Now that you’ve reached 13 weeks of pregnancy, you are officially in the second trimester. This is a huge milestone… Way to go mama!
Getting out of the first trimester is marked with an increase in energy and less nausea. Along with less sickness, your belly is starting to poke out there more.
Now that this pregnant blogger has graduated into the second trimester, I’m overcome with the feeling of being uncomfortable.
Even though I have more energy, I’m still plagued with the typical second trimester symptoms.
If you’re in your second trimester, it’s important to lavish yourself and be as comfortable as possible.
The best way to do that is by arming yourself with good pregnancy products to relieve pregnancy symptoms.
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you click on them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Nipple Cream
You would think that since you’re not breastfeeding, you wouldn’t have sore and cracked nipples. But that couldn’t be further from the truth!
Throughout the course of your pregnancy, your breast are preparing for breastfeeding a baby. The hormones HCG and progesterone ae working together to increase breast tissue.
So how big do your breasts actually get during the course of your pregnancy? Possibly, up to two cup sizes bigger! Ugh… *eye rolls*
Because of your breasts growing bigger, your likely receiving an irritating side effect. Cracked Nipples. (Not fun hormones).
I am currently having this issue and best thing for cracked nipples are moisturize, moisturize and moisturize some more.
Although lanolin is usually the go to ingredient for cracked and sore nipples, I don’t feel it gets the job done.
I have now made the switch from lanolin nipple cream to a nipple cream called Motherlove Nipple Cream.
It’s certified organic and made with ingredients like extra virgin olive oil and shea butter to provide extra nourishment. Now, I’m applying nipple cream morning and night.
Seabands
While most nausea with or without vomiting eases during the second trimester, some women continue to exhibit nausea through the rest of pregnancy.
Unfortunately, I am one of these women. I have my good days and my bad days.
On my really bad days, I’m plagued with light nausea throughout the day and vomiting at night. (At least that’s the pattern that’s been happening the last four weeks).
To help ease pregnancy nausea (without medication) Seabands apply acupressure to your wrists.
While they don’t totally eliminate nausea, they do make it more bearable. Especially if your nausea is triggered by motion.
Seabands can be worn extended periods of time and are perfect for car rides.
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Pregnancy Pillow
Since your belly is getting bigger and heavier, sleep may start to become uncomfortable. Tossing and turning is an every nigh occurrence.
Soon enough you won’t be able to sleep on your back.
Pregnancy pillows are specifically designed to contour to and support your growing belly.
There are ton of pregnancy pillows on the market. The best way to shop for a pregnancy pillow is to find a pillow that’s a “full body pillow” and one that will support your belly.
Some pregnancy pillows have a removable small tummy pillow to place under your belly. I highly recommend having a pillow support the weight of your belly.
Benadryl
Benadryl is considered a safe medication to take throughout pregnancy. I take Benadryl for two reasons…
- Stuffy nose
- Sleep
Pregnancy brings out annoying symptoms. One of the worst is nasal issues. Hormones are running high.
Those same hormones fueling your healthy pregnancy are also contributing to mucous membrane swelling.
Since sleep is already getting uncomfortable, Benadryl can help make you drowsy and provide you with some much-needed peaceful sleep.
The best part about Benadryl… It’s non-habit forming!
Ayr Saline Nasal Gel
Along with Benadryl to clear swollen nasal passages, Ayr saline nasal gel works wonders!
Ayr not only clears and opens swollen sinus passages, it helps sooth dry noses as well. You can apply it as many times as needed around your nostrils.
However, I actually put Ayr gel inside my nostrils as well. It’s amazing how fast this gel clears my sinuses so I can breathe again!
Humidifier
With a Benadryl and Ayr combination, I also run a humidifier. A humidifier helps moisten the air around you to aid in clear sinuses and prevent nose and throat dryness.
On really bad days were my sinus are extremely swollen, I plug-in a cool mist humidifier and run it throughout the day.
If I’m still not able to breathe out of my nose by bedtime, I move the humidifier into the bedroom to run during the night.
Probiotics
Since being pregnant are you having tummy issues? One of the main digestive issues for many pregnant women is constipation. Personally, pregnancy causes me to have constipation and diarrhea. There’s no happy medium…
Digestive issues during pregnancy can be blamed on a variety of causes including hormones, diet changes and increase iron intake.
Whatever the cause may be… Digestive problems are the worse during pregnancy.
To combat any tummy issues you may be experiencing, try a pregnancy probiotic to put good bacteria back into your gut.
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Monistat
As a woman… We all know what Monistat is for. Yeast infections. You can blame this nasty, uncomfortable infection on hormones.
Yeast infections are actually very common during pregnancy. Especially during the second trimester.
