Lindsey Recommends: Pregnancy Items

Preggie Pops

If you’re dealing with icky morning sickness, sucking on a piece of hard candy may help! It’s even better if its sour candy, as that can help resolve nausea. Preggie Pops are essentially both of those combined, along with Vitamin B6 which can help with nausea, too! Keep a few in your pocket for when the nausea hits – I always tucked a few in my scrubs for long shifts at work!

Sea Bands

Using acupressure, these wrist bands are designed to put pressure on a trigger point that relieves nausea. There are tons of different brands out there, and they are commonly used by those with motion sickness. I used these religiously with my second pregnancy, and it did seem to help! The only downside – if you’re keeping the pregnancy hush for awhile, the wristbands tend to be a giveaway.

Ginger Tea

Ginger ale can work, too, but there’s something soothing about a cuppa. This organic ginger tea comes from Earth Mama Organics. Even if tea isn’t your thing, I encourage you to browse their website! They have everything from gentle diaper creams, to mineral sunscreens, and all sorts of pregnancy and postpartum things (their nipple butter is one of my favorite postpartum items!)

Microwaveable Heating Pad

This heating pad can tie to your lower back, hips, shoulders…you name it! Be careful not to make it too hot, especially if you are placing the heating pack near your belly. When you are postpartum, this heating pad can be placed over your belly for the afterbirth cramps, or on your shoulders if you find them to be tense after breastfeeding.

Pregnancy Pillow

If you’re on the fence about getting a pregnancy pillow, trust me, I get it. While it feels unnecessary, sleep is so important and these pillows really helped me through all three of my pregnancies. It helped me to stay sleeping on my side, have proper alignment with a pillow between my knees, and provided support under my heavy belly. It’s worth the splurge!

Pregnancy Support Belt

A good pregnancy support belt is a must if you are on your feet all day! I wore one during every shift to take some of the pressure of my growing belly off of my back. I noticed less round ligament pain as well. Your insurance company may cover one if your doctor or midwife prescribes it. They are sort of itchy, and I found that I needed to wear a soft tank top underneath (these ones look great) so it didn’t scratch my already-itchy belly.

A Birthing Ball

Sitting on an exercise ball or birth ball helps with back pain, but also helps baby move lower into the pelvis.

I support The Birth Ball brand over a regular exercise ball for a few different reasons. First, this is a family owned company out of Florida, and I love supporting businesses like this. Secondly, it is much thicker than an exercise ball. Some exercise balls have a weight limit of 200-250lbs, but the Birth Ball is much thicker and supportive for a pregnant person’s body. This ball is also non-stick, comes with its own pump, and includes a book of pregnancy and postpartum exercises for your baby.

If you already have an exercise ball that is working for you, I wouldn’t rush off to buy this specific brand. But if you’re going to be buying new, then I would look into this one.

Kindred Braverly

I like Kindred Braverly for both pregnancy and nursing. Many of their pajamas and clothing can be worn during pregnancy and if you are breastfeeding, which makes the investment feel worthwhile. They even have really cute labor and delivery gowns if you wanted to wear your own!

BirthSmarts Childbirth Course

As a labor nurse, I have seen firsthand how prenatal classes make new parents feel more prepared and confident about their birth. I created this online childbirth class with the goal of making affordable, easy to access and easy-to-understand childbirth education to prepare you for labor, birth, and postpartum. Use code THESEHUNGRYKIDS for $15 off!

Third Trimester Tea or Raspberry Leaf Tea

It tastes great and may have some helpful benefits! Third Trimester Tea contains red raspberry leaf and is designed with herbs to help with the discomforts of the third trimester (think leg cramps, etc.) Raspberry Leaf Tea is thought to help tone the uterus for a faster and easier labor. Try one, or both!

Bio Oil

Whether your belly is just itchy or you’re trying to prevent stretch marks, Bio Oil was my go-to during pregnancy. My sister in law swears that by using it twice per day, she didn’t get stretch marks in either pregnancy (to be honest, I was not consistent enough to contribute to her research!)

It has a very light smell but is great for skin. They claim to improve stretch marks during pregnancy and after – worth a try!

Bath Salts

Whether you use this brand or just plain ol’ Epsom salts, taking a warm bath in these helps tremendously with muscle aches and pains. I struggled with Charley Horses in my pregnancies, and soaking in a tub with salts a few times per week really helped.