Welcome back to my blog, you may have noticed it’s looking a little snazzier than previously. I hope you like it – I’d love to hear what you think of it.
I considered writing this post in the first trimester but it occurred to me that both during the first and third trimesters pregnancies can differ greatly and what might be good for one wouldn’t be good for another. In compiling this list of second trimester maternity essentials I think I’ve pulled together all the things that have not only helped me since turning thirteen weeks pregnant but would also be appreciated by the majority of pregnant women out there who are currently in their second trimester too.
1. A loose nightie
If you’re anything like me you’ll be counting down the hours until you can get changed out of restrictive day wear and pull on something loose and comfy in the evening. For me, my go to garments are my Primark nighties. I think they cost around £5 each and are loose, dark in colour, fitted around the bust and have adjustable straps. They have a little bit of lace trim around the neckline and hem which prettys them up a bit. I’ve always been a hot bodied person and can’t bare too many layers or long sleeves so for me, a feminine but comfy slip is ideal. Even short sleeves around the tops of my arms irritate me as I can tell my arms have become somewhat larger then they used to be. These nighties would be ideal of hospital too, easy access for nursing, cool and most importantly dark coloured!
2. Centrum During Pregnancy Multivitamins
During the first trimester I couldn’t have anything other than exactly what my stomach wanted and I suffered physically for it. The lack of vitamins and minerals in my body added to the tiredness and general exhaustion. My midwife had advised to wait until after 12 weeks to begin my vitamins as they might add to the nausea. As soon as I hit 13 weeks I began taking the Centrum During Pregnancy Multivitamins and I haven’t looked back since. The formulation of the tablet includes 21 vitamins to provide support for mum and baby; including immunity support, bone strength and reduction in the risk of neural tube defects. Since taking the tablets I have noticed I have an improved complexion and my energy levels are better than I’d expected. The Centrum range can be found in Boots and Tesco.
3. Body Shop Body Butter
Initially I bought Palmers Body Butter especially for pregnancy but it just didn’t feel moisturising enough nor did it feel like a treat. If I am going to go through the rigmarole of moisturising every inch, of which there are many, of this body I want it to feel a bit luxurious. My lovely husband very kindly bought me some Body Shop products for Christmas (you can see what else I got here), and since then I’ve kind of become obsessed with the body butter. We popped to Cabot’s Circus shopping centre in Bristol on Saturday and I spent ages sniffing and resniffing all the body butters. I came away with Virgin Mojito and Passionfruit. My skin has just started to feel itchy and so I guess it’s beginning to stretch. Why, oh why does it always feel itchy at night?! The body butter really helps as it’s thick and rich. My skin absorbs it rapidly so I must be a little on the dry side!
4. Pillows
This is a bit of a generic one but for all first time mums out there; make sure you have a stash of pillows for bedtime, or if you can afford one, a pregnancy pillow. For some reason, and I’m not sure why, I like to sleep with a pillow between my knees when I’m pregnant. I sometimes like to have a pillow behind me too to stop me rolling on to my back in the night and provide extra support. I don’t think I’m alone in this peculiar pillow behaviour – it seems to be a pregnant thing.
5. ‘Mom’s One Line A Day’
This was another of my Christmas presents and I absolutely love it. It’s a five year diary in which each day you just write a sentence or two. There isn’t a lot of room so it forces you to be brief. For example you could write “Heard baby’s heartbeat for the first time today” or “I ate far too much chocolate today and it’s all baby’s fault”. It’s so cute with it’s dinky size, dusky pink cover and gold edged pages that I’d recommend it for any mum. It doesn’t just have to be for babies. I’d say you could record any five years of a child’s life and it would create a bunch of really precious memories for you to hand down.
6. Longline vest tops
Random but as I’m sure most pregnant women know, a longline vest covers a multitude of sins and works in many ways. Firstly, and most importantly, it covers my sizeable derriere. Secondly, it adds a layer under tops which might otherwise be riding a little high because of that bump. Finally they’re good for showing off your bump, if you’re into that, and they’re a very cheap form of maternity wear!
I hope you enjoyed reading about what’s been keeping me happy over the last 8 weeks or so. What could you not manage without during your pregnancy?
I used to have a line a day 5 year diary. I think they are a lovely idea and religiously kept mine up … until I discovered blogging!
You had me at hello, I love body shop butter it’s just silky and so scented it stays on you all day. Brilliant list. 🙂
This list is so useful! I’m in the second trimester now and my skin has started to itch. Think I’m going to get some of that Body Shop butter, and the 5 -year-diary is a lovely idea. Loose nighties – yes I can totally relate! Sabrina xx