If you're expecting, I'm sure you've been watching and reading all sorts of pregnancy content. I've been there twice, and am currently expecting baby number three. What I personally notice on Youtube and social media is that there's a lot of the same suggestions- but, what isn't shared what you'll really need during pregnancy- especially during the second and third trimesters. I'm talking items for real life pregnancy problems that come up- not just cute lounge wear and the latest prenatal vitamin that's being pushed. These are real life, practical suggestions to help make your pregnancy more comfortable.
Get A Handle on Shower Time
Next up is something you're really going to appreciate in
your late second and third trimesters- a good ol' bath poof with a long handle. Balance and reaching definitely become problematic as your pregnancy progresses. This loofa with handle makes getting clean so much easier. This is a definite must have for showering or bathing safely.
Bye Bye Dry Skin
One thing I think can surprise a lot of women during their first pregnancy is how dry and itchy their skin can get. This is definitely the time for a good moisturizer. And don't get too sucked into the "stretch mark creams"- stretch marks are hereditary. But that doesn't mean you can sooth an itchy belly with some effective yet gentle moisture. A tub of Cereve Moisturizing Cream will take care of that dry itchy skin the entire 40 weeks.
Breath Easy
Speaking of dry- Pregnancy nasal congestion is a real and rarely talked about thing.
Your interior nasal passages can get very swollen, and yet that dryness continues even there. A bedside humidifier is a must have to aid with breathing and add much needed moisture into the air. My favorite that I've been using for years is this one from LtYioe. It has an added soft night light, which comes in handy for getting up for late night bathroom trips, or reaching for those T
ums on your nightstand.
Sensitive Shave Solutions
Continuing on the skin topic, many pregnant women find their skin not just dry and itchy, but incredibly sensitive as well. Women during pregnancy can find that shaving often leads to sensitive or rashy skin, even if they've never had those problems before. A good shave gel for sensitive skin can be very helpful during these months. Try Aveeno Shave Gel with colloidal oatmeal to minimize irritation. There are a lot of sensitive formulas on the market, but the Aveeno is definitely my favorite.
C-You Later Melasma
Let's talk about facial skin! As if the dryness everywhere wasn't enough, a lot of women
battle a condition called melasma - darkened patched across the face. My favorite product to battle these discolorations that has worked so well is a good vitamin C serum. Vitamin C has been studied for decades now for brightening, and is a dermatologist recommended safe treatment for mild to moderate melasma during pregnancy My favorite is the L'Oréal Revitalift Vitamin C Serum.
*Be sure to check with your doctor before using a new topical product.
Anti-Acne Alternatives
Another excellent serum to add is an Azelaic Acid serum. There are a lot of ingredients you need to avoid during pregnancy, like retinol, for instance, but luckily there is a lot that is considered pregnancy safe. Azelaic Acid not only can help with combatting mild to moderate acne, but can also help with acne scarring and rosacea. I love this affordable Cos de Baha 10% Azelaic Acid serum. Been using it for years, and have been using it exclusively in place of other acne treatments during this pregnancy.
Ditch the Tighty Whities
Yup. Undies. With all the changing and growing, your old undies
can start digging in quickly. To avoid the digging and pinching I switched to the Warners No Muffin Top panties- definitely size up one or two sizes to accommodate your growing belly, but the soft, wide lace band really helps prevent that cutting in feeling so many other undies can give.
Bye Bye Bending
As the months progress, anything requiring a zipper or tie is going to be a major struggle. That means you'll probably be thinking twice before grabbing your booties and lace up sneakers. The solution? Slip on shoes. But slip ons don't have to be frumpy. For around the house, nothing beats these Adidas Cloud Slides. Soo soft on sore pregnant feet.
And for heading out, Ugg makes some amazingly comfortable
and chic slide on sneakers. I have the Sammy, which are sold out, but the Alameda Slide on Sneakers are the same style without the texture, and the reviews are just as good.
Protecting the Pearly Whites
It's no secret that morning sickness and reflux can be a big problem during pregnancy,
especially on your teeth. This is where a quality remineralizing toothpaste can come in handy.* This specific toothpaste from Apaguard, a brand out of Japan, has the tried and true ingredient nanohydroxyapetite which penetrates into your teeth to remineralize and keep your teeth healthy and strong, combatting the damage reflux and hormone changes can cause to enamel. *always check with your dentist first. This is not a replacement for regular cleanings.
No Such Thing As Too Many Pillows
I've tried many pregnancy pillows throughout my pregnancies, but nothing had worked better than just heading to my local discount home store and buying some extra bed pillows. Choose thin, hard, soft, firm- whatever seems to fit your needs, and use them to prop yourself up in bed, prop your belly up, or cushion your back. I've always found it easier to work with several regular pillows than a giant long noodle pillow that I ultimately just feel trapped in. And if you don't feel like heading out, Amazon always has an amazing selection of affordable pillows. These set of 2 cooling pillows are a great price and have awesome reviews!
So there we have it! The top must-haves to make pregnancy just a little more comfortable. Just add rest, exercise and a healthy diet and you're good to go, Mama!
xo Jill
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