Best products from r/pregnant

This list is awesome! I was not nearly that organized for my registry! Just a few comments from the other side (my baby is 3 months currently).


Baby nails are sharp and scary, some friends bought us this Electric Nail File and it is absolutely amazing, not painful for baby at all and much more efficient than the little files.

This butt spatula thing has been great for when we apply diaper cream! Saves us from getting it on our hands.

For me personally, I found the Boppy rather ineffective for nursing at first while we were trying to figure out nursing. Baby would kind of slide down between the Boppy and my stomach. Now at 3 months old, the Boppy is super useful for propping baby and sometimes as a nursing pillow if I decide to use one. My first few weeks of nursing I'd use the Brest Friend Nursing Pillow it was great when Baby really needed a little extra support for getting into the best position for nursing.

Breastfeeding was very painful for me the first few weeks. Our LO ended up having a bad latch due to tongue and lip ties we had to get lasered (anterior tongue tie had been clipped by Pediatrician in the hospital, she still had a posterior tie that was diagnosed later by a lactation consultant - just something to keep in mind), by the time we had the procedure done the damage was done to my nipples. These nipple shields are one of the things that really helped my nipples heal in between feedings to keep my bra/clothes off of them. I hope you don't have to use them, but something you may want to make a note of in case you have a similar experience. If you do end up having nipple pain, ask your OB (or Google how to make it yourself) for a script for "Newman's Nipple Cream", that stuff helped save our breastfeeding relationship!


Good luck, looks like you're off to a great start!

With my first I chose unmedicated and had a very poor support system. This time I have an amazing support system but still worry.

If you have a strong support system it will make all the difference in the world. Attend birthing classes with your partner and/or watch birthing class videos. Commit to practicing the comfort techniques shown in the classes with your partner. Research the hospitals available to you and what they allow. Some hospitals really want you to stay in bed, which makes it harder to perform many pain management techniques. Some encourage a more ambulatory labor approach. Also see what they have available, do they have a shower or tub (birthing centers often have the big birthing tubs that many women swear by if that is an option for you), do they have a birthing ball, will they allow you to dismantle the bed to facilitate a wider range of positions to ease and manage pain. Get your partner familiar with many counter-pressure and massage techniques. Create a soothing playlist for the big day and bring a speaker in your hospital bag to play it. If you have mood lighting that you’d prefer to the harsh hospital lights, bring along led candles or whatever you have that will create the ambiance you want. It’s as much about psychological calming measures as it is about physical comfort measures. Combine the two for your best possible unmedicated experience.

AAAAND...don’t feel ashamed if, even with all of the above measures, you cave and get the epidural. You may check with your insurance, but it may be partially or even fully covered. If not...oh well, you can worry about that later. You do what you need to do to have a calm, fulfilling birth experience. No one will judge you if you choose to manage your pain with technology.

Also a book I see recommended a lot is “The Birth Partner”. Having your partner read this, or reading it with them may give you a lot of insight as to how to manage an unmedicated birth as a team.

Good luck?

Hi! Future dad here. Go check out /r/predaddit to find other dads who may have gone through something similar and can relate.

Nausea in the early weeks is perfectly normal. Morning sickness has been linked to higher hormone levels, a potential link indicating a healthy pregnancy.

I would strongly suggest getting an earlier doctor's appointment if possible for peace of mind. And read books like The Expectant Father. It's amazing what a little education and information does for the soul.

Do your best to learn, listen to her, and help her be healthy, and you've done all you can to ensure a good, boring pregnancy. There are some things that are out of your hands, and it does no one any good to worry about those things until they happen.

​

I found What To Expect When You're Expecting's chapter on diet really interesting, especially as I don't have any nausea or food aversions yet!

A quick summary is:

1. Calories - no change for your first trimester, then an extra 300 calories in the second, and an extra 500 in the third.
   
