27 Favorite Pregnancy Products + Resources (from a functional nutritionist)
*This is a simple compilation of the products + resources I used during my first pregnancy. These ideas are not intended to serve as medical advice, so consult your provider to ensure they are appropriate for you.
1: Prenatal Multivitamin
while I am usually an advocate of a food-first approach (vs supplementing), this is a crucial time for having adequate nutrient levels
seekinghealth.com or local health food store
2: Pregnancy Dresses
no waistband, yes please!
two of my favorites: amazon.com + chicwish.com
3: Evidence Based Birth
my go-to resource for top-notch, thorough-yet-succinct articles about labor + delivery
4: Daily Walks
so simple yet so beneficial for circulation, insulin sensitivity, sleep, lymphatic flow, digestion, stamina, mental health, etc
5: Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols
it’s rare that I agree with everything in a book, but this one is pretty close
6: Redmond Real Salt
an excellent source of valuable trace minerals during pregnancy (I craved it)
redmond.life or local health food store
7: Citrus
the only thing that eased my first trimester nausea (sharing in case ginger doesn’t work for you either)
8: Pregnancy Pillow
support your lower back + belly with this minimalistic pillow
9: Raspberry Leaf Tea
traditionally consumed to tone uterine muscles in preparation for labor
I sun-brewed 1/2 gallon at a time to drink iced during the 3rd trimester
traditionalmedicinals.com or local health food store
10: Chiropractor
find a local chiropractor who has experience working with pregnant women (regular adjustments can help keep your body aligned as baby grows)
11: Probiotic
a baby’s microbiome is derived from mom’s, as microbes are transferred through the amniotic fluid, birth canal, and breastmilk
this one is well-researched + high quality: florastor.com or CVS/Walgreens
12: Eggs
after 12+ years of a serious egg allergy, I was grateful to be able to reintroduce them in time for pregnancy (egg yolks are one of the richest source of choline, which is essential for baby’s brain + nervous system development)
13: Pregnancy Shorts
super comfy shorts to wear under those super comfy dresses
14: Daily Dates
preliminary research shows that consuming dates every day in the final weeks before birth resulted in greater cervical dilation, less need for induction/intervention, and shorter labor duration
15: Collagen
a simple way to boost protein intake (add to milkshakes when the ice cream craving hits)
16: Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
considered by many to be the leading book on natural childbirth
17: EPA + DHA
EPA + DHA from fish + seafood are critical for baby’s nervous system development (and if there is not a surplus in the diet, it will be pulled from mom’s brain)
enjoy several weekly servings of small fish (like salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, or herring) or find a quality supplement with at least 300mg DHA
18: Community
connect with friends, local moms, or even an online community of women who are journeying through this beautiful season at the same time
19: Water Bottle
proper hydration is key during pregnancy, so find a water bottle you love (ideally one not made of plastic or leaching metals and that fits into a car drink holder)
20: Exercise Ball
a gentle way to stretch + relax sore muscles + joints (especially your hips)
21: Belly Butter
great for an itchy belly + stretching skin
my favorite is a salve that I found from a local herbalist, but this is also a clean one that a friend shared with me
22: Your Baby’s Microbiome by Toni Harman + Alex Wakeford
every expecting parent (and health professional) should read this book about the impact of birth + feeding modes on an infant’s microbiome + immune system development
23: Dairy
the superior source of many essential nutrients for gestation (calcium from leafy greens + supplements are not well absorbed in comparison)
even if you experience lactose intolerance, you can “retrain” your body to up-regulate lactase enzyme production by consuming dairy daily (IMO, worth minor digestive symptoms for a week or so)
24: Stool Test
ensure that you do not have major infections or imbalances in your gut microbiome before you pass it along to your child
I like the one from jona.com
25: EPIC Bars
a great source of protein for on-the-go (I like the bison bacon cranberry one)
epicprovisions.com or local health food store
26: Vitamin D3 + K2
it is optimal to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight exposure, but supplementation <2000IU/day has been shown to safely improve infant growth outcomes
27: Fresh Test
an FDA-approved, clean alternative to the glucose test drink performed in 2nd trimester
