Important Pregnancy Must Haves To Help You Survive The First Trimester

Sharing is caring!

Does anyone else feel like the first trimester is the longest trimester of pregnancy? I sure do. The first trimester is just so un-fair. Between the all-day sickness, the crippling fatigue, and the bloat in your belly that makes you question your life choices, you also don't get the joys of pregnancy-such as baby kicks- along with it. Fortunately there are ways to make the first trimester more tolerable. Here, I've listed all of my favorite “first trimester pregnancy must haves” that make the first 14 weeks of pregnancy a little less difficult.

If you just found out you're pregnant, are planning on becoming pregnant, or are regretfully halfway through your first trimester without knowing what to put on your first trimester shopping list…I've got you covered.

It is important to have some pregnancy essentials right out of the gate so that you can be prepared and suffer as little as possible during this exciting time.

You're body is going through a lot in these first few months. Make sure you take care of it as it tries to accommodate this brand new growing baby. And don't worry! Although your hormones are all over the place, making every part of your body symptomatic right now, as soon as your body finds it's new “normal” you'll notice the pregnancy “glow” that everyone's been talking about.

Pregnancy Must Haves

I know how stressful finding out you are pregnant can be. Especially if you've never done this before and you have no idea what to do or what you need. Thankfully I'm here to help you get a good head start on a happy and healthy pregnancy.

The second I get pregnant, I start thinking about what I need, when I need it, and what are the best products for pregnancy that I should get ASAP. What's helpful is to find out what the best pregnancy products are right away from a mom that's been through it a time or two.

Good news! I'm happy to share my favorite pregnancy must haves with you!

Although I've mentioned that the first trimester of pregnancy is not walk in the park, with these pregnancy must haves your pregnancy will be as smooth sailing as it's ever going to get.

The First Trimester Must Haves

I have provided a list of all the pregnancy products that I depend on during my first trimester. These are the pregnancy must haves that I recommend for the first 3 months of pregnancy and beyond.

Please note: I am not a doctor and I am not giving medical advice. Information on this website is not intended to diagnose, or treat any form of any disease.  This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. I am only telling you what my experiences are. Always consult your doctor before implementing any tips you find online. Please refer to my Disclaimer Page for more information

This post might contain affiliate links. To learn more, you can read my full disclosure here. 

1. Prenatal Vitamin

I'll just start off with the obvious so that no one forgets it. I'm sure you already know that adding a high quality prenatal vitamin to your daily routine is essential to the health of your pregnancy but I just had to stick it here to be 100% sure that no one forgets it.

Your prenatal vitamin is important as soon as you get pregnant (or even months before you get pregnant). Don't wait to start taking a prenatal vitamin with DHA and plenty of folic acid every single day. Now is the time!

• Related Read: 13 Of The Absolute Best Pregnancy Tips For First Time Moms

2. Probiotic

Probiotics help your digestive system work more efficiently. When you have a gut that is functioning effectively, you will notice that many of your symptoms associated with early signs of pregnancy will be relieved. Symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, moodiness and insomnia can all be lessened or relieved by taking a probiotic.

Probiotics decrease the amount of “bad bacteria” in your gut by providing “good bacteria” to it. These good bacteria help to create a balance that everyone needs…but especially pregnant women.

A study by the Natural Medicine Journal actually reported that probiotic use reduced the probabilities of experiencing gestational diabetes mellitus. Heck yes!

This is the probiotic that I take every single night along with my prenatal vitamin.

3. Tums

Heartburn might creep up on you in pregnancy- even in the first trimester. Don't skip this on your pregnancy must haves shopping list this week. You don't want to find yourself suddenly breathing fire with nothing to relieve the pain right before bedtime. Been there. Done that.

4. Something Fizzy

Stock up on your favorite beverage that has a little bit of flavor and a whole lotta' fizz. I don't know about you, but when I'm nauseated, I cannot stomach plain water. I don't know why that is, but it's just a fact. If my stomach is upset and I'm on the couch praying for the morning sickness to subside, I need something with a little fizz and a little flavor to calm the storm.

During my first pregnancy, Ginger ale was my go-to drink. Ginger is supposed to relive nausea so it's perfect for the first trimester all-day-sickness that you might feel.

