Want to know what my absolute must-have items are for pregnancy as a second time mom? I’ve rounded them all up for you in this blog post!
When I was pregnant with my first, I wasn’t sure what I wanted and need to get through my pregnancy comfortably, so I just bought things as I found them on sale and second-hand. I also had a few friends who were done having babies and gave me some of their old maternity gear. This second time, I have a much better idea of what I like, what I dislike, and what I absolutely need in my pregnant life.
CLOTHING
The biggest adjustment that I personally have to make in pregnancy is how I dress myself. My body shows a prominent bump early on and I carry very forward. I also like to keep my closet on the minimal-ish side of things. I have found (through some serious trial and error) what my must-have items are for my maternity capsule wardrobe.
FABLETICS LIMITED EDITION POCKET MATERNITY LEGGINGS
I wear these pants almost every single day. I’m a fan of leggings anyway, so be able to continue wearing my staples during pregnancy is my jam. These leggings are 7/8 length so they don’t bunch up at the bottom, they have pockets on either side that are big enough for my phone, and they offer so much support to my big belly and weak lower abdomen. I wear my regular (pre-pregnancy) size and they fit great throughout my pregnancy.
PREGGOLEGGINGS MOM’S NIGHT OUT LEGGINGS
These are my go-to lounging pants. They have much more stretch and give than the Fabletics (which have much more support) and I can forget that I’m even wearing them. They are thick enough to be worn comfortably as pants, without worrying about any transparency. In early pregnancy, I have to fold the waistband down in half, but by the time I hit those last few weeks I am glad for the extra fabric to cover my enormous stomach.
NESTING OLIVE CLASSIC HOUSE DRESS
Why I didn’t purchase a dozen of these house dresses at the beginning of the summer, I’ll never know. They are absolute perfection in my opinion. Flattering cut for the bump, easy to dress up or down, not see-through, deep enough pockets for my phone, snaps down the front for a classy look and nursing access. I have three of these in different colors/patterns and I’m dying for some new colors to be released.
NESTING OLIVE WRAP DRESS ROBE
This robe gets worn throughout the day nearly every single day. Perfect length, buttery soft, and it ties like a wrap dress would so it does not come open to flash everybody when I go about my daily life. Did I mention that it has deep pockets too and comes in so many beautiful colors??? I expect this robe to become one of my favorite pieces during postpartum and beyond.
ISABEL MATERNITY V-NECK T-SHIRT
I like to keep my wardrobe simple and these simple v-neck tops fit the bill for me. They fit comfortable from my early bump to my bursting bump and they’re not terribly expensive. They’re also easy to dress up with a cardigan or dress down with a pair of old leggings.
15-20 mmHg COMPRESSION SOCKS
I got lucky in my first pregnancy and didn’t endure any edema. In my second pregnancy, I was not so lucky, plus we did a lot more car and plane travel during the middle of my second pregnancy. Having some light, calf-length compression socks has made a world of difference in my comfort. I highly recommend having a pair or two on hand, even if you only wear them when you’ll be sitting upright for long periods of time (car rides, plane rides, office work, etc.).
AUDEN SEAMLESS NURSING BRA
My bra size (both my band and cup sizes) increase significantly during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so I very quickly have to pack away my wired bras and pull these babies out. They have a bunch of eye hooks for my expanding rib cage and the wireless structure is much more comfortable and forgiving.
LARKEN DUO NURSING/PUMPING BRA AND TANK
These two pieces were primary purchased for postpartum this winter, but I’ve gotten quite a bit of use from them during pregnancy as well. Both of these pieces are perfect loungewear for pregnancy and they both hold up to washing without losing their stretch.
WELLNESS
I have had very simple, textbook pregnancies so far, so I don’t have to make very many adjustments to my self-care while pregnant. However, I do have a few things I like to change or add (especially in late pregnancy) to make sure that my body is getting all the care that it needs to carry my babies safely and healthily.
RITUAL PRENATAL MULTIVITAMINS
These prenatal vitamins have been my favorites that I have tried. They have a pleasant taste and aroma, they arrive in my mailbox on a monthly subscription, they don’t make me feel ill if taken in the morning on an empty stomach, and they are completely transparents about their ingredients and sources. I plan to switch to the postnatal multivitamin after I give birth.
LMNT ELECTROLYTE SUPPLEMENT
I drank 1-2 LMNT electrolyte supplement packets almost every single day throughout my entire pregnancy and I really noticed a difference in my energy levels and overall feeling of wellness on the days that I didn’t. The supplements helped my body to stay in balance with all of the extra fluid intake (drinking roughly a gallon of water daily) and all of the additional uses of fluid throughout my body. I plan to continue with these supplements as I recover and breastfeed my baby.
RED RASPBERRY LEAF TEA
I start drinking a cup of red raspberry leaf tea once a day around 34 weeks of pregnancy. This tea is believed to strengthen the uterine muscle and aid in women’s reproductive health. I like to up my consumption to two cups a day at 37 weeks and to three cups a day at 39 weeks to support my body and prepare it for labor.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL CAPSULES
Starting at around 37 weeks I start using two Evening Primrose Oil capsules as a vaginal suppository every evening. There are numerous accounts of this preparing and softening the tissue of the cervix so that when the time comes for baby to be born, your contractions can be more effective in dilating the cervix. There are also accounts of this practice leading to less vaginal tearing during the birth.
CURÉL HYDRA THERAPY IN SHOWER LOTION
I suffered from first trimester hives and severely dry, red, itchy skin on my abdomen during the third trimester of my first pregnancy. I could find a moisturizer that worked, was unscented, and didn’t cause my hives to flare up again. This time I decided to try this wet skin moisturizer and it is perfect in every way. You just apply it to wet or damp skin, then towel off as usual and go about your day. I have had no issues with hives and the skin on my growing belly feels much better taken care of than it did last time, though I do still have some itchiness.
I really enjoy being pregnant and being able to grow and carry my babies with my body, but having some clothing and some self-care items that I love really make the experience sweeter for me.
BARREL OF MERRELL'S 
Leave a comment