Pregnancy is such a blessing, but it can also bring about challenges you don't normally face like a lack of sleep, wardrobe problems, and tummy troubles, just to name a few. Well, we're here to help, friend. Check out our list of 20 pregnancy must-haves to help you get through!
As much joy as pregnancy brings, it also brings on a few other things… Fatigue, nausea, heartburn, aches and pains, dry skin, and so much more. Really, who knew one person could pee so much?!
*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
There may not be anything to stop your body from changing, but there are a few things you can do to help ease the discomfort! Whether it's something to help you get better sleep or an outfit to make you feel good in your skin again, we'll show you our favorite pregnancy must-haves that will help you ease the bad and focus on the good!
PREGNANCY MUST-HAVES FOR SLEEP
Sleep can be pretty hard to come by when you're expecting. Between the nighttime bathroom breaks, the crazy pregnancy dreams, and the aches and pains that keep us up, things can get rough! Here are some of our best pregnancy must-haves to help you get a night full of restful sleep… At least in between the potty breaks. 😉
- Pregnancy Pillow – This PharMeDoc pregnancy pillow has been a lifesaver for us! It gives a soft, yet supportive place for your growing bump to help you stay in a comfy position all night.
- Bedtime Routine – A consistent bedtime routine is so important when it comes to sleeping well, pregnant or not! Try to go to bed around the same time each night so your body is ready for sleep and create a nighttime ritual to help you wind down.
- Cut Water After Dinner – This one isn't a must-have, but more of a must-do. Drinking too much water right before bed can make nighttime potty breaks even more frequent. Try to get all your water in for the day a couple of hours before you go to bed to help!
No matter what you do, pregnancy can make it difficult to get a good night's rest. Hang in there, mama, and remember, it will all be worth it!
MUST-HAVES FOR NAUSEA
Ahh, the dreaded morning sickness that isn't really limited to the morning at all. Here's a list of our go-to items and methods for stopping that preggo nausea in its tracks!
- Ginger Candy – We love Gin Gins ginger candy. They offer almost immediate relief when you feel a wave of nausea coming your way. They come in hard candy form or in a chewy candy!
- Ginger Tea – Noticing a theme here? Yep, ginger is a great tool for combatting nausea, pregnant or not! Sip on a warm cup of ginger tea to help settle that tummy.
- Preggo Pops – If you don't love the taste of ginger, try Preggo Pops or Preggo Pop Drops instead. They come in several flavors so there's bound to be one you and baby approve of!
- Peppermints – This is a super affordable option! Grab a bag of peppermints from the dollar store and pop one anytime you feel queasy.
- Flavored Sparkling Water – We all know how important hydration is during pregnancy, but sometimes water just does not sound appetizing at all! Some people can even develop a metallic taste reaction to plain water during pregnancy making it downright nasty. The solution? Sparkling water! Grab a flavor you like and get those ounces in, mama!
Try one or all of these pregnancy must-haves for nausea and kick morning sickness to the curb!
MATERNITY CLOTHING MUST-HAVES
Don't break the bank on a whole new maternity wardrobe! Here are what we love and our go-to maternity clothing must-have items.
- Tank Tops – Maternity or not, tank tops are a must-have in pregnancy. They're stretchy enough to cover a bump and are perfect for layering under sweaters or jackets. Plus, tank tops are great for nursing when the baby comes!
- Supportive Bra – A good supportive bra in pregnancy is a must, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Buy a comfortable nursing bra with room for a little growth so you can wear it now and after baby is born! Double whammy!
- Maternity Underwear – We may or may not wear maternity underwear several months into postpartum. What can we say, they're comfortable!
- Stretchy Dresses – Maternity clothes can be pricey for sure and despite what the five thousand social media ads are telling you, they really aren't necessities! Invest in some tops or dresses with a good amount of stretch in them and you'll be able to wear them comfortably postpartum, too.
- Maternity Jeans – While you can get away with some oversized tops and stretchy dresses for most of your pregnancy, a good pair of maternity jeans is a must-have. There really isn't anything more uncomfortable than a regular pair of jeans trying to fit over a growing bump!
- Leggings – Legging, leggings, leggings! Seriously, this is our go-to pregnancy outfit on any given day. They don't have to be “maternity,” but they need to be comfy and plenty stretchy!
Don't wait until you're uncomfortable and then try to buy it all at once. Work it into your budget and get a piece at a time early on so you're not spending a small fortune when your clothes no longer fit! Thrift stores and consignment shops are great places to start your search.