2. Protein - 3 servings daily
   
3. Calcium - 4 servings
   
4. Vitamin C - 3 servings
   
5. Green leafy and yellow vegetables and yellow fruits - 3 to 4 servings
   
6. Other fruits and vegetables - 1 to 2 servings
   
7. Whole grains - 6 or more servings
   
8. Iron-rich foods - it just says "some"
   
9. Fats and high-fat foods - about 4 servings
   
10. Omega-3 fatty acids
    
11. Fluids
    
12. Prenatal vitamins
    
    They say to be "efficient" with your choices and pick food items that each count for a couple of different categories, but the chapter is not particularly helpful for comparing those foods. Especially as the food will probably have different serving sizes to meet the requirements of each category. (For example, a slice of whole grain bread is one serving of whole grain, but you need four slices to get to a half serving of protein!)
    
    To make meal planning easier (and as I’m a massive nerd), I put everything into a spreadsheet. It should make comparing "efficient" foods a bit easier. (Summary on the first tab, the big list is on the second.)
    
    Also, I’ve been colour-coding the items I’m using for each meal, then resorting the sheet, so I can see what categories I need to bump up (like this).
    
    There will be tons of other foods that you can use to meet your servings - this is just what the book had listed.
    
    Feel free to download the sheet yourself. And please let me know if I’ve made any mistakes :)
    
    And don’t beat yourself up about meeting these guidelines – I eat like a teenager who has been left alone for the weekend, so I’m just happy to have some guidance about eating like a grown-up!

Yes! I bitched on here about my situation a while ago. I bought my SO this book and gave it to him when I found out I was pregnant, but he didn’t start reading it until recently (I’m almost 32 weeks). I had a major meltdown a couple weeks ago where I told him that I didn’t feel like he was being emotionally supportive. After having talked to friends and family, I found out that this can be normal for men.. and it does not mean they won’t be good fathers. I ended up signing us up for a childbirth class, as well as a baby basics class. We’ve had 2 out of 5 classes so far and he’s been attentive and will interact with me in class, which I didn’t expect at all.

Maybe he’s like my partner, and giving him that little push will help. Have you communicated any of this with him?

I bought my husband the book "the expectant father the ultimate guide for dads-to-be" it is available on Amazon and is really informative.
https://www.amazon.com/Expectant-Father-Ultimate-Dads-Be/dp/0789212137/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542296764&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=expectant+father+books&dpPl=1&dpID=61Qlu9et-vL&ref=plSrch

It is a little different in that it focuses on how the partner can help and not accidently cause a fight, as well as giving a perspective as to how she is feeling and what is happening with the baby. I got myself the book "day by day pregnancy" it is like a massive text book and let's me have a little to read each day with tips and ideas to make the experience more pleasant.

Good luck, most of all you need to let her know that you are in this together.

I found the advice in Expecting Better is super helpful, basically most of the medical literature indicates that you shouldn't stress about it! It's better to gain a little more than the recommended than not gain enough. Plus 90% of women return to their normal weight by 24 months postpartum. As long as your eating mostly nutritious, whole foods, and staying active, you're doing good!

My mom friends recommended getting some relatively cheap nursing bras on Amazon before making any larger purchases. I got a 3-pack for about $25 or something -- and I love them. They're supportive without a wire, but also think enough to keep me modest. :)

Here's the link to what I got, they've been great for me! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077X71SN1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You could be pregnant if you had unprotected sex and you've missed your birth control pill three days in a row, yes.

That said, if you've just finished your period, it's unlikely because ovulation usually happens about halfway through your cycle, or about 14 days after the first day of your period.

I would advise you to inform yourself about how your body works and learn about fertility if you want to continue to have a safe and healthy sex life. I suggest [Taking Charge of Your Fertility](Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 20th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062326031/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_f08AzbRCAP7CJ) as a good place to start. Learning about your personal cycle can help you prevent pregnancy now, and perhaps help you conceive in the future if that is what you want.

