First Trimester Pregnancy Must Haves And Favorites

Wondering what should I buy first when I find out I’m pregnant??

If you’re reading this post, that must mean you’ve seen a tiny little + on a stick that’s about to change your life-forever!

First off, I want to say congratulations because you’re a magical unicorn creating life right now! Pregnancy is such a transformative time in a woman’s life and quite the roller coaster ride. Lucky for us, there are some great products available that make managing the first trimester (and beyond) a lot easier.

Let’s talk first trimester must haves and a bunch of my first trimester favorites that I couldn’t do without.

When you first find out you’re expecting, you start thinking about what do I actually need for the first trimester of pregnancy. I know I did!

Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to buy a bunch of unnecessary things just for the sake of shopping. This list is pretty much just the first trimester essentials without all the fluff.

THINGS YOU DON’T NEED TO BUY RIGHT AWAY WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOU’RE PREGNANT

I know it can be tempting to run out and start buying a bunch of baby stuff as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, but this isn’t always the wisest idea. The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are considered the most ‘high risk’ time. It’s better to wait until you’re out of the woods.

I actually did a little of this with my first pregnancy and regretted it.

Unfortunately, my first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage around the 8-week mark, and having those baby reminders just made it that much harder to deal with. I had bought a baby outfit or two and couldn’t even look at them after the miscarriage (but I couldn’t let them go either).

Plus, you’ve got a baby shower coming up at some point, you’re going to get a ton of stuff then. It’s better to wait and see what you get first, then you can figure out what you actually need to buy after that point.

The focus of your first trimester essentials is YOU! You want to focus on things that will make this time easier and more enjoyable for yourself. There will be plenty of time to spoil baby soon enough.

We’ll talk more about when to start buying items when you’re pregnant in our second-trimester essentials and third trimester must-haves.

So, here’s my list of must-haves for mom-to-be during the first trimester. This is the stuff you NEED to buy when you find out you’re pregnant.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but this comes at no additional cost to you. 

FIRST TRIMESTER MUST-HAVES AND PREGNANCY ESSENTIALS

The first-trimester must-haves are those things that will help you adjust to pregnancy and help you deal with those pesky first trimester symptoms you might be experiencing and help you get focused and prepared for the next 9 months both health-wise and mentally.

The only other thing you might want to put together when you find out you’re pregnant is a unique and creative way to tell your spouse you’re expecting.

PRENATAL VITAMINS

First thing’s first, let’s get started with some prenatals that are essential for you and baby’s development. In a perfect world, you would have been taking prenatal BEFORE even getting pregnant. But, alas, things don’t always go as planned so just try to get some ASAP!

You’ve probably heard about the importance of folic acid during pregnancy. Its been shown to help prevent birth defects with baby’s brain and spinal cord. These things start developing within the first month which is why it’s recommended to start taking prenatal vitamins ahead of time.

You’ll need at least 400mcg of folic acid daily and you’re prenatal will cover that plus a bunch of other essential vitamins and minerals.

PRO TIP: If you live in Canada, you could actually have your prenatal vitamins covered by your health insurance plan if you’re doctor writes you a prescription for Pregvit.

If not, here are some of the best rated prenatal vitamins available to buy without a prescription. Whichever one you choose, make sure it has at least a minimum of 400mcg of folate.

I’ve tried to include a few different ones at different price points because I know these things can get expensive quickly!

Garden Of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal

This one is considered one of the top of the line prenatal vitamins available and it’s raw, vegetarian, NON-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free- BONUS it’s got 800mcg of Folate!

You’ll notice I said Folate instead of Folic acid. Folate is naturally occurring in food and is the best absorbed by your body. Folic acid is the human-made version of folate). This is probably why this one is more expensive.

ONE-A-Day Women’s Prenatal 1 Vitamins

This is one of the top OBGYN recommended over-the-counter affordable prenatal vitamins. It contains Folic Acid (800mcg), Omega-3 DHA, Calcium, Vitamin D, and Iron among other vitamins and minerals. Plus it’s the soft gel kind which I find easier to take than the giant chalky tasting tablets.

Garden of Life Organic Prenatal Multivitamin Supplement with Folate

One whole food multivitamin packs 21 essential vitamins and minerals plus organic ginger and lemon peel to help fight nausea and it is certified organic, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and doesn’t contain any synthetic binders. It has 600mcg of folate.

THE PERFECT PREGNANCY PLAN
(Optimal Nutrition and Fitness From Prenatal To Postpartum)

That prenatal is super important but it isn’t a replacement for optimal nutrition and fitness during pregnancy.

The sad thing is, we really don’t get enough information about what exactly we can do to maximize our pregnancy nutrition and give baby the best chance for a healthy outcome. Pregnancy health and nutrition is severely lacking!

I thought drinking healthy fruit and veggie shakes would be a quick and easy way to get my nutrients in quickly (as always we’re busy trying to get everything done).

This was a bad move! Eat your fruits and veggies, skip the smoothies. The smoothies spike your blood sugars, you want to give your body the time to break down food and slowly raise those sugars.

