There are so many emotions that come along when you are expecting your first or your fifth child. There’s the excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty that come along all at once sometimes even. After that initial wave of excitement, you call every friend you know that has had a baby to find out what their pregnancy must-haves were.
It kind of goes like this, “hey we’re having a baby. Tell me all about the pregnancy stuff I need.” Or something close, right?
It’s true there are a variety of essential pregnancy items you need and some of them will work great for your entire pregnancy while others might be needed for a specific trimester of pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different so of course, what may have been must-haves for some expecting moms may not be necessary for you. Or what you needed for your first pregnancy you may not need for the next, ya know?
Let’s start off with my list of 10 things a pregnant woman needs:
- Support from family and friends.
- Love and affection.
- Plenty of rest.
- Hydration.
- Good healthy food and plenty of it.
- Back rubs.
- Later in pregnancy a portable fan.
- A listening ear for those cranky days when her body just aches and she has something to say about it.
- A trustworthy medical provider.
- Trust the process, herself, and what her body can do.
These pregnancy must-haves are for both first-time moms and experienced moms too. You can also use these pregnancy items for your pregnancy shopping list.
Related: Gifts For Expecting Moms
Pregnancy Must-Haves For Expecting Moms
Grow With Me Underwear- A good pair of underwear that will grow with you and are stretchy is an absolute pregnancy comfort item. These Grow With Me Maternity & Postpartum Briefs will take you through your pregnancy and beyond. They’re super stretchy to accommodate a growing belly and you can wear them postpartum.
They also come in thong and hipster styles.
- Comes in three colors.
- Full coverage.
- Lightweight.
- Breathable.
- Machine washable.
Mama Stone- A soothing unscented moisturizer that softens and melts on contact with your skin is the Kate McLeod mama stone. Have a spa day every day!
It’s made with cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and a few others. It’s a plus and a necessity to keep your skin hydrated during pregnancy.
- Waterless
- Vegan Friendly
- Cruelty-free
Birkenstocks- Some essentials for pregnant women will always and forever be an excellent pair of shoes. Your feet will swell, and after a while, it will be difficult to put on your shoes and even harder to bend over to tie them.
Having a pair of shoes that are slides and adjustable is a game changer. Birkenstocks do just that. They are incredibly comfortable, and they’ve come a long way in style and color patterns. There are Birkenstocks for the summer months and winter.
Prenatal Vitamins- A pregnancy necessity for every soon-to-be mom is a good prenatal vitamin to take during pregnancy. I took these Mega Food Baby & Me prenatal vitamins throughout my pregnancy and postpartum and two years of breastfeeding.
They are made with whole foods and the active form of folic acid, methyl folate. This is not medical advice so please be sure to check with your provider on which prenatal vitamin is right for you.
Prenatal vitamins aren’t just a pregnancy must-have for the first trimester you need them throughout your pregnancy and postpartum especially if you are going to breastfeed. If you’re planning your pregnancy then it’s wise to start taking prenatals.
Here’s a brief article on prenatal vitamins by the American Pregnancy Association.
Panty Liners- When thinking about things to buy while pregnant add panty liners to the list. There’s a lot going on during pregnancy and there’s a little extra moisture down there. Keep panty liners on hand for when you need them.
Pregnancy Apps- Pregnancy apps are a great way to learn about all the maternity things you may have not been aware of. You can learn about what to expect week by week, the expected size of your baby, and what to look forward to at your next doctor’s visit.
Related: 10 of Best Free Apps For New Moms
Racerback Nursing & Sleep Bra- New bras are essential accessories for pregnant women. Everything gets bigger with pregnancy and you’ll be popping out of your old bras before you know it.
Trust me when I tell you, you will be much more comfortable in a maternity bra.
A Good Medical Provider- You spend nine months going back and forth to doctors’ appointments gearing up for the big day. Make sure whether you choose a medical doctor or a nurse midwife it’s a provider you can trust.
It’s so important you feel comfortable with your provider and trust them to care for you and your bundle.
Bracoo Maternity Belt- This reasonably priced maternity belt is an Amazon pregnancy must-have. This was a lifesaver for me while at work and when I didn’t have it on, I definitely felt the difference.
It’s not bulky and doesn’t cover your entire belly or your back and still does the trick.
- Helps reduce back pressure.
- One size.
- Easy to adjust.
Water Bottle- Staying hydrated is one of the most important things a pregnant woman needs to know. The amount of water intake you need increases with pregnancy which makes a water bottle a must-have for pregnant moms.
