Skip to Content

2nd & 3rd Trimester Pregnancy Essentials & Book Reviews

After posting my 1st Trimester Pregnancy Essentials, I received lots of emails asking if I would also post my 2nd and 3rd trimester pregnancy must-haves! So without further ado…



2nd & 3rd Trimester Essentials





Bump Nest Pregnancy Pillow: I started out with the Snoogle pregnancy pillow and then quickly realized that the Bump Nest was the better option for me and totally worth the splurge. You can read all about my comparison between the two pillows {here}.


Stretch Mark Prevention Creams: I’ve officially gone through 5 jars of different belly creams/oils/butters and have decided on a favorite! So far I’ve tried Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter, Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve, Belli Elasticity Belly Oil, Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention and The Spoiled Mama Bump Gloss Stretch Mark Oil. I liked all of them for different reasons, but my absolute favorite has been the Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve! My mother-in-law actually purchased this one for me after some research and I love the consistency of the shea butter and the smell is heavenly.


Heat Pad: By
the end of my second trimester I was already starting to have horrible
upper and lower back pains. Heat pads (that plug into the wall with
automatic shut off timers) have saved me. I use mine while sitting on
the couch or while laying in bed.  I also have a second heat pad (a Preggie Meggie Pregnancy Heat Pack) that I use at the office that is much cuter and conveniently heats up in the microwave.



Tums: Once I got into the 30’s weeks I started getting heart burn at night, especially if I ate a late dinner. Keeping Tums on my nightstand is a life saver.


Sleep Lavender Chamomile Luxury Bath Soap: My nightly bath is probably one of my favorite parts of my entire day. Not only does it relax me but it relieves so many of my pregnancy aches and pains.



Up & Up Prenatal Gummy Multivitamins: If I have to take vitamin every day, it should at least be in candy form! Plus I never forget to take these since they are such a treat!  


Exercise/Pregnancy Ball: Throughout the work day I’ll swap out my desk chair for my exercise ball to help strengthen my legs, back and core muscles. If you’re going to purchase a ball, make sure you purchase the right size for your desk so you don’t sit too low/high. Towards the end of pregnancy, you can also use the ball for certain exercises to encourage the baby to drop and start labor.

 EOS Lip Balm: I have gone through so much lip balm in my first
trimester it is ridiculous! I have to carry one of these everywhere {in
the car, next to my bed, on my desk, in my purse, etc.}!



Pantiliners: Stock up. In fact, buy in bulk if you can. You’ll use them.


Tumbler: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! It’s so important for so many reasons so I always have a tumbler with me at work, running errands, next to the bed, etc.


Pregnancy Support Belt: Once my belly got absolutely huge I needed some sort of relief while on my feet and especially during long walks.


Slippers: The best slippers ever. They cozy, fleece-lined provide good support and relief after a long day in heels/flats/boots.



Next up, books! I felt like all I did was read, read, read
during throughout my pregnancy. Now I am so sick of baby books. Here is a review of the stack of books that Matt
and I read…




 




 Belly Laughs by
Jenny McCarthy: This was hands down my favorite book I picked up. It
was hilarious, informative and a very quick read. I highly recommend
every mommy picking up a copy of this book! This is also a great gift to purchase for newly pregnant women who are freaking out about the months ahead!




Baby Names 2013 by Eleanor Turner: After going through this book cover to cover, Matt and I agreed this book was great for entertainment but still didn’t help us narrow down boy names.




First Time Dad by John Fuller: Matt said this book was pretty common sense and uninformative. 


Praying Through Your Pregnancy by
Jennifer Polimino and Carolyn Warren: This book is the inspiration
behind the weekly prayers I include in my bumpdates. I love how the
authors focus on the baby’s weekly development and how to pray for him
or her. There are tons of books out there on how to pray for your baby
and I recommend picking one up that you feel connected to.


Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads: This was Matt’s favorite book. It is hilarious, informative and a quick read. I am pretty sure this is the only book be read all the way through.


What to Expect When You’re Expecting: You can download the app and skip on this book.


