These Second Trimester Pregnancy Essentials were items that I just couldn't live without! Whether you are pregnant or looking for a gift for a pregnant lady in your life, these second trimester picks are sure to make this special time as easy as possible.
Second trimester, thank you for being a smidgen easier than the first! Because, friends, the first three months were a struggle! I needed 1-2 hour long naps daily, was still exhausted all the time, and had mood swings to boot! On top of that not knowing I was pregnant during all of this just made me feel like a crazy person!
But the days of feeling like the effort to drag myself out of bed was akin to climbing Mt. Everest are bygone! The second trimester was kinder than the first. While I definitely didn't have as much pep in my step as I did pre pregnancy, in general, it was pretty smooth sailing.
With just a few days left in my second trimester I wanted to share the products that I used and loved for the last three months. Here are my second trimester pregnancy essentials!
Clothes
High waisted yoga pants: These have been a life saver for when my jeans are too tight but I don't quite need to transition to maternity clothes yet. The high waist comes up high over my belly without applying too much pressure. I basically lived in these during months 4 and 5!
Grace and Lace Pull On Jeans: These jeans were a thoughtful gift and are amazing for when I need to look more put together. They are a soft, but thick, jean material and have a stretchy waist band. Though these jeans are technically not maternity, I have heard from other mamas that they lasted them throughout their entire pregnancy and into their fourth trimester before they could fit back into their regular jeans.
Blanqi Maternity Leggings: I could manage pretty well with regular high waisted leggings until month 6 hit. My belly started ballooning and not even Lulu could stretch far enough to hold this basket ball in. I ordered a pair of these leggings and could not be happier! They are the softest material I have ever felt and put absolutely no pressure on the bump. While the belly panel is a little sheer, the leggings definitely pass the squat test! Online reviews say that they snag easily, but I haven't had a problem yet. Just treat them with care.
Z Supply Pocket Tee: Knowing that I would only be able to wear my maternity clothes for a few more months, I tried my best to purchase items that I could wear even after I was pregnant. A friend introduced me to these tee's that she wore her entire pregnancy. The scoop bottom and slight oversized fit gives my belly extra room to expand. Perfect with leggings or jeans!
Bath & Body
Lavender essential oil: To sooth my ackey breaky pregnant body, I have turned to warm baths. And nothing feels better than a warm tub infused with the scent of calming lavender. The perfect remedy to soak away a pregnant days worth of back aches.
Burt's Bees Belly Butter: I received this belly butter as a gift and have been loving it! It is so thick and creamy but rubs in without leaving greasy residue behind. I have been reaching for it first thing in the morning once I get out of the shower.
Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum: Late into my first trimester I notices fine veins appearing on my face. After some research, I learned that Retinol or vitamin A was a safe and non-invasive way to get these veins to fade. Since vitamin A takes time to work its magic, my veins are still present, but I've never been happier with my skin! This natural serum has reduced the redness around my nose and improved my skins overall texture.
Shea Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner: I have always loved this shampoo and conditioner combo, but have rekindled that love durring pregnancy. Since it is even more important than normal to use clean products while pregnant, I feel great about thi product. The ingredients are super lean, and it leaves my locks soft and smooth. This combo is the best hair care I have ever used, natural or otherwise.
Alba Botanica Anti-Frizz Serum: The pregnant hair growth is real. To tame all those baby hairs, I have been reaching for this serum. It is lightweight, doesn't leave my hair greasy, and smells great.
Food
Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks: My pregnancy cravings were all about sour foods, and the sourer the better. These sour but sweet drinks tasted like dessert to me all trimester long. One of these bottles served extra cold and I was one content pregnant gal.
Smoothies: While I generally love all things veggies, pregnancy has thrown my taste buds for a loop. On days when I just can't stomach the thought of vegetables, smoothies and my Vitamix have been a lifesaver. I can pack a smoothie full of greens and sip away without even knowing they are there. And when chunky textures can also be off-putting, I have been needing super smooth smoothies, and the Vitamix always delivers.
Love Grown Cereal: For about a few weeks mid-trimester, I had the strongest craving for Cocoa Pebbles. In my attempts to find a healthier cereal to scratch that itch, I found these Commit Crispies. They are perfectly crunchy and chocolaty and crunchy but are made with bean flour for extra protein and fiber. Trust me, you can't taste the beans at all.
Torie & Howard Sour Candies: When my sour pregnancy craving hit, I would try and sooth it away with any real food potions available. But when oranges, apple cider vinegar, and plumbs just couldn't cut it, these sour candies tasted like heaven. It took me a lot of searching to find a healthier (organic, food coloring free) sour candy that brought the sour, and these chewy candies are definitely the best! one or two of these are all I need to kick that craving. I purchased the linked four pack and it lasted me all the way through the trimester!
Homemade yogurt: And the sour theme continues. This recipe has been my go-to breakfast. I load it up with blueberries, this granola, flax seed meal, and devour. It keeps me full for hours.
Healthy & Wellness
Chiropractor: If there was only one thing I could recommend during my entire pregnancy, it would be to see a chiropractor. I was flat on my back for about two weeks with severe back and side pain - the initial pain that sent me to the ER when I found out I was pregnant. The pain was so intense (nausea, cold sweats, light headedness) that it didn't even cross my mind that it could be muscular, but after a battery of tests ruled out everything else, my mom suggested I go to the chiropractor, and boy am I grateful I did! It took a couple sessions to fix my alignment, but after the corrections sank in, I was a new woman! Prenatal chiropractic can also reduce labor times, prevent the need for bed rest, and reduce many pregnancy aches and pains.
Hot water bottle: When I was down and out with back pain, I was nearly attached to this hot water bottle. Since taking many pain receivers are off the table during pregnancy, this helped safely sooth my back and side pain. I also loved using it on my cold feet to warm them up at night.
Electric Tea Kettle with Temperature Gauge: This was my favorite way to heat water for my hot water bottle. I just hit the temperature I wanted and let the kettle do its thing. Since it warmed the water to a specific temperature I never had to worry that it would be too hot or not warm enough. Shoutout to Reed who filled my water bottle for me day and night!
Probiotics: Let's be honest, going number two isn't as easy while pregnant. After some trial and error, I learned that a good probiotic was the way to go... literally. I swear by two capsules of this daily for smooth sailing.
Work
Lap desk with radiation shield: After hours of being on my feet testing recipes in the kitchen, sometimes I just wanted to kick back in a recliner for the rest of the day. Enter, the lap desk. This kept me checking off my to-do list while staying comfortable. The radiation shield blacks nearly 100% of the radiation and EMFs emitted from your laptop. Maybe it's just the first time mom in my, but it seemed like a good protective step to take considering how close my bump is my laptop when I work using my lap desk.
Lindsey Moyer says
I'm 19 weeks now and LOVE these suggestions. Thank you!
One product I've been grateful for? Magnesium oil spray. It's been amazing for achy muscles, nausea, and sleep. <3
Laurel says
I am going to have to get some ASAP! Sounds like just what I need!