12 Items To Keep You Comfortable When You’re Pregnant

Being pregnant is an exciting, happy, wonderful time… but it’s also fair to say that these are some of the most uncomfortable months of your life. Your feet are swollen, your belly gets huge and throws you off balance, your back aches, you’re exhausted all the time, and that doesn’t even begin to cover it. To keep your spirits up, you’ll want to stay as comfortable as possible, and spending a little money on that may be well worth it.

How To Stay Comfortable When You’re Pregnant

Trying to keep tabs on your ever-changing body isn’t easy, but you shouldn’t ignore any discomfort, because it likely won’t go away on its own. While you might not feel like yourself again until a few months after you give birth (sorry!), you can do a few things to make life easier in the meantime.

• Use all the pillows. Sleeping during pregnancy is tough. You’re only really supposed to sleep on your side to keep you and baby safe, and that can get old fast if you’re not generally a side sleeper. Your belly gets in the way, it’s hard to move, and you have to wake up regularly to pee. The least you can do is keep yourself comfortable with extra pillows. Use them to support your back, your belly, and your hips. It may be a production to settle into bed, but it’s well worth it.
• Try exercise, stretching, or prenatal yoga. Exercise might be the last thing you want to do when trying to deal with morning sickness and aches and pains, but it will almost definitely help you feel better. Keep things low-key (always talk to your doctor if you have concerns or ask them what is appropriate for you)— try walking or light cardio. Prenatal yoga is also an excellent way to stretch and ease pain.
• Wear the right clothes. You may not want to spend a lot of money on maternity clothes you’ll only wear for a few months, but investing in a few staples is well worth it. Opt for stretchy pants that either fit completely over your belly or sit underneath it, depending on what feels better for you. Don’t wear anything too tight, and remember to switch up your bra and underwear sizes.
• Give yourself a break. Rest is so incredibly important when you’re pregnant. Doing too much, whether it’s at work or the gym, can leave you in pain, with swollen feet and a backache. It can even lead to Braxton Hicks (fake contractions) in the later months of pregnancy. Make sure you sit down and put your feet up whenever you feel like you need to.
• Stay hydrated. You need to drink a ton of water when you’re pregnant for the health of you and baby. Being dehydrated can do more than just leave you feeling weak and dizzy—it can actually harm the baby. It will also leave you feeling run-down. Drink plenty of water all day long.

To Sleep Better: PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow

The PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow is easily one of the best things you will ever purchase during your pregnancy. This C-shaped pillow is huge and looks ridiculous, but it transforms your bed into a comfortable spot even in your third trimester. It’s super versatile and supports your back, your hips, your knees, and your belly. And unlike a U, the C-shape makes it easy to get out of the pillow since there’s already an opening.

This pillow is super soft and has the perfect amount of firmness. It’s large, but it’s not so heavy you can’t carry it around, and while it does take up space on the bed, it’s easy to work around. It’s also easy to wash: you just remove the pillowcase, wash it, then zip it back up when you’re done.

To Get Some Rest: Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow

The above C-shaped pregnancy pillow is amazing, but you might not want something that large. If that’s the case, try the Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow, which makes it much more comfortable to sleep on your side. You sleep on the fabric in between the two pillows, and one pillow supports your belly, while the other supports your back.

This one is easy to use, much more compact, easier to carry around if you plan on traveling, and still feels great. It’s also machine-washable. The nice thing about it is that it prevents you from rolling onto your back in your sleep, something many pregnant women worry about.

To Breathe Easier: Simply Saline Nasal Mist Instant Relief Spray

One little known side effect of pregnancy is that all of the hormones can leave your sinuses super congested. Not everyone experiences this, but if you do, you know that you always feel like your nose is stuffed, and you can’t breathe out of it. And, since you’re pregnant, you’re not supposed to use a regular nasal spray or strong decongestants. That’s where this Simply Saline Nasal Mist comes in.

This stuff is precisely what it sounds like—pure saline—so it’s pregnancy-safe and can be used every night, multiple times a night. It clears up pregnancy congestion better than basically anything else and allows you to actually, you know, breathe while you’re lying down. It’s great to have on hand for any time if you have these side effects, or if you get a cold.

To Stay Comfy: Lululemon Align Pant

If you don’t want to spend money on maternity leggings that you’ll likely only wear when you’re pregnant, these Lululemon Align Pants are worth the splurge. They’re basically like magic and will fit you before you get pregnant, during your pregnancy (although they may start to get too tight in your third trimester or earlier, depending on how big your belly gets), and then magically shrink back down to fit you after you give birth as well.