The Father-To-Be Book: Another book that Matt couldn’t really get through. If you can get your hubby to read one book all the way through I would recommend the Be Prepared book.


The Girlfriends’ Guide To Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine: I had higher expectations for this book. There were tidbits of informative information but none of it was “new” to me. I wish I would’ve just checked this one out of the library instead of purchasing it.






Secrets of The Mommyhood by Heather Alexander: If I only had time to read one book during my pregnancy, this would be the one I’d pick! I felt like this book covered everything I needed to know from pregnancy to the baby’s arrival – all within 175 pages. And to top it off, it’s hilarious and I found myself wanting to hug the author for being so awesome. I even read many chapters of this book aloud to Matt and he loved it! 


 


The top 3 winners for us…


Secrets of The Mommyhood / Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads / Belly Laughs



 


Outside of all theses books, some of the best advice I found was not only on parenting but on balancing your new life as a wife and mommy. I am thankful for these encouraging articles that have been sent to me along the way…


 




To Wives: Before You Were “Mommy”


The Questions That Will Save Your Relationships


Photobucket


Facebooktwitterpinterestinstagrambloglovin

You'll also love

amine lahragui

Saturday 26th of September 2015

Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. happy new year 2016 new year 2016 bonne année 2016 happy new year 2016 images feliz año nuevo 2016 imagenes de año nuevo 2016 feliz año 2016

Uwfs Nzad

Wednesday 23rd of September 2015

NFL Jerseys Cheaptrue religion jeansMichael Kors Outlet Storetrue religionOakley Storecheap oakley sunglassesmichael kors handbags&pursesmichael kors outlet storefitflop sandalsMichael Kors Outlet OnlineCheap Oakley Sunglassescheap oakley sunglasses storefitflopsCheap Jordan ShoesAir Jordan 11Michael Kors OutletCheap Oakley SunglassesOakeyley Sunglasses Salefitflopscheap oakley sunglassestoms outlet storeOakley SunglassesCheap NFL JerseysMichael Kors Online Outletcheap oakleysOakley SunglassesMichael Kors BagsWholesale Cheap Jerseys China

ninest123 Ninest

Thursday 23rd of July 2015

replica watches, thomas sabo, louboutin, montre pas cher, juicy couture outlet, coach outlet, supra shoes, vans, juicy couture outlet, toms shoes, hollister, gucci, timberland boots, nike air max, pandora charms, ralph lauren, oakley, ray ban, swarovski, nike air max, marc jacobs, pandora charms, links of london, hollister, converse outlet, swarovski crystal, iphone 6 cases, karen millen, hollister, pandora jewelry, wedding dresses, baseball bats, converse, lancelninest123 07.23

ninest123 Ninest

Thursday 23rd of July 2015

ferragamo shoes, reebok shoes, soccer shoes, mont blanc, babyliss, asics running shoes, chi flat iron, p90x workout, valentino shoes, north face outlet, vans shoes, lululemon, nike huarache, longchamp, nike air max, new balance, herve leger, mac cosmetics, mcm handbags, nike trainers, celine handbags, abercrombie and fitch, insanity workout, ghd, beats by dre, wedding dresses, nike free run uk, nike roshe, nfl jerseys, abercrombie and fitch, soccer jerseys, birkin bag, bottega veneta, instyler, north face outlet, nike roshe, giuseppe zanotti, hollister, jimmy choo shoes, nike air max

ninest123 Ninest

Thursday 23rd of July 2015

timberland, michael kors, north face, sac longchamp, air force, true religion jeans, true religion jeans, hollister pas cher, louboutin pas cher, longchamp pas cher, nike air max, new balance pas cher, coach purses, lululemon, air jordan pas cher, nike roshe run, vans pas cher, ray ban uk, air max, true religion outlet, hollister, nike blazer, hermes, michael kors, michael kors, mulberry, lacoste pas cher, north face, sac guess, tn pas cher, vanessa bruno, ralph lauren uk, nike free, oakley pas cher, burberry, ralph lauren pas cher, true religion jeans, ray ban pas cher, converse pas cher, hogan