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Being pregnant is wonderful. It’s exciting and exhilarating and unlike anything else. It is ALSO exhausting, mentally and physically draining, frustrating, and incredibly messy.
On one hand, you’re ecstatic about your little one’s arrival. On the other hand, you can’t seem to get two minutes of peace before having to use the bathroom again. And while you can’t get enough of planning the nursery, some days the body aches make you want to curl into a ball and cry.
I was pregnant with my son Christopher in 2018 (he arrived in January 2019, and he’s 7 now, so yes, I’ve had time to reflect on all of this), and I learned the hard way that you need to take extra good care of yourself when you’re expecting. Especially if it’s your very first time!
The Untold Secrets of Expecting Mothers
Before I got pregnant, I would look at expectant mothers and be jealous of what the baby was doing for their bodies. Luscious, shiny hair… glowing, radiant skin… a satisfied, motherly halo around them. Oh, how I couldn’t wait to experience it all for myself!
Then I got pregnant, and I learned a few things.
It wasn’t just the pregnancy hormones making expecting mothers’ hair so luscious. Sometimes the shine came from the oils coating my dirty hair that had not been washed for a week! And that dazzling glow? Often it was from the late-night crying because I couldn’t sleep. Talk about the unexpected…
Pregnancy really is not a bed of roses. It’s nine long months of lost sleep, constantly having to pee, and being unable to find a single comfortable position for hours. Fortunately, there are a few things that make it a lot more bearable. These are the 5 pregnancy must haves I wouldn’t go without.
My Pregnancy Must Haves: The Quick List
Short on time (or just too tired to scroll)? Here’s the whole list. Details on each one are below.
- A U-shaped pregnancy pillow: Pharmedoc U-Shape Full Body Pregnancy Pillow
- A belly lotion for stretching skin: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks (8.5 oz)
- A wire-free bra: Warner’s Cloud 9 Wireless Comfort Bra (style 1269)
- A pregnancy journal: The First-Time Mom’s Pregnancy Journal
- Cushy slippers: Jessica Simpson Thong-Style Memory Foam Slippers
1. A U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow (the Pharmedoc)
If you buy only one thing from this list, momma, make it a pregnancy pillow. Once your belly grows, sleeping turns into a nightly wrestling match: back sleeping gets uncomfortable, you can’t sleep on your tummy, and side sleeping with one sad little regular pillow just doesn’t cut it.
The Pharmedoc U-Shape Pregnancy Pillow wraps around you so your back, belly, hips, knees, neck and head are all supported at once. No more building a fort out of five pillows at 2 a.m.
- Why I love it: it supports your whole body, so you can actually settle in and catch up on sleep.
- Nice details: the cover is removable, and the current version has a soft jersey cover in a grey that’s forgiving with stains. It measures 53 x 31 x 7 inches.
- Bonus: it doesn’t retire when the baby comes. It’s marketed for anyone who needs extra support, like after surgery.
- Heads up: this thing is BIG. It takes up a good chunk of the bed, so warn your partner now. (The version I first wrote about had a detachable extension; check the current listing for the details on what’s included.)
See the Pharmedoc pregnancy pillow on Amazon
2. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks
Your belly is doing something wild: growing a whole human in a matter of months. All that stretching can leave skin dry, tight and itchy, and that’s where a good, rich belly lotion comes in.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks is a classic for a reason. It’s made with cocoa butter and shea butter plus argan oil, collagen, elastin and lutein, and it’s non-greasy enough to rub in and get dressed.
- Why I love it: it keeps that tight, itchy, stretching skin soft and moisturized, and making it part of your routine is a nice little moment to slow down with your bump.
- Nice details: the 8.5 oz bottle is a good size to keep on your nightstand, and Palmer’s makes the same formula as a cream, butter and oil if you prefer.
- Honest heads up: no lotion can promise you zero stretch marks. Genetics play a big part. But keeping your skin moisturized makes it feel SO much more comfortable along the way. And if you’re sensitive to fragrance, check the ingredient list first.
See Palmer’s stretch mark lotion on Amazon
3. Warner’s Cloud 9 Wire-Free Bra
There is nothing that requires support like pregnancy boobs! Your body is producing hormones like crazy, and while you may love seeing them get fuller, the process can be tender and sore.
The Warner’s Cloud 9 bra (now listed as the Cloud 9 Super Soft Wireless Lightly Lined Comfort Bra, style 1269) gives you support without an underwire. That means no wire poking out and stabbing you in the heart every time you move!