These have a high waist that doesn’t fit too tightly over your belly (again, for the majority of your pregnancy), they have a nice thickness to them and don’t become sheer after a lot of wear and tear, and they never feel too lightweight. In short, they’re great for before and after pregnancy and are super, super comfortable.

To Fight Morning Sickness: Three Lollies Preggie Pop Drops

Morning sickness should actually be called 24/7 sickness because nausea and discomfort can come on at any time of the day—or every moment of the day. Many women find that they can’t stomach most food, and struggle to find really anything that can give them relief. Three Lollies Preggie Pops, however, are a favorite.

While they may not be high in nutritional value, these Preggie Pops are sour, something that has been shown to help relieve nausea. They’re easy to pop in your mouth wherever you go and don’t require you to chew or swallow anything. Keep them on hand throughout your first trimester (and maybe beyond).

To Support Your Growing Belly: Azmed Maternity Belt

At a certain point in your pregnancy, usually towards the third trimester, you’ll find that your belly feels so big that you wish it had extra support. You might find yourself holding it up with your hands almost, just to kind of lift it. It’s a weird feeling! But when you feel that, try using the Azmed Maternity Belt. It’s an elastic belly belt that supports your bump and adds some gentle compression to your belly, which feels really nice.

Not only does it support your belly, but it can also ease hip and pelvic pain, and gives you a nice little lift throughout the day. It can even keep you from straining your back, can reduce bladder pressure, and help distribute baby’s weight more evenly. This one is soft, breathable, and lightweight—no one will notice you’re wearing it under your clothes.

For A Better Fit: Simply Perfect by Warner’s Super Soft Wire-free Bra

Wire bras may seem fine when you’re not pregnant, but once your belly, waist, and breasts begin to expand, you’ll find that that wire, even when you’re wearing the correct bra size, is beyond obnoxious. It can be painful, it adds pressure, and it’s just the worst. At that point, do yourself a favor and get some of the Simply Perfect by Warner’s Wire-Free Bras.

Made of a nice soft material, these bras are much more comfortable than many others out there and still provide a bit of the lift you’re looking for (without doing too much). The two colors are neutral and easy to wear under anything, and these stretch a bit to fit your expanding self. They’re a super comfortable, affordable option.

To Fight Itchiness: Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Stretch Mark Cream

A growing belly is weirdly itchy, which can feel quite uncomfortable. As the skin pulls and stretches, it dries out, and a rich moisturizer is ideal for easing that feeling. Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Stretch Mark Cream is a great option. Made with moisturizing shea, cocoa, and jojoba butter, it’s super hydrating and helps soften and smooth skin immediately. It’s 99% natural and is totally pregnancy-safe. As a bonus, it may even prevent stretch marks.

To Wear Your Old Clothes: The Bellaband

You may not be into the idea of buying maternity jeans or pants, but there is going to be at least one time during your pregnancy when you need to wear something other than leggings. It might be a good idea to have The Bellaband on hand. This stretchy, seamless maternity band is made for making non-maternity jeans work. You slip it over the waistband, so it hides the unbuttoned or unzippered waist, and it holds everything in place.

You can also use Bellaband on loose pants to keep them up, which is great after you give birth. It stretches upwards, too, so that short shirts don’t show off skin.

To Soothe Swollen Feet: The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray

Few things are more uncomfortable than very, very swollen feet, especially when it’s hot outside. And, unfortunately, it tends to come with the territory when pregnant. One way to soothe swollen feet is to use The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray. While it may not get rid of the swelling, it will cool down the warmness that goes along with it, and it just feels really nice. And it smells great, which is a bonus.

To Fight Swelling: Laite Hebe Compression Socks

If you want to prevent the swelling from happening in the first place, start wearing a pair of Laite Hebe Compression Socks. Compression socks enhance blood circulation, which can help reduce swelling pretty quickly. These Laite Hebe ones are fan favorites because they are super stretchy, flexible, and durable. They promote oxygen flow and can help prevent further swelling as well.

The fabric can even help fight odor and moisture, and as a bonus, is super comfortable. Slip these on in the morning, and they’ll help your feet and ankles feel better all day long. They also come in a bunch of different color options, which is nice.

To Wear Old Bras: Fashion First Aid Brah! Extenders

It’s inevitable that at some point in your pregnancy, you’ll have to buy a new bra, whether because your cup size goes up or your band size does. If you find your band size is increasing quickly, get a pair of these Fashion First Aid Brah! Extenders. They’re meant to give you more room with your band size, allowing you to continue wearing your old bras even if they’re starting to feel snug. They’re easy to use and can help save you a little extra money.