Long story short, I ended up with gestational diabetes and had to stab needles into my stomach from about 20 weeks til the end of my pregnancy.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, when my little guy was born he had high sugars as well and had his itty bitty foot pricked with needles every hour to monitor his levels. It was brutal to watch him scream every time they did it. Sometimes they didn’t prick right, another prick and then another.

I wish I could have avoided all that by learning about the right things to eat and the best ways to stay fit. I learned my lesson after that pregnancy and now that we’re thinking about baby #2, I’m preparing the right way.

I came upon this ah-mazing and one-of-a-kind pregnancy and nutrition course: The Perfect Pregnancy Plan.

 
It is the first and only program of its kind that does a deep dive into pregnancy nutrition’s involvement in epigenetics.

What the heck is epigenetics, you ask? It just means:

“what nutrients you provide to your growing baby, and at which stages of pregnancy, can actually turn on or off some of your babies developing genes. Directly affecting their morbidity and mortality!”

Say what?! I know I want to do everything in my power to give my little bean everything he or she needs to grow into a healthy and happy baby so this course goes above and beyond!

The program developer Allie Edwards, is a certified fitness trainer specializing in postpartum fitness who is also certified in Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy, as well as being Certified in Child Nutrition and Cooking. Yup, she knows her stuff!

Now, I’m equipped and ready to do everything the best way possible for baby number 2! I get all the easy recipes I know will be beneficial for us both, I know which trimester to eat certain foods for maximum benefit. I know exactly how to exercise during pregnancy to give us both the best possible health.

I feel ready this time.

She offers a pregnancy nutrition program and a fitness program separately but I bought the bundle since it was priced so low and the best bang for the buck.

Take a peek and see what you think!

MUST HAVE PREGNANCY BOOKS

The next thing to do when you find out you’re pregnant is to start educating yourself on what to expect when you’re expecting. There are a bunch of great pregnancy and baby books available to get you started.

They’ll tell you what to expect each trimester, how you’re baby is developing, and offer some ways to deal with pregnancy symptoms.

Here are a few of my favorites.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING
BY HEIDI MURKOFF

Now, don’t let the outdated looking cover fool you. This one is an oldie but a goodie. If you’re only planning to buy one pregnancy book then this is the one to get.

It’s pretty much the pregnancy bible.

It covers EVERYTHING- when should you take a pregnancy test? How much should you eat? What’s safe to eat an what’s off limits? It’s even been updated to include stuff about gender reveals-the list goes on and on! A holy grail of pregnancy books.

MAYO CLICK GUIDE TO A HEALTHY PREGNANCY: 2ND EDITION BY DR.MYRA J. WICK

This is another great resource book to peruse during your pregnancy. It’s written by doctors who are also parents so they get it!

They cover everything from healthy lifestyle habits, to the latest technologies in prenatal care and childbirth, pregnancy symptoms, what to expect at appoints and much more.

If you’re looking for something more scientific then you’ll probably prefer this one. It’s still an easy read but just packed with more facts and scientific evidence.

THE GIRLFRIEND’S GUIDE TO PREGNANCY
by Vicki Lovine

If you’re looking for something a little less dry and a little more fun and relatable, I suggest checking out the Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy. It’s a funny read and has lots of information. I found it a fun read but found her views on your growing pregnancy body a tad negative.

I personally wouldn’t call mine or your pregnancy body fat but I do appreciate that we all experience insecurities along with joys during pregnancy.

It’s probably not a good choice if you’re someone who’s easily offended though so fair warning– she tries to tell it like it is- like your girlfriends would.

STRONG AS A MOTHER
by Kate Rope

I thought this was another great read and a good balance between the hard- facts science stuff and something more relatable that you would actually want to read (without it sounding like you’re on WebMD).

” It will prepare you with humor and grace for what lies ahead, give you the tools you need to take care of yourself, permission to struggle at times, and professional advice on how to move through it when you do. “

I like that this book takes a more holistic approach- looking at your mental and emotional health as well as your physical health.

MORNING SICKNESS REMEDIES

One of the most common tell-tell signs of pregnancy is nausea and morning sickness. It’s not fun but usually, it doesn’t last forever. For most women, it subsides by the end of the first trimester.

For myself, I found that taking my morning prenatal often caused me to get nauseous. I find that eating something first thing in the morning BEFORE I take the prenatal helped tremendously with my nausea.

In some cases, even that isn’t enough and you need a little extra help with some safe, doctor-approved, over the counter items. I tried my best to stick to natural remedies and limit medications during pregnancy.

THREE LOLLIES QUESY DROPS

These all natural drops might be just what you need to combat the morning sickness. It’s completely natural and drug free- it’s actually safe for toddlers, kids, elderly and mama’s-to-be.

It’s main nausea fighter is ginger- you may have heard that ginger is an effective anti-nauseant and I found that to be totally true.

I usually used these when I’m out on the go and got hit with a wave of nausea- full disclosure- I got hit with a wave of nausea on my subway commute to work- NOT FUN! Lucky for me I always travel with a paper bag during pregnancy and I suggest you do the same LOL. I popped one of these bad boys and felt waaaay better.

