Pregnancy Survival: My Third Trimester Essentials

Seeing as I am almost at the end of my pregnancy (it feels totally weird saying that!!) I thought it would be a good idea to share my absolute essentials for the third trimester!  These are all products I could not live without during this last stage of pregnancy and I know a lot of other mums and mums-to-be will agree with most of them!
 
 

 

By Carla Maternity Pillow £29.63 from Tesco - Sleep is rare and golden when you manage to get some during the third trimester.. especially in the last weeks.  The main reason for me is the ever increasing weight on my hips and my By Carla Pillow is the only things that helps to relieve the pressure.  I sleep with it wedged between my legs and under my bump and I sort of hug it!!  I don't go anywhere overnight without my pillow and I will probably miss it when I don't need it anymore!!!  Hopefully Mr H will be up for cuddles!!

 

Gaviscon Peppermint £3.70 from Boots or FREE from your doctor with your Maternity Exemption Card - As your baby gets bigger in the last stage of pregnancy heartburn is likely to get worse and I have found this to be veryyy true! Heartburn is one of my biggest and most horrible symptoms and without a swig of Gaviscon after every meal (and in the middle of the night) I would be crying constantly!! There are other antacids you can take to help ease it but my doctor only prescribes me Gaviscon and I find it does the trick - OH and I can only stand the peppermint flavour as the aniseed tastes like sambucca YUCK!

 

Milk - Again this one is to help ease heartburn and I find if I have half a glass of milk after dinner or before bed it really helps to ease it! 

 

Palmers Cocoa Butter Original Formula £3.25 from Boots - If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that so far *touches wood vigorously* I haven't had any stretch marks and I believe this is down to religious use of Palmers Cocoa Butter - Not the thin body lotion stuff but the proper solid hard core original formula!  Yes its greasy and not ideal to whack on if your rushing to put your clothes on but it does the trick, its cheap as chips and I wouldn't be without it.  I am also hoping it will help postpartum with any stretchmarks I get after birth

 

Mama Mio Boob Tube Bust & Neck Firmer* £29.50 from Mama Mio - This product comes with a hefty price tag but one that I think is totally worth it!  This cream has transformed my chest area!  I had stretchmarks from years ago on my boobs and since using this Bust Firmer they have significantly reduced and the skin has become tighter and smoother

 

Nexcare Maternity Support* £29.99 from 3M Direct - This little number has been a god send in the last few weeks since I have left work and have been busy decorating our new home.  I have been constantly on my feet and the weight of my bump was getting too much, I tried the Nexcare Support band and I felt instant relief.  It took the pressure right off my back and lifted my bump slightly which felt heavenly!  I now wear it everyday when I am doing things around the house

 

Belli Acne Clearing Facial Wash £25.50 from The Little Pear Tree - As you know I have suffered badly with pregnancy acne from start to finish and it got me down big time!!! I have never really had problem skin and haven't had to spend a fortune on skincare to keep it tip top so acne products and washes were totally alien to me.  After months of searching I finally came across the Belli Acne Clearing Facial Wash which is specially formulated for pregnant ladies skin! It contains lactic acid, lemon peel oil, green tea extract and cucumber which creates a really rich smelling yummy concoction that foams up slightly with water and leaves your skin feeling VERY clean and refreshed.  I noticed the improvement in my skin within a week of use and now a month on I wouldn't be without it!  My skin isn't spot free but it is so much better than it was and any spots I do get disappear very quickly! Its not cheap and I can only find it in the UK on the link above but again for me the quality justifies the price

 

Tena Lady Light Liners £1.99 from Boots - Not going to beat around the bush on this one but in the last stages of pregnancy bladder control is at its weakest!! I have never had a good bladder as it is so these liners are completely necessary to save any embarrassing wet patches!!!  They aren't thick and nappy like at all, they are very discreet and just do the job really!

 

Kindle Paperwhite £109 from Argos - I think a Kindle is a necessary product for EVERY woman not just pregnant ones! However I have used mine more than every during these last few weeks as I have struggled to sleep.. big time!  I find reading until I fall asleep instead of watching TV helps me to initially get to sleep and then if I wake up in the early hours its there to help me drift back off again without me disturbing Mr H.  The battery life on the Kindle Paperwhite is SO much better than the old ones which is good as the last thing you want during your preggo insomnia is battling with a dead battery in the middle of the night!!

 

So there you have it.. those are my third trimester essentials! I hope it helps any of you ladies who are approaching it, or are in it and needing some advice!

 

What are your third trimester essentials?