The Pregnancy Necessities

Welcome to the Pregnancy Necessities Carnival!


This post was written for inclusion in the Pregnancy Necessities Carnival hosted by Parenting God’s Children. Today, participants share what they simply cannot live without during their pregnancies or simply what to gather for their upcoming new addition. Please see the full list of links to the other carnival submissions at the end of this post. Enjoy!
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I tend to take a rather minimalistic approach when it comes to babies. You know what a baby needs? It needs love, food, a place to sleep and something to keep him/her warm. I'm hesitant to say diapers are a necessity because lots of cultures around the world raise diaper-free babies....but for the sake of this, we will just say they are necessary. Everything else is extra...though I would recommend a good sling or wrap for baby wearing.

I tend to take the same approach to pregnancy. Pregnant momma's need love, food, a place to sleep and something to keep them warm. Actually, since our society generally frowns upon outright nudity, we'll say "something to cover you", (a.k.a., clothes). Diapers possibly at the end of pregnancy when we all lose bladder control when we sneeze, laugh or cough.

So, here is my personal top ten for pregnancy necessities. 

10. Bella Band.

You know that time during pregnancy when you can't tell if you are fat or pregnant? Your regular jeans don't fit but maternity jeans fall right off of you? This is when the Bella Band will be a life-saver. It is a stretchy-spandex-y band that fits right below your rib cage, covers your expanding tummy and stops at your hips. If you leave your regular jeans unbuttoned...the Bella Band will hold them up! It looks like an undershirt peeking out from non-maternity shirts AND, it provides some support for your tummy. As your belly grows, it continues to offer support and will hold up regular non-maternity unbuttoned jeans.

9. A BIG purse. 

Why a big purse you ask? To fill it with snacks. Lots of snacks. I don't know about you but most pregnant women I know can't go more than 1.2-2 hours without eating. If I go more than two hours without eating, I will be puking. I live in a big city with bad road planning and unfortunately, it takes forever to get anywhere. A quick trip to the grocery store...it's going to take me at least an hour. Pack a big purse full of snacks in baggies. Bonus -- look on Etsy.com to find reusable snack and sandwich bags!

8. Pregnant Friends

Most people are thrilled to see a growing pregnant belly, feel the kicks and movements of that special life, enjoy shopping trips for that perfect outfit or to help with a registry...but that's about it for the non-pregnant among us. Only your pregnant friends will understand the words "So much" in relation to gas, discharge and vomit. Only your pregnant friends will be readily willing to discuss birth plans, cervical dilation and prenatal vitamins. And only your pregnant friends will understand the emotional rollercoaster. Don't know any pregnant women? Get online -- find groups like the Natural Parents Network on FB and get to know people. The Natural Parents Network has a list of local parenting groups for different areas, find a group in your area and attend meetings! 

7. Cloth Pads
Speaking of "so much" in relation to discharge, I'd highly recommend you get some cloth pads. If you are crafty, you can make them from a flannel material, such as receiving blankets or leftover fabric from another project. They are easy to wash, easy to use and keep you dry! If you do an Etsy search, you'll find plenty...but they are easy to make and the material is usually pretty cheap. You might even convince yourself you want cloth for postpartum!

6. A million Maxi Dresses
Well, a million might be exaggerating but if you are going to be pregnant in a hot climate or during the summer, this one wardrobe staple will save your life. The good thing about a lot of maxi dresses is that it doesn't matter if they are maternity or not. Most maxi dresses are going to have enough fabric to grow with your belly. (Notice I said *MOST*). Old Navy seems to have the best sales and I recently bought two maternity and one non-maternity maxi dresses for $10 a piece online! Browse thrift stores, Ross, and Target for other great sales!

5. A Chiropractor
I can't find the link for this but I remember reading that during pregnancy and labor, a woman's pelvic bone with expand by up to 30%. If your pelvic bones are expanding, it is going to be pulling on the ligaments and other bones in that area. I actually had a chiropractic appointment yesterday. My hip was almost out of place causing the vertebrae in my spine to pull down and outward. Two quick adjustments and I was back in place and the pain was gone! As your body grows it is going to put a lot of stress and pressure onto your hips, pelvis, and spine. Also, later in pregnancy there are chiropractic techniques that will help a breech baby turn, and assure that a baby stays in a good position. Most insurance plans cover chiropractic services, and if your insurance won't, a lot of places have amazing payment plans and discounts. My chiropractor gives us a military discount, as well as a discount for using a midwife. Your body will thank you!