More Pregnancy Must-Haves
These pregnancy must-haves will make your life a whole lot easier when you're expecting!
- Coconut Oil – Forget those pricy stretch mark creams and grab yourself a jar of coconut oil. It's a great moisturizer and will do wonders to prevent and help ease stretch marks without breaking the bank.
- Gummy Prenatal Vitamins – Never underestimate the power of a gummy prenatal! Seriously, they seem to be so much easier on the tummy than the others.
- Cold Compress – For whatever reasons, headaches are one of the early products of pregnancy and they can last through the whole nine months. Grab a head wrap or soak a washcloth in cold water and place it over your eyes for relief!
- Bath Soak – With hormones raging and emotions high, sometimes you just need a warm, relaxing bath to calm your nerves. Try adding in some Epsom salt or some Pink Stork Bath Soak.
- Water Bottle – A good water bottle can go a long way in encouraging you to drink enough throughout the day. Grab some reusable straws to go with it so you can easily sip water on those extra nauseous days.
- Liquid IV – If you're finding it hard to get in enough fluids, try some Liquid IV to get in the electrolytes you and baby need!
- Pregnancy Journal – This one is just fun! Whether it's your first pregnancy or your tenth, keep a journal of how you feel and it will be a cherished memory to look back on for years and years to come.
The best part about these pregnancy must-haves is they don't have to cost a fortune. While some may take a little planning and preparation, others are totally or almost free!
What are your go-to pregnancy must-haves that have helped you the most? Share it with us in the comments below!
Want more pregnancy and baby-related content?! Check these out!
- Ready to start your registry? Find out how to do it and the best places to start!
- Learn how to choose a baby stroller that works for you without breaking the bank!
- Don't miss our baby must-haves and our twin must-haves!
Rock-a-bye, baby!
For me, decaf hot tea helped me sleep at night so much! And they have ones especially for when you’re pregnant. Coconut oil is also amazing because it is so cheap – our local Aldi’s has organic coconut oil for $4 for a big jar, which is crazy cheap compared to so many moisturizers!
Carrying twins this time around is so very different then my first pregnancy. I swear I was eating Tums like they were candy! I found that they would do the trick but not all the time. The best thing that has helped my horrible heartburn is a cap full of Apple Cider vinegar. Gross right… but I swear by it. It’s been a lifesaver for me!
But seriously you are the cutest pregnant person! I wish I looked like that and could pull off your styles. And you are superwoman! Baby #5 in just a few short years… I have 6 but they are 18 years apart. I want #7 but can’t convince myself to do it again, you know the sickness, fatigue AND taking care of the others… I’m quickly running out if time to have anymore my last one I was considered advanced maternal age. You are my hero! Keep up the fabulous posts.
I would love more details on how you’re using the coconut oil. I’m nearing the end of pregnancy with baby #3 and I feel like I’m spending a small fortune on stretch mark lotion, hand cream, lip balm, conditioner, concealer, etc. and I have a jar of cold pressed coconut oil in my fridge! What is the process you use? How can that one jar take care of so many areas?
You are superwoman! I can’t deny I’m jealous of everyone pregnant right now 🙂
Hey, Just saw you on The FavLife! You were great! Good financial advice for all of us…You look great too 😉
gummy prenatal would have been my downfall – I can’t buy any gummy vitamins period bc my common sense goes out the window bc they taste so good. I am pretty sure I am adult age – but you would think I was 5 when it comes to those things!!
I carried peppermints around in my purse for all of my pregnancies! They stopped me from having to pull over and puke many times. And you joke about eating coconut oil, but seriously, I cook with it and slosh it around in my mouth to clean my teeth!… it’s kinda nasty, the smell is deceiving… but it whitens a little and I’ve read it can prevent (and cure) cavities and gingivitis.
You look adorable, love your leggings and happy pregnancy!
I am definitely going to try the gummies next time around! I also found ginger chews (it’s candy) really helped for morning sickness.
You have such cute style!
My go to is Young Living Essential Oils. They are absolutely a must not only for pregnancy but for little kiddos too. They really help during L & D, and of course PP 🙂 if you want some more info let me know!
I use papaya mints for nausea, heartburn, and just fresh breath. My midwife turned me on to them during my 2nd pregnancy. There is no calcium in them so you don’t have to worry about how many you take. I get them at the local herb shop. Best discovery ever.
