15 Pregnancy Essentials for the Busy Mom-to-Be

Now that I’m 21 weeks pregnant (with our very first baby), I thought it was about time I shared the things I’ve found to be essential to getting through this whole pregnancy thing; but I wanted to share the whole truth – the good, the bad, and the ugly. And my biggest truth: I’m a workaholic, and I’ve barely had time to do all of the new pregnancy things I always dreamed I would do.

I really thought the day I became pregnant, I could somehow magically hit “slow” on the life button, work less, take prenatal yoga several times a week, plan the nursery months in advance, read all of the pregnancy books, and so on.  But the truth is, I’ve worked more than ever, trying to get ready for the inevitable slow down my double work life (part-time as a lawyer, part-time as a blogger) will have to take once this baby makes his or her way into the world.  I thought for sure I would exercise and be good to my body – there’s a yoga place downstairs from my apartment, so I thought, easy: I’ll take prenatal yoga a few times a week and feel great.  I haven’t been once.  Thankfully, walking counts, and that’s pretty much the extent of my exercise.  I actually barely have time to get my work done, and by 6 pm, my eyelids are closing and I typically need a nap.  (So much for pregnancy preparing me for baby … and all of the hours without sleep!)  The first four months of pregnancy, I was so nauseous, I actually lost weight … a lot of weight.  So now, I eat whatever I can, trying to be healthy, but really, just trying to get in calories.  (And trust me, gaining weight was never ever a problem for me before this.)  I haven’t read a single book.  I can’t believe I am even typing that.  I love books.  I love to read.  But these days, I’m exhausted, and in a fight to the death between exhaustion and reading, exhaustion wins every time.

The good news is, I’ve miraculously managed to balance it all so far, and I’ve figured out what little essentials are oh-so-necessary, particularly for the busy and/or working mom-to-be.

1.  Tea:  I drink decaf tea most days.  Especially in the beginning, it eased some of the nausea and calmed me down (well, that and a great big bubble bath … which I take every day; it’s the most relaxing half-hour I get each day.)  {Gold fragment mug, here.}

2.  Glasses:  Although I still wear my contacts nearly every day, by the late afternoon my eyes are dry and itchy and I know it’s time for those contact lenses to come out.  Thank goodness for cute glasses.

3.  Loose Dresses:  I am living in loose a-line, babydoll, and tent dresses.  (Fighting this whole maternity clothing thing for as long as I possibly can – check out my post on Non-Maternity {Maternity} Dressing!)

4.  Soft Cotton Bras:  My boobs hurt.  I gave up underwire weeks ago.  It helps that I’m pretty small, bust-wise, so this suggestion may not work for everyone; but I have been living in Free People and Eberjey bralettes and they are amazing.  (As in, so comfortable I can sleep in them … and I sometimes do.)

5.  Water:  I drink so much water now, it’s out of control.  Bring water bottles everywhere.  {BKR Heart Water Bottle, here.}

6.  TUMS:  I never knew how much I could love antacids until now.  I keep these in my purse, at my desk, next to the bed.  We’re besties.

7.  Bump Nest Pregnancy Pillow:  By week six I knew I needed a pregnancy pillow.  My back was already aching and I couldn’t find a spot where I slept comfortably.  I debated whether it was ridiculous to get a pregnancy pillow so early.  I debated the value of a pregnancy pillow at all.  I also debated how incredibly uncool a giant pregnancy pillow would look taking up space on my fluffy white bed.  I even worried about my husband having to share his space with a giant pillow.  But in the end, I knew the pillow and I were meant to be.  And you know what?  I was really really mad at myself for not getting one sooner.  This pillow is heaven.  I did my homework — I researched all of the over-sized pregnancy pillows and kept coming back to the Bump Nest pillow.  (Seriously, I read hundreds of reviews on the Bump Nest Pregnancy Pillow that were all so positive!)  Nowadays, hubby, the dog and I fight over the pillow.  Everyone loves it.  And I’m learning to reposition myself (forcefully trying to sleep on my side now that even the doctor has recommended it), thanks to the help of my pillow.  Not sure I’m giving this one up post-pregnancy.

8.  Iphone Apps:  I don’t know where I would be without these life-saving (or rather, stress-saving) phone apps.  As I mentioned before, I haven’t had time to crack a single pregnancy book, but the apps filter tips and tricks, words of wisdom, and the occasional article, and each morning, after checking a few of my favorites (and confirming that I am once again not crazy … i.e., the baby’s kicks do in fact feel like popcorn popping in your stomach, and itchy breasts are apparently a total normal part of pregnancy = awesome) I feel like I am ready to tackle the day, and breathe a sigh of relief.  (Favorite Pregnancy Apps:  What to Expect, babycenter Pregnancy, and The Bump.)  And speaking of your phone, when searching for the right OB, find a doctor you can have on speed dial.  Mine is actually cool with me e-mailing him (even when I ask the most random questions), and miraculously, he gets back to me within a few hours every time, weekends included.  Thank goodness for e-mail.  {Boticca Aztec Geo iPhone 5/5s case, here.}

9.  Chapstick:  You’ll find your lips are extra dry during pregnancy.  Keep a good lip balm with you at all times; I like eos lip balm … mostly because I am obsessed with the adorable packaging and yummy flavors.

10.  Healthy Snacks:  I’m not going to lie to you, sometimes I just really want cheddar cheese combos, but for the most part, I try to eat healthier snacks.  And the snacks really saved me.  Believe it or not, when you’re nauseous, you actually need to eat.  All of that acid in your stomach, minus any food to absorb it, is no bueno.  I’m a big fan of Kind bars (now that I can eat them) — the first few months I stuck to bread, crackers, and apples — but thankfully, I’m tolerating the healthier stuff a whole lot better now.

11.  Cocoa Butter:  Put it on every day.  Not only does cocoa butter help with itching and stretching skin, but it should help with resulting stretch marks (though you can blame your genetics for most of those.)

12.  Sunscreen:  Did you know that pregnant women are way more susceptible to discoloration and skin damage from the sun?  Well me neither, but you know I’m layering on my SPF nice and thick.

13.  Prenatal Vitamins:  Stop.  Do not pass go.  Take a prenatal vitamin (with plenty of folic acid in it) every single day.  It’s the simplest and best thing you can do for your baby long before he or she even makes their grand entrance.

14.  Flats:  This one was tough for me … and I still wear heels occasionally when we go out, but for the most part, I have become a flats girl.  There are so many cute options out there, and with Spring just days away, flat sandals are a given.  Hubby is happy because inside, I know the heels I wear terrify him as he watches me stomp around teetering on heels with our precious cargo in my belly.  And I’m happy because my feet never hurt anymore, which is actually kind of nice.  Not that I’m giving up heels.  {Joie a la Plage Socoa Sandals, here.}

15.  A light-weight purse or tote:  It quickly became apparent to me that my heavy purses were no longer my friends.  The combination of tired and sore does not pair well with a heavy bag.  Don’t get me wrong:  I miss all of my studded leather bags, but while pregnant, and quite possibly into the first few months of getting used to carrying a baby on my hip, my heavier bags and I may not be hanging quite as much.  {Madewell The Transport Tote, here.}

Disclosure:  The Bump Nest pregnancy pillow was gifted to me by Bump Nest; all opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting the sponsors that make Glitter, Inc. possible!

Image No. 1 via Zest & Zeal // Photography by Tec Petaja  

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