Being pregnant can be overwhelming! From the moment you find out you’re expecting, you are bombarded by questions, choices, loads of baby products, and advice at every turn. It can be hard to find your own way! The items below have helped many women through the challenges of their pregnancies and we offer these as suggestions to try.
Belly Bands: A maternity staple! These stretchy fabric bands are designed to be worn with your pre-pregnancy pants unbuttoned and unzipped. The band will hide the fact that your pants are undone as well as hold your pants up. This allows you to stay in your pre-pregnancy wardrobe as long as you can pull your pants over your hips. A belly band is an ideal piece to get you through the transition between pre-pregnancy clothes and maternity clothes. They are very versatile and can also be worn to hold up maternity pants that may slide down and to cover your bump when your shirts start to get too short. The belly bands can even be used post-partum so you can get back into that favourite pair of jeans or put the band over your post-baby bump to cover your tummy when you lift up your shirt to nurse! Buyers beware though, not all belly bands are created equal! For one that will go the distance without stretching out and losing it’s “grip”, look for a band with no cotton content. The cotton can stretch out with repeated washing, and your belly band will be washed many times through the pregnancy and beyond!
Belly Butter: Your skin will be under a lot of strain as your belly grows and will need extra nourishment. There are a variety of creams and butters meant to help keep your bump moisturized which can relieve the dry itchy skin some women experience. Some products go further and use ingredients meant to condition your skin as well as moisturize. Go for the more conditioning creams if you are worried about stretch marks. Keep in mind that genetics will determine how likely you are to get stretch marks. Some creams and butters are made with essential oils; avoid these until after the first trimester.
Belly Support: Growing a baby is hard work! Give your hips and back some relief by trying out a belly support. Some belly supports are meant to be worn under your clothes and others are cute enough to wear as an accessory to any outfit. Even if you don’t have a specific medical issue that calls for a belly support, wearing one can help with your overall comfort and keep you from getting too fatigued while moving around. Combined with a good skin conditioning moisturizer, they can also help prevent stretch marks by alleviating some of the tension on your skin.
Sleeping Pillow: Even before the little one arrives, they can start interrupting your sleep and make it hard to find a comfortable position. There are different styles of pillows out there depending on the level of support you need. If you need a high level of support for your whole body, look for a candy cane shaped full body pillow. They can be pricey but proper sleep through the pregnancy is worth the price tag! There are some styles of nursing pillows that can also be used as a sleeping pillow if you only need moderate support. They are usually boomerang shaped and can come in some soft, cozy fabrics. We suggest the nursing pillow option first so you can use it to sleep through the pregnancy, then afterwards as a nursing pillow once baby comes!
Fashion: Although this is not an essential, how could we get through all the fun of being pregnant without a bit of fashion? Invest your money in high quality basic pieces for work or play depending on your needs and then punch up your wardrobe with fun pieces and accessories. A good pair of jeans, black pants, and a basic skirt with a choice of different tops is a good starting point. Look for pieces that can be worn dressed up or down and that you can still use after you deliver until you fit your pre-pregnancy clothes. Have fun building your new wardrobe and keep an open mind. Styles that you may not have touched pre-pregnancy could turn out to be the most flattering on your new shape!
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