I know this is my second pregnancy related post on the blog this week and I promise to slow it down, but I want to share as much of this special time with you guys as I can. I wasn't able to do "bump update" posts due to circumstances beyond my control, so this is my way of making it up to you all! Today is a great day to read Truly Yours, A. because I'm sharing 4 things that made my first-time pregnancy a little easier to handle. There are tons of things your doctor, family, and friends will tell you about what you need for your first pregnancy: the most expensive prenatal vitamins, the latest parenting book, and the best car seat/stroller combo ever made. I'm here to tell you that all of that is irrelevant if you're super uncomfortable during your whole pregnancy. That's why I'm sharing my first-time pregnancy essentials: all of my go-to items that made the past 9 months a little easier and, hopefully, they'll do the same for you!
1. Water bottle
Like I mentioned in my 6 Things I Learned during 9 Months of Pregnancy post, hydration is a major must during pregnancy. Your water intake should increase from the usual eight 8 oz glasses a day to at least TEN 8 oz glasses a day. That's a lot of H2O, but a reusable water bottle will definitely help you down enough. My personal favorites are S'well and S'ip by S'well bottles because they're stainless steel so there's no worry about BPAs, like from plastic, and they are also insulated to keep my water cold for at least 12 hours. I have two of the 17 oz water bottles and they have been by my side the whole 9 months.
2. Maternity undergarments
It's no secret that your body grows and stretches in certain places during pregnancy. All the cute bras and panties that I wore on a daily basis gradually stopped fitting and supporting my expanding areas and the end result was not cute. I was beyond fortunate to get a package from MD Maternity with new shape wear for my changing body and I absolutely love it! They were kind enough to send me a pair of their maternity briefs which offer support to my growing belly and aching back and a long sleeve maternity undershirt which came in clutch during the chillier months. I would definitely recommend them if you're in the market for new maternity and postpartum undergarments!
A super comfy maternity under-shirt and panties from MD Maternity! Head over to Amazon to purchase your own undershirt or prenatal panties! |
3. Comfy wardrobe
I didn't find out I was pregnant until December so I only had to suffer through two of the coldest months of the year. Luckily, I was able to fit into my sweaters and leggings with ease! Once the weather warmed up, I really felt much better because I could make use of all of the dresses in my wardrobe. I still haven't bought a single piece of maternity clothing which has saved me a ton of money since they can be expensive for no reason. Saving money on clothes meant I had more money to spend on shoes because no one told me that your feet actually GROW during pregnancy! I do have one special maternity outfit that I can't wait to share with you all next week so make sure you check back for that!
What are some things that helped you get through your first (or second or any!) pregnancy with ease? Let me know in the comments below!
4. A pregnancy-approved skincare routine
Pregnancy can wreak havoc on your skin so be prepared spend a little time finding the perfect skincare system. I didn't find anything that worked for my skin until about 6 months in and it turned out to be Dove soap for sensitive skin and a little Vitamin E oil mixed with coconut oil to relieve any dryness. I do use a Neutrogena Naturals face wash when I feel like my skin needs a little extra cleansing or if I've worn any makeup. It does contain a natural form of salicylic acid (still a no-no for moms-to-be) so I use this VERY SPARINGLY. The vitamin E oil also comes in handy for itchy bellies and reducing the appearance of stretch marks!What are some things that helped you get through your first (or second or any!) pregnancy with ease? Let me know in the comments below!