In my experience, the first trimester of pregnancy was the worst. I felt TERRIBLE–nauseous, tired, emotional, all the things–until I finally hit the 15 week mark and I started believing I might actually rejoin the land of the living. (I know some people say they are sick the entire pregnancy and, if that’s you, you are amazing and I am so, so sorry).
But the second most difficult part of pregnancy is the end of the third trimester. As I am writing this post, I am 35 weeks pregnant with #4. Mercifully I still feel pretty good most days. But the waddling, back pain, and bladder pressure still get to me sometimes.
I have made a list for you of products I’ve used in this pregnancy (and prior ones) that have helped survive this trimester with a lot less discomfort. I hope they help you too!
1. A stepstool
I use a stepstool in two locations that save my back. First, I sometimes use it when taking a shower. I have a tile shower and sometimes when I wake up, the idea of standing on that tile and washing my long hair is too much! Standing still is harder for me than walking at this point, I don’t know why. It’s kind of like having a shower seat that old people use, but a lot less bulky. Try it and see if it makes your showers more enjoyable.
Second, I use this stool when I dry my hair. Again, it saves me from standing still on our tile bathroom floor. I also dry my hair by flipping it upside down and I can’t maintain that position very long right now if I am standing. Some of you might be lucky to have an outlet near your toilet and can sit on that. My bathroom isn’t set up that way so the stool helps a lot! Sometimes I even sit on it while putting on my makeup and prop a hand mirror on my countertop to see.
2. Pregnancy Support Band
I believe the support band in the picture above is the one I am currently using. I borrowed it, so I am not 100% sure, but it is so helpful! In the second trimester, I preferred one that was smaller. I used this one for three pregnancies and it helps a lot. I still even wear it in now depending on my outfit. Sometimes the bulky ones don’t work as well with certain clothes. Something like this would be good too. But when you’re huge, the support of a larger belt feels so good.
3. Water (and a good water bottle)
Drinking enough water is going to make you feel better and ease digestive issues. After birth, especially if you breastfeed, your body is going to need A LOT of water, too. Go ahead and find a water bottle you can use with one hand and start carrying it around with you. I currently have the water bottle in the picture, and I like it pretty well. The lid will pop open if I drop it hard enough, but most of the time it’s okay. I like the 32 oz size so I’m not constantly refilling it. Some people prefer a water bottle with a straw. I personally don’t because they harder to clean, but whatever works for you, just drink water!
4. Maternity Workout Leggings
This is the type I purchased. They are pretty good, but I think you there are many brands that could work just fine. But they have been SO comfortable. In warm weather they are nice because they don’t ride up like shorts do, but are still cool. I’ve literally had mine on repeat almost every single day this summer. To the point that my husband is wondering if I’ll ever put on another outfit (answer: nope).
5. Maxi dresses
I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on clothes I couldn’t wear after pregnancy. So I picked up a few maxi dresses on Amazon and am getting my money’s worth out of them! This is a great way to buy clothes that you can continue to wear after baby comes. Just make sure you get ones that are cut high enough on the waist. You want the seam between the bust and the rest of the dress to be more like an empire waist. If it sits at your natural waist it’s going to make you look bigger and feel a little uncomfortable as your belly grows. I wear these all the time to work and church.
6. Fiber
This isn’t the sexiest or prettiest product, but I have been a big fan of fiber throughout this entire pregnancy. Since all your muscles are kind of smoothed out and relaxed in pregnancy, that means that your digestive system might slow to a crawl. Constipation has been rough for me this pregnancy and taking fiber on a regular basis makes a huge difference! Keeping your systems moving makes a big difference in how you feel. It creates a problem if everything is backed up but you have to keep eating because you’re always hungry. Eventually it feels like every meal you’ve had for the past three days is just sitting in your digestive tract (because it sort of is) and trust me: it doesn’t feel good.
I don’t actually use the brand in the image, I just use a store brand powder. They make lots of different fiber products, but I think the powder is cheapest and works just fine. I try to take it at least 5 times a week. I definitely notice if I take a few days off. Obviously fiber in your diet is best, but not always practical if you’re dealing with nausea or food aversions. I would also start small and see how your body tolerates the extra fiber. You don’t want to cause even more problems by adding gas to your list of problems!
I hope this list has given you at least one product you can add to make the last trimester more bearable. It’s such an exciting time because you’re getting so close to meeting your new baby, but also so hard because that baby is so big! It will all be over soon mamas!