For now, you can go to your local pharmacy and buy a "morning after" pill, which can help prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. This can make you feel ill, but it is a good "back up" choice when your first line of birth control fails.

Good luck to you!

Avoid unpasteurized cheese. I know there’s a long list of things pregnant women “shouldn’t eat,” but there’s not a lot of proof for some of those things (e.g., coffee, sushi). However, unpasteurized cheese, which is often used in Mexican cheese dips, should be avoided due to the risk of listeria. If you want to read more about data-backed pregnancy advice, check out this book: Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong--and What You Really Need to Know https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143125702/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SHe4CbRWQ3VTA

Overall though, you’ll be fine! At 7 weeks, baby is tucked away safe. Have fun!!

Get a prenatal vitamin ASAP- it's critical to make sure baby is getting enough nutrients, especially folic acid. I've found that the One-a-Day Women's Prental One Pill go down well for me.

I also highly recommend the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. It's a chill book that gives you the facts without any fear mongering. I bought a copy for myself before we conceived, but I also got a copy for free from my insurance company when I enrolled in their healthy pregnancies program.

Also, you're going to feel big ups and downs emotionally, regardless of how planned the baby was/wasn't. Our baby is 100% planned/wanted and I still have days where I'm like "OMG. I think this may have been a mistake." It was especially tough for me to have anything resembling a positive attitude during the morning sickness phase. My husband teases me a little bit about that because I went from "baby crazy with a ticking biological clock" to "So nauseous. I regret my life choices. Have we done the right thing?" within about a six-week timespan. Point being, there are ups and downs :)

Yes! I twist it up with a hole in the middle...make sure it’s high enough so I can put my belly in the hole and it not be against the mattress. Then I prop my head up with a few pillows and enjoy :) I’ll link the one I have it’s perfect!

Pillow

That's an unfortunate reaction from your husband. He probably doesn't understand that being supportive means being proactive.

I was browsing Amazon today for some journals and landed on this https://www.amazon.ca/Dude-Youre-Gonna-Be-Dad/dp/1440505365. I'm tempted to get it for my husband this Father's day, but I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit of a gamble, given his reaction so far, though I'm hoping the humorous tone will lessen the blow of the "lessons". The fact that the author is a man might help with that (husband dealt a lot better with the news after he spoke with a newly minted dad about it).

Find out what foods you need to avoid while pregnant (including how much caffeine is safe, what herbal teas are off limits, and which fish have high levels of mercury), and what drugs you should not be taking (e.g. ibuprofen is typically not baby friendly). There are different schools of thought around all of this and a lot more.

As far as books, "What to Expect When You're Expecting" is a best seller and not a bad place to start. https://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-When-Youre-Expecting/dp/0761187480/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1525410573&sr=8-2&keywords=maternity+book

Once you get to the buying stuff stage the book "Baby Bargains" is pretty good. https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Bargains-Secrets-Saving-strollers/dp/188939257X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525410646&sr=8-1&keywords=baby+bargains+book+2018

If you're totally lost, you can always reach out and connect with a Doula (even early in pregnancy) - though this can be pricey. Doulas have a wealth of knowledge. The hospital that you will deliver at also probably has resources and links set up on their website.

This Boppy pillow is not that expensive and it keeps me, a lifelong back sleeper on my side all night. It’s like a big hug. I love this thing. I’ve been using it since about 14 weeks and at 29 weeks now it’s a godsend.

Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow - $24.95

I fainted at the doctor’s office and it was so embarrassing, the small waiting room was packed and I just got so overheated that I fainted. Now I use this thing https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F1P1187/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and it’s amazing. I use it everywhere, the mist is soooo awesome, i bought the pink one and it makes me giggle, I feel like pregnant Barbie

I’m 24 weeks and I’ve been on the road for work since Day 1 of my pregnancy. Reading these posts has been super comforting, I’m sure many of you have read this book but I thought it would add a little extra comfort for anyone worrying about a lot of the topics covered here. I really enjoy reading “Expecting Better” as my pregnancy progresses, I hope you do too!

