This post is all about 10 things a pregnant woman needs to make her pregnancy smoother, healthier, and happier!
Wondering what to buy for first time pregnancy? Well, you may have assumed there’s a massive list of things an expectant mother should buy, but I’m excited to tell you today that there really aren’t that many new things you’ll need to purchase just because you’re pregnant!
As a first time expecting mom, I actually didn’t look through the internet to find things a pregnant woman needs, and I’m glad I didn’t, because I would’ve bought several things I never would’ve used!
Instead, I only bought things as I truly felt like I needed them. And those are the exact items I’m going to share with you in this post!
This is the perfect pregnancy shopping list if you’re a practical minimalist, like myself, and only want to buy what you’re actually going to use!
Enjoy this post about 10 things a pregnant woman needs.
This post contains affiliate links. You can read our full disclaimer here.
Top 10 Things a Pregnant Woman Needs
The list below are the 10 things I used basically every single day during my pregnancy whether it was in my pregnancy morning routine or just everyday life. If you’re looking to buy a gift for an expecting mama, any of these items will be incredibly helpful to her!
You may also consider putting together a wellness basket with some of the below items included if you want to get a little creative.☺️
1. SMARTY PANTS ORGANICS PRENATALS
Okay, without a doubt, this is one of the first things to buy when pregnant. I tried multiple different brands of prenatals during my pregnancy and this one BY FAR tops them all.
Not only are they made with organic ingredients, but they’re really not much more expensive than almost any other brand.
Personally, on some of the other brands I tried, I experienced major brain-fog and, throughout my research, I learned that I was probably low on some of the B vitamins. — All of which weren’t in the other prenatal brands I was taking.
Smarty Pants, however, does have the B vitamins needed and, when I switched brands, I almost immediately felt a difference!
Not to mention, they are DELICIOUS gummies and I seriously look forward to eating them every day!
*Side note: Be sure to get the ones that say “with probiotics.” This will help keep your bowel movements regular as it is very common to become constipated or backed up while pregnant.
2. BIO OIL
I cannot share how much I LOVE this oil ENOUGH!
At first, I couldn’t stand how it felt on my hands. 😂 So I neglected using it for the first few months. But then I realized I would much more prefer a temporary weird feeling on my hands (and then wash them right after) than potentially permanent stretch marks.
I recommend starting this around your second trimester, or whenever you notice your belly really beginning to pop!
For SURE use it every day, twice a day, during your third trimester… As this is the time your belly will be growing the most rapidly!
I apply this magical goodness *generously* all over my belly, hips, and even my booty and I haven’t gotten any stretch marks yet! (Writing this at 33 weeks pregnant.)
I’ve even applied it to a few scars I have in other areas of my body and have noticed them becoming much lighter! 🙌🏼
3. SALTINE CRACKERS
You’ll particularly need these in your first trimester when morning sickness is at its’ peak.
Personally, I didn’t throw up one time my entire pregnancy because I slept with these crackers by my bed. Usually if you wake up feeling nauseous, it’s just because you’re hungry… So eat a few crackers *immediately* upon waking up and you can more than likely avoid getting sick!
I went ahead and bought the family pack of these saltines and it lasted me for months.
Saltines are without a doubt one of the top 10 things a pregnant woman needs.
4. AMAZON MATERNITY LEGGINGS
Who wants to spend $70+ on an expensive brand of maternity leggings when you’re going to wear them so temporarily? Not I. 😂 Especially when Amazon has the pair you need for about twenty bucks.
I tried several different brands of maternity leggings from Amazon and these were the only ones I actually liked. (Or should I dare say… LOVED.) I mean, I could live in these leggings and will miss them once I’m no longer pregnant!
All the other brands I tried were either too thick (hot) and felt like they were suffocating my belly, or they came up high in the back, which was annoying.
What I LOVE about these leggings is that they’re thinner and breathable (but not see-through) and they do NOT rise high in the back! They come up high in the front to cover your belly, but the back is about the height of a normal pair of leggings.
5. BODY PILLOW OR PREGNANCY PILLOW
So many women RAVE about pregnancy pillows, but I found a regular body pillow to be more suitable, simply because I like to flip flop sides throughout the night and, in the pregnancy pillow I had, I felt trapped.
However, I will say… pregnancy pillows are dog-gone comfy and if you like feeling like you’re in a little nest where you won’t move much, you will definitely enjoy one!
If I were to try one again, I’d go with this brand because it doesn’t tuck around you on both sides, leaving more room for movement.
6. (FREE) PREGNANCY TRACKING APP
My favorite (free) app is literally just called “Period Tracker.” I use it to track my period normally, and when you get pregnant, you can switch the settings to track your entire pregnancy!
