22 Pregnancy Must Haves For Expecting Moms in 2022

If you are expecting your very first baby, you’re definitely going to need to know what pregnancy must haves you require as you prep for your baby’s arrival. (Congratulations, by the way!)

Since pregnancy is such a transformative experience, the list of must haves is extensive, covering things like nursing bras and pregnancy pillows to help with your lower back pain.

But it’s not all about feeling comfy!

Prenatal vitamins are important for your baby’s growth and for your own health, and exercise balls help you stay in shape as you near your due date.

Of course, I’ve made sure to include a few cute clothing items since you will soon have a hard time fitting into most of your old wardrobe, making it necessary to buy a few maternity outfits.

So, strap in and allow me to help you kickstart this exciting new chapter of your life with my carefully curated list of pregnancy must-haves!

1. Get informed

For a first time mom, stepping into the world of pregnancy is an exciting and nerve-wracking time.

You might be surrounded by close family and friends who recently had babies and are all-too-ready to share their tips and insights – whether you asked for them or not!

Or you might be faced with a completely different situation where you don’t have anyone else to rely on for all your pregnancy twists and turns.

This can be really hard since you don’t have anyone to guide you or tell you where to start.

In any case, my number one pregnancy priority is to get informed ASAP!

Whether it’s a book or online research, don’t hesitate to learn all about the changes you can expect and what to look out for as your pregnancy progresses.

Trust me, you will soon start getting all sorts of advice (even from strangers!), so it’s best to get all the info from a reputable and trusted source, such as the American Pregnancy Association. You can ask your doctor for recommendations, too!

Spend a few evenings reading up on pregnancy and birth, and you will soon feel a little less nervous about the entire process because you will have a better idea of what to expect.

2. A healthy diet

I will be the first to admit that my diet pre-kids wasn’t anything to brag about!

I frequently went without breakfast and didn’t really care about eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.

But with my first pregnancy, I was forced to reevaluate my eating habits and began eating more healthy (hello, delicious pregnancy smoothies!)

Obviously, this didn’t happen overnight but the fact that I could barely stomach all of my favorite foods certainly helped!

There are also certain foods that pregnant women should eat more of, such as meals that contain lots of calcium, protein and legumes.

It goes without saying that ditching bad habits such as smoking and drinking is the number one priority for pregnant women, as alcohol and cigarettes can impair the baby’s development.

Also, try your best to control your pregnancy cravings, watch out for soda and sugar, because you don’t want unhealthy food to cause a vaginal thrush.

3. Insen Pregnancy Pillow

While your growing belly is certainly a cause for excitement, trying to go to sleep at night in a comfortable position can become really difficult, especially as you enter your third trimester.

I’ve always preferred sleeping on my stomach but this became pretty much impossible as my belly grew.

As a result, getting a good night’s sleep got harder and I was exhausted every morning – and our daughter hadn’t even arrived yet!

Enter my savior – the pregnancy body pillow!

I admit that I was a little resistant to the idea of a special pillow for soon-to-be-moms (how comfortable could it be?) but after my first night sleeping with it…

Oh boy, did I change my mind!

It immediately helped with my back pain and I felt much more rested in the morning.

Plus, it made lounging during the day really comfy and I could enjoy reading or watching TV without getting up to readjust my position every five minutes.
In short – you won’t regret getting a pregnancy pillow, I promise!

4. Hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge

While I love gigantic pregnancy pillows, they’re not exactly convenient in every situation.

If you’re planning a babymoon, you can’t exactly take it with you, or maybe you simply don’t want to take up half the space in your bed. They can be very warm, too.

The Hiccapop pillow is a great alternative to the one above as it gives you the same amount of support and relief while being much, much smaller.

The two sides of the pillow come with different kinds of support – one side is firmer while the other one is softer.

You don’t have to use it only in bed either, as it provides great support for your back while you’re sitting on the couch or your office chair.

