2nd Trimester Basic Maternity Must-Haves

In the first trimester, my only must-have was a barf bag and some zofran, but now that my 2nd trimester is coming to a close, there are a few items, clothing and otherwise that I simply could not do without.   Here they are in no particular order…

The Snoogle

The single most valuable item I have purchased during the course of my pregnancy has got to be the Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow.    If I wasn’t convinced of this before I had to spend a week in NY without it, I am now.   For those not familiar, The Snoogle is a body pillow that wraps around your neck and shoulders, and through your legs.   It’s versatile, it’s comfy, and most importantly, it keeps me from rolling onto my back or stomach, both of which are key when you have a baby in your belly.   It’s helped train me to sleep on my left side with my legs apart, which is good for the circulation, and if you’ve read any of my recent posts, you know that I’m swollen like Goldie Hawn’s lips, so just imagine what the situation would be if not for this brilliant creation.    It’s available on Amazon.com for 49.99, which was a significantly better price than what my local baby boutique was offering.   (Although I should know better than to shop at any place that calls itself a “boutique.”)    If we had a bigger bed, I might have sprung for the Leachco Back ‘N Belly Pillow, which seems like it might just make my life complete by giving me full Snoogling abilities on all sides – but my husband needs to sleep somewhere I suppose.   Back in the days of disposable income, I would definitely have splurged for a custom Snoogle cover (there aren’t any currently on esty for me to link you to, but I’ve seen some pretty cozy looking plush ones in previous searches.)

American Apparel Racerback Tank Dress

I wasn’t sure about these tank dresses, but during the most recent American Apparel co-op, I took a leap of faith and ordered 3 of the American Apparel Racerback Tank Dress a couple of sizes up from my regular pre-pregnancy size.    I couldn’t be happier.   While the Baby Rib Cut-Out Dress and shirt I ordered proved to be an immediate favorite, I’m going to make an educated guess that the tight weave will prevent them from fitting as my belly continues to expand (although I think they are cute as hell right now – click here to see the shirt.) The American Apparel Racerback Tank Dress on the other hand, is an item that I know will stay with me through the end of this thing, and if I’m lucky, washing them in hot water might even extend their life beyond my pregnancy. I’m wearing them as nightshirts, swim cover ups, and even to meetings over jeans or leggings (adding jewelry helps dress them up nicely.)   The links will show you the dress as a regular sale item from AA, but the photo to the right is my pathetic attempt to model what it looks like with the belly.   Scott has called me creepy for only posting belly shots where my head is cut off, so I’ve switched from iSight Camera, to iPhone camera in the guest bathroom.   I probably should have closed the toilet seat.

Plain White Tanks and Tees

They’re all around the most flattering Maternity item I have found…provided I don’t shrink them in the washer (which I always do.)   Both my basic white T’s from Childish Clothing, and my Long Layering Tanks from Old Navy (currently 50% off) have become staples.   I’ve taken to wearing them layered and alone, and especially while the belly was still hiding, I’d throw a vest or cardigan over one to conceal my bump.    They say that black is slimming, but somehow I’m finding that white does a better job of making me feel less like a house.

The Heidi Jean

I’ve tried my fair share of maternity pants at this point – and while my BellaBand has allowed me to continue wearing some of Scott’s old jeans – the Heidi Jean from Childish Clothing beats out even the Citizens for Humanity maternity jeans I snagged while BabyStyle was having their going out of business sale.   What makes the Heidi Jean great, is that they’re stretchy, and cut to fit your belly without the annoying (and sometime difficult to manuever) maternity band that so many fancy maternity jeans sport.   Even the pregnant nurse at my doctor’s office questioned if I was still in pre-pregnancy pants when she watched me unzip the fly for my monthly fundal height check.   (Although she’s also the person that weighs me every month, so you’d think that common sense would have to dictate that there’s no way in hell I’m zipping/buttoning anything that fit me before this kid started baking.) Also pictured above.

Honorable mention goes to my Old Navy Twill Maternity Pants (also currently 50% off) for being my favorite pants to wear when I want nothing to do with denim.

All the Belly Products I’m currently basting in…

The L’Occitane Huile Souplesse, d’Amande (Supple Skin Oil, Almond) which my Mom bought me for Mother’s Day has quickly become my favorite thing to slather on when my stomach starts to itch. I’ve been using it in conjunction with the Egyptian Magic that my friend Lisa swore by, and some good old Rosehip Oil (courtesy of Sara) to help combat stretch marks. 25 weeks, 1 day, and so far so good. Consider this a review in progress – we’ll see how long my stretched-to-the-limit skin can hold out. (please please please let it stay stretchie free!)

The Belly Chime

Okay, so it’s not exactly a “must-have” but I really love my Belly Chime, which my very thoughtful sister-in-law gave me as a Mother’s Day gift.   It makes the prettiest sound which, according to the manufacturer, can be heard inside the womb, and will “soothe and relax the baby right up until birth.”   And it’s proven to be a favorite of Eva, Paloma, and Dashiell, all of whom have stolen it off my neck at one point or another, so I’m confident my little girl will take comfort in the lovely chime once she’s born as well.   I’m thinking of attaching it to a keyring or my diaper bag so it can be baby-safe once there’s no one in my womb to enjoy it.

FitFlop Walkstar

I’ve had my FitFlops long before I became pregnant, but now that summer’s here and the insane water retention in my feet has prevented me from being able to wear just about every other pair of shoes I own, I’ve found a renewed love for the “Flip Flop with the Gym Built in.” Suffice it to say I wear these babies just about every day, and continue to call them the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.

That’s my list!   In my first trimester I expected to be living in the cotton Maxi-Dresses I picked up from Target by now, and while those are sure to come in handy as the summer progresses, I’m still finding that Jeans and T’s are my go-to favorites for all around comfort.  I’ve also become quite fond of my Wii Active from EA Sports but I’m hesitant to recommend any pregnant chick hop on the balance board and start a work out regime they’re not already doing.   Swimming and Pre-Natal yoga classes on the other hand, have done wonders for my aches and pains, and can be supervised.   Questions/comments?   Feel free to leave them on the blog, or contact me here.