I can’t quite believe that I’m nearing 26 weeks pregnant already. One more week and I’ll be in the third trimester – wtf?! I keep getting messages asking if I have any pregnancy favourites, truth be told I don’t think I have an awful lot! Being my second baby, I have tried to keep things as simplistic and minimal as possible.
There are so many lists online that say you need all these things for pregnancy, and all these things for a new baby. I’ll let you in on a little secret- you really don’t! So, here is a run down of things I have been loving this pregnancy.
Anti-sickness tablets
I’m not going to bullshit you, the first trimester is quite possibly the most testing and miserable. I had Hyperemises with Molly, and again with this pregnancy. There is nothing more debilitating than being unable to eat, drink, or move without fear of throwing your guts up any any given point. With Molly it was so bad I was in and out of hospital several times. This time I started anti sickness med early, and I honestly feel that helped it not be as horrific and kept me out of hospital.
Ladies, if you are struggling to keep foods or fluids down, and can’t function due to sickness, please speak to your GP and/or Midwife and get some help. There is nothing shameful in it, nor does it make you weak or any less of a mother. Savers morning sickness can make you very poorly and it’s just not worth the risk!
Despite the antisickness meds, the sickness for me was still bad. However, I was able to semi function and parent Molly from the sofa with a sick bucket and toilet near by. So I’m taking that as a win!
Reusable water bottle
Leading on from the sickness, water! When your chucking your guts up multiple times a day, you need to stay hydrated! Dehydration is your worst enemy. I used, and still use my huge 32oz bottle from Klean Kanteen to ensure i was topped up with water. It was gifted to me last summer, but I use it every single day. It’s fab because it keeps the water cool, so it’s super refreshing. I plan to take this to the hospital with me when in labour. I didn’t drink enough, if anything actually during Molly labour, and I want to change that this time. just need to get a large straw that’s big enough to put in it!
Rennie
Another wonderful symptom of pregnancy ( although normally in second trimester) is heartburn. A glorious sensation of burning going from your stomach, right up to your throat. Some people get it mildly, some feel like they are about to throw up acid. Mine tends to strike around 3-4am every damn night. I had this with Molly too, so I kind of expected it to read it’s ugly head again.
Some people take Gaviscon. Whilst I’m sure it works wonders, I can’t touch the stuff since an incident (that I won’t gross you out with) whilst pregnant with Molly! I use Rennie. You can get peppermint or spearmint. Personally I use spearmint as it’s my preferred mint flavour. I take two before bed, and normally another two when rudely awoken. I have to sit up in bed for around 15 mins for it to work, and then go back to sleep.
Remember that everyone and every pregnancy is different. Find what works for you and your body!
Diffuser and lavender oils
With this pregnancy I have entered the world of Hyponobirthing. I won’t lie, I freaking love it! I’m a little less anxious and so much more relaxed in the evenings. I have been using essential oils and my diffuser for years now, and it’s amazing! Throughout this pregnancy I have been defusing specifically lavender essential oils to help me relax, and it’s worked wonders. I’m hoping to take them to the hospital with me to use during labour, in a hole my body will associate lavender with relaxing and automatically chill out – I’ll let you know how that goes!
Balmonds products
These items were previously gifted to me to review. However, that does not change the fact they are amazing and I’m eternally grateful that they came into my life! Balmonds is an all natural rage of products. From shampoo, to bath/hair oils to lotions potions and even baby products!
I am currently using their bath and body oil after the bath for the stretch marks, my old tiger stripes are visible, and so far no new additions – that I can see! I am also using their skin salvation for the dry patches on my face and then the daily moisturising cream every morning. Because they are all natural products, their are no nasties! They smell and feel incredible and leave the skin super soft and nourished. I honestly can’t rave about them enough!
Lush – sleepy products
This was a firm favourite of mine when pregnant with Molly but it was only a seasonal thing. Now you can get it all year round and that makes me a happy mama! When pregnant, I am prone to insomnia even more than usual. The sleepy products are a must if you’re wanting to unwind and relax before bed time.
“An oat milk base gives this soap a gentle, creamy lather, while kaolin clay cleanses and buffs the skin. Sleepy soap is a soporific brew brimming with lavender lullabies and tranquil tonka. Spellbinding ylang ylang oil lifts spirits and eases anxieties, toning the skin and helping you to unwind after a hard day“
Erm, yes please! I have the soap, the shower gel and the lotion. I personally find they work wonders for aiding me to relax.
Raspberries
People, please pass me all the raspberries. This has been a craving of mine for the entire second trimester. Molly and I would sit and eat a punnet every morning. I’m truly addicted And that’s why they have made it on to this list. There are worse and weirder cravings to have, right?
Support belt/tape
SPD. Or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction as it’s medically known, is a semi-common condition during pregnancy in which the hormone Relaxin (that’s responsible for relaxing all of your joints & ligaments in your pelvis to prepare your body for baby’s birth) get a little too loose too soon. This, in turn, can make the pelvic joint — aka the symphysis pubis — unstable, causing some pretty strange sensations and sometimes pelvic pain. You usually see it in 1/300 pregnant ladies. These problems are not as well understood as they should be. One of the least researched and understood pregnancy complications is SPD which is so bad because it’s such a crippling condition.
I had it from 20 weeks with Molly and ended up so bad that I had to take my maternity a month earlier than planned and despite seeing a pregnancy physio, I ended up on crutches. This time round, at 25 weeks, I’m only now starting to get a little niggle in my lower back, and the occasional grinding of the pelvis.
I have taken precaution and got out my support belt, and have bought some physio tape so I can tape up my stomach how the physio taught me to.like with the sickness, if you’re experiencing lower back pain, or pain in the groin area and it’s affecting your daily routine, see a GP or speak to your midwife. SPD is awful, especially with a toddler to run around after!! Don’t be ashamed to ask for help!
So that’s it. My favourites from my pregnancy so far. I said it was nothing super fancy. Are you currently expecting? What are your current favourite items?
