Products you couldn’t live without in pregnancy?

[Mousefunky]

Just wondering if anyone has any ‘must have’ pregnancy products they have found invaluable?

For me so far it’s:
Maternity pillow- so comfortable I could wrap myself up in it and stay there forever .

Doppler- I know they seem controversial to own but after two missed miscarriages, mine has been invaluable at ridding me of anxiety. I only started using it at 14 weeks.

Burts bees mama bee belly butter- I don’t believe creams can stop stretch marks and already have some from DC1 but this one makes my skin so soft and stops my bump itching.

Pukka pregnancy tea- it’s just so nice and helps me relax at night.

Hot water bottle- paracetamol don’t work for me and I don’t want to pop them like sweets either so this has hugely helped my sore back/pelvis/tummy.

Deflatine rennies for trapped wind .

Anyone else?

Ohhh this is a good post, I'm currently 9 weeks with my second.

First time round I also loved my pregnancy pillow. I didn't know you could get pregnancy tea so I will look into that too x

Chocolate? Currently eating my own bodyweight per day at 32 weeks.

I'm 32 weeks and haven't bought a single 'pregnancy' item other than prenatal vitamins and maternity clothes - I totally think people should buy stuff like pregnancy pillows if they need them, but lots of people seem to just assume they will and buy them as a matter of course - and they're spendy! I'm also a bit suspicious of things like pregnancy tea, which I think are slightly tweaked versions of products you can buy for a fraction of the price.

There is a reason that dopplers are so controversial, too, and while you can obviously make any choice you like (though I think they shouldn't be for sale) I wouldn't want your post to encourage anyone else to buy a product that the Royal College of Midwives warns against.

Only thing I needed was Gaviscon by the bucketload

Great thread! Following with interest. @Mousefunky what pillow do you have? I've been looking for one just as you describe!

I've inherited some maternity things like a pillow. The only thing I've needed so far are maternity clothes and food.

Pregnancy pillow (horrific SPD, especially at night)
Gaviscon

Think that's about it!

Rennies (lots of them!) and a fan at night :)

Pregnancy pillow, now using as a feeding pillow, it may be returned to my bed after as I really miss it!

'Natural'/organic sanitary towels (the brand I used was 'Natracare', made with cotton). I had the craziest discharge during pregnancy, and the plastic/chemicals in conventional pads would irritate the hell of my vagina!

Caffeine free Diet Coke!

I'm with lisasimpsonsbff - on my now on my fifth pregnancy and think that beyond some decently fitting maternity clothes and multivitamins/ medication, it's best to save your money for when the baby arrives, there are always so many unexpected outlays then!

Oh, and Haribo Tangfastics, because for the first 16 weeks that's all I wanted to eat

I just bought a generic maternity pillow on amazon for about £30. It has been amazing for me after previously struggling to get comfortable.

Oh and yes, decent maternity bras and jeans are a must too.

Tangfastics . I’ve been through a few phases, one was Belgian buns...

Peptac liquid, discovered when I asked the pharmacist for a cheaper alternative to Gaviscon. It's about £3 for a big bottle. At 35 weeks I have one in almost every room of the house.

Please don't rely on your Doppler. The reason they are warned against is the false sense of security they give. Unless you are trained you could be picking up your own heart beat or blood passing across the placenta. If you have any worries please seek professional medical advice. Don't tryst the Doppler.

Prescription strength anti-sickness drugs

Prescription strength drug (Omeprazole or something like that) for acid sickness

Canesten cream

I’ve had a fun pregnancy

Another vote for Gaviscon! It was my favourite bedtime 'drink'
Also, an electronic back massage chair from Costco! Perfect for massaging a sore back (my husband refused to give me back massages!)

Rennies and bio oil

At 38 weeks, calomine lotion, pirotin and paracetamol. Its been a fun time!

Nothing. I didn't have or need anything like that. There was nothing that I couldn't live without. I was pregnant, not sick. I got on with it as normal.

yes to the Gaviscon it became my bff for a few months!

Round of applause for happymummy

Lovely for you to have had it so easy happymummy. Unfortunately for many others, pregnancy causes all sorts of pains and illnesses that made day to day life extremely difficult. I despise women like you who seem to think that just because you've been lucky to have an easy time, everyone else must be overreacting so have no sympathy for how much some may suffer.

Anyway, I generally agree with saving money until baby comes too but my long pillow is a saviour for spd. Mine wasn't marketed as a pregnancy one so only cost me £8! Good fitting clothes and bras too and allowing myself to eat whatever I fancy (and lots of it!) now the vomiting is finally over! Last time I found cetraben (can get at pharmacy or gp to prescribe) was amazing for itchy bump and you get a massive pot that lasts long after baby arrives.

Cake cake and more cake

Bio oil was great for helping to prevent stretch marks. Also, Jo Jo Mama non wire crop top bras were amazing once underwire bras were too painful to wear.

Gives Riddles a round of applause.

For some women pregnancy is hell on wheels and they do need stuff they wouldn't otherwise in order to cope. When you've had hyperemesis, spd and now ante natal depression there is little more annoying than the "it's not an illness" brigade because for some women, it looks very much like/causes a host of illnesses.

I'm glad for those who have easy pregnancies, but it doesn't mean that those who don't are just weak.