34 weeks along and feelin’ PREGNANT. I have been blessed with a wonderful pregnancy so I honestly feel bad complaining but also, I am allowed to do so and have these feelings! So if you are feeling the same then I got you. It’s really been the last couple of weeks where I have been feeling the aches, tiredness & swelling. THE SWELLING is real lol. Also, the heat in Arizona isn’t helping with the swelling & puffiness, my ankles are almost nonexistent and my feet feel like blocks – wide and swollen! Up until recently I haven’t felt super “uncomfortable” but now I am and I get it haha. Like overall just hard to get comfortable, even sitting & laying now. The pressure on my pelvic bone is getting stronger and the feet in my ribs really doesn’t feel all that wonderful lol. But at the end of the day I am 6 weeks away and can do this! A woman’s body is truly something incredible so I am trying to stay positive and thankful for this time and ability to carry life – such a cool thing. So for anyone else in their third trimester as well or approaching it, I am sharing some of my must haves on things that have made me feel more comfortable and have helped with this last stretch of pregnancy!
- Aerie Undies – it’s as simple as a pair of underwear that stretches, doesn’t cut into your sides and makes you feel comfortable! I had a “pantygate” meltdown the other day where I needed more undies that were just COMFORTABLE but also still a thong because I am not a full back panty girl. Found these from Aerie and LOVE them. They are comfortable, stretch with the belly and lay flat on your sides, I sized up one from my normal pre-pregnancy size. You can bundle them and get 6 for $30!
- Heating Pad – I’ve used this on and off throughout the second and third trimester and think that it’s a great item to have on hand when your back is hurting and feeling achy! I don’t use it everyday but it helps soothe my back when it’s feeling really banged up.
- Comfy Robe – This is a must & something that I treated myself to in my third trimester! I got the banded MasonGrey long robe in size medium and now understand the hype of this brand! The material is so soft and cozy and perfect for lounging in after a shower or in the evenings/morning before I get ready for the day. This will also come with me to the hospital for delivery!
- Burts Bees Mama Foot Cream – A friend recommended this item to me and it’s been a go to when my feet are hurting after a long day at night. I keep this in my nightstand and apply before bed to help soothe my feet, ankles & calves & it helps a lot!
- Pregnancy Pillow – I didn’t really have a need for my pregnancy pillow in my second trimester but as soon as my belly got bigger in my third I understand the need for it. Now I use it every night and can’t sleep without it. It kinda just helps balance your body and make sleeping on your side more comfortable.
- Maternity Spanx – This is a major MUST for third trimester. I feel like a lot of women don’t talk about gaining water weight in their thighs and then they rub together when you’re walking wearing dresses and it doesn’t feel great lol. So I found these maternity spanx shorts on Amazon that I wear under all my dresses and it makes it so much more comfortable and you don’t get the thigh rub lol.
- Target Pajamas – I pretty much wear these to bed every night! I have them in black & the cheetah print, got them in a size medium and they have grown with the bump great. I think I will get a new pair of the black ones for the hospital for delivery since it is button up and will be good for breastfeeding and skin to skin!
- Biker Shorts – my go to outfit in this last leg of my pregnancy has been biker shorts and an oversized Tee! If you dress it up with some gold jewelry it actually feels like a cute put together outfit that is also comfortable. My fav biker shorts are the Contour Fit from A&F and the Lululemon Align shorts.
- Hydrating Moisturizer – I already had dry skin before pregnancy but it went to a whole new level during! This has been my go to moisturizer and it does wonders! Pregnancy safe (to my standards and many others) & also comes in a couple different sizes. I started off with the smaller one to see if I liked it and now just buy the big one because both me and my husband use it!
- Pill box – this has been a huge help with keeping all my prenatal vitamins in one place and great for travel! I think it makes it easier to just take them in general because sometimes I can forget so I leave them on my kitchen island and also have a reminder on my phone to take them everyday!
Xx, Courtney