If you want something a little less sugar-filled, a good sparkling water will do the trick. During my third pregnancy (the one I'm in as I write this post!) my favorite is beverage has become La Croix sparkling water. It gives me the fizz fix that I crave, a little bit of flavor and none of the sugar that other options provide.

5. Water Bottle

Ok, regardless of the nausea, it is SO important to stay hydrated during your pregnancy. Get into the habit of drinking a lot of water ASAP. Remember that your uterus which houses your sweet, growing baby is a muscle. Muscles need to be hydrated to function properly. Not to mention you are making more blood, providing a safe, fluid-filled space for your baby to grow, and expending enough energy to grow a human.

All of these things require more water.

Keep a large, BPA-free, reusable water bottle at your side at all times.

• Related Read: 25 Amazing Gifts For Pregnant Women

6. Chamomile Tea

If you're used to drinking a cup of coffee or caffeinated tea every morning, these alternatives might be better options. Sometimes, even your favorite things (like the smell of fresh coffee) make you sick as a dog when you are pregnant. Plus, you'll want to limit the amount of caffeine you are consuming while you're growing this little peanut.

Chamomile tea is a mild, decaffeinated tea that is safe in pregnancy, doesn't have a fragrance that's might make you sick, and can be calming during this whirlwind pregnancy you're experiencing. This one is my favorite brand. I have a warm cup almost every morning with a tiny bit of honey and it's heavenly.

7. Preggie Pop Drops

I've heard time and time again that these are life savers for many women. My pregnancy sickness never did lead me to these, but I think that I might stock up early next time just in case I need a quick trick to help alleviate my queasy stomach.

They don't just taste good, these lozenges allegedly do the trick in easing the every-day, all-day sickness that plagues the first trimester. Carry them in your purse, put them on your nightstand… whatever you've got to do to feel better.

8. Peppermint

All things peppermint can really be a game changer in the first trimester. Peppermint is great for relieving nausea, decrease bloating, and soothe digestive issues that pop up during the first trimester.

You can try peppermint candies, peppermint tea, or peppermint essential oils depending on your preference. As long as it's peppermint, it's sure to soothe your annoying stomach symptoms.

9. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is magic. Sometimes pregnancy hormones can cause some skin irritation. Rub some coconut oil on your irritated spots or all over your boobs and belly for some extra hydration and relief.

If you're struggling with morning sickness, constipation, or heartburn, a little bit of coconut oil added to your diet can help relieve your uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Coconut oil will help soothe your stomach and decrease the acid reflux causing you pain and discomfort.

10. Quick Snacks

Everyone will tell you to stock up on “crackers” but I think that you won't know what you'll be able to keep down until you're the one suffering through the morning sickness. For me – black olives. So weird, I know. I needed something snack-able, simple and anything but sweet.

If I were you, I would stock up on some of my favorite small, easy, snack-able foods so that you have options to choose from when you are at your pickiest.

Fun fact- morning sickness is worse when you're hungry. It's best to eat a small snack before you get out of bed and continue to eat small amounts throughout the bed to keep the nausea at bay.

11. Stretchy Pants

Although you likely won't have much of a “baby bump” during your first trimester, you will notice some changes in your body pretty early on. You may start to feel extra bloat in your belly as early as 6-8 weeks pregnant.

Being comfortable is so important during pregnancy and the first trimester is no exception. With all of the tough parts of the first trimester, you'll at least want to have pants that fit right.

Leggings are the best solution to pretty much every wardrobe problem during pregnancy. Stock up on some that are high waisted and uber-comfortable so that you can wear them throughout your pregnancy.

12. Loose Tops

No, you don't have to go around modifying your wardrobe so that people don't know you're pregnant. Instead, you have to modify your wardrobe for your own mental health. It is traumatizing to see your body that you once recognized in the mirror transform into something that looks like something somewhere along the lines of “do I look pregnant, did I eat too much yesterday, or has my stomach always been this odd shape?”.

When I started to notice my body changing, I found myself avoiding 3/4ths of my closet. The first trimester is not nearly as cute as the second trimester. Until you start to feel comfortable in your new body, grab some loose-fitting tops that make you feel good and not self-conscious in this awkward stage.

13. Comfortable Bra

One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is tender and uncomfortable breasts. You will need a comfortable bra or bralette first thing as soon as you know you're pregnant! I couldn't stand underwire bras in my first trimester. It was torture for my sore boobies.

