Congratulations on making it through the (dreaded) first trimester! Hopefully my First Trimester Must-Haves list was able to help you out. However, the ride’s not over yet! Now you can move on to bigger and better things; you know, like actually getting through a whole day without feeling like you’re going to hurl every time you eat something. Next comes a much better time, an easier time, a more enjoyable time. Next comes the second trimester.

While the most common traits of the first trimester include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, the second trimester is known for somewhat different things, such as back pain, heartburn, and pelvic pressure. Although there are still plenty of obstacles to overcome, I can honestly say that the second trimester is least miserable of the three. One positive thing that I’ve experienced with both of my pregnancies is a steady increase in energy as the first trimester comes to a close and the second progresses forward. 

For everything else you may come experience, though, I’ve come up with yet another list of the top 10 things I believe can assist you as you take on the second trimester. Enjoy!

Second Trimester Must-Haves

1. Maternity Leggings

Now that you’re (probably) showing quite a bit, regular leggings just aren’t going to fit right anymore. Rolling the waistband down below the bump works for the short-term, but doing this for too long can start to feel constricting and it just isn’t very comfortable in general. The solution: maternity leggings! These are literally designed to fit around your bump! You may be wondering if they’re worth the money since you’ll only be wearing them for a few months, but trust me, they are! It makes moving around so much easier and eliminates the annoying pinching that normally comes along with doing everyday tasks such as bending (which we moms are constantly doing on a daily basis!). Plus, once on, they look just like normal leggings!

2. Tums

Some women, including me with my first pregnancy, don’t experience any  heartburn whatsoever. If you do, though, it can be extremely unpleasant to say the least! This time around, I haven’t been as lucky and have been having pretty frequent bouts of heartburn after eating certain foods. Luckily, there are several pregnancy-safe options for battling this condition, my favorite of which is Tums. Personally, I think that they not only provide the best relief, but also just taste the best. They also contain calcium, which is something your body needs a ton of during pregnancy.

3. Lotion

Included in my First Trimester Must-Haves list as well, I cannot stress enough how big this one is! It is never, I mean NEVER too early to start lathering up that belly! The earlier you start, the more elastic your skin will be, which will minimize stretch marks and leave your skin feeling super soft. Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter is all I use and it’s amazing!

4. Water

I will never not include this one. Water is so, so, so crucial during pregnancy, it’s important to drink as much as you can! To make sure I get the water I need, I’ve found that it’s easiest to just keep a bottle filled with ice water with me at all times and just sip it throughout the day. You don’t have to go overboard though (it’s recommended to aim for 64 oz. a day), just drink what you can; every little bit helps!

5. Body Pillow

One thing I feel like I could never get enough of during pregnancy? Sleep. I swear, I could hibernate for the entire nine months and still wake up feeling like I haven’t slept a wink. It doesn’t help when I can hardly ever find a sleeping position that’s actually comfortable! During the second trimester, your bump takes off and starts to grow and grow and grow, making it somewhat difficult to get comfy in bed. This is where a pregnancy body pillow really comes in handy. It provides full support for your tummy, hips, and back, allowing you to get a better night’s sleep. 

6. Belly Band

As baby continues to grow, there can  (and most likely will) be an increase in pressure on the pelvic area. I recently experienced this and there were times where I could barely even walk! They say that it gets worse with each pregnancy, so that’s probably why. I also feel occasional pressure and discomfort in my lower back and hips and at times it can be unbearable! After discussing the issue with my OB, he recommended buying a pregnancy belly band, which provides support and helps to lift some of the pressure off of the pelvic area. This in turn helps to relieve lower back pain! 

7. Heating Pad

If the belly band doesn’t completely alleviate your lower back pain, a good heating pad can also help do the trick. Just turn it on for about 20-30 minutes and let it work its magic! I wouldn’t recommend doing it for too long, as you don’t want to raise your body temperature too much. Just make sure you have it on a lower setting, and you should be good to go. 🙂 

8. Baths!

Holy water bill, Batman! I take more baths during pregnancy than any other time in my life combined. I’m pretty much classified as an aquatic mammal at this point. There are several reasons why I am such a strong pregnancy bath advocate, though! For one thing, the hot water can (like so many other things on this list) help to relieve back pain- just make sure the water isn’t too hot, though! Another big reason is just to have some relaxation time. Hauling around all that extra weight takes a huge toll on your body, and it’s nice to just unwind at the end of the day and chill. Plus, if you’re like me and have a toddler to chase around all day, you need the time to yourself! (Trust me, you do. Even if you’re the tough Momma who powers through it and doesn’t let it show.) If you’re not a huge fan of baths, though (if that’s even possible), just laying down for an hour or so with a good book can achieve the same affect. 🙂

9. Exercise 

You don’t wanna overdo it. I’ll just say it right now. But during pregnancy, light to moderate exercise is extremely important! With your due date only a few months away, you want to make sure your body is as ready as it can be for the impending labor its about to go through. I’m not saying run a marathon or anything, but even just getting out and walking every day is a great pregnancy workout! 