This type of infection is self-diagnosable and are recognized by the following symptoms:
- Itching
- Redness
- Irritation
- Increased discharge with cottage-cheese consistency
A yeast infection is no fun anytime. But during pregnancy it’s extra miserable. To treat it during pregnancy, I always make sure to have Monistat on hand.
Remember to always talk with your OBGYN before doing any over-the-counter medication while pregnant.
Maternity Jeans
By the beginning of the second trimester, your regular jeans are probably starting to feel a little tight around the midsection. Am I right?
Well it’s only going to get worse as your belly goes! I personally start wearing maternity jeans early on in my pregnancies. I can’t stand the pressure applied to my lower stomach from regular jeans.
When you are shopping for maternity jeans, the sky’s the limit! But remember that maternity clothing does get expensive.
You also need to consider that you’ll only be wearing maternity clothing for less than nine months.
I have a small stock of maternity clothes that includes 5 jeans, 2 yoga pants, 2 shorts, 3 dresses and 12 shirts.
Maternity Tops
Throughout the first trimester it was easy to still wear non-maternity shirts. But after a while you’ll start to see your shirts slowly stretch out and not cover very well.
Maternity tops or shirts are really nice to have because you no longer have to worry about tugging your shirt down all the time.
Pregnancy shirts are also super comfy because they’re made with more elastic stretchy material to accommodate a growing bump.
Just remember that you need to buy maternity shirts that will accommodate a belly all the way up till the end of your pregnancy.
If you’re unsure of what size to get, go a size up on maternity shirts to ensure you have extra stretch around the stomach area.
Coconut Oil
I love coconut oil! I use it for eczema, oil pulling, diaper rash for my son… Best yet, coconut oil is a great alternative to traditional stretch mark creams.
Although many creams on the market claim to prevent stretch marks, many do not.
Unfortunately, stretch marks appear depending on how moisturized your skin is, weight gained during pregnancy and genes. Although I used coconut oil religiously, I still have stretch marks.
But if I didn’t moisturize with coconut oil through my first pregnancy, my stretch marks would be a lot worse.
Coconut oil is an all natural way to reduce stretch marks, moisturize and eliminate itchy, irritated skin.
It can be used two to three times a day through pregnancy.
Toothpaste/Mouthwash
You’re probably wondering why I added this as a must item for the second trimester, right?
Well hormones not only cause your mucus membranes to swell within your nasal passages, but in your gums as well.
Although you may or may not notice, your gums become more sensitive during pregnancy. That sensitivity can lead to bleeding gums you never had before.
I’m occasionally having this issue with my gums.
To help ease the sensitivity and bleeding, I use the toothpaste Toms of Maine Whole Care. I choose this toothpaste because it’s all natural and is perfect for sensitive gum and teeth during pregnancy.
Toms of Maine also has an all natural mouthwash that I highly recommend!
Maternity Underwear
I’ll be honest this probably is not a necessity for pregnancy. However, I have a stock of maternity underwear and I couldn’t live without them.
When I’m pregnant I want to be comfortable! With regular underwear, they do not stretch to fit my rapidly expanding belly.
Maternity underwear come in a variety of styles. I personally like the low-rise maternity underwear compared to a high-rise. But find whatever you think will provide you the most comfort.
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Light Pads/Panty Liners
With surging pregnancy hormones, vaginal discharge has probably increased since you’ve been pregnant.
Although you don’t need a heavy maxi pad with wings until after delivery, thin panty liners are perfect for not ruining your underwear for the day.
Trust me when I say, I despise wearing pads at all. But during pregnancy I’m very thankful for a thin panty liner so I don’t have to keep changing my underwear all day.
Plus, panty liners are perfect for stuffing in a purse or diaper bag on the go and provide a light weight feel.
Final Thoughts
Now that I’m in my second trimester of pregnancy, I’m having the overall feeling of being uncomfortable.
From nausea with vomiting to sleeping at night… I’m just plain uncomfortable!
While the second trimester is turning out to be way better than the first trimester, I still need to relieve annoying symptoms whenever possible!
Not all of these are needed for every second trimester for every women. It all depends on your pregnancy symptoms.
The more symptoms you’re experiencing the need you’ll have for the above products.
For me, it’s all about comfort. Yes, I could probably go without maternity underwear or just get a regular toothpaste…
But I feel regular underwear are restricting and I need better toothpaste for my overly sensitive gums.
At the end of the day, I’ll take all the pregnancy symptoms in the second trimester ten times over! As long as my baby is growing and healthy.
But just because you’re growing a baby doesn’t mean you need to suffer through the symptoms. With the must have items above you can ease symptoms and make yourself more comfortable!