Along with the pillow wedge, you will get a neat little bag to pack it in so you can take it with you when you’re traveling.

5. Wanderlust Pregnancy Compression Socks

When you’re pregnant, your body retains more fluid.

This fluid finds its way down to your ankles, where it causes uncomfortable swelling which is also known as edema.

For any mom-to-be, replacing your regular ankle socks with compression socks can help reduce swelling around your feet and make you feel more comfortable.

The Wanderlust socks offer medical-grade compression but are not too tight at the same time, so you will really enjoy wearing them.

It also doesn’t hurt that they’re really cute and look like any other old pair of socks!

6. Motion Sickness Relief Wrist Band

Are you in your first trimester? If yes, then I’m sure that morning sickness has been kicking your butt.

Going about your daily life while constantly nauseous and terrified that you will throw up when you’re not at home is certainly no way to live, which is why you definitely need a pair of motion sickness relief wrist bands.

Sure, these wrist bands aren’t specifically marketed to pregnant ladies like the Sea-Band Mama wrist bands but they work just as well!

Wrist bands are a great remedy against morning sickness because they don’t include any kind of medication that could harm you during your pregnancy.

They apply acupressure to your wrists and reduce nausea in a matter of minutes so you can go back to feeling like your normal self!

7. Motherhood Maternity Belly Leggings

As your adorable baby bump grows, so will your need for maternity clothes!

Of course, you don’t need an entirely new wardrobe but a few essential items can help you look stylish and feel comfy until you give birth.

That being said, maternity leggings should probably go to the top of your shopping list! I love this pair by Motherhood Maternity because A) they don’t look like leggings, and B) they’re so comfortable you won’t want to take them off!

There are neat little pockets in the back that give the leggings a less casual look so you can wear them when you’re out and about, as well as at home.

What’s more, the material is not see-through.

The fabric that covers your belly is extremely stretchy and will adjust as your belly grows, so you can wear them your entire pregnancy!

8. Jill & Joey Maternity Belt – Belly Band for Pregnancy Back Support

As you go through your second trimester, you will notice that your back starts to give you grief, and going about your day gets increasingly uncomfortable.

That’s why one of my pregnancy must haves is this practical belly band that can make carrying the weight of your growing baby much easier.

It’s no surprise that so many moms recommend the Jill & Joey maternity belt as one of their pregnancy essentials – not only is it truly effective but it’s affordable, too.

There’s no need to worry that it will cause you to overheat, either, since it’s made from a breathable material and you can wear it during your entire pregnancy.

You can adjust the fit using the velcro and easily put it on whenever you need a little extra support.

This belt is not only great at managing pain and discomfort but can even reduce swelling, so you will be killing two birds with one stone!

9. 3 Pack Women Maternity Belly Band

Just because you’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to all of your pre-pregnancy clothing! In fact, you can extend their wear using these practical belly bands.

Simply wear them over your belly and the bottom of the band will cover the button or zipper of your pants which can stay unbuttoned for your comfort.

The bands fit snugly over your tummy, give you a feeling of support while allowing your skin to breathe.

In addition to the belly bands, you will also get trouser and bra extenders which come in really handy during those first few months when you can still technically fit into some of your old bras but need a little help doing so.

At some point, however, you will need to invest in a pair of maternity jeans, for example, but until then you can rely on these bands and save a couple of bucks!

10. Motherhood Maternity Ankle Denim Jegging

Among my pregnancy must haves, one of my top items to get is a good pair of maternity pants that aren’t necessarily leggings.

Even though I love leggings as much as the next girl, sometimes you just want to dress it up and look a bit more stylish.

These maternity pants are super modern and are a skinny fit that most ladies like. Plus, you can wear them with sandals, boots, or sneakers and they work great for every season.

The jeans are comfortable, too, and their stretchiness means that you can wear them even as your pregnancy progresses.

There are five styles to choose from, including a very elegant black shade, so make sure to check them out!

