Body Pillow: I tried a few different body pillows & this one is by far my favorite. It is a pretty penny, but because the filling is little beads, the stuffing doesn’t get stuck on one side, which was an issue for me with other ones! It’s great to put behind your back on the couch too to help you not slouch.
Epsom Salt Baths: I know people have different opinions about baths during pregnancy, but I felt comfortable taking them from the very beginning. My provider just told me to make sure I was never feeling HOT, and instead just felt warm. Because I was used to taking baths so hot they would make me sweat before pregnancy, I decided to get a little thermometer for the bath, just so I knew I wasn’t making the water too hot. If you don’t feel comfortable taking a bath, try a warm Epsom salt foot soak — FEELS SO GOOD! These are my favorite magnesium salts.
This Belly Butter: I tried several different body butters, oils etc. before landing on this one, and it is just SO good. It makes me smell like an almond croissant & has the base of tallow, which has a very similar fatty acid structure to human skin, making it the PERFECT way to replenish hydration on your stretching belly! Use code: HEALTHYHONEY10 for 10% off!
9 Golden Months: I truly cannot recommend reading this book enough! I started reading this in late 2nd trimester & wished I had read it in 1st (or even when we started prepping to TTC) because of how beautifully she talks about pregnancy. I don’t know if anything would have actually made 1st trimester more enjoyable, but I do think her mindset around pregnancy would have blessed me in the pits of first tri.
Indigo Luna Pants: The Layla Flares from Indigo Luna have been my actual uniform in pregnancy. They are the only pants that have fit me comfortably from 1st trimester through 3rd (aside from my 1 pair of maternity jeans), & they look cute with sweaters, tees or sweatshirts. I loved them before pregnancy too & have no doubt I will love them postpartum. I wore a medium prior to pregnancy & still can squeeze into them, but ordered a large pair in 2nd trimester and those have been my go-to since. Their sizing is very forgiving, so I think the large will still work after pregnancy too! This link will give you a discount at checkout! Just make sure to change the currency to see accurate pricing, as it is an Australian brand.
Pregnancy Jeans: I literally have not worn a normal pair of jeans from the moment I got pregnant. I got pretty bloated right away & just had ZERO interest in trying to squish my womb into something that was uncomfortable. I bought these jeans around 8 weeks pregnant and am SO glad I did. I sized up one size from my pre-pregnancy size, and wore them 1st-3rd trimester!
Immune Support: Unfortunately, natural remedies are extremely understudied, especially when it pertains to pregnancy. If you google just about any herb, supplement etc. to see if it is “safe” for pregnancy, it will say there is not enough research & it is best if you just steer clear. Obviously, you always want to do your own research & talk to your trusted provider, but these are the ways I have been giving my body extra immune support throughout pregnancy: This Immune Support Powder (code: HEALTHYHONEY); Colostrum (I love and use both ARMRA & Cowboy Colostrum); and Minerals & Chill from Healthillie (code: AUDREY10).
Sour foods: OK, I don’t think I heard people talk about this very much, but eating/drinking sour things was one of the only things that helped my nausea. Granted, it was very temporary relief, but it was SO nice to get a little break in the thick of 1st trimester. I loved Preggie Pops, but also just TONS of lemon in my water, frozen fruit etc. This supplement also took the edge off of nausea for a few hours at a time.
Pre-made Adrenal Cocktail Mix: Supporting my mineral levels in pregnancy has been a TOP priority from the beginning. I have seen WAY too many clients postpartum with insanely depleted minerals (especially sodium & potassium) to not make this a priority. I have drinken Minerals & Chill from Healthillie (code: AUDREY10) pretty much every single day after first trimester and am excited to see what my minerals look like postpartum! It has amazing amounts of sodium, potassium, magnesium & whole food vitamin C — all amazing for our adrenals!
Electrolytes: On the topic of supporting mineral levels, I literally HATED anything artificially flavored in first trimester (& most of 2nd), so E-lyte from BodyBio (code: AUDREY) was my lifeline. I just added a capful to lemon water or my pregnancy tea! They are made with the same electrolyte ratio as human blood, making them the PERFECT add-in to anyone’s hydration routine. They also just came out with ReMineralize which I have been also adding to daily drinks.
Clean Self Tanner: I have used this face self tanner (code: AUDREY10) almost every single week of pregnancy. It might sound silly, but it’s SUCH an easy way to feel cuter when you just feel awful. I use the basic tanning set (the brush makes it SO quick & easy with no mess on your hands) in the shade light/medium!
