8 Pregnancy Must-Haves

Here are my top pregnancy must-haves which I can't live without and have stood the test of time throughout each of my pregnancies!

1. Water

This sounds like a no-brainer but honestly drinking enough water is so important during pregnancy. I always try to force myself to drink 2L of water a day but especially when I'm pregnant as I get so dehydrated when I don't! So whether you buy a big 2L bottle of water to keep in the fridge and fill up everyday, or a 1L one that you refill twice...or if you want to buy a re-useable one there are plenty available to choose from. Personally I am always more motivated to drink water when it's really cold so I make sure to get in 4 500ml bottles a day which I keep in the fridge so they're easy to grab. 

2. Prenatal vitamins

I've taken Pregnacare Max with every pregnancy and I would recommend them to anyone. These are a little bit better than the normal kind as they come with two tablets - a prenatal multivitamin which includes folic acid and an omega-3 fish oil capsule. Not only are these great for your baby's development but you'll also find they benefit your hair, skin and nails too! I love taking these and continue on even when I'm breastfeeding.  

3. Maternity bra

I was quite late to the party this time around but a good quality, supportive maternity bra is SO important. Your boobs grow a lot during pregnancy and things can get pretty uncomfortable & sore. Minimising discomfort in your chest and back area will actually make a huge difference to how you feel when pregnant. I remember the first time I tried on a maternity sports bra when I was pregnant with Emilia and I almost cried with relief. My favourite at the moment is the Cake Lingerie Croissant Nursing bra but I also really rate the Motherhood Sports Clip Down Nursing bra with the racer back straps as they can sometimes be the most comfortable style.  

4. Maternity leggings

If there's one thing I've learned in pregnancy it's that leggings are your BEST friend. There comes a time (usually around the third trimester) when you don't even want to look at a pair of maternity jeans...comfy stretchy leggings are where it's at! I have countless pairs but my most recent favourite are these Isabella Oliver ones which come with an over-the-bump panel. I love the premium quality of these and also own them in an under the bump style but prefer the added support of the extra fabric.  

5. Bio Oil

Whether you've already got stretch marks from previous pregnancies or you're just preventing them, every pregnant woman should have some bio-oil in their life! I got them around my bellybutton but used this stuff religiously (even afterwards) and they faded right down to being almost unnoticeable. However your belly does stretch and obviously get larger during pregnancy so you want to keep your skin well-moisturised either way. So I use this everyday at night time (because it will stain your clothes though it comes out in the wash...but I'd prefer to get my pyjamas oily!) before bed. I slather it all over my boobs, belly and hips to prevent new stretch marks and also to help with the old ones.  

6. Dream Genii pillow

I had this pillow during my last two pregnancies and repurchased it this time round (as I think I got rid of it when we moved). This is something I normally start to use in the second trimester when sleeping gets uncomfortable and you need more support at night. You sleep on your side with the long bit between your legs which is basically the equivalent to the old school way of keeping one leg elevated with a pillow in between them (my mum used to do this!). The only difference is this moulds to your shape and also provides some back support with the shorter side bit. You can also use the Dream Genii afterwards for nursing if you wrap it around you like a shelf for your baby.  

7. Rennie tablets

You may be lucky enough not to get heartburn during pregnancy but I always suffer with it and I actually think it gets worse every time! Thankfully though there are many ways to combat it and I cannot live without Rennie tablets during this stage of the pregnancy! I literally carry them around everywhere with me and the relief it instant after taking one. I also love how they just taste like mints so I never think of them as a medicine nor are they a chore to take! I like the spearmint flavour...though I think they do lots of different kinds now.

8. What to Expect app

There are so many pregnancy apps available now and even since my first pregnancy with Emilia there has been a huge increase in the amount that are out there! I've downloaded quite a few but the one I keep going back to time & time again which I feel is the most informative and easiest to keep up with is the What to Expect Pregnancy app. This tracks your pregnancy and sends you weekly updates on symptoms, your baby's growth as well as reminders on what you should be doing or planning throughout each stage of pregnancy. 

I hope this blog post helps, especially if you're going through your first pregnancy and are looking for some tips! These are definitely the items I would recommend to anybody and what has always worked for me. Let me know if you have any pregnancy must-haves you'd like to add to this list as well!