Welcome to the Pregnancy Necessities Carnival!This post was written for inclusion in the Pregnancy Necessities Carnival hosted by Parenting God’s Children. Today, participants share what they simply cannot live without during their pregnancies or simply what to gather for their upcoming new addition. Please see the full list of links to the other carnival submissions at the end of this post. Enjoy!
When you’re expecting your second (or subsequent) child, things are different than when you’re expecting your first. You’re constantly on the go, caring for your older child, and there’s limited time left for mama (and fetus). Personally, I found myself alone in coping with a growing belly and an eager and active toddler because my husband was deployed on patrol twice during my pregnancy for a total of 4 months away out of my 40 week pregnancy. In this time, I benefitted from several simple must-haves, including must-have thoughts and perspectives to put on during a pregnancy, and I’ve developed the following short-list of necessities for the expecting mama to share with you. First time moms can benefit from this list, too, but keep in mind that it was developed with a second (or third, or fourth, etc) child in mind.
- A big, bouncy exercise ball
Sitting on a “birthing” (or exercise) ball gets your hips in alignment, helps your back, and is just plain more comfortable than slouching on the sofa, especially when you have a chore to do like folding clothes. Bouncing on a ball can be relaxing for your hips and lower back, give you a little bit of cardio, and serve and a fun gross motor game for your toddler as well.
- A heating pad (electric, or homemade)
- Purse Toys
- A collection of local take-out menus
- Lotion and bath salts
- A mantra
- Firm and consistent limits
***
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants!
- The Pregnancy Happiness List — That Mama Gretchen is half way through pregnancy number two and is spilling the beans on her pregnancy must-haves!
- What A Pregnant Woman Really Needs — Jennifer Hybrid Rasta Mama reflects on what items she could not live without during her pregnancy as well as those she wishes she had.
- Cravings of Another Kind — When reflecting on what made her pregnancy enjoyable, Adrienne at Mommying My Way discovered information is what she craved most of all.
- The Pregnancy Necessities — Kym at Our Crazy Corner of the World shares her top ten must haves for pregnant women.
- The Expectant Mom‘s List of Breastfeeding Stuff to Buy, or Not — Alicia at Lactation Narration shares a list of 10 breastfeeding products that the expectant mom might want to have on her shopping list, or not.
- Pregnancy Necessities with a Toddler In Tow — Amyables at Toddler in Tow lists several simple things that make pregnancy while parenting an older child much less stressful and more enjoyable.
- Ten Tips That Helped Me During Pregnancy — Kat at {Almost} Every Moment shares ten things that helped her get through her three pregnancies!
- First Trimester Staples — Megan BB from The Memoirs of Megan shares her first trimester “must haves”
- The Pregnancy Must Have — Jennifer at True Confessions of a Real Mommy shares the ONE thing she used almost daily, through all three pregnancies and suggests to all pregnant moms.
- Where to Find Cute Maternity Clothes — Lauren at Hobo Mama reviews which maternity clothing stores to hit or miss.
- My Pregnancy Support System — While there are many material things that are nice to have during pregnancy, Dionna at Code Name: Mama’s true essentials were her family.
- Ten Essentials for a HAPPY Pregnant Mama — Sarah at Parenting God’s Children is half way through her third pregnancy! She shares the things she‘s found to be essential to a happy pregnant mama.
Amen to nursing limits – they helped save our nursing relationship throughout pregnancy (only to have him wean 3 months later – I think he’s done!!).
My heart is both joyful for his growth, and sad for your loss. . . I’m trying to figure out how I am going to feel when Abbey weans. Part of me is like “any time now!” and then another part of my heart promises to be devastated when she’s done!
Thanks for commenting! I probably could have enforced stronger and more consistent limits during my pregnancy and that would have taken even more stress out of the equation for Abbey and me. I think limits are a definite pregnancy must for a second time mama
Ditto to nursing limits! I night-weaned my daughter during early pregnancy because I found nursing at night to be especially uncomfortable then.
Yes I think it’s important that we advocate for mamas to make decisions that are right for their families and their bodies <3
Nursing through pregnancy is perfectly safe, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfectly comfortable!
yes! I forgot to add birth ball to my list. HUGE asset! I also love the idea of a mantra – great suggestion. I’m going to have to think on that!
Thanks for participating! <3
Thanks for *having* me at your Pregnancy Necessities party
This was a great topic!
Awesome list! I can really appreciate all of these suggestions being pregnant with a toddler now
I was thinking of you and Shannon when I wrote this!
Great post! I will have to bookmark this as I start thinking about having #2 (in like a year and a half)
-Megan (thememoirsofmegan.com)
So glad you liked it, Megan. I’m gonna jump on over to your site and get to know you a bit! Thanks for dropping by my little corner of the www!
Heating pad and mantras! Brilliant. Not once did I think of either while I was pregnant. I won’t be having another little one but this is a great list to pass on.
Thanks, Jennifer! I didn’t utilize the mantras enough when I was pregnant, but I definitely utilize them now!
Take-out is SO important
I wish more places had drive thrus too so I could pick-up during nap time drives in the car!
Great tips! And yes, 2nd pregnancy although much easier (cos you know what to expect) it is also stressful as you have an older child now. You know I actually started potty training my almost 28 months old boy when I was about 8-9 month pregnant! Crazy huh!
Crazy! Thanks for reading and commenting!!!