Don’t have any energy? I hear ya! This pregnancy has been significantly more draining than my first, so summoning up the energy -or motivation- is oftentimes pretty challenging. My advice is just to (quite literally) take it one step at a time and slowly walk further and further each day. 

10. Loose-Fitting Tunics

 I could’ve just said “maternity tops” and called it good, but there’s a reason why I prefer tunics. Because they’re long and loose, they will cover your bump while still remaining comfortable and cute. And although maternity tops usually will do the same exact thing, there’s one big thing that sets the two apart: time of use. Once you give birth, your bump is gone and pretty much all the clothes you bought exclusively for pregnancy are rendered useless. Tunics, on the other hand, can be worn and still look good even after the bump is gone!

I mean, you could continue to wear maternity tops postpartum, but they tend to have a certain style to them that makes it apparent they’re meant for pregnancy. If you’re interested in picking up some super cute tunics, I found these ones that I just love (and are awesome for the price)!

So there you have it. Hopefully this list was helpful to you in recommendations for a more enjoyable second trimester. What are some of the things that worked for you?

Post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure here.

If there’s one thing I absolutely love, it’s freebies. Anything that I don’t have to spend money on; I’m a fan. And if there’s one thing I love more than freebies (yes, that’s possible), it’s babies- and everything having to do with them. Now, if you put both of those things together? Yeeeeaaah, now we’re talkin’! 

If you’re expecting, Target is a great place to start a baby registry for a variety of reasons, one of which being the welcome bag you receive! You can create or manage your registry online or in-store. I personally prefer the latter because you will be given a scanner to carry around and scan items to add straight to your registry! Plus, eight weeks prior to your due date, you’ll receive a coupon for 15% off any remaining items on your registry. Score!

To get your free welcome bag, simply go to Guest Service after creating your registry and ask an associate! Please note that they may ask to see the welcome email or for a copy of your registry, but for me I just flashed the email I received and they gave it to me right away. (Or maybe my baby bump sticking out the bottom of my shirt was proof enough ;))

I’d like to point out that bags do vary from store to store, but the picture below shows everything that was included in mine! In any case, you can expect to receive various samples from several major brands as well as a handful of awesome coupons. Plus, everything comes in a super cute little tote that can be used for just about anything!

What I got…

Products:

• 5 oz. Munchkin Latch baby bottle
• 2 Lansinoh nursing pads
• 2 Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags
• MAM pacifier
• 2 Honest Company diapers- size 1 and a 10 count pack of wipes
• 1 oz. bottle of Johnson’s Head-To-Toe Wash
• Boogie Wipes wipe sample
• .03 oz. Aquaphor Advanced Therapy healing ointment
• 1 oz. pack Babyganics laundry detergent

Coupons:

• $.50/1 Boogie Wipes Product
• $.1.50/1 Aquaphor Baby Care, Skin Care or Lip Care Product
• $2.00 off Babyganics purchase of $4.99 or more
• 25% off Devine Color premium paint or removable wallpaper purchase- Target Coupon
• 25% off Kinsa Smart Ear Thermometer- Target Coupon
• BOGO Free Starbucks handcrafted beverage- Target Coupon
• 10% off Nursing bra and/or cami purchase- Target Coupon
• 20% off Liz Lange for Target maternity apparel purchase- Target Coupon 

Pretty awesome, right? Be sure to waddle on over to Target and get yours today! 🙂 

Post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure here.

You could say that I’m a little excited to decorate the nursery. When I had Hadley, we were living in a one bedroom mother-in-law apartment at Michael’s parents’ house (which was super duper cute), so we all shared a room. This time, though, I’m so ready to go all out and make it the perfect space for my babies! (Hadley and Baby will be sharing a room, in case you missed my post about it!)

crib / blanket / pouf / bird wall decor  / rocker / wooden arrow / owl vase / crib sheet / storage crates / lamp / rug / pompoms / fox pillow / cart

First of all, I am in love with the pink and mint color combo. Everything ties in nicely with most of the items that are already in Hadley’s room as well. This is going to be such a fun project and I’ve already started making a couple things for it. And, when I said I was ready to go “all out”, of course I meant while still keeping within a reasonable budget. Most of the items listed are very reasonably priced for us, with a couple splurges thrown in of course. 😉 

Can’t wait to get started!!

Post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure here.

Pregnancy in itself is a beautiful thing. I mean, come on. You’re growing an entirely new human being inside your body! Mother Nature at her finest, right there. However, when you become a portable baby factory, you must endure all the side effects -both good and the bad- that go along with it. Although some of these are great (i.e. glowing skin and thick, shiny hair) most of the unpleasant ones (i.e. nausea and vomiting) occur during the first few months of pregnancy and are usually constant, long-lasting, and extremely uncomfortable. This lovely time is known as the First Trimester. 

Now, I understand that some women feel great throughout their entire pregnancy, but for me (and millions of other women around the world I’m sure) this just isn’t the case. So, I’ve come up with a handy list of the top 10 things that I believe every woman battling through the dreaded first trimester should have to make their lives a little easier. Enjoy! 