Red Light Therapy: I have been obsessed with red light therapy for years now, but it has been such a lovely tool to use throughout pregnancy. Most mornings I just lay/stretch on my yoga mat & sheepskin, letting my face soak in the red light. It’s a very low-effort way to feel like you’re caring for yourself in pregnancy! I also love shining it on my face while I take a bath & listen to the Christian Hypnobirthing App! This red light device is my favorite & my link gets you a BIG discount at checkout!
Nasal strips: I honestly didn’t deal with much congestion until 3rd trimester, but I know for some it starts much earlier. I am such a big advocate of nasal breathing, but being constantly congested makes it hard. I have found doing a neti pot with warm filtered salt water and/or nasal spray, blowing my nose & then putting on of these on to be a GAME CHANGER for my ability to continue nasal breathing (and mouth taping) throughout pregnancy!
Easy Protein Options: I have needed to eat at least a few bites of protein the literal MOMENT I wake up since the beginning of pregnancy. If I don’t I will get nauseous, even in 3rd trimester. It’s been so important for me to have quick and easy protein options on hand for this. Although not the cleanest, these protein bars have been a lifesaver for me lately. I also LOVED these protein bars in first trimester, but now I can’t even look at them without gagging… I hope I can love them again one day. I truly keep a box of protein bars in my nightstand. I also like to keep cheese sticks, hard-boiled eggs etc. on hand at all times in the fridge.
Digestive Enzymes: Digestion can be a STRUGGLE in pregnancy, so I have loved taking Needed’s digestive enzymes (Code: HEALTHYHONEY) with meals to support my body in breaking down the food I am eating. I keep one on my dining room table & one in my purse, and take them with pretty much every meal.
ACV: Apple Cider Vinegar before meals is SO helpful for balancing blood sugar, as well as promoting healthy stomach acid & naturally occurring digestive enzymes. I don’t think I would have been able to stomach this in first trimester, but started some time around mid-second trimester. I notice such a difference in my digestion when I take it & when I don’t! I also haven’t experienced heart burn, which I have heard ACV can help prevent! I just do ~1 tsp in water.
Pregnancy Tea: I started drinking pregnancy tea in 2nd trimester because there are so many vitamins & minerals in these herbs that are supportive in having a healthy pregnancy, birth & postpartum. My absolute favorite is this one. It is the classic NORA blend (Nettle, OatStraw, Red Raspberry Leaf & Alfafa) + rose petals which bring such a lovely flavor. I have also used Earthley’s pregnancy tea (code: AUDREY10) & got to try Symbi’s new pregnancy tea (code: AUDREY10) which is launching in April. All are amazing options! I always make my loose-leaf tea in a french press, which makes it SO easy.
OCD therapy: I have dealt with health anxiety for many years, but never realized it was a form of OCD until pregnancy, when my therapist at the time pointed it out. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people who have experienced health challenges deal with health anxiety but have NO clue how to heal from it. I tried EMDR therapy, talk therapy, inner healing prayer, nervous system work, etc. Nothing worked until I realized it was a form of OCD and found a specialist. That is when I learned that health anxiety/OCD is treated COMPLETELY different from any other form of anxiety. Most therapists are not trained in this therapy & don’t even know that they should refer you out if you’re stuck in the constant loop of health anxiety. Finding a specialist who does exposure therapy has truly been LIFE CHANGING for me!
Victorious Birth Course: This free birth course was such a gift to me in the midst of a lot of pregnancy anxiety. It isn’t the most helpful technical birth course (I’ve heard Built to Birth is great for that), but was AMAZING for my mindset. My sister recommended it & told me how it helped her go into her 3rd birth (2nd homebirth) with the mindset, “My only birth plan is to encounter and be with Jesus.” The woman who leads it has had several different types of births, and has SUCH good perspective on how to truly surrender to what God is doing throughout labor and birth. I hope it blesses you like it did for me!
Gentle Movement: In pregnancy, I have found myself craving gentle movement. No intense weight training, HIIT workouts etc. So, the only goal I made for myself was to walk as much as possible & do gentle movement sequences (mostly stretching) as often as it felt good. I have said this for years, but truly, daily walks can change your life & body! So if you’re struggling to do organized workouts too, just walk! I use a walking pad during the winter when it’s too cold to get out. I also have LOVED Kara Duval’s Range platform for all sorts of workouts — she has a whole prenatal section with gentle & nourishing movement sequences, nervous system support & even weighted workouts if you do want that!
