Being pregnant the second time around offers a bit of comfort from experience. It doesn’t make nausea more bearable of backaches less nagging, but you know that those discomforts are short-lived. And just like I now know that newborns don’t really require that much stuff, I know my pregnancy needs are on a short list as well.
There are so many fancy-schmancy products geared toward pregnant women. No surprise! After engaged women, we are probably the most anxious to spend our dough on ‘necessary’ items. I have incredibly over-priced crib-bedding to prove it 
There are, however, a few items that make pregnancy more comfortable for me, so I thought I’d share with you some of my favorites! In no particular order…
Full Panel Jeans and Leggings – For those that don’t know, pregnancy pants come in two forms- half panel and full panel. I own two pairs of half panel jeans and though they worked well when my belly first started popping, now they are pretty uncomfortable.
When I sit, they cut in and press hard against baby girl and she fights back. They also give me a weird muffin-top/love handle combo. I have enough issues with trying to get dressed right now and sure don’t need another challenge to battle.
The full-panel feels supportive to my growing belly, like a snug hug. It’s official. I’m a full panel girl.
Pro-Compression Socks – Pregnancy is an athletic event, right? Sure, why not. I had heard of women, especially those on their feet for much of the day, wearing support hose and socks. I never thought much of it. However, I am on my feet so much of the day long now and by the end of the day, they hurt. I haven’t experienced any swelling, but my feet feel fatigued. One day I threw on my compression socks and WOW, what a difference! It felt like someone was squeezing my feet. They felt supported and soothed.
Compression wear doesn’t only help my legs and feet better, they can also help prevent varicose veins and reduce swelling. Seriously, though, they feel great! My one little pair gets washed and reused pretty dang often.
Coconut Oil – What isn’t this stuff good for? It’s great for the kitchen, but I’m referring to the jar I keep in my bathroom. After the shower I smother this stuff head to toe, really concentrating on my belly. I know genetics have a large part of determining whether you get stretch marks (I lucked out in pregnancy #1), but staying hydrated from the inside out (drinking water and moisturizing) can’t hurt.
I love coconut oil because it is natural and really moisturizes my skin like a champ. Plus, a chance to give my baby bump a good rub down is fun too.
Decaf Coffee & Tea – I’m one of those who restricts my diet during pregnancy. You know, no caffeine, no deli meat, no medicines. I’m not here to start the discussion, just saying that’s what I choose to do. Because of this, I REALLY enjoy a decaf drink now and then. I’ll sip a small cup of decaf tea or decaf coffee and it feels like a treat!
Yes, I am aware that small amounts of caffeine remain in decaf drinks and that some use chemicals in the decaffeinating process, so I try to stick to organic when possible, but nope, I’m not perfect about it.
The Snoogle – It takes up half the bed, it’s silly looking and I love it. No, not David (hardee har har), I’m talking about my snoogle that I pulled out of hiding. The snoogle basically takes the place of 4 pillows- one for the head, one for the back, one for between the knees and one for belly support. Yes, once I crawl into bed, I wrap the thing around me until I’m in the middle of a donut.
It encourages me to sleep on my side, which is important because I still find myself on my back some nights, and it supports every inch of me. Sleep with this pregnancy has been phenomenal for the most part (knock on wood), so thank you snoogle.
I’m sure I look this beautiful while sleeping with it, too. The only thing missing is the puddle of drool. (Sorry for that visual)
My Hubs – I’d be doing him a disservice if I didn’t mention David. He calls me supermom (which inflates my head more than any other possible compliment), encourages me to relax and rubs my aching feet and back. I’m not sure which I appreciate more, the emotional support or the foot rubs, but both are ridiculously comforting. I know I wouldn’t handle the challenges that come with being a pregnant toddler mom and running the house half as well without his support.
What is one pregnancy item you can’t live without?
Lee says
Leggings for sure. I am so glad that they are in style. And I definitely agree with you about the full panel vs the half-panel.
I have that exact jar of coconut oil in my cabinet but I never thought to moisturize with it!
Jen says
I’m with you on all of them except I need my caffeine! I didn’t have any with Wyatt and he was the worst sleeper ever, so maybe the reverse will be true this time? Great list!
Brittany Dixon says
Fingers crossed for the reverse for you and absolute same for me! I’m terrified already about sleep deprivation.
Kelly says
Reading your blog updates makes me wish I was pregnant again! Its been a few years – my son is turning 4 in a few weeks – and your posts make me nostalgic for pregnancy!
🙂
Elizabeth @ My Neon Running Shoes says
I love that you included David!!! So true! Gap currently has some
maternity shirts on clearance that rock. I just bought 3! I love bio oil, the coconut butter, and a giant cup I refill several times a day to stay hydrated 🙂 happy Wednesday!!!
