Pregnancy Essentials We Recommend (From Experienced Birth Doulas)

Pregnancy Essentials We Recommend (From Experienced Birth Doulas)

Every pregnancy comes with its own set of trials and tribulations (can you tell I’m a fantasy nerd? 😅).

I’m not going to cover every product that could help you survive and thrive during your pregnancy, but as a doula these are the items we consistently see helping our clients feel more comfortable during pregnancy.

Give us a comment at the end and let us know what pregnancy symptoms you are struggling with or what products are working for you!

(Some links below may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Comfort During Pregnancy

Belly Support Wrap

If you are spending any amount of time on your feet in the second or third trimester, having extra support for your growing belly can be a lifesaver! It can also encourage better posture and body alignment, which may help create space for your baby to settle into an optimal position.

Why we love it:

• Supports back and belly
  
  

• Doesn’t have velcro that gives out after a few uses
  
  

• Can be used after your baby arrives instead of being donated or thrown away

• Helps protect from abdominal separation (Diastasis Recti)
  
  

Tutorial Video: Wrap You in Love (Youtube) (One of my favorite baby wearing accounts)

Budget Option: Jerome Baby Wrap

Fun Option: Tula Baby Wrap (I also LOVE their Free to Grow Carrier if you are looking for a structured carrier for your baby)

Doula Tip: Wrapping your belly in pregnancy will make babywearing more natural and help build your confidence.

Magnesium

For many pregnant people, insomnia, muscle cramps, and restless legs are very common. This can often be due to low magnesium levels. Increasing magnesium—through supplements or topical products—can be extremely helpful for some people.

Helpful for:

• Insomnia
  
  

• Restless legs
  
  

• Muscle cramps or spasms
  
  

Calm Powder

Magnesium Body Cream < Shout out to my friend Elly, who hand-makes every bottle herself

Pepcid

Always ask your provider before starting any new medication. That being said, this is recommended by all of the OBGYNs local to me for heartburn control in pregnancy. Medications can be safe in pregnancy, and happy, healthy moms make for happy, healthy babies.

This can help with:

• Heartburn
  
  

Generic Pepcid

Doula Fact: There is some truth to heartburn being related to more hair on babies. The hormones that cause heartburn can also cause hair growth!

Ginger Candy

Ginger is a great natural remedy for mild morning sickness! I lived on these candies in my first pregnancy. If you like tea, you can also break out a ginger tea with lemon.

Gin Gins Ginger Candy < (A big hug to my friend Jasmine for this recommendation during my first pregnancy)

Doula Tip: Eating something before you get out of bed can help reduce morning sickness far more than anything else.

Straw Water Bottle

Hydration becomes incredibly important in late pregnancy. A straw water bottle makes it easier to keep up. This one is my favorite because it has a straw and is extremely spill proof.

BruMate Spill-Proof Straw Cup

Compression Socks

A great solution for combating swollen feet in pregnancy, when you can’t just stop and put your feet up. I really love how cute these are.

Colorful Fruit Compression Socks

Other Little Luxuries

• Bath Pillow

• Cute Pregnancy Tank Tops

• A pregnancy pillow can also be incredibly helpful for sleep—but I’ve never seen two people agree on the best one. 😂

If you can borrow a few from friends to try before buying your own, I highly recommend it.

Final Thoughts

The truth is, you don't need dozens of pregnancy gadgets.

But a few thoughtfully chosen tools can make pregnancy more comfortable and less overwhelming.

If you're looking for more guidance on preparing for birth, our childbirth classes walk families through everything from labor positions to postpartum recovery.