My Simple Pregnancy Essentials//

11.07.2014

I've been a fan of this stuff long before there was a human growing inside of me, but for whatever reason my skin and lips have become even more dry since said human showed up, so know it's a must have before I go to bed and right when I wake up. I love it, because most lip balms I've tried have a weird smell or chemical taste, but this one is the golden ticket for sure.

I tried this after I saw it recommended by Sydney, from The Daybook. So glad I did. I'm not sure if this is a normal pregnancy symptom or not, but I get really sick (nauseated, dizzy, achy) when I have anything restrictive on my torso region. I can't handle any tightness around my ribcage or my stomach, so all my normal, sized, wired bras were NOT working. This bra basically saved my life. It's super stretchy and has (removeable) lining so you don't have to worry about things showing through that you don't want showing through. I don't have experience with this yet, but I'm guessing it will be nice for nursing as well, because it's so stretchy; I guess we'll see if it makes my Post-Pregnancy List...

This is almost surely my absolute favorite thing on the list. I can not tell you how this pillow has improved my life! People who know me in real life are probably so sick of hearing me talk about this gem, but I'm sorry, I'm an evangelist for it. It is so freaking comfortable--Marcus (and Poppy) try to steal it from me almost every night because whatever foam/stuffing they put in this thing is magic. Plus the cases are so darn cute! When we went on our trip to the PNW, I didn't bring it and my SIL said she had an old pregnancy pillow I could use. It was the same basic shape, so I figured it would work just as well. People, IT DID NOT. It was terrible and you should not buy any other body pillow than the Bump Nest, because it trumps all. Amen and amen.

Alright, this is a new find this week and I'm majorly in love with it. I started having pain in my sacroiliac joints when I'd be on my feet a lot, so I went to my chiropractor and he said it was due to my loosening ligaments in my...FEET. He adjusted the arch of my foot and to my surprise the pain was gone within a few hours. He told me I could use this percussion massager on my arches to do mini-adjustments at home. It doesn't work quite as well as when he does it, but it definitely helps! Plus this thing feels so good on my back and shoulder blades and Marcus loves it too. Twenty-five dollars well spent, I'd say!

As I mentioned, my skin has been really dry and dead looking and it's really got me feeling down because a flakey face is not a pretty sight, but I recently remembered that when I was living in freezing/windy Idaho, my dermatologist recommended I try this moisturizer and it saved me then. I picked some up a couple of weeks ago and I've already seen a lot of improvement on my face. I usually just use it at night before bed because it's pretty thick and makeup doesn't really adhere to it, but it's a great night cream.

Marcus picked up a travel size bottle of this on our last trip and he fell in love. We then got a big bottle of it and so I started using it as well. It's a natural/organic soap and because of the peppermint oil, it's super cooling and refreshing. BE CAREFUL not to get it in your eyes though--it's crazy painful, but if you can keep it clear of those babies, I'm happy with this soap.

I love having this longer length robe to throw on if the UPS guy shows up in the morning before I've gotten dressed (let's be honest, sometimes it's after noon and I still haven't gotten dressed, but I digress...) It's super soft and the midi-length provides the modesty to be able to open the door, without being so long that it trips you up. I think it will be nice to bring in my hospital bag as well, or I might order this cute one from Gap.

Now this kimono robe is quite a bit shorter, but it's so dang pretty and even though it looks and feels totally luxury, it's machine washable! I like to wear this one when I'm having a lazy weekend morning at home with Marcus and I'm not ready to get dressed (I'M NEVER READY TO GET DRESSED! Getting dressed while pregnant is SO HARD!) but I still want something pretty on. It also looks super cute with a pair of leggings on underneath, now that the mornings and evenings are finally cooling off :)

Alright, I don't claim to be someone who does tons of research on making sure everything I use is perfectly natural, but I do try to have an idea of not putting totally toxic stuff on my body, especially now that I'm carrying a growing human inside of me! So I was looking for a lotion that smelled yummy and was relatively natural. I had gotten a sample of this at a blogging conference I attended and Marcus loved whenever I put it on, so I read up a little more on it, and thought it sounded pretty good, so I ordered a full bottle and I'm a super fan. Next time I think I'll try one of the other scents, just to mix it up. I use this all over my body, but most often on my belly, in hopes of keeping it moisturized enough to avoid/minimize stretch marks...fingers crossed!

So, I'm sure you've heard the idea that a pregnant woman's sense of smell is on high alert, I can't say that mine has gone up that much because I was always at the top of the scales with my super senses, but smelling good is of high importance, and it's quite important that Marcus smells good if he wants to get...snuggly with this pregnant lady. Commodity sent us a pack of their sample scents and this one was both Marcus' and my favorite smell by far. He got a full size bottle and every time he wears it, he get's lucky, let's just be honest. Ha! It's so good.

Alright! Your turn! 
I'd love to hear things you've tried and loved. 
What am I missing to make this pregnancy more comfortable? Anything on the list you're excited to try?

As always, thanks for reading and commenting! Feel free to pin this post if you found it interesting!

11 comments

April @ Hansen Love said...

I have a pregnancy pillow as well and it has been a life saver!!!! I don't know how I ever slept a full night without one!! I would have to add pepper mint life savers to that list, I've been sooo nauseous with this babe and they are so tasty, and added bonus, they make your breath smell yum! great list, I'm going to look into some of these lotions!

Alicia Snow said...

Seriously, living without a pregnancy pillow would be impossible. I got one at six weeks and could not handle sleeping without it.

Miss Morgan said...

The original scent of HEMPZ is my fav.

Susana said...

Yes to all of these! I also love the Lush bath bombs when I'm pregnant. They smell so good and usually distract me from my nausea haha.
baristamommy.com

Beverly Houpt said...

Watch out for peppermint oil once baby comes! It can decrease your breast milk.
I'd say that a huge water bottle is important to have, too :)

Noni said...

excited for you to experience motherhood! If you eat coconut oil by the spoonful, your dry skin and lips will heal from the inside out :) Also great to rub on skin/belly or you can use olive oil right after a shower/bath. My caregiver recommended this and it has made all the difference. Giovanni also has some great lotions that smell great and are clean. Best of luck to you! My baby is in the MTC and I am sad the fun at home is mostly done :( Vitacost.com is my favorite on-line place to stock up on great stuff!

Ashley Bagley Nielson said...

Ooo I wonder if I can be brave enough to try that coconut trick! The texture of the idea is sounding a little difficult to swallow! Thanks for your advice and good luck to your baby out on a mission! How exciting!

Ashley Bagley Nielson said...

Good to know! Thanks for sharing!

Ashley Bagley Nielson said...

Oh my gosh! Now i want to take a bath so bad! Too bad our bathroom is getting redone right now!

Ashley Bagley Nielson said...

mmm, i'll try that next

Ashley Bagley Nielson said...

Alright, now you have me wanting to go get some lifesavers!

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