During pregnancy and in the first few months of your baby, you can spend more money than in any other phase of your life. In retrospect, you will think that many things were not worth the price. From our own experience , we can tell you which must-haves you should have during your pregnancy.
Special car seat belt
Not wearing a seatbelt because of your big belly?
From the second trimester, when your belly starts to grow, not only will your jeans hardly fit you anymore, but your car seat belt will also become increasingly uncomfortable. At a certain point, it will cut into your skin and can even cause injuries in an accident . Some women believe that from this point on it is safer to drive without a seat belt – a fatal misconception in an emergency.
Protects in car accidents
It is better to use a special pregnancy belt that guides the lap belt under the baby bump . This is the correct position so that you and your unborn child are not unnecessarily injured in an accident. You fasten the pregnancy belt to the seat with a fastening strap and with a little practice you can quickly change it from seat to seat.
drinking bottle with scale
Increased fluid requirements
Normally, you should drink 35 milliliters of fluid per kilogram of body weight every day. During pregnancy, however, you need to drink more because you have more blood in your circulation. In order not to neglect this important topic, you should get a drinking bottle with a scale. This way, you can see at a glance whether you are behind on your fluid intake .
pregnancy drinking
Even on the go
You can take the bottle with you everywhere so that you don’t go too long without drinking. Make sure that it has a small hole in addition to the drinking opening so that the water or unsweetened tea flows out constantly . Of course, you can also pour your drink into a glass at home.
Medical compression stockings
Help prevent varicose veins
The larger amount of blood not only means that you have to drink more, but can also cause heavy legs, spider veins or even varicose veins – pregnancy is not always a bed of roses. Your doctor can therefore write you a prescription for medical compression stockings. Due to your special condition, you will not have to pay any additional costs for these .
Also help against nausea
Tight-fitting stockings should be a permanent part of your maternity wear , especially when exercising and in summer, when the blood vessels expand due to the heat. They take some getting used to, but they not only alleviate visual problems, they can also prevent life-threatening thrombosis . It is best to wear these medical aids every day from the second trimester until after the postpartum period.
By the way: If you suffer from dizziness and nausea , you can start wearing compression stockings earlier. Studies suggest that they can alleviate these negative pregnancy symptoms.
dietary supplements
Useful due to increased nutrient requirements
In everyday life, you get all the nutrients your body needs from balanced meals. Food supplements are only useful in exceptional cases. During your pregnancy, however, you have an increased need for almost everything – after all, the little person in your belly needs to grow up healthily.
A must: Omega-3 and folic acid
A vitamin tablet containing magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium, for example, is advisable to prevent a deficiency. Omega-3, which is otherwise a beauty secret for your skin, is something you should definitely take during pregnancy so that your baby’s brain and eyesight develop well. Folic acid is also a must, otherwise you unnecessarily increase the risk of spina bifida in your unborn child. You should start taking folic acid at least three months before conception.
side sleeper pillow
For pleasant nights
Sleeping can be a torture during the nine months: in the first trimester, you’ll be woken up by a falling blood sugar level, in the second by a cramp in your calf, and in the third by a kick in the ribs from your loved one. In addition, as you gain weight, you may no longer be able to sleep in your usual position . Your nights will be much more comfortable with a side sleeper or nursing pillow.
pregnancy sleep
Supports the body when lying down
You can use this to support your body in all possible positions. If you like to sleep on your back, put the pillow under your knees. If you prefer to sleep on your side, put it under your stomach so that it is supported. If you no longer need the long pillow for sleeping after pregnancy, you can use it for breastfeeding or as a nest for your baby.
Baby oil
Against stretch marks
You can lose excess weight later with exercise after pregnancy , but souvenirs like stretch marks remain forever. They appear on the stomach, breasts, bottom, thighs or hips in most women as soon as the connective tissue can no longer withstand the stretching. The marks are only a visual problem and fade somewhat after the birth.
plucking massage from the beginning of pregnancy
If you still want to prevent them, get some baby oil to massage the vulnerable areas every day from the beginning of your pregnancy. The plucking massage is a well-known method of gently preparing the skin for the upcoming stretching and strengthening the connective tissue . Use your hands to form the oiled skin into a roll and pull it upwards very gently. The massage should not cause any pain.
gardening gloves
Avoiding Toxoplasmosis
Are you wondering what your pregnancy has to do with gardening gloves? If you have a garden, they are definitely a must-have for you. The reason is the infectious disease toxoplasmosis. You can transmit it to your unborn child, which can cause premature birth and worse .
What to consider when pregnant
Pathogens are found in cat feces
The pathogens are particularly common in cat excrement, and you will often come across this when working outdoors. So if you are planting flowers, cleaning sandy areas or putting seeds in the soil, protective gloves should be part of your clothing when gardening from day 1 of your pregnancy to avoid coming into contact with the pathogens.
baby diary
Make good use of time before birth
After the birth, a turbulent phase begins and you will not have time to do anything other than look after your baby. However, you still have time in the nine months before the birth, as you will need to take regular breaks anyway. Six weeks before the birth, maternity leave begins and with it a ban on work. Use these relaxed moments to keep a baby diary.
Remembrance for Mother and Child
In this book, you can not only write down the most important facts about your pregnancy, such as your weight or doctor’s appointments. You can also record your thoughts and emotions, discuss any fears you may have and have a place for your ultrasound photos. A baby diary is a great memory for you, especially if you plan to have another child later and want to compare the pregnancies. But your offspring will also find it exciting to learn about the time before their birth once they reach a certain age.