- Why I love it: true to its name, the brushed fabric is super soft, with no itchy lace or awkward frills. Perfect for mommas who value comfort above all else.
- Nice details: front-adjustable straps (so easy to loosen as you grow), a hook-and-eye back closure, light lining for a smooth shape, and a supportive bottom band.
- Heads up: your size can change more than once during pregnancy, so measure again before you order. And this isn’t a nursing bra, so you’ll still want one of those for after baby arrives if you plan to breastfeed.
See the Warner’s Cloud 9 bra on Amazon
4. The First-Time Mom’s Pregnancy Journal
If you’ve been pregnant before, you know mommy brain is REAL. You’ll tell yourself to buy milk all day, then forget what you needed the second you walk into the grocery store.
The First-Time Mom’s Pregnancy Journal: Monthly Checklists, Activities, & Journal Prompts is part keepsake, part survival tool.
- Make it memorable: there are journal prompts and scrapbook pages for sonograms and belly photos, so you can write down all the little but super special moments. Trust me, these are the things you’ll want to remember. Christopher is 7 now, and those baby-on-the-way days go by in a blink.
- Conquer mommy brain: it has trimester-by-trimester checklists, an appointment tracker, and space to plan the nursery and brainstorm baby names.
- Heads up: it’s written for first-time moms, so if this is baby number two or three, some of the checklists may feel like old news.
See The First-Time Mom’s Pregnancy Journal on Amazon
5. Jessica Simpson Memory Foam Slippers
Painful, swollen feet seem to come with every pregnancy announcement. In those moments, cushy slippers will be your best friend.
When I first wrote this post, I raved about the Jessica Simpson Fluffy Pom Thong slippers with memory foam. I couldn’t find that exact pom version on Amazon anymore, but these Jessica Simpson thong-style memory foam slippers are the closest match: same brand, same plush thong style, same memory foam.
- Why I love them: a thick, high-density memory foam cushion for aching mommy feet, plus a slip-on style you can step into without bending over (because who can reach their feet at 8 months?).
- Safety bonus: a textured, grippy sole. That’s an absolute must when you’re carrying a baby in your belly and can no longer see your feet, let alone what’s 3 feet in front of you!
- Heads up: they come in Small (US 6–7), Medium (US 7–8) and Large (US 8–9), and the brand suggests ordering one size up. Swollen feet need the extra room anyway. They’re hand wash only.
See the Jessica Simpson slippers on Amazon
Pregnancy Must Haves FAQ
What are the most important pregnancy must haves?
Honestly? Anything that helps you sleep and keeps you comfortable. For me, that meant a full-body pregnancy pillow, a soft wire-free bra, a rich belly lotion, cushy slippers and a journal to keep my mommy brain organized. Everything else is a bonus.
When should I buy a pregnancy pillow?
Whenever sleep starts getting uncomfortable. For a lot of mommas that’s the second trimester, once the belly starts growing and back sleeping stops feeling good. There’s no prize for waiting, momma. If you’re tossing and turning, it’s time.
Does Palmer’s actually prevent stretch marks?
No lotion can guarantee you won’t get stretch marks, since genetics play a big role. What a good moisturizer can do is keep your stretching skin soft, hydrated and less itchy, which makes a big difference in how you feel. If you have questions about any skincare product during pregnancy, ask your OB or midwife.
Can I wear a regular bra while pregnant?
You can wear whatever feels comfortable, but a lot of mommas find underwires dig in as their breasts get fuller and more tender. A soft wire-free bra with adjustable straps is an easy fix, and you can re-measure as you grow.
What should I write in a pregnancy journal?
Anything you want to remember: when you found out, how you told your partner and family, cravings, your first time feeling baby move, appointment notes, baby name ideas, and how you’re feeling week to week. Future you will be SO glad you did.
Wrapping It Up
Every pregnancy is uniquely challenging, but a few good pregnancy must haves can make this time so much better. Remember, your baby will only be as happy and healthy as you are!
So while you’re shopping for the baby and making sure they’ll be as comfortable as can be once they’re here, don’t forget to treat yourself the same. Show yourself the same love and care you’re showing the baby you’re carrying, and make this time memorable for all the right reasons.
Next up: thinking about delivery day? Read my 5 Things to Look Out for When Making a Birth Plan. And if your little one is due when it’s cold outside, my Newborn Must-Haves for Winter checklist has you covered.
Good luck, mommas! 💛
I’m a mom, not a doctor. Please run anything health-related by your OB, midwife or doctor.