Katie says
I found out we were expecting baby #2 on NYE, and when my husband said “great…now the snoogle will be back” I may or may not have jumped for joy! I loved my snoogle and am pumped to add it to my bed in a few weeks. Leggings weren’t really in style yet with baby #1 so I’m looking forward to taking full advantage of them this time around!
Brittany Dixon says
Congratulations!! And yes, I think the snoogle is universally hated by husbands everywhere- haha!
Kelli D. says
What brand/where do you get your compression socks? Are they the ones pictured above? I’m thinking I’ll need tall ones to cover my calves. I had terrible foot/ankle/leg swelling towards the end of pregnancy with my son… no pre-e just lots of fluid build up. I am 31 weeks along with my little girl and have just started to see a little puffiness in the feet! This sound like an excellent idea after a long days work 🙂
Thanks, Kelli
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, the are the exact ones pictured- pro compression in purple. They go up to my knees, but I sometimes fold them over if I don’t need that much support. I highly recommend them 🙂
Verna says
I despise full panel. It feels like granny panties to me. Haha!!
Tiffany says
Great list! I unfortunately got stretch marks in the last week or so of my last pregnancy after I thought I got off stretch mark free and they popped right out again as I started growing with #2 so I’m not that diligent about the lotions this time. It is what it is!
I love the full panel for pants, jeans, and some leggings, but now that I’m much bigger (31 weeks), some of my leggings with no panel (not half, just dips low in the front) are the most comfortable as I don’t have to keep pulling up the full panel (none of them completely cover my belly anymore). Those half panel things are the WORST. I’m just wondering if maybe some people carry differently making it comfortable for them? I have the exact same issues with them as you do!
Lauren B. says
Amen to the Snoogle! You introduced me to it the first go-round, and now it’s back, wonderfully taking up the majority of the bed. When my hubby saw it again, he said, “oh no, it’s back.” Poor husbands. But I’m seriously in love with it. I even use it during naps when I’m not pregnant!
I also love compression socks, especially when traveling. The full-panel jeans are comfy, until my belly starts itching and I have to flip the panel down.
Great recommendations, especially the last one. 😉
Sarah [My Full Home] says
When I was pregnant with my daughter I’d have to say my full panel pants also. I used to be a public school pre-k/kinder teacher and I was on my feet all day and constantly bending and stooping so that helped to keep everything in place. No tugging on my clothes. I never bought a snoogle but I did buy a full body pillow and it helped me to stay on my side and relive my aching hips at night.
Ali says
I loved my maternity leggings! I lived in them almost every day. I agree with you on the full panel all the way once the belly pops.
Maria says
I’m pretty sure I could use a Snoogle pregnant or not. And let’s face it…full panel jeans pregnant or not 😉
Brittany Dixon says
Haha! I was happy to have the stretchy waistband over the holidays for sure 😉
Marissa says
I see people buying that belly band that goes over normal jeans and think, “Why?! Maternity pants are where it is at!!”
Love my Snoogle too!
Ashlee@hisnHers says
I’m not preg but I have to say that I’d love to have that snuggle pillow for when my husband travels for work haha. And then I’d already have one for when I AM preg!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I want a snoogle and I’m not even pregnant…is that weird?!
Brittany Dixon says
Not weird at all! Best pillow ev-ah 🙂
Emily S says
I know what you mean about full panel! I had a few 1/2 panel jeans from my pregnancy with Parker, and b/c I popped so quickly with Avery, I feel like I barely wore them! They started to get uncomfortable really fast!!!
And I relaxed about caffeine (meaning, a couple glasses of iced tea was ok once a day!) while I was pregnant with Avery, too. I read that they’re less affected by your drinking it postpartum if they have it in the womb.
And finally, something I’ve been thinking about for a while – is there something I can click on to comment at the bottom of each post? It is kind of annoying (first world problem) to have to scroll back up to click “comment”. Just curious.
Brittany Dixon says
I think caffeine is easy for me to go without because I rarely drink it not-pregnant either. I’m highly affected by it (jittery and heart palpitations), so I typically go without 🙂
And sorry, but I have no clue how to change the comment feature :/ I’m so tech-challenged!! Thanks for scrolling though!
Marjorie says
I too was a Snoogle girl during pregnancy. Without it, my hips would hurt sooo bad in the morning when I would wake up.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I’m a full panel kinda gal too! 😉 I wore compression socks during my pregnancy too, and LOVED them!
Melissa G says
My favorites include those pants too. I also like my heat pad that I microwave. Put it on my head for headaches or lower back for lower back pain & I got a yoga ball. Great for sitting on and bouncing, takes the pressure off cuz I’m dealing with pains by the end of the day. I’m 29 weeks right now with baby #3 and this one is wayyy different, I’m wayy more sore this time around. Thanks for sharing your favorites.
-Melissa