Pregnancy can be a beautiful time for soon-to-be parents. You get to see your baby’s heartbeat for the first time, watch them grow into a beautiful little baby, feel their kicks, and dream about their future. It is a magical time but it is also a pretty crazy time for the person who is pregnant.

When you are pregnant there are lot of things to make those 9 months pretty uncomfortable like raging hormones, back pain, swollen ankles, weight gain, headaches, sciatic nerve pain, ligament pain, peeing every 5 seconds, morning sickness, tender breasts, can’t sleep, can’t get comfortable, random strangers touching you, random strangers giving you advice… seriously people why? You don’t know me I’m not a baby goat l in a petting zoo. Don’t touch me and if I want advice I’ll ask!

There are literally thousands of products on the market that claim to help with the uncomfortable aspects of pregnancy. But, I can tell you that a lot of them don’t work. The following is my list of products that I couldn’t live without during pregnancy.

My favorite things during pregnancy to keep me comfortable

 

First –

is the Snoogle pregnancy pillow. This pillow was the best. I could actually sleep (in between having to pee at least). If you are pregnant do yourself a favor and buy one of these pillows!

Second –

Kinesiology tape. This I didn’t start using until I was about 8 months pregnant but it really helped take the strain off of my lower back

Third-

a maternity winter coat, (I was in my third trimester for winter so this obviously won’t apply to those that are early in pregnancy for winter or if you live in a place where winter means 60*). I saw so many “hacks” on how to get away with not buying a new coat. Like buying a large size fleece and wearing your winter jacket unzipped. That may work for people that live in a relatively mild winter climate but where I am from it is not weird to have -30 wind chills. A fleece isn’t going to cut it. This coat has a panel that you use when you are pregnant or when you are wearing your little one outside during winter (see pic below of my adorable little baby dino), or you can simply remove it and it is a normal winter coat! I love it so much.

 

Fourth –

leggings! Alright, I will admit it I was one of the “leggings aren’t pants” people pre-pregnancy. Yea, well the second I got pregnant I changed my tune real quick because leggings are the best. You don’t have to worry about buttons/zippers cutting into your stomach or feeling like a stuffed sausage. Bonus they are super easy to get on whether you can see your feet or not! I wore leggings for at least the last 3 months of pregnancy and it was the best. I loved Motherhood brand leggins but there are tons of different brands that sell them.

Fifth –

Books and TV shows! As a first time mom, pregnancy is probably the last time, at least for a long time, that you are going to be able to binge watch your favorite TV shows or read your favorite books without interruptions. I like almost every genre of book. (I definitely use my library card more than any other card in my wallet). Here are my top 3 favorite books and TV shows.

           My favorite books

• Pride & Prejudice is my all time favorite book. If you like witty, classic, romantic, and all around amazing novels this is the book for you!
  
• The Hunger Games Series (If you are looking for a dystopian, page-turning look at society through a post-apocalyptic lense with a female lead then this is the series for you!)
  
• The Selection (five book series) if you are looking for a series that is an easy read, romantic, and entertaining with a female protagonist then look no further!
  

I have way too many favorite books to list here but if you are looking for book recommendations I could talk about them all day. Send me an email at info@snoozymomma.com and give me the type of books you like and I will give you my recommendations.

 My favorite TV series for binge-watching that I could watch over and over and never get sick of:

• Downton Abbey (If you are looking for a show with love, wit, tragedy, happiness, heartbreak, war, class and so much more this is your show)

• Gilmore Girls (If you’ve never seen Gilmore Girls I’m sorry because it is amazing but I’m also super jealous because it’s amazing. If you are pregnant with a girl then bonus points for how much you will probably love watching this show. It has fast-paced banter, mother-daughter bonding, and lots of junk food whats not to love!) p.s. you can just skip the revival season A Year in Life. I hated it so much! Sorry not sorry.

• Smallville (I love Superman and this series was on when I was in high school so it has a special place in my heart and it is so good)

If you don’t have a favorite TV show now is the time to find one! I spent many a night hanging with Luke and Lorelai trying to stay awake during late night breastfeeding sessions.

Sixth –

Naps! Ok ok I know that is technically not a product but seriously take naps. When you are pregnant you can nap as often as you want guilt -free. Do it and do it often!

 

I hope some of my lessons learned during pregnancy (like trying to get by without a pregnancy pillow… never again) help you get through your pregnancy more comfortably from the beginning.