My Top 5 Pregnancy "Must Haves"

I'm currently pregnant with my second babe + I quickly got a memory refresh of the items I'd want on hand to navigate the changes I'd experience. These items have been things that I've used almost every day since finding out.

1. Needed Collagen Needed's collagen supplement is a hydrolyzed collagen protein powder designed to support women's health during fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum stages. Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine, it provides a bioavailable form of collagen peptides that may aid in promoting healthy skin, hair, nails, and joint function. This collagen is free from hormones and antibiotics, aligning with Needed's commitment to clean, sustainable ingredients. It's unflavored, making it easy to mix into smoothies or other beverages. I mix this collagen into everything and it was an absolute life saver during the first trimester when food became pretty tough to eat.

   Discount: Be sure to use the code "tenlittletoes" for 20% your first purchase + use this link to get yourself there
   

2. Motherlove Belly Butter + Rocky Mountain Belly Butter Stick Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve is a rich, natural balm formulated to soothe and hydrate the skin during pregnancy.Crafted with USDA-certified organic ingredients including apricot oil, shea butter, and herbs like lavender, chamomile, and calendula. It helps moisturize the belly, breasts, and hips, and may assist in preventing stretch marks.

   The Rocky Mountain Soap Belly Butter Stick is a 100% natural, 79% organic balm designed to soothe and hydrate the skin during pregnancy. Formulated with shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, and nourishing oils like avocado and rosehip, it helps improve skin elasticity and minimize the appearance of stretch marks. I used the Rocky Mountain belly butter stick with my first pregnancy + Motherlove belly salve for the second just to try something new. Both are great options and have clean ingredients, but I will say when you're in the thick of the first trimester and barely surviving oiling your belly may be last on the list which is where the stick version became super convenient.
   

3. Knix Leakproof Underwear Knix Leakproof Underwear is a line of innovative, absorbent undergarments designed to provide leak protection during menstruation, postpartum, or for light incontinence. Crafted with advanced leakproof technology, these underwear can absorb the equivalent of up to 9 super tampons' worth of liquid, depending on the style and absorbency level. I have had these since my period returned after my first babe and they are life saving for periods. Having them during pregnancy was helpful this time around because they're stretchy and able to accomodate my growing body whereas my other pairs of underwear were not as forgiving. Plus they keep you dry - an added bonus when pregnancy is causing all the things to happen down there (or if you sneeze #IYKYK).

   Discount: Be sure to use the code "tenlittletoeskw-tryknix" for 10% off your purchase
   

4. Traditional Medicine Laxative "Smooth Ease" Tea Traditional Medicinals' Smooth Move Tea is an herbal stimulant laxative designed to provide gentle, overnight relief from occasional constipation. The primary active ingredient is organic senna leaf, known for its natural laxative properties. The tea also includes a blend of complementary herbs such as licorice root, fennel fruit, sweet orange peel, cinnamon bark, coriander fruit, and ginger rhizome, which support digestion and enhance the tea's soothing effects. If you're taking a prenatal and experiencing constipation unfortunately this is quite normal - and it can be even more rough if you have to take an iron supplement on top of that. This tea is gentle and worked overnight for me when I desperately needed it. It comes in a few flavours and the mint has been my favourite! I keep this on hand at all times "just in case" and it would be perfect for postpartum too.
   

5. Stanley Quencher Water Bottle I won't give you a professional rant on this water bottle - it's just the larger one that I have and I love how cold it keeps my drinks. Ice cold water just hits different when you're pregnant + postpartum. I also work long nursing shifts so this bottle is essential for me. Having the larger size allows me to monitor my water intake a little bit easier too - I try to make a point to drink at least one a day and try to refill it once too if I can. Those are my must haves! There are other things I've loved + used throughout pregnancy but I wanted to find ones that I reach for daily.

   
   

   You can find a few of these linked on my amazon storefront here

Samantha (RN, IBCLC)