Pregnancy Must-Haves Plus – 1st Trimester

The nine months were one of the most exciting phases of my life, filled with so much love, anticipation, and, new experience. But it was also filled with lots of changes and unknowns. And I only wish I did not have to research so much to have a go-to list for all my pregnancy needs! So, here is a comprehensive list of everything that is essentials plus those that can make pregnancy a lot comfortable only to make you want to be pregnant again!

All things you will ever need based on my own experience, research, and some which have excellent first-hand reviews by my friends. I have included shop links(non-sponsored) for easy reference based on my liking and review.

While you may not need all of these, be prepared to have most of these if you do get the symptoms. This blog post will be covering all things you will need to slay the first trimester. Do consider checking the Second Trimester and Third Trimester list (coming soon).

Check my Pregnancy Must-Haves Video :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bnel8nTeLo

1st Trimester Must-Have Plus:

Congratulations mama-to-be! While you are planning how to announce the world your happy news, the body keeps reminding you of it in not so pleasant ways! Nausea, bloating, heightened sense of smell, tiredness, dehydration- welcome to realizing your mom was always right- it takes so much to rear a child! If you are amongst the lucky few to have a smooth 1st Trimester, head to planning your Babymoon straightaway if not just know there are ways to make life a little easier.

For Heightened Sense of Smell: I read somewhere “you know you are pregnant if you can smell an old sock behind the couch at your neighbor’s house!”. I never knew I could hate the citrus smell so much! Relate to it? Switch to fragrance-free products like Aveeno moisturizer, Aveeno Body wash and Cetaphil moisturizer.

For Pregnancy Skincare: Yes, it is time you make the much-attempted switch to herbal, organic, ayurvedic, and chemical-free skincare, if you haven’t done it already as the skin, absorbs all things and some(not all!) chemicals/nanoparticles may get into the bloodstream. Any prescribed pre-pregnancy creams should be checked with a doctor. While you can use most of the pre-pregnancy skin care it is advised to check the ingredients with your doctor if in doubt. I loved Biotique range of ayurvedic products and Moogoo sunscreen. What I did not know is that there are pregnancy safe products as well on the market. You can try Paula’s Choice .

For Nausea/ Bloating: Check with your doctor and have pregnancy safe medicines for the infamous but most well know pregnancy morning sickness beforehand. I was not particularly hit by nausea and bloating was well under control but did stock up on pregnancy-safe headache and bloating medicine for an emergency. Nausea can hit you anytime and while it’s a hit and miss with most products a few things you can try are:

• Tummydrops Ginger: It is curated by a gastroenterologist and some of my friends swear by it.

• Sea-Band Mama Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wrist Band: One product that I found had a great review in the pregnancy community.

• Home Remedy: Increase water intake, eat small meals at regular intervals, and avoid refined sugar and go easy on that coffee dear!

For that bloated belly: If bloated tummy makes wearing all those trousers with fly uncomfortable, extend the use of your pre-maternity wardrobe by using Jolly Jumper Belly Buster waistline extenders. You surely do not want to splurge on maternity wear right away as you need time to adjust to the new you!

For the growing body and new life inside you: Give your pregnancy the best start with the inclusion of prenatal vitamins together with healthy diet. Consult your doctor today! One that worked for me was Blackmore Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Gold. Its low constipation iron content worked well for me.

Please note I am not a medical professional or in no way qualified to give medical advice.

For avoiding pregnancy gingivitis: Pregnancy Gingivitis (bleeding gums) is a common symptom in pregnancy. Book your dental appointment as soon as possible and do a favor to your gums and switch to Oral B Sensitive Electric toothbrush.

For that pregnancy brain and keepsake: Pregnancy is a unique experience for everyone and even every pregnancy for same mom. I will always cherish and want to keep remembering even the mundane details of this journey. It is good to write your thoughts, prayers, and even symptoms to help your pregnancy brain in recollecting them in the next doctor's appointment. Add photos to keep the memories vivid. Its already one of my favorite nighttime books to read to my bub. I used this Belly Book By Amy K, but you may use just any cute journal book like this.

For that all-round healthy diet:You need to manage all the pregnancy whirlwind and remember to keep yourself on a healthy diet. One thing which was surely a savoir

for my pregnancy sudden hunger pangs was these easy to carry and healthy to munch KIND protein bars with no artificial sugar.

For keeping that pregnancy stress at bay: One thing that kept me sane and not overstress was What -to-expect and Babycenter app. They keep sending notification of what are the likely symptoms and for the weird ones, there is always a mom-to-be on their great supportive community to help you during your sudden restlessness over paining eardrum at 2 a.m. Just a small reminder even if the advices sound great do check with your doctor as sometimes there are illogical crazy ideas doing their rounds in these groups.

For that ever-thirsty throat: Staying hydrated is the advice you will hear the most and it is for a good reason. With all the hormonal changes and body preparing to bring a new life to this world, you do always need to keep yourself hydrated. Make sure to have this water bottle that everyone keeps complimenting and you will keep carrying it with you to keep your body up on fluids.

For that much dreaded morning sickness: Morning sickness are real thing and gets worse on empty stomach so keep munching on these magical saltine crackers. Always keep them on side tables and your purse because morning sickness hits at most ungodly hours! Some home remedies work wonders too but then its always a hit and miss with them, so you need to see what works best for you.

For settling and enjoying the extended couch time due to nausea: While a lot of mornings are spent in couch slouching for the nauseous feeling to pass or just because it’s just too much work to be vertical, its best to distract oneself with the most enthralling series on Netflix. Indulge yourself in that absolute bachelor life feeling of watching series on the loop. Some of my all-time favorites are Gossip girls, Money Heist, Suits, House of Cards, Designated Survivor, Friends, Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother.

For being prepared for that little one: One big favor you can do yourself is to learn about breastfeeding and delivery and everything beyond! Birthing is the most natural phenomenon but then it can all come as a big shock when you are not prepared as even though it looks simple most new parents feel overwhelmed with all the different parenting advice and ideologies they come across just after the baby is born. It’s best to be prepared and start discussing the parenting style, well in advance with your partner. Make use of best pregnancy and parenting resources and books. While I did not like the much-hyped book what-to-expect when you are expecting, I loved Baby Love by Robin Barker, Few other’s which are hugely recommended by my friends are Mayo Clinic Guide to a healthy pregnancy and The Girlfriends Guide to pregnancy.

For that ultimate indulgence essential oils and bath bombs: Even the best confident moms can’t help but feel guilty for small indulgence like washing their hair post-delivery; yes it’s an indulgence when you have a little life dependent on you. Not to scare you, it’s the best feeling in the world to raise a little life but then having the hair-up in knot is the only hairstyle I have sported for like months. So take a note from a new mom, enjoy the bliss while you can! These doTerra lavender essential oils and bath bombs by Faketreats are my current favourites.

For getting the right start to a great delivery experience: Well this is a no brainer, one of the best thing you can do is get yourself the doctor /gynecologist /doula as per your needs and preference in the first trimester itself. Consult your friends and do your research. This was one big mistake I did as I was new to the city and then ended up with a doctor, I did not feel connected to. This was the biggest regret of my pregnancy so I would insist on setting the expectations correctly with your doctor/specialist in first trimester itself to avoid any uncomfortable surprises later.

And yes remember to ask for all help you need as a good support system may all you need to enjoy the pregnancy in the best possible way. Do drop a comment as a new mom is here to hear it all.

What couldn’t you live without during your first trimester(s)?