After getting through the first trimester, this pregnancy is really flying by. I’m due September 4th. I can’t believe how close September feels now that it is June. I’m excited to see the baby but also hoping time will slow down.
For the most part, this pregnancy has gone very similar to my first pregnancy. I felt awful in the first trimester, which was tougher since I already had a toddler this time around. (Thank goodness for Seth and my mother-in-law who both did everything they could to let me rest and basically be a zombie!) After that, I’ve been feeling pretty great and lucky to have a relatively easy pregnancy.
I have noticed that there are some things I’m loving this pregnancy that I don’t remember using the last time around. I’ve been keeping a little list so that I can share my pregnancy favorites!
Vitamin B6: At the recommendation of my midwife, I took Vitamin B6 pretty regularly during my first trimester to try to fight nausea from morning sickness. I think it helped. It at least helped me feel like I was trying to do something to prevent nausea. Note: be sure to check with your doctor before taking anything.
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hand and Body Scrub: My husband bought me this for Valentine’s Day and I love it! It smells wonderful and I love how it makes my skin feel after I use it. I use it about once a week. I like to put it on my belly and pretend it is helping my skin not get stretch marks–ha.
The Honest Company Organic Belly Balm: On the topic of stretch marks, I’ve been using this belly balm. It is organic, free of harmful chemicals and makes my skin feel pretty hydrated. I started using it just before I got pregnant since it is supposed to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, as well as be good for growing bellies. I put some on after every shower. Sometimes I also use the Burts Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter. The Honest Belly Balm is more of sticky texture and the Burts Bees Belly Butter is more like a lotion. Both products leave my belly feeling moisturized. So depending on your texture preference, you might like one more than the other.
Coola Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 – Cucumber: Okay, this isn’t really pregnancy related but I found it while I am pregnant so I’m listing it. I’ve been trying for a while to find an organic sunscreen that I can wear daily. Last year I tried a couple of products that either left me looking chalky or caused a horrible breakout. I wanted a product that would go on matte, not cause a breakout, be free of harmful chemicals and not make my dry skin worst. This is the first product I’ve found that checks all the boxes! It feels light and the fragrance (cucumber) is pretty subtle, which I like. The biggest downside is the price, $32 for 1.7oz. Kind of spendy but I like it!
Jillian Michaels Yeah Baby! Workouts: For the past few weeks I’ve been (almost) exclusively doing Jillian Michaels Yeah Baby workouts. For the first 22 weeks of my pregnancy, I typically did the workouts I’ve always done. But as my bump started to get bigger, I’ve had to switch toward pregnancy workouts. I like Jillian’s routines because they are 30 minutes (or less), include weights and cardio. They go by quick and workout my whole body. You can find these prenatal workouts in her Yeah Baby! book or on the Jillian Michaels fitness app.
TSLA Yoga Pants Mid & High-Waist Tummy Control with Hidden Pocket: I heard about these pants from a Facebook friend just prior to finding out I was pregnant. These pants are great! They are so affordable, and comfortable! Tons of colors to choose from and tons of positive reviews on Amazon. Now that I have a bump, I ordered these pants in a size up from what I typically get and have been using them as my maternity workout leggings.
Chiropractic care: This is a game changer. I wish I had done regular chiropractic care in my first pregnancy. I work at a desk all day long so my upper back gets pretty tight. Now that my body is growing and shifting, I’ve noticed other things are feeling out of alignment too. For example, this pregnancy I have had symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), which is a result of my pelvis being out of alignment. It is very uncomfortable–almost to the point where I could barely walk. My chiropractor was able to adjust me and I felt better the next day. That was a couple of weeks ago, and since then the SPD symptoms have been pretty minimal. In addition, there are other benefits to regular chiropractic care during pregnancy such as reducing time in labor and delivery! Note: please check with your doctor before trying out chiropractic care.
Prenatal Massage: When I go for a chiropractic visit, I also get a massage. The massage is relaxing, helps works out tension I’m carrying and it is just nice to have one hour of quiet downtime. I know once the baby gets here, an hour of quiet relaxation will be harder to come by, so I’m trying to enjoy it now! Check to see if chiropractic and massage care is covered by your insurance because if it is, it is totally worth it. Note: please check with your doctor before trying out prenatal massage.
Belly band: Since I have SPD, I got a belly band. I find that this is particularly helpful to wear when I’m in the office and sitting a lot. I try to get up regularly and take a short walk around the building to stretch, but if I’m sitting at my desk for an extended period of time, then I notice a lot more pelvic soreness when I stand up. The belly band has helped to alleviate some of that. It is comfortable to wear and not too bulky under my clothes.
Body pillow: Seth got me one of these for Valentine’s Day and I love it. During my first pregnancy, I had heard that pregnant women enjoy sleeping with these, but I didn’t try it out. Now that I have it, I can see why people like it. It is nice to place something between your knees while sleeping on your side to take some pressure off of your hips. And it is kinda cozy just to snuggle a big pillow.
Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel™ Medium Wash – Skinny Crop: Very comfortable jeans! I’ve gotten both the kind that has the belly panel that goes all the way over your bump and the kind that have the side panel inserts. I don’t have any personal preference between the two. I like these jeans because they are comfortable, and I can see them being comfortable postpartum too since I’ll still have a belly for a while. For sizing, I purchased a pair in my pre-pregnancy size and it fits great.
Those are the things I’m loving for now! Let me know if you found any maternity items that you were excited about!
This post is not sponsored. Everything mentioned is something I’ve purchased or tried myself and love.
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