4. Pillows
Sleep is going to get difficult towards the end. I slept in a recliner for many nights toward the end of my pregnancy with my son. If I slept in bed, I had to have pillows between my legs, under my belly or side, two for my head and one just in case I needed it. I tried two different body pillows without much luck, but having several regular sized pillows seemed to do the trick.

3. Earth Mama, Angel Baby Better Bottom Salve
This stuff is for your lady parts. It will sooth and cool the pain from hemorrhoids, tears, episitomies and general swelling that goes on after birth. To make this simple -- it is a miracle worker.


2. A Knowledgeable and Wise Care Provider.
It goes without saying that pregnancy can be full of lots of questions. Is my body suppose to do that? Is my butt suppose to grow at the same rate as my belly? Having a care provider who will listen, who is empathetic and who is knowledgeable will go a long way in helping with a peaceful pregnancy. I choose a midwife, one who was experienced, knowledgeable and wise. She is very attentive and answers questions about anything. She's loving and sweet and I feel very comfortable with her. Mommies have an intuition like no one else. And that intuition is there during pregnancy. LISTEN TO IT! If something feels off about your OB or your midwife or your doula, don't ignore that feeling. Along with this, you also want a care provider who has a similar belief about pregnancy and birth. If you are wanting a non/low-intervention non-medicated birth, find a care provider who will help you achieve that. The last thing you want is to be arguing with someone about pitocin or epidurals or labor positions WHILE you are in labor!

1. A sense of humor and peace.
You won't survive pregnancy without it. Everyone is an expert. Everyone will want to touch your belly (this doesn't bother me but I know it bothers some people). Whether you are homebirthing or planning a scheduled c-section, someone will have SOMETHING to say. If you are the type of person who can think of witty comments, go for it! I'm not, so I just smile and nod, vent to your like-minded pregnant friends and move on. There are occasions when saying something IS necessary, and by all means, say it. When I was pregnant with my son, my first child, so many people felt the need to share the "horror" stories of birth. I didn't want to hear it, so when they started I politely said "I'd rather not dwell on the negatives, as I'm looking forward to a positive experience." If you make it through pregnancy without any inappropriate or rude comments, consider yourself blessed!

This is in by no means a comprehensive list, but these are the things I need and want when I'm pregnant. Pregnancy is different for each woman, so needs and wants are going to be different!

What did you HAVE to HAVE while pregnant?

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Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants!

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• The Pregnancy Happiness List — That Mama Gretchen is half way through pregnancy number two and is spilling the beans on her pregnancy must-haves!
• What A Pregnant Woman Really Needs — Jennifer Hybrid Rasta Mama reflects on what items she could not live without during her pregnancy as well as those she wishes she had.
• Cravings of Another Kind — When reflecting on what made her pregnancy enjoyable, Adrienne at Mommying My Way discovered information is what she craved most of all.
• The Pregnancy Necessities — Kym at Our Crazy Corner of the World shares her top ten must haves for pregnant women.
• The Expectant Mom‘s List of Breastfeeding Stuff to Buy, or Not — Alicia at Lactation Narration shares a list of 10 breastfeeding products that the expectant mom might want to have on her shopping list, or not.
• Pregnancy Necessities with a Toddler In Tow — Amyables at Toddler in Tow lists several simple things that make pregnancy while parenting an older child much less stressful and more enjoyable.
• Ten Tips That Helped Me During Pregnancy — Kat at {Almost} Every Moment shares ten things that helped her get through her three pregnancies!
• First Trimester Staples — Megan BB from The Memoirs of Megan shares her first trimester "must haves"
• The Pregnancy Must Have — Jennifer at True Confessions of a Real Mommy shares the ONE thing she used almost daily, through all three pregnancies and suggests to all pregnant moms.
• Where to Find Cute Maternity Clothes — Lauren at Hobo Mama reviews which maternity clothing stores to hit or miss.
• My Pregnancy Support System — While there are many material things that are nice to have during pregnancy, Dionna at Code Name: Mama’s true essentials were her family.
• Ten Essentials for a HAPPY Pregnant Mama — Sarah at Parenting God’s Children is half way through her third pregnancy! She shares the things she‘s found to be essential to a happy pregnant mama.