First Trimester Must-Haves

1. Dry, Salty Snacks

When you’re nauseous all day and the idea of eating just makes your stomach turn even more, it’s extremely hard to force pretty much anything down. But, if you ever do get a break in between bouts of crippling queasiness, take it as an opportunity to get something into your system. For me, pretzels were my savior. Most of the time, they stayed down and when they did -trigger warning- come back up it was usually pretty mild and tasteless. Bland, unflavored crackers are typically the best. Saltines are always a good option, too!

2. Prenatal Vitamins

From the moment you find out you’re expecting, you want to make sure that baby is getting everything that they need. When you go to your first prenatal check-up, you can expect to be asked by your doctor if you’re taking any sort of prenatal vitamin. Although they are ideal for fetal development (and great for mom, too!) don’t beat yourself up too much if you haven’t been able to take them every single day or even at all. With both of my pregnancies, the chalky texture and “unique” taste were no match for my unrelenting nausea. If you find yourself in the same boat, I highly recommend trying the gummy variety! Not only do they taste better, but they tend to be a bit more gentle on the tummy. 

3. Comfy Clothes 

Yoga pants, anyone? Aside from rushing to the bathroom every hour (if not to puke, then to pee), bloating and breast tenderness are also extremely viable reasons for me to advocate loose-fitting lounge clothes during your first trimester. Sweatpants and sports bras were a couple of my favorites. Also, if you’re like me and you have another little one to chase around the house, constricting clothing is only going to limit your movement and make bending and lifting all the more difficult. 

4. Entertainment

No matter how hard you try (unless of course, you’re one of the lucky few who feel great during the first trimester), you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the couch the next several months. Don’t worry about being “lazy” by the way. It’s a lot of work to make a baby! Fatigue is one of the major symptoms you will experience in early pregnancy. There will be plenty of time later on for you to get out and enjoy the fresh air, but for now just take it easy and enjoy binge-watching all your favorite shows. 😉

5. WATER 

This one is a given. However, along with eating, drinking plain water can seem like the most difficult thing to do when you’re combating morning sickness. Luckily, there are other ways for you to stay hydrated! Eating juicy fruits like pineapple, watermelon, and grapes are a great way to get water into your system. Flavored drinks are a good option as well. For two weeks straight, I pretty much lived the on orange, strawberry, banana juice from Safeway. 

6. Lotion

It’s never too early to start lathering up that belly! When I was pregnant with Hadley, it hadn’t crossed my mind to do this until I was well into my second trimester and already starting to stretch. This time, I’ve been applying daily, morning and night. Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter works wonders!

7. Ginger

Okay, by now I bet you’ve heard from numerous sources that drinking ginger ale can help curb your morning sickness. And for a lot of women, that’s absolutely true! But for me, I’ve never really liked the taste of ginger ale, or just ginger itself for that matter. Luckily, you don’t actually have to consume ginger to get relief. The smell alone was enough to help my queasiness. Simply take a fresh thumb of ginger, crack it open and inhale! (I’d recommend doing it at a bit of a distance- that is some strong smelling stuff!)

8. Hard Candy

One of the biggest triggers for nausea in pregnancy is the excess saliva being produced and constantly running down your throat. I talked to my doctor about this and he recommended sucking on some sort of hard candy. Jolly Ranchers were what did it for me- specifically the watermelon ones. I had to experiment with a couple of the flavors before I found one that I could tolerate and didn’t upset my stomach. Peppermints are also great for relieving nausea.

9. Unisom and B6 Combo

Although far down on the list, this proved to be absolutely magical in preventing my morning sickness. When I initially called my doctor to discuss my options, I was at my wit’s end with the never-ending nausea. To clarify: when I was pregnant with Hadley, usually if I got something up and out of my system, I would feel well enough to eat at least a little something. This time, however, I was plagued with just the constant feeling of needing to throw up, but I never could. It was absolute torture! So you can imagine that I was pretty frustrated. My doctor had called me in a prescription for Zofran. And because I tend to lean more towards natural methods before resorting to medications (and because of the reputation that this particular drug has), I asked him what other options there were, to which his nurse recommended I try taking Unisom and vitamin B6. 

Unisom is actually a type of sleep-aid, but the active ingredient diphenhydramine is what works wonders for morning sickness! When mixed with the B6, it has the same effects as other anti-nausea medications, but without the side effects! Although this has worked wonders for me, be sure to consult with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications.

10. Sea Bands

If you’ve never heard of these before, then boy, you’re in for a treat! Sea Bands are a type of acupressure treatment that can help relieve nausea and vomiting naturally. Worn like a sweat band, they go around the wrists and contain small plastic studs that stimulate the Nel-Kuan pressure point. Now, I know it sounds kinda crazy, but it actually works! In my experience, they worked well by themselves, but I achieved the best results when I used them in conjunction with my other methods of morning sickness relief. Sea Bands are sold in most department stores as well as online. You can read more about them here!

 

And there you have it, ladies! Be sure to give some, if not all, of these a try for a happier, more enjoyable first trimester. 🙂 What are some of the things that worked for you?

Post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure here.