Parenting Guru: Do You Have Pregnancy Product Musts?
I've done this whole pregnancy thing a few times now. And sure, each pregnancy is different (like one requiring me to stock up on ranch dressing and another on Frosted Flakes). But some things remain the same. These are the tried and true products I can't live without. I figured I'd share them in the hopes that other moms-to-be might benefit and share their own tips. After all, I've still got 18 weeks to go (gulp)!
Bellybar Prenatal Vitamins- When you're as sick as I've been during my various pregnancies, prenatal vitamins can be as much of an obstacle as a must. I just discovered these this pregnancy (turns out my neighbor and friend founded Bellybar…how cool is that?) and they've been great. I love a couple things about them. 1) I don't have to try to swallow a horse pill. 2) I don't have to digest a horse pill…just in case I don't have much time to digest, if you catch my drift. I also had a Baby Wants Chocolate bar this morning and it was surprisingly delicious-not at all vitaminy tasting. (Plus the copywriter in me loves the clever name.) I'm definitely going to try out more Bellybar products (like other snack bars and chews) soon.
Lemon Drops- I don't like lemon. At all. So if you see me popping lemon drops, you can bet there's a baby bump announcement coming. For some reason, these are the one thing that have been a miracle cure for me with morning sickness. If I remember to suck on one when I start feeling funky, it seems to help soothe my stomach. I can't explain it, but it's true.
BellaBand- My pants are too tight. My pants are too loose. This shirt lays funny on these pants. I need to stick my stomach in…but I can't. All of these fashion quandaries and more can be solved with one glorious piece of elastic fabric. (Bonus, today my doc told me to use it to hold my belly up and keep that baby from riding too low.)
Snoogle- Go ahead, laugh at the pictures. I do. But man, this pillow is a little piece of heaven and helps you lay just right during what should be some of the most long and uncomfortable nights. It also helps you avoid lying on your back, which is where I tend to end up. Pair it with the Boppy Pregnancy Wedge on the other side and you're set.
Shea Body Butter- Knock on wood, I have yet to get any stretch marks (during pregnancy, at least). Considering I already weigh as much as I did when giving birth the last two times, I'm not sure I'll be able to say that in a few months. But I swear I'll do everything in my power to avoid them. Plus I itch like ca-razy when I'm pregnant and this is the one lotion that does the trick. Lather it on. You'll be soft, glowing and smell good, but not perfume-y.
Pregnancy Companion App- I'm sure there are a million pregnancy apps out there that are great. I've only given this one (developed by my OB) a try and it's been really helpful. I know most of the do's and don'ts, but it's nice to have a reminder of what week I am (yes, first timers, by the third kid you'll lose track by week 4), what teas to avoid when I'm in the aisle at the grocery store, what's happening with the baby each week and so on. It also has some great yoga and acupressure tips. I admit that I haven't even clicked on the nutrition or weight sections (sorry, Dr. R), but I'll pay for that come my glucose screening in a few weeks.
Sure I considered putting chocolate on the list, but let's face it, that's something I'm obsessed with whether I'm pregnant or not.
What is it that you can't live without when you're pregnant?
Amy is a Parenting Guru. When she's not itching her belly, she writes at her slice-of-life parenting blog, Using Our Words. While she does know the founder of Bellybar and her OB, she was not compensated for this post. These are her personal opinions based on 60 weeks of pregnancy fun.
Image from Flickr by helloromeo.
