Woohoo, you’re pregnant! Congratulations!!!! And now you need to get that list of first trimester must haves ready. Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Whether this is your first pregnancy, or you already have kids, having a baby is a huge deal.
As much joy as pregnancy brings (hello, darling little baby!), it also brings a freaking lot of pain.
It’s totally worth it and pregnancy is a blessing… but it’s an even bigger blessing when you finally have the baby!
Anyways… it can be confusing if it’s your first go at this to know what you should buy when you find out you’re pregnant.
This post has all of the first trimester essentials: vitamins for your hard-working body, morning sickness remedies, and even pregnancy photo props! So let’s dive into the top first trimester must haves of 2020!
To be completely honest, the only thing that’s absolutely essential right away is a good prenatal vitamin.
Everything else can wait or isn’t a true essential (pregnancy chalkboard, I’m looking at you…)
Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who doesn’t end up with morning sickness. But Amazon can deliver in 2 days anyway, so best to hold out until you actually have symptoms. But if you are ready to stock up, then let’s dive right in to some of the top first trimester must haves!
*Links to Amazon are affiliate links.
**Friendly reminder that while I have been pregnant 3 times, I am NOT a doctor, so please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes or taking any supplements.
First Trimester Must Haves: For Your Health
Prenatal Vitamins
The first thing you should buy when you find out you’re pregnant is a good prenatal vitamin!
When I found out I was pregnant with my first, I sent my husband to Target that very day for prenatal vitamins and decaf coffee, haha!
Then I did some reading and realized that caffeine in small amounts is actually fine when you’re pregnant, but I had a severe aversion to any kind of coffee during the first trimester anyways!
OK, back to vitamins.
You are going to want a GUMMY VITAMIN.
Now I typically don’t take gummy vitamins because they aren’t the best for your teeth. But you know what? They’re all I can stomach during the first trimester.
I love these prenatal gummy multivitamins because they are organic, non-GMO, and the vitamins come from whole food sources instead of artificial ones.
I set them up on subscribe and save to save some money, as they are on the pricey side since they are such good quality.
If you’re on a budget and don’t care about organic non-GMO stuff, this is a good budget option for you!
If your prenatal doesn’t contain DHA, you can take a prenatal DHA separately.
Tylenol
Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is one of the few medications that is safe during pregnancy. I usually take ibuprofen, which is NOT SAFE when you’re pregnant.
Obviously you won’t be taking Tylenol every day, but it’s good to have on hand in case you come down with a headache.
Related –> How to Get Better Sleep During Pregnancy
Water Bottler or Water Tumbler
Another first trimester must have is a water bottler or tumbler Drinking enough water is crucial for a healthy pregnancy!
Staying hydrated will help keep all of these first-trimester symptoms away.
I have two tumblers and keep one filled up in the refrigerator at all times. When my second one runs out, I have fresh, cold water readily available. It really helps me drink more water.
I love this tumbler in the 32-ounce size. It comes in tonsss of super cute colors and designs.
Bellaband
My belly band saved my life during the first trimester. It is a stretchy, elastic band that goes over your regular jeans or shorts so that you can wear them unbuttoned.
It is perfect for that in-between stage when your regular jeans aren’t quite fitting, but you’re not ready for maternity jeans.
You can technically wear them longer in your pregnancy, but I personally don’t love wearing them much past the first trimester… and with my third pregnancy, by 8 weeks pregnant.
But in the first trimester? Looove!
In this picture, I am wearing my non-maternity jeans, with the button open. They are being held together by the bella band! Genius.
Pregnant with twins? I got you covered! –> Your Ultimate Guide to a Baby Registry for Twins
Pregnancy Journal
This pregnancy journal is the perfect way to document your pregnancy. It’s customizable and has prompts to follow, which makes it super easy to keep up with.
I loved keeping a pregnancy journal and especially comparing my pregnancies and noticing the similarities and differences.
Pregnancy Timeline Chalkboard
A pregnancy chalkboard is such a fun way to document your monthly bump photos!
I seriously wish I had invested in one because my bump pictures happen umm about every 4-6 weeks.
Pregnancy Timeline Stickers
If you aren’t into the chalkboard, then pregnancy milestone stickers for your bump are a super cute photo prop as well!
First Trimester Must Haves: Morning Sickness Remedies
One of the biggest symptoms of the first trimester is morning sickness.
Most women experience some type of morning sickness, whether it’s actually vomiting, or spending the entire day feeling queasy and awful (despite the name, morning sickness is not actually contained in the morning!).
I’ve had different things work better for me during different pregnancies, so it’s worth it to try something out to see if it works.
Tummy Drops
These tummy drops were everything to me during the first trimester of this pregnancy.
They contain tummy soothing ingredients, such as ginger or peppermint that will help to settle your stomach.
The ginger candy ones are my favorite flavor, but the peppermint flavor is great as well!
I would always have one when I was preparing food for the kids, or right after I ate to help digest my food.
Seriously. Life. Changing.
Read –> Our Family is Growing: Baby Number 4!
Pink Stork Morning Sickness Tea
This nausea tea contains ginger root and rooibos tea and is caffeine-free. This tea worked similarly to the tummy drops for me.
Crackers and this tea first thing in the morning when I woke up gave me the energy to actually get dressed and start my day.
I usually have coffee first thing in the morning and there is something about the physical act of holding a steaming cup first thing in the morning that puts me in such a good mood.
I can’t stomach coffee during my first trimester, but this tea was an excellent substitution.
Sparkling Mama Morning Sickness Drink
I stumbled across this sparkling mama morning sickness drink on when I was in my second trimester and I am SO BUMMED that I didn’t get to try it.
It contains folic acid, B6 and magnesium, three things that are supposed to help tremendously with nausea.
If I am ever pregnant again (which is realllllllyyyy not likely!), I will definitely try this. Meanwhile, you can add it to your first trimester must haves list and enjoy it!
Sean Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wrist Band
Full disclosure: I used this with my first pregnancy and it. did. not. work. for me. I still felt terrible.
However, I know that what doesn’t work for me might work for someone else. So I wanted to include this on the first trimester must haves list just in case it is the thing that gets you through!
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is another essential for me with morning sickness! I’d carry a little bottle of it everywhere and breathe it in when I was feeling barfy (like when my husband cooked eggs).
First Trimester Must Haves: Pregnancy Books
While there are tons of blogs out there with great information, it’s sometimes nice to have all of your information from a trusted source in one spot.
I’m Pregnant: A week-by-week guide: This is an informative, week-by-week book of what to expect and what is normal during pregnancy. It goes into detail about your appointments, fetal development, with helpful charts and visuals.
Expecting 411: The Insider’s Guide to Pregnancy: This book is co-written by an OBGYN and a pediatrician, who are both moms as well. It’s full of realistic, accurate information and isn’t fear-mongering at all.
Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong and What You Really Need to Know: This book is a refreshing read that debunks a lot of myths behind the rules of pregnancy. It actually goes into detail with scientific information backing up the WHY behind everything.
Phew. Here’s to wishing you good health and an easy pregnancy! You got this, mama!
P.S. Make sure you’re following me on social media to keep up with our family and all the twin cuteness! I am on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
