Last week, I hit week 38 in my pregnancy. I've been reflecting on the different things that I'd experienced throughout this time: minor meltdowns, morning sickness, the first of many baby kicks... It seems like it went by slow and yet fast at the same time!

There are some products that I don't think I could have lived without during my pregnancy so for all you mamas-to-be, here are some items I think are worth a shot in trying!

1. Spanx Power Mama Shaper - Hands down, this was my favorite item (hell, i'm wearing them now!) to have. As your belly grows, all the weight can be a little much to handle when walking or doing simple chores. I tried maternity weight belts but the little lady in the belly didn't seem to like them and would wiggle and squirm when I put them on. She didn't mind the Spanx so much and they came in a full panty hose as well as the Super Power Panty (which is what I chose since its been so warm out). It smooths out panty lines and is pretty airy. The only downside is that the tummy panel does run if you're not careful since its made of nylon. It also helps support your back and waist. They come in two colors (nude and black).




2. Hydro Flask - I initially bought this because I was doing Bikram yoga but it was extremely helpful in keeping track of my water intake and since its double insulated, it keeps my water freezing cold (even up to 24 hours of pouring it in, ice cubes and all!)! I bought the 40 oz. bottle so I know that drinking 2 of these will give me 80 oz of water a day. They have fun colors too!



3. Confessions of a Scary Mommy by Jill Smokler - With all the reading and research I've been doing trying to prepare myself for baby's arrival, it was nice to find a funny book to unwind with. Jill is a blogger who started sharing her realities as a mother and connecting with other moms out there. Her book is real and funny and a short, great read!



4. Target Women's Favorite Tank -  I have lived in these tanks because they're great for layering and long enough to cover a giant belly! They come in so many colors and prints and are affordable! Now that the weather is warming up here in sunny California, they will definitely be a staple for my summer wardrobe!



5. Vitamin E oil - I have not been so lucky in the stretch mark department. I knew that eventually i'd succumb to stretch mark central but have done my best to stay hydrated and religiously lube up my bump. At first, I was solely using coconut oil but in the seventh month, I started to see stretch marks. Funny enough, I honestly don't believe it was from weight gain as I had gained it in a fairly steady manner. I attribute my stretch marks to my little one moving around. Since week 20, she has been a wiggling machine! At times, her kicks have been so hard and painful, I felt like my skin was tearing and when I would go to investigate it, the areas where she was kicking were red and irritated and eventually donned my lovely battle scars. I had started to combine coconut oil with Aveeno lotion to make a paste but that didn't seem to do much. While wandering around Target, I found a bottle of Vitamin E oil and have been lubing up 3 times a day. My scars are still reddish colored so I've been trying my best to make sure they heal (OR DISAPPEAR!!!). So far, this oil is much more viscous  and stays on the skin longer. Once I have my little lady, I'll look into other lotions to help aid this process.


I hope these items help you with your preggy-ness like they've helped me! What products have helped you along the way?