If I’m home when I get hit, I usually make myself a cup of tea steeped with fresh ginger. Another great remedy that’s all natural. Stock up on that fresh ginger!

WATER BOTTLE

Hopefully, you always drink your 8 glasses of water a day (who am I kidding). But, if like me, you often forget or struggle to get your full 8 glasses, having a portable water bottle can help. This one is so cute and even has little time stamps as a reminder to keep you going.

Just having it on my desk at work reminded me to keep drinking water throughout the day. Just keep on refilling and replenishing that water supply.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to up your water supply.

I love big jugs and I can not lie. So if you want to go big or go home, maybe you’ll love this big jug instead. It’s got a little straw too so easy peasy.

WHAT TO BUY WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOU’RE PREGNANT: MY FIRST TRIMESTER FAVORITES

I know the first new things on the pregnancy shopping list for the first trimester seems a little dry- first trimester necessities if you will.

You should have a little fun and get a few things to remember and celebrate this time in your life as well. Here are a few fun and memorable keepsakes to buy for the first trimester of pregnancy.

PREGNANCY JOURNAL

I wish I had started a pregnancy journal right from the start but I didn’t come across the idea until about the second trimester. It can be hard to keep up with a daily journal but it’s oh so satisfying when you get to look back on it.

This time is so so precious and although it can feel like such a long wait when you’re actually pregnant- the time actually flies by. You forget so much of what happens. It’s so nice to be able to look back and remember how you were feeling and what you were experiencing.

We often forget so much of the highs and lows because it goes by too quickly! I love the idea of journaling during pregnancy.

This one is super cute- it has a lot of great writing prompts, spaces for belly photos, and ultrasound photos.

BUMP PHOTO PROPS

Next up, we have baby bump photos! This is another cute keepsake I wish I had stayed consistent with. I took a few bump photos here and there but pretty much avoided the camera all together after the second trimester. I just wasn’t feeling too cute and didn’t think I’d want to remember looking like that.

It turns out, I was WRONG! I’m regretting it so much now that I’m looking back. I wish I had just taken the darn photos and kept them for myself.

Mama, do yourself a favor and take the photo! Even if you don’t feel comfortable sharing them- JUST TAKE THE PHOTO. You can’t go back. And you just might feel differently in a few days, weeks, months, years- you get the picture.

There’s a ton of cute bump photo props available these days! You can opt for a Pregnancy Chalkboard Sign or Baby Bump Stickers.

If you opt for the stickers, you can always add them to your journal when you’re done.

PREGNANCY SUBSCRIPTION BOX

If you feel like giving yourself or a pregnant friend a special treat- why not try out a pregnancy subscription box like this one from OH BABY BOXES. You can buy just one to try or continue on as you can cancel anytime. This one is great because it even continues postpartum!

Last I checked (OCT 2020), they had 10% off your first box with code OHBABY10!

Each box is filled with awesome stuff for each month (6-8 FULL SIZED PRODUCTS!)- at a FRACTION of the cost of buying them individually.

Many of the first trimester must-haves I’ve mentioned here have been included in previous boxes- like the nausea drops, bump photo stickers, and pregnancy journals.

If you want to see what kind of stuff moms have received in the past from this box, take a look at the review section here, a lot of moms are listing the products the got and include some photos too!

ECOMOM PREGNANCY SUBSCRIPTION BOX

Now, if you’re an eco-conscious mindful mama, you may want to check out the ECOCENTRIC MOX BOX filled with natural, organic, or Eco-friendly products that are matched to mama’s stage in pregnancy or baby’s monthly age up to 24 months old.

They offer a crazy generous 30% off if you want to try a box! Just use code HEYMAMA when you check out.

Keep in mind, eco-friendly, natural and organic products are more pricey so this box usually contains 4-6 full-sized products.

WRAPPING UP FIRST TRIMESTER PREGNANCY ESSENTIALS

I think that pretty much covers your first trimester survival kit. I hope you find some of these items helpful during your first trimester.

Now that you have everything you need, there’s still quite a few things that you actually have TO DO like maybe start thinking about your pregnancy announcement.

We need a first trimester to-do list. I’ve got everything you don’t want to forget to do in the first trimester plus a helpful free printable list!

The other thing you should do RIGHT NOW is check out all these amazing freebies for new and expectant moms! Many of these are actual FULL-SIZE products!

WHEN SHOULD YOU START BUYING BABY STUFF WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOU’RE PREGNANT?

You’re all set with your first trimester survival kit. If you’re having crazy nausea and other first trimester symptoms, stay strong! It’ll be over soon.

As I mentioned before, you won’t need to start buying baby stuff just yet. Let’s cover what you’ll need for the second and third trimesters before we get to baby stuff. I think you’re safe to hold off until the end of the second trimester. Or at the very least, after your baby shower.

If you really feel like you want to pick up a little something for your little love, I suggest waiting until at least after your 12 week scan so you know everything is progressing well.

Think happy thoughts and enjoy this special time in your life mama!

Do you have any first trimester necessities that I missed? I would love to hear about it. Leave me a comment 🙂

SHARING IS CARING!