The IceFlow Flip Jug is one of my favorite water bottles. It is easy to clean, and carry, and keeps your water nice and cold. And of course, the oh-so-popular Stanley Tumbler that can’t stay in stock is just as good too.
The IceFlow jug is a large one so it won’t fit into your car’s cup holder.
- Top handle carry.
- BPA-free and stainless steel.
- Dishwasher safe.
Related: 10 Best Water Bottles For Pregnancy
Snacks- Pack them in your car, in your purse, and in your work bag, and have plenty in the house. Pregnant mamas require a few extra calories so eat up. You can also use these easy-peasy postpartum snacks for the hospital to give you some ideas for snacks for pregnancy.
Pregnancy Pillow- Out of all the maternity must-haves I owned, a pregnancy pillow is one essential I never forget to tell a soon-to-be mom about. Ever.
It’s a pregnancy must-have for the third trimester and some moms may enjoy it even earlier. Looking at you, twin and triplet mommies.
For some, a good night’s sleep gets a little difficult because you just can’t get comfortable and a pregnancy pillow provides extra cushion and support.
- C-shaped pillow.
- Cooling cover to help disperse heat.
- Comes in nine colors.
QueaseEase- You will hear a few mamas tell you they didn’t experience any nausea during their pregnancy. But for the vast majority of us, pregnancy things to buy for the first trimester is definitely something to help with nausea.
We used QueaseEase on the labor unit I used to work on and it worked well for so many mothers that when I became pregnant; I stocked up on it for myself. I kept it in my clothes pockets, one in my car, and purse. For a long time, I never left the house without it.
It’s an aromatic inhaler.
Fan- Listen, mamas, you’re gonna need a fan. Seriously. The hormonal changes are no joke. You’ll need it later in pregnancy and you could pack it in your hospital bag too.
It will keep you cool at night while you’re sleeping and as for labor once in active labor when things turn up a notch, contractions increase and your cervix starts to change your body is working pretty hard. It’s nice to have a fan in your labor room to keep you cool.
Belly Balm- In addition to needing a good full-body moisturizer, belly balm is also a must-have item during pregnancy. It helps soothe and nurture the skin as your belly grows. Most belly balms are ideal for helping prevent or help reduce stretch marks.
Hydrate your belly and use it as often as you need to.
My top 3 are rock the bump body butter, Burt’s Bees belly butter, and HATCH belly oil.
Comfortable Clothing- You can find affordable maternity clothes on Amazon or you can purchase non-maternity items that are stylish and comfortable. It’s all about comfort during pregnancy.
After a while, your regular clothes will no longer fit and you’ll either need maternity clothes or non-maternity the choice is yours. But whatever you decide on they will make you much more comfortable than your clothes that you can longer button.
Loofah Brush- This one is a bonus. Mamas that love to use a loofah swear a loofah brush is a pregnancy must-have. This one is a shower body brush with both bristles and loofah.
Made with a long handle brush to reach those hard-to-reach places.
Related: Baby Essentials For The First Three Months
There’s a lot to take in when you’ve found out you’re expecting. From what to buy to what you should and shouldn’t eat and did you choose the right provider? And then comes everything you need to know for postpartum care. It’s a lot for sure.
But I hope you find this list of pregnancy must-haves helpful and that it eases some of the stress.
You got this mama. Enjoy your pregnancy.
Pregnancy Must Haves FAQS
What should every pregnant woman have?
Every pregnant woman should have good nutrition, prenatal vitamins, an amazing medical provider, and support from family and friends.
What are 3 healthy habits while pregnant?
Three healthy habits while pregnant are eating a good healthy and balanced diet. Staying hydrated, and keeping a reusable water bottle with you at all times makes staying hydrated easier. Exercise is the third, something like taking a walk at a time that is best for you.
When should I buy baby stuff?
This can be a very personal decision for some. Some mothers prefer to wait well into their pregnancy before buying baby stuff while others start early around 15 weeks or so.
What should I buy for my first pregnancy?
Some pregnancy must-haves to buy for your first pregnancy are:
- Maternity underwear.
- Body moisturizer.
- Comfortable shoes.
- Prenatal vitamins.
- Panty liners.
- Maternity bras.
- Maternity belt.
- Water bottle.
- Snacks.
- Pregnancy pillow.
- Items for nausea.
- Fan
- Belly balm.
- Comfortable clothes.
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