I’ve used papaya as well! They are slightly sweet so it feels like a little treat but much smaller than Tums so it doesn’t seem to add to the nausea. I don’t know about you girls but sometimes a Tums makes it worse! Papaya is the way to go 🙂
I’ll have to try! Sounds delish!
I’ve never heard of Papaya mints, so excited to try them!!
Thank you for the idea of super loose clothing. I’m 20 weeks with my forst child and can’t fit into anything i own anymore, other than large t-shirts. As for gummy vitamins, they made me absolutely sick every time. I had my ob-gyn prescribe me a prenatal and the nausea went away.
Haha how funny! One man’s nausea is another man’s cure 🙂 Yes, loose clothes are a life saver. Thanks for reading! XO
Thanks so much for sharing. Here are my favorite go-to’swhile pregnant: sparkling water!! I was always so thirsty and would just chug bottles of pellegino. I ate papaya enzymes for heartburn ( they also served as a sweet flavor in my mouth) . Coconut oil was my stretch mark saver!!! My first pregnancy I spent big money on all the stretch mark cream. My second pregnancy I got smarter and bought a huge jug of coconut oil from Costco $25 and used it twice a day. No stretch marks and still have nearly half the jug left to use for my household and cooking needs!
#5 you go girl!!! It would have been fun to be pregnant along with you, but we are happy with our two little boys ??
Amazing tips, and thanks so much Jody! XO
I’m preggo with #2, which will be 2 kids in 2 years and I seriously love it! I’m on my way to buy melatonin now. Those pregnancy dreams are crazy & I usually wake up SO EMOTIONAL and exhausted from them. Also, the peeing, heartburn & leg cramps don’t help. Thanks for the idea!
Oh my gosh no kidding! Bubba made me promise not to divorce him the next time he cheats on me in a dream, ha! I get so mad…. congrats with #2, it’s the best! XO
I love these tips! My little one is 10mo now and we are starting to think about our 2nd…never thought I would have kids closer than 2 years apart, but when it feels right–you do it! My pregnancy go-to’s were definitely hard candy (I kept some in my purse, backpack as I was finishing up college and hiking ALL over campus during my last trimester, bedside table, kitchen counter…EVERYWHERE!), lotion (I think I’ll try coconut oil this next time though), and good shoes!
When you had your first kids (first two?) you were in a townhouse, right? How many bedrooms? We are in a 2 bedroom apartment and I’m not sure how to have a baby and toddler logistically (for naps/nighttime), hah. We are not co-sleepers, otherwise that would be the easiest solution.
Yay congrats! Yes, we had our first two in our 2-bedroom condo. Then we moved to a 2-bedroom apartment for a few months while we house-hunted. It wasn’t easy, the baby slept in the bathroom in a pack-n-play and our son slept in the 2nd bedroom. But it’s how we could afford to move so we made due! Now we have the youngest 2 in their own rooms and the older 2 sharing, though they are all so young it definitely poses challenges so we are still trying to figure it out. Best of luck and thanks for stopping in! XO
Melatonin chews! Are you kidding me?! We give our kids a sublingual melatonin and it works wonders. I had no idea they had yummy chews! Can’t wait to try them. Down side is I image my 4 year old pounding them like candy! Good news is it’s a natural substance in your body so wouldn’t harm her if she happens to eat a few. Hopefully that won’t happen though.
P.S. I ran into you at Cornbellys. You and your family are super cute! Hopefully I didn’t sound like a blubbering idiot!
Thanks for sharing your fav’s.
Yes, yes, and YES! I am pregnant AGAIN, after just having a baby girl last July. This second little Miss of ours will be born June of this year. I would have rather just had twins than be pregnant back to back like this! That being said, I do all these things (except one) and can testify they work! The only one need to try now are the gummy prenatals. I have tried probably almost every pill form of prenatal around, because constantly feel sick after I take them. I never gave the gummy a shot because I thought of them as unnecessary sugar (which I eat too much of anyway haha!), and figured I would end up feeling sick from them too, like every other kind I have tried. But, if it worked for you, hopefully they’ll work for me too!
How do you do “momlife” while pregnant and exhausted, stay on top of everyday duties in the house and keep up your routines without dropping the balls like everyday and vegging out and ignoring everything all the time?
One clothing item I used all the time through pregnancy was a stretchy belly band. Not only did it provide support and warmth when needed, it also meant I could wear all my normal skirts (with the zippers undone and the band over the top) all through my pregnancy. However, this may not work for everyone, as I was considered “small”.