My Maternity Must Haves

I know this post is long overdue but on the plus side, I was able to try more things to add to it instead of giving you in pieces.

*Long post ahead*

I’m now in my 6th month of pregnancy (21 weeks) and I can say with certainty that maternity clothes are a must since comfort is of utmost importance to me. I rather look put together than a super fashionable pregnant women right now. If I start to get uncomfortable, forget asking me to leave home or do anything… unless it involves food, and I will only move to go eat it, not cook it or buy it.

Clothing

Since I’ve started with being comfortable in clothing, I’ll start there. For a long time I held off of buying Maternity clothes. I tried to make do with larger sizes from my usual stores, but that was quickly becoming a problem. Being pregnant isn’t the same as going up a size due to weight gain, everything fits in the same areas except for the stomach. The rubber band trick worked for a bit but it was time to buy maternity jeans as my fear of the rubber band popping and my jeans dropping in public increased.

I got my first pair from Old Navy. I had to get them hemmed because there aren’t many Short sizes in Maternity clothes (which I’m finding is a very common thing), but they fit well otherwise. My other pair I bought fromDestination Maternity and I managed to find a pair under $50. A quick note on Destination Maternity, it’s better to shop in store than online. I refused to buy from them online as their site made me feel like I should be a pregnant woman over 35 looking for clothes. It doesn’t seem to cater to the younger crowd online but you would definitely find some good items in store.

*Quick Sidenote* WHY are Maternity clothes so damn expensive? You don’t even wear them for 9 months!!!!! it’s more like 5-6 depending on when you start showing and how desperate you are. I REFUSED to spend over $100 on any item of clothing up to this point and I really hope I don’t have to in the future. I’ve managed to keep it at $75 or below (preferably below) but the most expensive item was my winter coat which I purchased on sale on Hautelook for $99 and I’m praying it fits well when it arrives.

Back to clothes. The Maternity section on Asos has been my go-to place for clothes. I managed to find a few items on there to wear home for Christmas as I don’t have anything that would fit me in my closet by the time we’re ready to go. I also bought a few items from the sale section in Destination Maternity to wear home. Upsizing in Forever21 has been helpful when it comes to tops and sleepwear, but buying bottoms from there is a waste right now. And finally, Shop Bop Maternity is nice if you don’t mind spending money. I bought the Plush Fleece Maternity leggings from them when they had their friends and family sale on for 25% off and even though I LOVE these leggings (especially for Winter) I can’t bring myself to purchase another pair at the full price of $82. What’s worse is that I’d ordered a Small in both the grey and black but the black fit tighter and I had to return them. I would love them in black but I don’t know if I’d get another pair that would fit or they’re all cut smaller than the grey and I need to go up a size to a Medium. But these are definitely a must for Winter with their fleece lining, and because they go under the belly and are way more comfortable than over the belly leggings.

Skin Care

My Maternity Must Haves

I was determined to avoid Pregnancy Acne and other skin flare ups from the beginning. Since you cannot use any items containing salicylic acid, accutane, topical retinoids and other ingredients mostly found in acne medication, I decided to step up my Clarisonic Mia 2 game and try to use it at least once a day and I added 2 or 3 drops of Tea Tree oil to my regular toner and used Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash whenever I’m not using the Mia 2. I still use my Moisture Prep Toning Lotion and Vitamin E Hydrating toner at night and those 2/3 drops of tea tree oil are a very refreshing addition.

My Maternity Must Haves

 

Above all, washing my face twice a day has been a major help. I will be honest and say I don’t always wash it twice a day but that’s only once or twice a week, but during the Summer I definitely did and cutting down on the oiliness really helped a lot. I started using the tea tree oil when I would start to get a little flare up, but between changing what I was eating and washing my face more often I got it under control. I don’t have troublesome oily skin but I do have very sensitive skin on my face and I can easily break out into a rash. I use the tea tree oil from The Body Shop because it contains only 15% tea tree oil. I made the mistake of purchasing a bottle from the vitamin shop I go to that was 100% and felt a burning sensation. It cooled down but I’m just going to use it on cuts/burns from now on instead of with my toner.

