You may have already seen my posts focusing on healthy pregnancy tips and what I’m eating – this time I’m sharing some of my essential products I’ve been loving throughout the first and second trimester – and now into the third (where is the time going??!!). From beauty things to books, maternity clothes to probiotics, I hope you enjoy!
BEAUTY
I’m not one for spending a lot of time or money on beauty products, but since becoming pregnant I’ve been a bit more aware of what I’m using on my skin; I dedicate so much time to eating well and exercising that it makes sense to consider what I’m doing on the outside.
TIANA COCONUT – Rose Anti-Ageing Moisturiser
Tiana Coconut’s new Rose Anti-Ageing Moisturiser is the only anti-ageing moisturising cream with 100% raw, organic and fair trade ingredients. Naturally rich in antioxidants that are nature’s defence against ageing, this unique formula contains 300 active nutrients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, deeply nourish and hydrate skin.
Ingredients: Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, fresh organic coconut butter, organic pure essential rose oil. Free from parabens, propylene glycol, sulphates and other chemicals. No animal testing and cruelty-free. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
A solid oil, it’s ultra concentrated so you only need to apply a tiny amount to your face – it melts in wonderfully – morning and night, concentrating on the eyes and neck. Since I’ve been using it religiously twice a day I’ve noticed my skin feels so much softer, smoother and supple. I love that the moisturiser is made from simple, natural ingredients and has a gorgeous scent. Highly recommended.
MUSTELA – Maternity skincare
Mustela has been a baby and mum skincare specialist for more than 60 years and the products are all natural, hypoallergenic, safe for baby during pre-natal and post-partum pregnancy, helping the body of expectant mothers as they undergo the many changes which may leave their mark on the skin.
I hadn’t heard of the brand before but I loved the sound of the products – I was kindly sent the following which I’ve been using religiously twice a day for the past week. Although time will tell as to whether they ‘work’, they feel wonderfully moisturising without being greasy and easily absorbed, don’t have a strong scent and it’s nice to pamper myself at the start and end of the day, especially the body parts which are starting to feel the strain of a growing bump!
- Body Firming Gel – Includes avocado peptides, a patented natural ingredient helping to relieve sensations of tightness, reinforces skin elasticity and leaves skin feeling supple and comfortable. Centella asiatica improves and tones the skin for an intense firming effect.
- Stretch Marks Prevention Oil – Contains lupeol, a natural ingredient extracted from lupine seeds which help skin withstand stretching to prevent stretch marks. Also contains the beneficial oils of avocado, pomegranate, musk rose and baobab to nourish and improve elasticity.
- Bust Firming Serum – Like the Body Firming Gel this also contains avocado peptides and centella asiatica, plus elastoregulator, a powerful ingredient that helps to increase elasticity, improve skin tone and resistance to variations in breast volume.
- Light Legs Gel – The avocado peptides soothes and calms the skin while menthol extract immediately refreshes and provides relaxation and comfort. I kept this in the fridge and when my ankles, feet and calves felt tingly and swollen, it worked a treat!
CLOTHING
The maternity clothing market is huge but it can be hard to know where to start and what to ACTUALLY buy with a growing bump. Specially designed clothes ain’t cheap, and to be honest I’ve actually found it much more cost-effective to buy things to wear on the bottom that allow a generous stretch while wearing ‘normal’ things like long vests and shirts, or floaty tops and dresses that are fit under the boobs then flow freely.
H&M – MAMA Maternity jeans
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went shopping for ‘maternity jeans’. I hate buying jeans as it is so this task with an ever-growing tummy filled me with dread. After seeing recommendations for H&M, I popped in and was surprised to try on a pair of gorgeous light-denim skinny fit jeans that fit like a glove, with the addition of a ‘sexy’ over-the-bump layer of comfy material. For £34.99 they are decent value and I’ve even bought a second pair since I wear them every day, all day. Paired with long tight-fitted vests or t-shirts, or nice floaty tops to dress up a bit, they are ideal for working around your wardrobe.
LULULEMON – Workout gear
Since I’m still working out pretty much every day (one rest day per week), I’m still fitting into my sports bras and tops but my current leggings have been feeling a little tight as bump is increasing in size. By coincidence I was very kindly invited to my local Lululemon shop in Manchester to try on some workout clothes and choose a piece to go home with.