11. Promptly Journals – Childhood History Journal

Journaling is a fantastic, relaxing activity! Not only do you get to capture your precious memories but you can also reflect on your emotions and experiences and see how you have changed, so I recommend writing in a journal as much as you can whether you’re pregnant or not.

On the other hand, it’s hard to figure out where to begin or what to write about – your cravings, mood swings, or changing body?

Luckily, this beautiful pregnancy journal by Promptly Journals comes with suggestions to help you write and record every milestone from your pregnancy all the way until your baby turns 18!

For example, you can start out by filling in the family tree information and then answer questions such as “Where were you and how did you find out you were pregnant?” and “Were you sick?”

With such simple questions, you can take a few minutes out of your day to fill it out and record all the precious details that might fade from your memory later!

You can also include photographs to make your journal really personal.

And unlike many other journals, this one is quite compact and you can take it with you when you’re traveling.

But what I really love about this baby book is how it perfectly balances having concise prompts with giving you enough space to get creative and tell your story.

All in all, this is an elegant journal that your little one will love reading one day when she’s all grown up!

12. Organic Belly & Body Oil For Pregnancy

It’s time to talk about a very common and yet incredibly irritating side-effect of pregnancy – stretch marks.

As your baby grows, your skin stretches, often causing permanent marks on your belly, breasts, hips and other parts of your body.

While preventing stretch marks is a challenge and what works for one mama doesn’t always work for another, you should definitely provide your skin with plenty of moisture during this time to prevent itchiness and discomfort.

This organic oil by Thena contains vitamin E and collagen, which are basically superfoods for your skin! Plus, it smells beautiful.

It absorbs into the skin quickly and you don’t have to worry about it sticking to your clothes.

Apart from rubbing it on your belly, you can apply it all over your body so there’s no need to use a separate body lotion.

13. Stretch Mark Prevention Cream

When it comes to preventing and reducing stretch marks, this cream by TriLASTIN is getting rave reviews everywhere.

Although the packaging could use a little improvement, the cream itself works wonders when it comes to preventing and minimizing the appearance of marks or scars on your skin.

It’s not only used by pregnant ladies as a way to prevent marks but also by moms who already have their “tiger stripes”.

Plus, it’s made in the US!

14. Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter

The third option for your full body skincare is the Burt’s Bees belly butter, which has been a favorite of moms since forever!

Among its ingredients are three different kinds of butter – jojoba, cocoa, and shea – together with vitamin E.

If you are very sensitive to smells, you will be happy to know that this butter is barely scented, so it will be perfect for you!

Apply it once or twice a day as needed and you will love how soft and moisturized your skin feels.

15. Stelle Body Silk Seamless Maternity Nursing Bra

​Your fluctuating breast size calls for brand new maternity bras that offer just the right amount of comfort and support.

Whether you’re planning on breastfeeding or not, they’re a great investment and you should definitely include a pair in your hospital bag.

​Stelle maternity bras are really soft and come with removable pads. Most importantly, there are zero wires that could uncomfortably dig into your skin!

If you decide that breastfeeding your baby is the way to go, you will love that you can easily unhook the bra in the front to let your little one nurse.

The bra comes in sizes from small to XX-large – and remember to take a look at the size chart to determine your perfect size before ordering!

16. Actif Organic Prenatal Vitamin

Regardless of how healthy you already are, finding a good-quality prenatal vitamin is another one of my must haves for pregnancy.

The Actif organic prenatal vitamin contains more than 25 organic vitamins to support your munchkin’s growth and development.

In addition, it includes DHA or docosahexaenoic acid (try spelling that one out on your own!), which is important for the development of your baby’s eyes and brain.

Another important ingredient it contains is folic acid. It’s key for the healthy development of your munchkin and minimizes the chances of birth defects.

Simply take one pill every morning and the bottle should last you around 3 months.

FYI – don’t take any prenatal vitamins without first checking with your doctor if they are safe to use. Don’t worry if you find pills hard to swallow, there are always multivitamins you can take in gummy form.

