of fancy lotions, oils, balms, and plenty of other products that promise to prevent stretch marks. I think the best thing to help prevent stretch marks is to keep your skin hydrated! I didn't need any fancy or expensive product, just the good ole Palmer's cocoa butter did it for me. I prefer the oil over the lotion. A little goes a long way and I really felt like my skin was absorbing it. I start with a little and just keep adding more until I feel my skin isn't absorbing anymore. I tried lotion too, but it just felt like it was caked on. Of course, drinking lots of water is always good for your skin, so make sure you're keeping up with water intake.

Mom's On Call Book

This book saved me when I was in a rough, post-partum state. My son was four weeks old. I hadn't slept more than a couple hours in four weeks. Breast feeding was not going well, actually it was horrible. The pain was unbearable. I have trouble asking for help so that wasn't happening either. I was losing my mind! After four weeks my son still was not sleeping well, and the attempt to get him on a schedule just wasn't working. Finally, a friend recommended Mom's on Call and it really changed my life. After a week of following their plan, I finally got 6 hours of sleep! This became a regular thing which helped completely change my life. Sleep deprivation is no joke! The reason this is on my "Pregnancy Must Have" list is because I wish I had it before I gave birth. I think it's important to read prior to birthday so you can have an idea of what you're getting in to. Now I gift it to all my girlfriends when I find out they're expecting. 

Belly Tape

This goes along with the belly support that I needed to help with the pain. My chiropractor put it on me and it really helped my posture and my pain. I never tried applying it myself, but looking back it is something I should have done. It really was a tremendous help!

Maternity Leggings 

Regular leggings are great, nobody can argue that. But have you tried maternity leggings?! They help suck everything in while being super comfortable. And what's great about these, they work after birth too! When your belly is all loosie goose and the standard leggings just emphasize it, these ones cover it! Dual function and affordable, that's a win in my book!

Compression Socks 

As a nurse, these are a no brainer. I've been wearing these since I started nursing ten years ago and I continued them during pregnancy. The compression socks help with circulation and if you're a prego whose feet swell like balloons, then try out some compression socks. Not to mention, they feel good to wear, help prevent varicose veins, and reduce the pain in my feet from standing all day. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

Now this one is for my nauseous mommas! Peppermints is a natural anti-emetic (aka help you not vomit). Just roll a little on the back of your hand and sniff sniff any time you're feeling sick. This trick prevented me from projectile vomiting on anyone around me. My husband greatly appreciated this. 

Prenatal Vitamins

This is a given right? I really just wanted affordable vitamins that had the stamp of approval from my OBGYN. The bonus with these, they didnt give my that bad vitamin after taste. I can't stand when vitamins make me burp, then I constantly taste it for hours, ew.

Maternity Pillow | Belly Band | Cocoa Butter Body Oil | Mom's On Call Book | Belly Tape 

 Maternity Leggings | Compression Socks | Peppermint Essential Oil | Prenatal Vitamins