Pregnancy essentials

We have another month or so (plus or minus 2 weeks) before we meet Rooster, and I thought I'd share a few items that have been essential for maintaining my sanity and comfort during my pregnancy. This list is short because I wanted to include only the items that I could not have lived without during this time.


Peace of mind essentials
My mother sent me a Consumer Reports shopping list, and I used it to create a checklist (ok, the document I created was a bit more complex than that) for shopping for Rooster. Most of the checklists in the freebie baby and pregnancy magazines that I've received from the doctor and from childbirthing class have been longer, more intimidating, and full of stuff you don't actually need right away. The CR list was clearly put together by someone who doesn't want to waste your time or money.

The second item in this category is difficult to categorize, but it comes down to getting your house in order in anticipation of your new arrival. Every weekend, we have a lengthy to-do list that we tackle. We accomplish many tasks, but the list does not seem to grow any shorter because I keep adding items to it. However, we're finally finishing chores and tasks that we've been ignoring for a while (in some cases, for years).

Sleeping essentials
I had a lot of trouble training myself to sleep on my side, and my Snoogle Total Body Pillow, a recommendation from my cousin, has made my nights so much better. It's shaped like a long C, and it allows me to sleep on either side. Before I committed to the Snoogle, I propped myself up with pillows, but after you dance the Snoogle dance, you realize that traditional pillows are far inferior. One note - you don't need the Snoogle until you have to start sleeping on your side (around the fifth or sixth month).

My second item is simple and inexpensive - a nightlight for the bathroom. You can expect multiple trips to the bathroom each night, and all that waking is difficult enough to overcome without having to deal with jarring and bright bathroom lights. Buy one as early as possible.

Finally, a humidifier has been invaluable. My congestion has improved since my second trimester, but I still wake up congested every morning without the humidifier. A note - the hot humidifier turns our bedroom into a bit of a sauna, which was great in January, when the room temperature fell below 60 degrees some nights. The sauna experience is a little less desirable in warmer months. A cold humidifier would have been a more flexible option.

Comfort essentials
My belly has been itchy since practically Day 1, and I don't know what I would have done without my Bella B Tummy Honey Butter. It's a little greasy, particularly if you use a lot, but it helps with the itching and has thus far helped me avoid stretch marks.

For the last trimester, I recommend a balance ball and a microwaveable (grain-filled) neck wrap. Both help with the upper-back pain that has become a hallmark of my third trimester.

Clothing essentials
If you're tall, you're going to have trouble finding maternity pants. Even if you're not tall, I can't recommend the Gap gBalance pants enough. They're comfortable and wash and dry well.

I also recommend a couple of cheap maternity tank tops--mine are from Old Navy--in black, white, and any other colors you like. They're great under loose and low-cut maternity tops.

Food essentials
Still no food cravings, but I have been snacking on Cheez-Its since almost day one. When morning sickness or hunger strikes, fight back with carbs!

Ice cream has been another essential food, though it's more of an evening than a daytime snack for me. And because you are supposed to eat extra calories each day anyway, it's a guilt-free experience!

There isn't much I will miss about being pregnant, but I will miss the guilt-free calories...