You may or may not be looking forward to your breasts growing as your pregnancy progresses, but either way, it's going to happen! Those girls are going to swell and need a little more room in their homes.

Go up a size or grab a more forgiving shape. You'll be relieved. you're welcome.

• Related Read: 26 Early Signs Of Pregnancy Before Your Missed Period

14. Waistline Extenders

We all have our favorite jeans. I get it. If you're not ready to invest in some maternity bottoms yet, grab some waistline extenders to allow you to continue wearing your skinny jeans even if you're not feeling so skinny at the moment.

15. Pregnancy Planner & Journal

Having a keep sake pregnancy journal is one of my absolute favorite pregnancy must haves of all time. I was so thankful that I wrote down my thoughts, feelings and experiences during my pregnancies. I absolutely cherish the journals that I've kept while growing my sweet babies.

Because I love pregnancy journaling so darn much, I created my own journal. The Ultimate Pregnancy Preparation Journal is everything you need to prepare for and document you're pregnancy. Its a journal, it's a planner, it's a workbook and it has every checklist that you need to make sure your pregnancy to-dos stay in order.

I think you're going to absolutely adore your new pregnancy planner. Check it out and let me know how right I am. Reading your journal back in a year or two is guaranteed to bring smiles to your face and tears to your eyes.

16. Pregnancy Apps

This is the best time to download some great pregnancy apps to keep you up to date with what's going on inside your womb. They have some really great options out there now, you probably could find twenty different ones and they'd all be great. But these are my favorites that I'm using this pregnancy:

• What To Expect App– I mainly use this for the community aspect of it. Join the group that is associated with your due date and you'll find mamas that are exactly where you are in your pregnancy. It's the best.
• Ovia Pregnancy – I love this app for the animations it gives every week. Of course, it compares the size of your baby to a fruit or vegetable but it also gives a visual on how bit the baby's hand and foot is compared to how big it will be at birth. I love that!
• Glow Nurture– This app has THE BEST pregnancy calendar. It is so easy to just swipe and see exactly how many weeks you will be when. Of course, this app has so much more, but I rave about the calendar. I can't live without it!

17. Pregnancy Books

Especially if you are a first time mom, pregnancy books are a must. I believe that it is very, very, very important to educate yourself on pregnancy, labor, birth, and newborns right away. It is a terrible idea to do this whole “having a baby” thing and have no idea what you're getting yourself into.

I read What To Expect When You're Expecting when I was pregnant with my first. I absolutely loved it. This pregnancy (my third), I'm reading Real Food For Pregnancy. It's such a great book for mamas wondering what they should eat for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

18. Netflix

I mean it. If you are a second or third time mom, you might not have all the time in the world to binge watch your favorite shows, but trust me, Netflix was a life-savor when I was in the worst of my first trimester fog.

Sometimes the early weeks of pregnancy make you feel like you literally can't do a single thing for an entire day. It felt like I was drunk and hung over at the same time for about 4 weeks straight.

During that time, I'm sorry, but screen time saved me. If that's wrong, I don't want to be right.

If I could pop on Word Party and let it run a few times to entertain my two year old while I did absolutely nothing, I was happy. Even happier if I could watch 6 episodes of Jane The Virgin in one sitting, but either way.

I'm just saying, you'll be glad you have the means to run non-stop TV when the time comes.

First Trimester Essentials

As your body is working over-time preparing to grow a baby for nine months, I hope you don't have to work over-time trying to find the best pregnancy must haves.

I know that you have a lot on your mind during the first trimester and that “just getting through it” is probably at the top of the list. You don't have to wing it on your own, though. Every new mom needs a good list of pregnancy essentials and I hope this one does it for you!

What other items help you through the tough first trimester? What would you put in a first trimester gift basket for your best friend? Let me know in the comments!

What To Read Next:

• First Trimester Bleeding – Why It Happens and What It Means
• 26 Early Signs Of Pregnancy Before Your Missed Period
• What To Do When You First Find Out You're Pregnant
• 13 Of The Absolute Best Pregnancy Tips For First Time Moms
• 25 Strong Baby Boy Names With Meaning
• How To Create The Perfect Baby Boy Nursery