As soon as I tried on the High Times Pant, I was in love. ‘These high-rise, ⅞ length pants have been designed to take you from Hatha to happy hour. Lightweight, buttery-soft Nulu fabric is sweat-wicking and four-way stretch.’ With a waistband that lies flat against skin and doesn’t dig in, although these aren’t specifically ‘maternity’ pants they are a dream to wear while pregnant. Part of the Naked Sensations range, they have been engineered to feel like a lightweight, second-skin layer which are wonderfully fitted but don’t feel too tight or suffocating. I’ve been wearing these most days, not just for working out!
SUPPLEMENTS
I mentioned in my previous post that I’ve been taking a multivitamin especially for pregnant women, just so I can be assured I’m getting enough of the right things for Baby’s growth, health and development. On top of that, here are a few of my other daily essentials.
WILLY CHASE’S – Apple cider vinegar with The Mother
The ultimate apple cider vinegar in my opinion, this is something which I’ve been introducing into my daily diet during pregnancy. Made purely from 300-year-old untouched apple orchards, Willy’s The Mother is unfiltered, organic and unpasteurised to help keep the many benefits it has to offer without the need for fertilisers or pesticides.
As well as being a staple in healthy vegan baking and cooking, the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother are rather impressive:
- Rich in enzymes and potassium
- Support a healthy immune system
- Helps remove body sugar toxins
- Helps soothe dry throats
- Promotes digestion and ph Balance
- Helps control weight
The acclaimed external benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother:
- Relieves muscle pain from exercise
- Soothes irritated skin
- Helps promote youthful, healthy body
- Helps maintain healthy skin
And that’s exactly why, with a growing bean inside me, I’ve been adding a spoonful to warm water with a slice of lemon and fresh ginger first thing in the morning. I find it helps my digestion (which, when pregnant, you’re a bit more prone to digestive issues – NICE).
OPTIBAC PROBIOTICS – Good bacteria
These 3 strains of natural bacteria from Optibac Probiotics have been carefully selected for babies and children up to 12 years, and tested to survive stomach acidity. With Fructooligosaccharide fibres and natural live cultures such as B. infantis Rosell-33, they are free from yeast, gluten, artificial colours, suitable for vegetarians and also ideal for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
These handy sachets are flavourless and best taken at the start of the day with breakfast, mixed into a smoothie or water or even cereal. I emptied one out into my usual combination of Greek yogurt, protein powder, superfood powder and beetroot juice with frozen berries and couldn’t taste the difference – but my tummy seemed to be happy with all of this good bacteria inside it, and hopefully Baby will too!
VITL GREENS – Superfood powder
Although I’m eating healthily throughout pregnancy, filling up on plenty of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains plus taking supplements, I’ve also been incorporating VITL Greens Complete Daily Superfood Powder into my diet to make sure I’m hitting the nutrients for Baby and I.
Each sachet contains a blend of 16 superfoods including alkalising spirulina, kale and maca alongside flaxseed, wheatgrass, goji berries, sea greens and green tea in a protein-rich, vegan-friendly formula designed to support energy release, immune health and healthy skin, hair and nails. I simply mix one with water at some point in the day and at 25 calories per serving, I know I’m really cramming in the goodness!
RESOURCES
BOOK – Giovanna Fletcher: ‘Happy Mum, Happy Baby’
Sounds bad but it’s rare I actually read a book. With so many amazing blogs, YouTube channels and sites out there focusing on being pregnant and becoming a mum, I feel like I’m learning a lot. However thanks to Husband and Bump getting me Giovanna’s book as a Mother’s Day present, I’ve been loving taking it out to the park or into bed for some chill time and reading about her experiences as a mother of two. Funny, heartwarming, honest and insightful, I adore her anecdotes and how she writes.
BLOG/COMMUNITY – We Made A Baby
When you’re pregnant you take on a whole new sense of identity – you’re still the same person but as your bump grows bigger and your lifestyle adapts, not to mention the excitement and apprehension that comes with it, your outlook can change and hundreds of questions can arise. That’s where a strong, supportive community and resource comes in.
A big shout to We Made A Baby for providing informative content covering all aspects of pregnancy and babies, plus the wonderfully engaging and helpful #WMABChat on a Wednesday I’ve bookmarked an article or learnt something new from the tweet interactions countless times and it can feel much less isolating to be part of something where others are going through the same thing – or are able to offer advice from the other side.
So there we go, my list of essentials throughout the past 7 months – I hope this post has been helpful for any mum-to-be’s!