17. Tums

My first encounter with heartburn happened during my first pregnancy. After a quick talk to my doctor, she advised me to take Tums which were, no lie, a lifesaver.

Most expectant mommies get symptoms of heartburn in the third trimester but don’t be surprised if they arrive sooner, so I definitely recommend Tums as one of my pregnancy must haves!

They work really quickly and it doesn’t hurt that they taste good, too.

18. S’well Stainless Steel Bottle

We have all been guilty of not drinking enough water during the day or replacing pure H20 with soda or caffeine.

During pregnancy, however, it’s really important that you stay hydrated.

Pregnant women actually need to drink more water than usual, around 10 glasses per day.

This gorgeous stainless steel water bottle will make staying hydrated much easier and you won’t need to rely on not very eco-friendly plastic bottles.

Plus, it will keep your drink cold or warm for hours and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, such as BPA.

S’well offers its bottles in more than a dozen beautiful designs that I am 100 percent sure you will love!

19. Yogu Stability Exercise Ball

Pregnancy is a time for you to rest and relax.

But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise from time to time – and an exercise ball (also called a birthing ball) will be your best friend if you would like to do some gentle pregnancy workouts.

Exercise balls have many benefits for expectant moms. For one, they improve your core strength and improve your posture. In addition, it’s a great way to exercise your tummy muscles and lower back.

Once you give birth, there’s no reason to put your exercise ball away in the garage.

In fact, it can become a part of your postpartum care kit and help you work on your pelvic floor muscles! You can also sit on it if you’re working from home and find your regular chair uncomfortable.

20. Intimate Portal Under The Bump Maternity Panties

Just to be clear – you can wear your regular underwear for the first few months of your pregnancy.

As you enter your third trimester, however, your belly will need panties that are low-cut and made to fit around your bump.

Also, the majority of women gain weight while pregnant, so your old underwear might not fit as comfortably as it used to, making maternity panties one of my pregnancy must haves!

I love that the lining of the panties is white (regardless of the actual color of a particular pair) so you can easily see whether you’ve had any spotting.

21. Traditional Medicinals Organic Smooth Move Peppermint Tea

Constipation is a very common and very uncomfortable consequence of pregnancy, so you should definitely stock up on organic peppermint tea that will help you go number two without having to take medication.

It’s best to drink this tea before going to bed at night so that you can go to the bathroom the next morning.

The main reason why women find themselves more constipated while pregnant is because of – you guessed it – hormones!

During pregnancy, your progesterone levels rise, which relaxes your muscles. This makes it harder for food to move through your digestive tract, leading to constipation.

To prevent this issue from repeating, you should incorporate more fiber into your diet and stay active.

22. Hello MIZ Women’s Floral Ruffle Off Shoulder Maternity Dress

Are you planning a gender reveal party or baby shower? Then I’m sure that you’re carefully planning your outfit, too!

While I’m sure that you have plenty of gorgeous dresses in your closet, they’re probably not going to fit you if you’re in your third trimester.

That’s why getting one or two semi-formal maternity dresses is a great idea!

I know that every mom has her own style (maybe dresses aren’t your thing at all) but I think you can never go wrong with florals!

The material of this dress is very stretchy, too, and feels really comfortable, so you can wear it to both casual and more formal events.

This dress comes in sizes from small through extra-large and you can choose from numerous shades and patterns.

Final thoughts

Being pregnant for the first time feels like stepping into a whole new world and it can be nerve-wracking knowing that you are now responsible for the development of your baby boy or girl.

If you’re feeling particularly anxious, remember that countless women around the world have gone through this experience and given birth to happy and healthy babies.

Of course, it goes without saying that pregnancy can be very uncomfortable, so you should do everything in your power to pamper yourself with these pregnancy must haves and make yourself feel as cozy as possible.

Remember to stay healthy, take your vitamins, and get plenty of rest before the big day arrives!

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