My favorite features include the ability to track your emotions and a huuuuuge variety of other symptoms like fatigue levels, nausea, acne, cervical mucus, and so much more.
It also includes a “diary” so you can write down all your crazy thoughts you’re having while journeying through the prego hormones. 🤪
A reliable pregnancy app is definitely one of the 10 things a pregnant woman needs to stay in tune with her body during this time!
7. HALF GALLON WATER JUG
It is crucial that you drink plenty of water while pregnant! You and your baby need it!
You’ll probably also find yourself parched pretty frequently (I know I did), so having a convenient water bottle with you at all times that you don’t have to constantly refill throughout the day is super helpful.
I recommend to all of my clients, pregnant or not, to drink a gallon of water per day. (So that means two of these half gallon jugs.)
However, during pregnancy, I often found myself drinking closer to 2 gallons per day! HOLY COW.
I recommend this Zulu water bottle to everyone and have even gotten my parents, my best friend, and my husband all hooked on it! We don’t leave the house without ours!
8. BIGGER, COMFY T-SHIRT BRAS
Hello boobs.
I’ve never had boobs in my life so when I got pregnant and they popped up about a week later I was like, WHAT in the actual world do I do with these things…
Anyway, the answer is, receive them. Love them. And let your hubs appreciate them LOL. Also… get some bigger and comfier bras.
Your boobs are probably going to be sore at different points of your pregnancy, so t-shirt bras are super ideal.
Speaking of boobs, that brings me to my next item on the list of top things a pregnant woman needs…
9. BREAST MILK PADS
Would you believe me when I tell you that my boobs started leaking at around 18 weeks pregnant? YEP. 🙃 (Pro tip: Don’t squeeze your nipples out of curiosity if milk will come out… It will. And then it won’t stop.😂)
If you find your breasts leaking, grab some of these disposable Medela breast pads. They’re small, comfy, and stick right to the inside of your bra.
*You can also use these washable pads for a more eco-friendly option.
10. FLORADIX IRON AND HERBS SUPPLEMENT
Not all women are going to need this supplement while pregnant, but, for me, it was a LIFE SAVER.
Long story short… I kept wondering why I was SO darn tired and lethargic feeling throughout my pregnancy. Finally, I had my glucose test done (in my third trimester, I believe?) and when they did that, they also tested my blood for anemia.
Turns out, I was anemic (low iron) and that was the whole reason I felt like I got hit by a train almost every single day after being awake for only a few hours.
SO, I bought this liquid iron supplement and literally within a week and a half I felt like a new woman! (Just mix it with a little orange juice and you can’t even taste it.)
I WISH I had thought about this sooner because I would’ve been on this supplement my entire pregnancy! Pregnancy anemia is very common so why not get ahead of it by going ahead and making sure your body is filled with healthy iron.
*PS: Do not go the cheaper route and get a pill form of an iron supplement. These can cause severe constipation (which can already be a problem during pregnancy), whereas the liquid iron supplement does not.
Things a Pregnant Woman Needs to Know
1. It’s going to go by quick. — I know right now it seems like this is going to last an eternity, but I can tell you sitting here typing this post at 33 weeks pregnant that it WILL start to move more quickly.
Coming from a woman who’d say she’s enjoyed pregnancy quite a bit less than most, I want to encourage you to try and enjoy it as much as possible. Lean into the exciting moments like feeling your baby kick and wearing cute maternity outfits!
2. You’re not alone. — As I cried out in misery to my best friend during my first trimester, it was so comforting simply hearing her tell me “pregnancy is like an alien taking over your body for 9 months.”
Seriously, just hearing her say that she knows how I feel and she felt the same way was all I needed to remember that I’m not alone. And God made us for this! 💪🏼
3. Give yourself so. much. grace. — It’s okay to cry a lot or to feel crazy. Your body is going through a LOT of changes right now and it’s perfectly normal for your hormones to be all over the place.
Don’t beat yourself up about it. Every pregnant woman goes through it. Whenever you have a crazy thought or want to cry “for no reason,” just let yourself. And don’t chalk it up to anything more than “I’m pregnant.”
Don’t stress about it or try and “fix” yourself. Just let it be what it is: a part of the beautiful process that’s creating a cute little LIFE you’re going to get to love on and cherish forever! ❤️
I hope this post helped you understand what a woman needs when pregnant! When in doubt… breathe, take a nap, and, if necessary, cry it out.
Strive to live a healthy lifestyle, pray, and trust God with the rest. You’re going to do amazing!
This post was all about 10 things a pregnant woman needs.
Leave a Reply