The Ultimate Pregnancy Essentials List for Every Trimester
Pregnancy is beautiful — and a little overwhelming. From morning sickness to sleepless nights, your body is working overtime.
That’s why having the right tools can make all the difference.
This pregnancy essentials guide breaks down the must-have items for each trimester — everything from must haves to cozy comfort upgrades that actually make pregnancy easier.
First Trimester Essentials (Weeks 1–13)
Your body is just beginning its transformation — and comfort + nourishment are key.
The amount of water/liquid you’ll drink is INSANE. I thought I had enough water bottles until I got pregnant because I didn’t have one that let me drink water while laying down (those midnight thirst quenches are real).
This one is insulated, has a handle so you can just extend your arm to grab it, and if you have a Stanley cup already, pair it with these bendy reusable straws! With the straight straws, you still have to get up a little bit to drink from it, but the handle + bendy straw = ultimate water bottle for pregnancy (& postpartum!)
When I found out I was pregnant, I first bought this famous C-shaped pregnancy pillow. This was the only pillow I knew about when I heard about people getting pregnant, but I found out very fast that this wasn’t the pillow for me. I think this pillow is great for people who don’t toss and turn at night and like having that support all-around.
After researching Amazon, I found this amazing Wedge pillow. If you toss and turn at night and you love to sleep on your side, this pillow is for you! The C shaped pillow didn’t allow me to move around as much and I would get pain around my upper back/shoulder area so I stopped using it pretty fast.
Do you sleep in whatever T-shirts and shorts? I used to too – until I got pregnant. This was my first time buying a cute pajama set, and this one is SO comfy I bought 3 different colors of it. I also did buy some button down ones too, but the buttons became a hassle for me even during breastfeeding.
Second Trimester Must-Haves (Weeks 14–27)
If you love leggings like me, you will live in these during your pregnancy and postpartum! These are so stretchy, comfortable, and give you the coverage you need.
Or if you also live in both biker shorts and leggings like me, this 4 pack of biker shorts is great! If I wasn’t wearing maternity leggings, I was either wearing these or a cute maternity dress.
This lotion worked its magic! I started putting this on during the second trimester, and I used this several times a day during my third trimester. Not sure if because of this and/or my skin in general, but I didn’t get any stretch marks from pregnancy!
A maternity support band can be a total game-changer during your second trimester. It gently lifts and supports your belly, easing pressure on your lower back, pelvis, and hips. It can improve posture and reduce round ligament pain, giving you that extra comfort and stability your body needs as your bump grows.
Third Trimester Essentials (Weeks 28–40)
By the third trimester, sleeping comfortably can feel like a challenge. The small wedge pillow helped my belly and back, but I started not being able to breathe as comfortably when I slept. This wedge pillow really helped me elevate my upper body so my lungs can breathe. You can also use this to elevate your legs if your feet are getting swollen too!
As your breasts continue to grow and become more sensitive, finding a comfortable, supportive bra is a must. I tried different nursing bras, and these are absolutely my FAVORITE! I can’t emphasize how comfortable, adjustable, and supportive this bra is in all areas (my breasts were spilling over in other bras I tried).
In late pregnancy — and especially postpartum — sitting can become uncomfortable due to pelvic pressure. A donut pillow helps relieve pressure on your tailbone and perineal area, making sitting for long periods much more manageable. It’s particularly helpful after vaginal delivery as you recover.
Mental preparation is just as important as physical readiness in the third trimester. Mindful Birthing offers powerful techniques for reducing anxiety, managing labor pain, and embracing the birth process with calm confidence. This book guides you through meditation and breathing practices that can be transformative for both pregnancy and postpartum.
💛 Final Thoughts: Every Trimester Deserves Kindness
Every pregnancy is unique — and so is every mama. The most important thing to remember is to care for your body with compassion, patience, and grace. These pregnancy essentials aren’t about having “more,” but about choosing the right tools that make you feel supported and at ease.
From your first sip of water in the morning to your last quiet breath before bed, you are doing something extraordinary — and you deserve to feel good every step of the way.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love and recommend to other kind mamas.
Check out my Youtube videos on surviving 1st, 2nd, & 3rd trimester (& how my husband went to the ER during my 2nd trimester…)
Heres a video on how to prep for a positive labor – you can do it!!!
