Pregnancy Must Haves
Hello Hello!
Let me start by saying that when I say must haves, I just mean items that I have found useful in my pregnancies. That does not mean that you need them, or that you will love them but I am laying out a variety of products, brands and clothes that I personally love to have during this ever growing time. I do not share things that I do not love with you. I am transparent in my post about whether something was gifted or a partnership or not and I feel that I do a good job at making it clear if I actually enjoy the product, therefor continue to show my love for them by tagging or talking about that specific brand! With that said, it can be really easy to feel less than, or feel as though you need a certain something just because someone else has it. There have been plenty of times where I feel that I need or really want a certain item because I saw another influencer post about it, when in reality I in fact do not need it and can find something cheaper or can live without it overall! However, I do hope you find this post helpful in preparing for your pregnancy and possibly a good start to get a few items on hand!
Throughout this pregnancy, and as I’ve continued to grow my following on instagram, I’ve received a number of messages asking where I like to buy maternity clothes, pregnancy clothes, etc. and I will say that I am usually pretty stingy when it comes to purchasing these items because I just don’t see the worth in them only being able to wear for nine months. So, I will purchase basics and then usually try to buy items that I can utilize afterwards during the postpartum months and just buy oversized which I like anyways!
Basics:
Maternity pants/shorts/leggings (these are items that I personally cannot live without because I cannot squeeze my ass into non maternity leggings or pants and still be comfortable)
Maternity/Nursing bras (My boobs grow massive during pregnancy, especially after I give birth and it is not comfortable whatsoever to try and squeeze your engorged/sore breast into bras that are too small) So I personally suggest getting bras that are large enough and accessible for breastfeeding afterwards if that is your plan!
Comfortable shoes (Tennis shoes, sandals, slip on shoes) Many women’s pregnant feet grow during pregnancy or swell so it’s nice to have shoes that fit and are comfortable in whichever season you are pregnant in!
Brands:
Motherhood Maternity I’ve loved this brand dating back to my pregnancy with Oliver. Their items are affordable or usually on sale. In the past, I’ve bought the over the belly leggings, and their stretch maternity t-shirts.
Aerie Is a brand that I’ve in the last couple years grown to really love. Some may think their quality isn’t the greatest, but I’ve never had an issue with anything I’ve bought and I love how soft, and oversized you can buy things. I personally love their oversized sweatshirts, lace bralettes, and oversized t-shirts.
Pink Blush Maternity I started using this brand back when I was pregnant with Attikus. I worked with them on a partnership and that’s when I grew to love their clothes. I have received product from them and also bought product from them. Their maternity dresses are some of my favorite, but they also offer a lot of basics that are great as well for pregnancy and postpartum.
Blanqi I started using blanqi after my pregnancy with Sonny. I bought several items from them and eventually became an ambassador for them. I cannot say enough good things about their products. I wear something blanqi nearly everyday. I will say that I get my true size, and I do not dry any of my blanqi items, I hang dry them! The item I love the most by them is by far the over the belly sport shorts or leggings!
Free People So full transparency, my friend works for Anthropology and lets me order items through her with her discount which is sooo awesome. Free people can be expensive otherwise, but I usually buy from their active wear section. I love their crop top bras, and sweatshirts!
Target Obviously you can’t go wrong with target! You can find anything here, and I’ve bought several nursing bras/sports bras from here! They also have a great selection of lunge wear and pants.
ASOS Has a great maternity section, however I really like to buy their dresses. They offer a HUGE variety and lots of great styles that can be worn with a bump and afterwards breastfeeding!
Kindred Bravely I partnered with Kindred bravely a few months ago and their nursing bras, sports, and pajama set are all extremely soft and comfortable.
H&M: Has a great variety of button down and loose dresses for both a bump and postpartum!
Other brands that I’ve used but can be more of an investment are:
Lego Heritage I’ve bought their maternity biker shorts and joggers!
Hatch Collection I partnered with them a few months ago and they sent me a really beautiful flowy dress which I love but I don’t know that I personally would spend that kind of money on a dress.
Storq I partnered with storq a couple of times this pregnancy. I have their everyday jumpsuit and their 3-piece lounge set which I love. This is a brand that I would buy from and plan to buy a nursing bra or two from!
Nothing Fits But I discovered this brand during my current pregnancy, and I love what they offer for all stages of motherhood. I did partner with them and they sent me the super soft dress and cardigan set in egg shell. I love it! I’m hoping to purchase a nursing friendly nursing dress before baby arrives!
Some brands that I like to shop from on instagram are Vici, Clad and Cloth, Shopzoco
Some other random things I can think of to have/use during your pregnancy are below:
Body oil/Belly Oil: I personally have used bio oil with all four of my pregnancies. I can’t say for sure that it’s helped prevent stretch marks or not, but I do know that it keeps my skin hydrated which I’ve read can be helpful in the prevention of stretch marks.
Books: The older I get the more I realize and understand that knowledge is power. The more you know, the more you can discover your own truth, do what’s best for you and your family, and in terms of birth, rid the fear and anxiety that can come from the unknown. I’m sure there are a ton of great books and resources out there to help prepare you for birth but a few that I have and really enjoy are…
Belly Support Band: These are especially great for those later months in pregnancy when your belly starts to get big and heavy and is causing back pain or just pain in general. This helps support your belly and help alleviate any pain. I usually wear mine when on long walks or when doing a lot of strenuous work!
Compression Socks: I hate compression socks, they make me sweat, they make my feet sweaty and i just personally do not like wearing them. Although I know they are good for me, especially as a nurse and standing on my feet for many hours. I know several women who do wear these and they can help a great deal with circulation. I am not linking any certain kind because I do not wear them myself.
Pregnancy Pillow: I can’t sleep without mine while I’m pregnant, I have the pharmdoc that I bought off amazon. It works great and is fairly inexpensive compared to some that you can buy!
Other things to consider/think about when pregnant:
Who will be your provider?
Who will be in your delivery? What support people are you considering having in your birth?
Do you want a doula?
What is your birth “plan” and are you prepared and open for possibilities of it not going exactly as planned?
Is there a birth method you are using? ie. Hypnobirthing, Bradley method, Medicated, Unmedicated, Spontaneous labor, Induction, VBAC, cesarean section, home birth, hospital birth? Whatever you choose, and whatever ends up happening is perfectly okay, these are just things to start thinking about so that you can prepare! Birth is Birth is my eyes, you as a woman are able to bring another human being, another life into this world and it really doesn’t matter how they’ve entered the world, but rather you did it, you love them, and you are now their mother!
Will you take a childbirth class?
Prenantal Yoga
Exercise
Will you breastfeed? Formula feed? Go with the flow and see what happens?
Do you have necessary supplies for postpartum? ( I will be writing this soon)
Do you need to pack a hospital bag or gather items for your home birth? You can find my older version of hospital bag essentials HERE
I’ve shared a few items that I own and love in the carousel below! Note some of the links in this blog are affiliate links that I gain a small portion of income from you shopping through. I really appreciate you using my direct links, your support is always noticed and valued! Thank you so much!
If you enjoyed this post, I’d love for you to share it with your friends, repost on pinterest, and leave me a comment or some love below! If you are pregnant and can think of other things that you find helpful during your pregnancy, add them below that I can add them to the post!! Thanks so much!
xoxo Mari