Comments on: Essential Pregnancy Products Guide

By: Michy

Michy — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:28:11 +0000

Extra pillows were a must during pregnancy. A pillow that I wish I had though during my pregnancy was the Nneka Nursing Pillow.

http://www.nneka.ca/site_anglais/nneka_a.html

It’s a tube pillow filled with buckwheat and is perfect for putting behind the back when side sleeping. It’s really heavy so it stays in place perfectly. I still use it and my baby is 10 months old! Post partum, I have used the pillow to keep baby in place during side lying breastfeeding or as a buffer between me and baby. It’s very firm so safe for baby. I’d give this pillow to all my pregnant friends. It’s actually another mom that recommended it to me.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:21:57 +0000

Belly bands always rolled up on me & I regretted buying one. I didn’t want to spend a mint for a huge body pillow that would take up half our bed, I just used an extra two regular pillows, one between my knees & under the side of my belly, the other behind me to stop me from rolling onto my back (because later on the discomfort would wake me up).

I used some pregnancy oil on my belly & that helped with the itchiness, but I don’t believe for a minute that it does anything to prevent stretch marks.

Prenatal aquafit was awesome–some type of prenatal fitness class is definitely an essential. I’m not much for swimming (never could get the rhythm of breathing right & I always feel a bit desperate to get air) but you don’t need to with aquafit. I particularly liked the deep water class, where we used flotation belts & pool noodles to keep floating while we swished around. There were lots of games & partner activities designed to get you interacting with other preggos, plus tips & ideas from the instructors who were well trained & had all been pregnant before.

Chiro & massage really helped keep my hips & back from getting painful. Though my labour was short–8 hours–my doula had some great tricks that helped me. It was great to have an extra pair of arms to do double hip squeezes & take photos.

I lived in maternity tanks, as I was due in August. I found I went through a few sizes of maternity pants though–I kept growing out of them. The only thing that fit all the way through was a gathered skirt I made. Flat comfy shoes are a must any time.

I think one thing I’d add to this list is a nice supportive chair & foot rest. I used an Ikea Poang set to put my feet up & read or use my laptop. It wasn’t easy to get out of when I was really pregnant, but it was super comfortable. Since Sprout was born I’ve used it as a nursing chair. Because the bentwood frame is flexible, you can bounce in it a bit to help get babies to sleep & it was WAY cheaper than a glider or rocker.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:54:07 +0000

My essentials are not really things that I’ll have afterwards. I found for my pregnancy having a steady supply of OJ (it helped prevent bouts of morning sickness following taking prenatal vitamins) and TUMS for heart burn. Other than buying comfortable maternity clothes including yoga pants, I didn’t use a single thing on this list.

By: Mary E

Mary E — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:57:59 +0000

I’d be interested to see a guide like this for the first year of baby’s life. Especially because there are SOOOOO many products, most of which aren’t necessary or even useful to a lot of people.

By: Katy

Katy — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:57:22 +0000

i, too, found that the bella bands roll up. i also don’t see how they would be strong enough to hold up pants…

i use them as boob bands! i have a DD rack when not pregnant and it expands a LOT when I am pregnant. maternity shirts are often very low-cut and reveal the huge, huge bras I wear. a bella band over my boobs does the trick just fine!

also, the chiropractor who is certified in Webster technique can help to ensure optimal fetal positioning for labor and delivery.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:26:59 +0000

I loved my bellyband as well, was so useful especially on my second when my bump was very big! Also loved the body pillow. I think book wise – I second the other poster who suggested InaMay Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth. It is invaluable – I always recommend it to women, so many inspiring stories and great information. I think towards the end of pregnancy it can be useful to start thinking about how you would like to parent (well for me it was anyway), so The Baby Book by Dr Sears is a helpful book to have.

I found GentleBirth hypnobirth Workshop and CDs (www.gentlebirth.com) invaluable on my first as I so nervous about the birth yet was hoping for a natural birth at home and didn’t feel I’d be able to manage it until I went along to the workshop and starting listening to the CDs – along with Ina Mays book I felt confident and fear free and I attribute the preparation to my two beautiful births.. I loved the course so much I now teach the classes in my part of the world.

Finally I also second the idea of doing a breastfeeding class BEFORE baby comes along when you can take it all in!

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:26:38 +0000

I found GentleBirth hypnobirth Workshop and CDs (www.gentlebirth.com) invaluable on my first as I so nervous about the birth yet was hoping for a natural birth at home and didn’t feel I’d be able to manage it until I went along to the workshop and starting listening to the CDs – along with Ina Mays book I felt confident and fear free and I attribute the preparation to my two beautiful births.. I loved the course do much I now teach the classes in my part of the world.

Finally I also second the idea of doing a breastfeeding class BEFORE baby comes along when you can take it all in!

By: dadzooks

dadzooks — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:06:28 +0000

I’ve been looking to surprise my wife with a few items for our pregnancy. I hadn’t even thought about footwear. Thanks so much, this entry helps me a lot!

Dadzooks

By: Cin

Cin — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 15:54:27 +0000

I am glad these things were helpful to you, but except for the books and belly support,were any truly essential? It’s a very middle class consumerist list.

Must also point out it is a list for a certain kind of pregnancy – a normal one. After two HG pregnancies I have a much different list – and mine involves IV fluids and medication.

By: Dave Higgs-Vis @ Folkabout Baby

Dave Higgs-Vis @ Folkabout Baby — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:13:35 +0000

My wife found a body pillow to be a huge help! It really helped with her back pain. As well, she had regular visits with her chiropractor, which were also helpful for this issue.

We read a number of books, none of which are really worth mentioning. They were all kind of alarmist, and not very positive.

Great list, by the way! I’ll be directing relatives here next time we get pregnant, so we’ll get useful gifts instead of more baby clothes. Thanks!