I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while now, but what with being pregnant and looking after a toddler, time has somehow managed to slip away from me in that way that it always does! In a way it is good that I am writing this at 34 weeks pregnant as I have now had almost my entire pregnancy to think about what have been my favourite maternity items and products throughout this time. It’s so easy to spend your pregnancy thinking solely about the arrival of your little one, after all that is the most exciting part! But it’s also important to remember to look after yourself while you are doing the most important job of all – growing your baby. Most of these items are related to being comfortable and treating yourself, which are obviously two very important things for any expecting mum.
Boppy Total Body Pregnancy Pillow
One of the things I suffer with the most during pregnancy is back pain. I was diagnosed with SPD in my last pregnancy and although I haven’t been officially diagnosed this time, I can recognise the pain. By the time the day is over and the toddler is in bed, even sitting on the sofa can be agonising. After a particularly active day, all I am good for is heading up to bed and watching Netflix until I fall asleep (approximately ten minutes later!) When I got this Boppy Total Body Pregnancy Pillow, I’m not exaggerating when I say that it absolutely revolutionised my sleep and makes me want to go up to bed even earlier than I was already. It is huge, it is literally the fourth person in our bed and takes up more room than the toddler star-fishing in the middle. But it is honestly the comfiest thing in the world and worth making room for. The clue is in the name but it really is total body support. The sections to support my bump/back and legs mean I wake up actually feeling so rested because I’ve been in such a deep and comfortable sleep. Sometimes Dan tries to steal the pillow from me, but I always get it back because I don’t actually think I could sleep without it now. If you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep during pregnancy, I couldn’t recommend this pillow more!
Carriwell Adjustable Overbelly Support Belt
As I just mentioned, I do really suffer with back pain during pregnancy so any product that is designed to ease that pain instantly catches my eye. The Carriwell Adjustable Overbelly Support is so comfortable to wear and really does help to relieve some of that back ache. It basically supports my bump and helps take some of the weight of it. I always buy maternity jeans that go up over my bump so I was dubious if I would actually notice a difference with the support belt. However, I was curious and in pain so I’ve been wearing it daily and it has honestly made a huge difference to just relying on the support from maternity jeans. The belt is designed in such a way that it actively counter balances the weight of my bump and I really notice a difference in my pain levels by the end of the day depending on whether or not I remembered to put it on in the morning. I also find it particularly good for days when I am wearing a dress or trousers that stop underneath my bump as that support is needed even more!
Carriwell Seamless GelWire Nursing Bra
Something that I didn’t really realise during my first pregnancy is that nursing bras aren’t just for breastfeeding, they are the comfiest to wear throughout pregnancy too. Last pregnancy I really struggled and suffered with bras. I found underwire uncomfortable quite early on and then when I switched to ‘comfort bras’ I couldn’t stand the lack of support and the way that my boobs looked in them. That’s where the Carriwell GelWire Nursing Bra comes in. The ‘GelWire’ gives you the same support as a normal underwired bra but it is totally flexible too and comfortable as a result. Of course I haven’t actually used it while breastfeeding yet but from the crazy number of nursing bras I tried out last time, I can tell that it is going to be ideal. The flexible nature of the GelWire will mean I can feed the baby discreetly and comfortable and still actually feel good about my boobs, win win! As I near the end of this pregnancy and am feeling bigger and more uncomfortable every day, I am so grateful for how comfortable this bra is and that I don’t feel self conscious at all when I wear it. I will be doing a full review of the bra when the baby arrives and it can fulfil it’s true potential as a nursing bra, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
Unity Beauty Essentials Intensive Body Nourisher
I mentioned this product in my Valentines Gift Guide For Mums & Mums To Be and the fact that I am still using it three months later speaks for itself! I love the entire range but the Body Nourisher is my firm favourite. Pregnant or not, I think I will continue buying this cream as I have never had a product that is quite so moisturising before. It is on the pricey side at £25 but if you try it, you will see why it is worth every penny! I don’t want to jinx it but so far I have no stretch marks and while I’m sure that is partly down to genetics I do also think that my religious slathering of creams has played a part too. A little goes a long way with this moisturiser and I have been using it on dry patches on the rest of my body too. This is a bit of a ‘treat yourself’ maternity product, but we all need to do that once in a while!
Palmer’s Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks
If you want something a little more affordable than the Body Nourisher then Palmer’s is absolutely my go to when it comes to moisturisers. The Tummy Butter smells exactly like their standard moisturiser (the best smell in the world, am I right or am I right?) but it is a much thicker consistency and designed specifically for growing bumps. I won’t list all of the different oils in it, but a quick Google will tell you all of the goodness that they have packed into this product. My bump feels so smooth and moisturised when I use this Tummy Butter and it’s a great everyday product to use without having to break the bank to fund the habit!
Other more general things I could add to this list are Netflix, fresh fruit and my beloved Rennies and Gaviscon, but if I start listing everything I‘ve been loving this pregnancy- we could be here a while!
I’d love to know what your favourite maternity items and products are, I’ve still got six weeks left to treat myself!
*some of these items were gifted to me, but all opinions and the choice to include them in this post are my own.