Stretch Marks Prevention

I’ve been fortunate to not have any rapid weight gain, which is one of the main reasons for stretch marks. Genetics are also another major factor. Regardless, I don’t think I have any and I hope I can make it through the rest of my pregnancy without any or with as few as possible. I did a bit of research before I bought anything and it was more for the scent than anything else. It’s really important to be able to tolerate a scent that is going to be on you for the whole day. I have a quite a few products that I rotate depending on what my day is like and the weather. I will say that recently I have had to apply some kind of product at least 3-4 times a day to stop any itching, whereas twice a day used to be fine.

Mama Mio Tummy Oil

My Maternity Must Haves

This was the very first product I purchased. Dulce Tejeda mentioned it when she was pregnant and I searched her site for the name and bought it. It has a very refreshing scent and it was a very good starter product to use. If you have nausea like I did, the scent is not strong that it bothers you. It doesn’t linger either or come through your clothing. I started mixing it with L’Occitane Mum and Baby Balm for added moisture as Fall came around. It is not so oily that you need to let it settle before you get dressed but I still give it some time as it is an oil.

Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter

My Maternity Must Haves

I only bought this for travel. I used it while in Maui and it was perfect for the heat. I didn’t have to worry about traveling with oil in my carry on or feeling extra greasy in the heat.

Mama Mio Boob Tube

My maternity Must Haves

I have not used this more than once! The smell is awful and as it is a boob lotion, it means it’s closer to your nose. I often wonder if I got a bad bottle because the Butter and the Oil do not smell as awful as this.

L’Occitane Mom and Baby Balm

I have to find out if this product is discontinued or going to be discontinued as I couldn’t find it on their website. I bought a small tin as well to try out and I’m in love with it. I’ve read that the lotion is amazing on baby’s skin as well so I will see if I can grab that in store before they get rid of it. These products are not cheap but they have proven to definitely be worth every penny.

L’Occitane Organic Shea Butter

My Maternity Must Haves

This was bought in the travel size to keep in my purse to apply after appointments and for those moments when the itch strikes and I’m not home. It’s very thick and moisturizing. I’m thinking of using it with the Mama Mio Tummy Oil and put the Mom and Baby Balm in my bag instead as it isn’t as thick. It does it’s job, and could definitely be used on it’s own on as a tummy/skin moisturizer on a daily basis.

Honest Co. Organic Belly Balm

My Maternity Must Haves

I wasn’t a huge fan of the scent of this when I first applied it but it’s not strong that it lingers or you smell it through your clothes. It is also very moisturizing but I feel like because of the oils in it, I need to let it sit on my skin for a bit before getting dressed. I also bought their Bug Spray to try when I go home as I’m not a fan of Off and I’m not looking to get Chikungunya or Dengue while home for Christmas.

Cocoa Butter Stick

My Maternity Must Haves

It’s funny that this is the last product I listed because it’s the one product that works but I also hate. Everyone says to use cocoa butter. I’ve even had a random man in a restaurant tell me to use it to prevent stretch marks. I decided to give it a try to see what all the fuss is about. I know that as a child my mother has used it on my sister and I but I never liked the smell. I cannot take the smell! I smell it through my clothes during the day and my sheets and comforter at night when I sleep. It is the one product that does it’s job, but I can’t wear it every day. If I’m feeling like my skin is really dry or it’s been itching a lot during the day, I’ll use it. Or if it’s really cold outside and I’m wearing a lot of layers, I’ll use it.

I think this is it for this post. The rest of the year will get pretty busy and I hope I can at least put in one or two more posts. I’m just waiting to get travel over to finish putting the nursery together but most of the big items have been bought and I’ve already hung my DIY artwork. Maybe I’ll give you snapshots in my next post :).

Happy Thanksgiving in advance and lots of love from my bump and I 🙂

My Maternity Must Haves

*All photos are taken from the websites given.

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