At 32 weeks pregnant, I’ve gotten a decent grasp regarding what is and is not essential for pregnancy. As someone with a somewhat complicated pregnancy and fertility journey, I wanted to share personal must-haves for my very unique pregnancy needs. Here is a comprehensive list of my must-have pregnancy essentials (including which supplements I take, my favorite clothing, equipment, and reading materials. I made the list so YOU don’t have to!
Essential No. 1: A good prenatal
Before I found out I was pregnant with the little one I currently carry, I was diagnosed with something called MTHFR homozygous A1298C. Instead of going into the gritty details of the diagnosis, I’ll summarize. It means I am prone to blood clots and my body struggles to process folic acid. I did a lot of research regarding this diagnosis and concluded the standard prenatal vitamins sold in grocery stores simply would NOT cut it. Instead, I opted for the Thorne Basic Prenatal which has folic acid in its most bio-available (easily absorbed) form. If you’re interested in more information on the MTHFR variant, I recommend following Dr. Ben Lynch on instagram and reading his book Dirty Genes: A Breakthrough Program to Treat the Root Cause of Illness and Optimize Your Health.
Essential No. 2: Dressing the bump with cute and comfortable clothing
Looking good is key to feeling good while growing a human (at least it is for me). The days where I stay in pajamas all day and wear my hair in a messy bun are the days I feel most tired. Alternatively, the days I put on cute clothes, throw in a few curls, and wear a little makeup are the days I have energy and feel ready to tackle tasks! Here are some links to my favorite pregnancy clothing. Of note, not all of it is maternity. I plan to wear a lot of these clothes post-baby also (it’s always a win-win if you can extend the life of you maternity-wear).
Intimates:
This Underwear
This Bra (I know it is technically a nursing bra, but trust me, you will LOVE this even before baby arrives)
Tops:
These Tees (at this price, get one in every color to build your pregnancy capsule wardrobe)
These Tanks
Bottoms:
These biker shorts
These low rise jeans
This tennis skirt (I have a different one from an old patagonia line. However, paired with a nice tank/tee, this makes for a casual cute maternity outfit.)
Dresses:
This dress (I bought and wore at my baby shower. It was perfect, and since its not maternity, I’ll DEFINITELY wear again).
or this one.
Essential No. 3: Sleep hygiene items
Obtaining decent sleep is hard for most pregnant ladies. From insomnia and leg cramps to frequent urination breaks- sleeping through the night is officially a thing of the past. Here are a couple items to make catching zzzs’ a little easier.
This Pregnancy Pillow (trust me, this pillow will make you wonder how you ever slept without one!)
This magnesium lotion for leg cramps
Essential No. 4: Medical Equipment
This “essential” might not pertain to you. And honestly, I hope it doesn’t! But for you pregnant ladies in the same “unique pregnancy” boat as me, I figured I’d throw in my medical equipment essentials.
I’ve been on lovenox (an injectable blood thinner) since my pregnancy was determined viable. Lovenox is a temperature sensitive medicine and should be kept between 68-76 degrees Fahrenheit. I knew I needed to find a temperature adjustable fridge sooner than later as summer approached.
I settled on this fridge from amazon (also sold at target) . I ordered the 10L size. It keeps my medication within a 5 degree Fahrenheit set temperature. I keep a secondary room thermometer in the fridge to ensure proper temperature and humidity controls. So far I’ve had zero issues with this product. Additionally, it has a car cable for transportation purposes. I have successfully taken my mini fridge with me on multiple road trips. It truly is one of my most treasured purchases from pregnancy. On a side note, it can be used to keep things warm OR cold also, meaning I can use this product after pregnancy.
My other favorite “medical” purchase was this glucometer from Walgreen’s to help me monitor my gestational diabetes. I’ve used three different glucometers and so far this is my favorite. Its compact, user friendly, and requires a small sample. Test strips and controls are sold separately. Find them cheaper on amazon.
Essential No. 5: Reading Materials
Another pregnancy essential for me is reading material! I picked up Real Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily Nichols and have been able to remain medication free so far (praise the Lord!). I also read rave reviews for her other book Real Food for Pregnancy. Each of these books contain research-backed recommendations for pregnancy nutrition alongside recipes and more.
Essential No. 6: ACV (that’s right, apple cider vinegar)
My last must-have is admittedly a weird one. However, I swear by it’s success. I drink 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar (ACV) diluted in hot water before bed every night to help my acid reflux and fasting blood sugars. I prefer the Bragg brand, which can be found at most supermarkets. Since adding this intervention, I’ve seen my fasting blood sugars go down a couple points and eliminated my heartburn. As always, check with your doctor to make sure this is safe before implementing.
For more content, head to ladyhearth.com. I hope you benefit from these must-have items as much as I have!
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