I feel like there’s a LOT we could buy to survive pregnancy.

Teas, chews, and drops; pillows, cushions, braces, and wraps; journals, trackers, and calendars; creams, lotions, oils, balms, and Epsom salts; special bras, socks, shoes, slippers, robes, pajamas, and underwear; supplements, vitamins, and drink mixes; kegel trainers and an exercise ball; heating pads, ice packs, and eye masks.

And the list goes on……………

It’s enough to make my head spin.  I understand wanting needing to be comfortable during pregnancy, but you really don’t need that much.

Remember, pregnancy is just nine months.  Whereas, you may be breastfeeding for two or more years.  And of course, mothering for…well, forever more. 

Additionally, you will probably need more, in terms of supplies and comfort, for postpartum recovery than you will for pregnancy. 

My point?  It’s okay to be minimalist and frugal with your pregnancy wishlist!  Instead of buying everything marketed for expectant mothers, start with a few essentials and then add to your pregnancy supplies as needed.

So, what do you need?

Here’s a list of the top five pregnancy essentials.

#5: Grip Socks

I started wearing comfortable grip socks towards the end of my pregnancy because I was worried about slipping on the hard floors in our house.  I loved wearing these.  I was also able to use them in the hospital during labor, and definitely preferred them to the hospital ones.

#4: Water Bottle

It’s very important to be drinking lots of water to keep Mama and baby healthy!  So, a good water bottle is essential.  I’ve tried so many water bottles throughout the years.  But this water bottle is my absolute favorite!

#3: Pregnancy Pillow

I thought a pregnancy pillow was just a random luxury item, but it turns out it is a necessity!  Some nights are just terrible during pregnancy, but a good pregnancy pillow can make things much more comfortable.  Personally, I prefer the U-shaped ones.  I was gifted a gently used one, so unfortunately I don’t have a specific brand recommendation.

#2: Morning Sickness Remedy

Morning sickness was definitely one of my biggest complaints during pregnancy.  Talk to your OBGYN early to discuss options and find a remedy that works for you.  My unisom was a must!

#1: Prenatal Vitamins

During pregnancy, it’s essential to take prenatal vitamins everyday!  I’m generally terrible at this, but made it a priority during my pregnancy.    Things like folate, iron*, and DHA are very important for both you and baby.  Discuss with your OBGYN which vitamin you should take.

*Unfortunately, the iron in prenatal vitamins can make morning sickness worse.  So, I recommend talking to your doctor about this too.

But what about…

Natural Morning Sickness Remedies?

I’m all for this (if you’ve cleared it with your OBGYN).  However, the natural remedies I tried (namely ginger chews, drops, and teas; and wheat germ) didn’t work for me.

Maternity Clothes?

It depends!

If you’re like me and have a small baby bump, you may be able to continue wearing your “normal” clothes for a while.  I got a lot of use from the stretchy pants, shirts, and dresses that were already in my wardrobe.

However, if you need to look professional because you’re working, then you’ll want to invest in some nice maternity outfits.  I found some inexpensive maternity clothes at secondhand and discount stores.  I also focused on buying basic pieces, which made mixing and matching easy and also means I can wear everything again for future pregnancies.

Once I quit my job, I felt I could be more casual.  So I started wearing everything large and loose, which tended to be more comfortable anyway.  If you don’t mind this idea, just size up instead of buying clothes specifically for pregnancy.

Nursing Bras?

You don’t need a nursing bra, specifically, until baby comes.  But you will need a new bra (or even several) since your breasts will get a lot bigger.  Definitely focus on comfort.  I’d also recommend buying just 1 or 2 at a time since your bra size can change fairly quickly during pregnancy.

Shoes?

My feet didn’t change during or after pregnancy.  To minimize discomfort and swelling, I wore my most comfortable shoes everyday and put my feet up when I could.

Braces and Wraps?

My back never hurt during my pregnancy, so I didn’t need to buy a back brace or belly band.

Special Lotions, Oils, and Balms for Stretch Marks?

I’ve read several sources that state these products don’t really work.  That said, I would suggest using regular body lotion daily as skin can be so, so dry after childbirth.  Really!  Postpartum was the first time in my life that I have dealt with chronically dry, rough, cracked skin.

Kegel Trainers and Exercise Balls?

I’ve seen a lot of emphasis on pelvic floor health the past few years.  When I mentioned this to my OBGYN, she told me she didn’t think special exercises or devices (“trainers”) were necessary.  So, I didn’t worry about them, and I haven’t had ANY problems.

As a yogi myself, I bought a new yoga ball towards the end of my pregnancy.  It was required for my birth class and I wanted a new one anyways.  While I used it a few times during my third trimester and briefly during labor, I used it a lot less than I imagined.  So even as much as I love yoga (and exercise balls), I could honestly say it wasn’t a necessity for me.

The Takeaway

I was surprised by how much I didn’t need for pregnancy.  My advice?  Save your time, energy, and money now, and use it for postpartum recovery!  This is where you want to make sure you are comfortable and have everything you need.