Welcome to Part 2 in our series of Pregnancy Essentials Bump to Toe
If you missed Top 5 Pregnancy Essentials Part 1: Comfort and Care, check it out here. Now let’s complete the list of the Top 10 Pregnancy Essentials for Experienced and Expectant Moms with #6-10: Pregnancy Essentials Bump to Toe.
Congratulations again!! You are expecting for the first time in years. Although you have been down this road before, you will likely need some of these essentials to help get you through your pregnancy in comfort.
No problem, here we go with the rest remaining top 10 pregnancy essentials for experienced moms like you.
In Part 2, we focus on what your body needs on the outside to get through your pregnancy in comfort with clothes, shoes, and gear from Bump to Toe.
I have added links to make your shopping experience simpler, and to make it easier to have these items delivered straight to your door. The last thing you probably want to do with your time right now is jump in your car and run all over town. I hope this shopping guide helps!
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#6 Maternity Clothes
As much as I wish we didn’t have to get a new wardrobe for a period of time that lasts less than 6 months, there is just no getting away from the fact that most of our bellies will extend beyond the confines of our favorite pair of skinny jeans and zip up motorcycle jackets. HA! Don’t cry as you know, this is only temporary (it’s okay to enjoy it).
Still, we will have to break down and pick up some comfortable expansive leggings, maternity undies, and a shirt that is cut to accommodate our beautiful buddha bellies.
We created an entire post for the Pregnancy Essentials Series. For the complete list of Maternity clothing essentials I have curated, check out this post here entitled Pregnancy Essentials Series Part 3: Maternity Clothes.
#7 Nursing Bras and Bra Extenders
For a long good portion of your pregnancy, you should be able to wear your everyday bra, albeit your cups may be fuller than usual.
It won’t be well into the 2nd or third trimester that your ribcage may expand to make room for baby and you’ll be forced to either buy a bra extender to give you an extra inch or so, or get a larger bra.
In the event you want to try your hand at breastfeeding, it makes sense to pick up a nursing bra at this time. That way you will have the option when the time comes and it will be much more convenient for you to already have one on hand.
Rumina Classic Nursing Hands-Free Pumping Bra is an excellent choice for a pullover no fuss bra that allows you to connect your breast pump for hands-free pumping after the baby is born. If you have any inclination that you plan to pump, just go ahead and select one of these Rumina Hands-Free Pumping Bra. Believe me, it will make pumping 1000% more enjoyable and productive if you can use your hands to even goof around on your phone while you are pumping instead of holding the flanges. Trust me this bra is a life saver in that respect.
Believe me, it will make pumping 1000% more enjoyable and productive if you can use your hands to even goof around on your phone while you are pumping instead of holding the flanges. Trust me this bra is a life saver in that respect.
The Rumina Relaxed Hands-Free Pumping Bra is perfect for sleeping in because it is slightly looser fit (while still being plenty supportive. When you want to use breast pads to absorb any leakage, you will need a bra to make this happen. This one by Rumina is comfortable and perfect for those days when you’ll mostly be chilling in your PJs or sweats. Again, perfect for hooking up the breast pump when necessary.
I easily wear both these bras at home for weekends and lazy days well past the nursing phase of motherhood, because of their comfort level. These are winners to me.
If you won’t need a hands-free pumping bra, give a traditional wireless nursing bra like this a try.
#8 Supportive Sandals, Sneakers, Shoes & Boots
Your feet are going to swell. This is inevitable, the question is how much. I HOPE, it won’t be as much as mine did. By 6 months I could not use any of my shoes. Not even my sneakers. I had to go out and buy flip flops with velcro that opened to the largest setting. My feet were not a cute sight at that point, really. Thankfully, I found a comfortable supportive pair.
My feet were not a cute sight at that point, really. Thankfully, I found a comfortable supportive pair.
Unfortunately, regular flip flops were not at all supportive of my massive bulk, (wink) and were really quite dangerous and slippery.
The water retained in your body and the pressure from carrying many more pounds than your sweet ankles are accustomed to can wreak havoc on your feet.
I hope that you can continue to use your favorite cute shoes well into your pregnancy.
If however, you find yourself like I did, busting out of your shoes by month 6, then pray that it is close enough to summer to wear adjustable sandals or that you can go with a pair of two sizes too big winter boots. UGH! Oh wait, I meant UGGs. 😀
All my babies were summer babies. So I offer you my favorite sandals that gratefully provided cushion and support and even more gratefully adjusted to grow with my swelling feet: Clarks Women’s Breeze Sea Flip-Flop. I loved them so much I can still wear them to this day, though my feet are both back to normal size, thank you very much. It is the only thing that is. And since there were adjustable, the velcro is in the tightest position and they feel fine.
I loved them so much I can still wear them to this day, though my feet are both back to normal size, thank you very much. It is the only thing that is. And since there were adjustable, the velcro is in the tightest position and they feel fine.
Another smart alternative is wide sneakers like Converse All-Stars or Adidas Stan Smiths. These are easy because they won’t pinch your feet or feel too snug like running shoes can. Plus, style factor is on high. Although, running shoes can provide a vast amount of support. Try some on and see how you feel.
Although, running shoes can provide a vast amount of support. Try some on and see how you feel.
If it were winter, I would get a big fluffy pair of boots like these and beg someone to pull them on and off! HAHA!
#9 Comfortable, Supportive & Safe Slippers: LL Bean Wicked Good Slippers
LL Bean Wicked Good Slippers are unmatched in quality, warmth, and comfort. No matter how wide your feet get they will be great. You won’t have to worry about tripping up in these as they have a supportive sole appropriate for stepping outside to fetch the mail. Plus the shearling lining is so cozy you will be glad to have these well beyond your prego days.
Check them out here: Comfortable, Supportive & Safe Slippers: LL Bean Wicked Good Slippers.
#10 Wrist Braces for Carpal Tunnel
Well friends, it is possible that your expanding tissues may pinch your carpal nerve in your wrists as it did mine. If this happens to you, forget all your plans to write out dozens of thank you notes for your baby’s shower gifts. You won’t be able to hold a pen lest your hand seize up.
I pray this malady does not befall you, however, should you fall victim to carpal tunnel’s cruel clutches, a supportive wrist brace may be the only thing that can comfort you. I wore this one at night that featured a lot more padding, and in the day I used this reversible splint type.
Ask your doctor for a PT referral to put you in the good hands of a therapist that may offer excellent stretching exercises for your shoulders, neck, and wrists to ease the discomfort.
The last thing you want is to have hand surgery to relieve the pinched nerve. You will have a baby to care for, as well as yourself after all! Be sure to take care of yourself.
Blessings to you during your pregnancy
This is one of the most exciting times of your life and for certain, this year. Your pregnancy will come in a flurry of anticipation and be over in a flash. My hopes are these pregnancy essentials from bump to toe will help to make this period of time a more comfortable experience for you as you prepare to welcome a bundle of joy into your family. And hopefully serve you for a few months if not years, afterward.
Meanwhile, enjoy these other posts to help prep you for your pregnancy:
The 5 Advantages of a 40+ Pregnancy
Happy Pregnancy!
Chandra
Chandra is the chocolate-chip loving mother of 2 teenage girls who started over again with a baby boy in her 40’s! She is the author of The Mom’s Playbook to Conquering Softball Season. She gives other moms the tools they need to prepare their daughters for real life. Her content is centered on helping girls grow up to be well-rounded, equipped, expressive, confident, intelligent, capable, kind and independent.
