Ready to hit your pregnancy head-on? We’ve compiled a list of our top first trimester must-haves to get you through this exciting (but sometimes difficult) time.
You’re pregnant – congratulations! I know for many readers, this news is more than welcome.
The first trimester is such an exciting time, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. I am on my first baby, and wish that I knew that by the end of my first trimester, I wouldn’t be able to live without some of the following items!
Other helpful ‘essentials’ articles:
– 15+ Diaper Caddy Essentials For All Moms
– 10 Second Trimester Must-Haves
– IVF Egg Retrieval Recovery Essentials
Top First Trimester Must-Haves
1. Pregnancy Pillow
Pregnancy pillows become the ultimate necessity by the time you’re in the second trimester, but I actually got mine before I even knew I was pregnant. When I got to the progesterone in oil part of my IVF process, my lower back/upper butt was riddled with knots, and let me tell you… it was NOT comfortable.
This U-shaped pregnancy pillow has been my go-to sleeping companion for months (sorry, hubs). By the time I was rocking a belly, my needs changed and this pillow continued to provide the comfort I needed both in the front and the back.
Once you reach about 20-weeks in your pregnancy (5 months), it is recommended that you do not sleep on your back. This is because, at this point, your uterus has grown enough that it is sitting on top of your inferior vena cava when you are lying on your back. This blood vessel brings blood to your heart, and thus, your baby. But if your uterus is pushing against it, less blood will flow, leading to a potential risk of stillbirth.
Uh, no thanks!
Sleeping on your side with the support of a pregnancy pillow can make the position a bit more comfortable since we are now limited to either our left or our right (because obviously, the stomach is now out of the question, too).
2. What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
Let’s be honest… who hasn’t at least picked up this book at some point in their pregnancy? This book is a bit of a clunker (and has seen many editions), but isn’t as scary as it looks. It’s actually a lot easier to get through than you’d think, and the index makes it easy to find any and all mentions of whatever you are looking to learn about in the book.
Want to know more about that, uhm, perennial massage you keep hearing about? Or maybe you are curious about creating a birth plan? What even happens in those first 6 weeks? This book has got you completely covered.
3. We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook by Adrian Kulp
Why should pregnancy books be limited to us moms-to-be? One of the first things I ordered after learning we were pregnant was this pregnancy book for my husband. While books like What to Expect When You’re Expecting are a wealth of information, the amount of content that’s written specifically for dad is extremely limited. And, if you want them to feel involved and in-the-know about what’s going on, you’ve got to give them something that’s written for them that they’ll actually read.
This book is both easy to consume and entertaining. In fact, I’ve been reading it myself with each new week of pregnancy. It includes the week-by-week play by play so they can understand what’s happening in there, as well as tips for making the process easier on mom.
4. Tummy Drops
If you are cursed with (extreme) morning sickness like I was, these ginger candies will be your go-to distraction. These are recommended as a natural way to curb symptoms common in nausea, morning sickness, upset stomachs, and other digestive issues.
Related:
Morning Sickness Remedies That Actually Work
Whenever I felt too nauseous to eat anything but so hungry that I needed at least something to tie me over, I popped one of these bad boys and they always did the trick.
If the ginger is too much, there are several other more mild flavors!
5. Prenatal Vitamins
If you have been trying to conceive for a while, you may have already incorporated prenatal vitamins into your routine. If you haven’t, now is the time! As soon as you find out you are pregnant, your OB/GYN will recommend that you start to take one.
These particular prenatal vitamins have 800 mcg of Folic Acid which is a must for your growing baby, as well as an added 200 mg of DHA from their original prenatal. DHA is crucial for brain development, so I’d always opt for this over a prenatal without.
6. Cocoa Butter For Stretch Marks
Why wait until you’re showing to take care of your skin? Especially if you are prone to stretch marks.
I would highly recommend applying cocoa butter to your belly and breasts post-shower or before going to bed every day as soon as you find out you are pregnant. While your belly may not pop for several weeks, taking care of your skin should still be a part of your daily routine. And, if this isn’t your first pregnancy, you will most likely start to show sooner the second time around.
I started treating my belly around 6 weeks and don’t regret it at all!
7. Magnesium
Another one of my favorite morning sickness remedies was magnesium. My nurse recommended it to me after weeks of excessive vomiting – I couldn’t keep a thing down!
I was in a pinch and mooched off of my husband’s Nature Made High Absorption Magnesium Citrate supply, thinking that I would only take it a couple of times until I could get to the store to choose my own. But it ended up providing me enough relief that I continued to use the same brand through the rest of my morning sickness.
8. Pregnancy Journal
A pregnancy journal is an awesome way to write down everything you experience throughout those long nine months.
This is particularly useful if you plan to have more than one child. When you conceive for the second, third, or fourth time, you’ll be able to compare (your own!) notes, seeing what changed, and reminding yourself of what to expect, what worked, and what didn’t.
What are your first trimester must-haves?
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