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00AEBEQUK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

I absolutely love the Birth Partner Guide. It's incredibly informative and easy to digest with evidence based information specifically designed for partners. It's written and set up to be a resource you can have on hand and easily find what you need throughout pregnancy, birth and post-partum.

I did temperature measurements and as long as you are consistent (setting the alarm to wake up at the same time every day and temping before getting out of bed, and using a thermometer that goes to 2 decimal places), you can get a good feel for usual monthly pattern and it gives a lot of information (i.e. for me I ovulated later than expected), so I think its a great tool.

From what I recall about it, yes, the dip on the chart on the 13th corresponds with ovulation. I used fertilityfriend website to track mine though its sometimes off on its guess of ovulation, so that's why you need a human to do the final interpretation of the graph. This book is also great for learning about charting.

I really love the c-shaped PharMeDoc pillow I got on amazon. Super versatile and has held up well so far. Easy to wash and replace the cover!

PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow with Jersey Cover, C Shaped Full Body Pillow - Available in Grey, Blue, Pink, Mint Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KIQH2VU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WgVuDbNSMTZ6Y

https://www.amazon.com/Medline-Deluxe-Perineal-Adhesive-postpartum/dp/B00BLE60T4?crid=1LIGZC60W2RKM&keywords=postpartum+ice+pack+pads&qid=1535818150&sprefix=postpartum+ice+&sr=8-3&ref=mp_s_a_1_3

These were amazing for me. I'm a first time mom, and I was so scared. I was afraid of the pain. However, I only pushed for 19 minutes. I was up walking around within 2 hours. I had her a Saturday afternoon, and by Monday, I was going to walmart and stuff. I was completely fine. Don't worry too much. You can have such a good success story. Also, keep a small pillow or cushion in your car. It'll make sitting on wooden or plastic chairs much easier if you go out.

The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is my favorite pregnancy book, and Happiest Baby on the Block is great for the newborn stage.

Mayo Clinic Guide

Happiest Baby

I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DKC6BTL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's not too expensive and it's absolutely adorable! I actually wore it yesterday at my community pool. It's a tankini, which aren't my favorite, but it was so easy to put on and take off while pregnant. I'm 30 weeks and 2 days, by the way, if that helps you plan your summer bathing suit-wearing. It was comfortable lounging pool side and I did some light backstroke in it without a problem.

I got these at Amazon. They're more like capri style, but I'm 5'1' so they are definitely not too short-looking on me. They're comfortable too. The black ones look decent enough for going out and about.

https://www.amazon.com/Beachcoco-Womens-Maternity-Comfortable-Capri/dp/B00OEOSV1S/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=maternity+gouchos&qid=1574134054&sr=8-1

I’ve ordered 6 items from beachcoco.
4 strapless dresses (2 maxi, 2 knee length) and 2 pair of gocho pants.


Beachcoco Women's Maternity Comfortable Knee Length Tube Dress (L, Jade) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DVK4B1O?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Beachcoco Women's Maternity Comfortable Maxi Tube Dress (M, Geometric Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073C89RFG?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Beachcoco Women's Maternity Comfortable Capri Pants (M, Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OEOSV1S?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf


The tops are kinda tricky though. I did order t-shirts and tank tops. I haven’t tried them on yet but so far I’m not a fan of the material. Hubby insists it’ll be ok. I thought it was cotton and it’s more of a polyester/cotton blend.. I’ll try them on tonight and let you know.

When I ordered these I was in between a medium and large. So I ordered both sizes. I ended up going with large because I’m only 15 weeks and will be getting bigger.

This is the one I got, it looks like there are a few different versions, but they all do the same thing and it's specifically made for putting diaper cream on baby butts. No idea if that makes the material special, but here's hoping it works well enough!

This book talks about emotions and pregnancy.

My husband has read some of it, but he says he prefers this book. He said he thinks it talks about hormones and emotions and I think I saw in the description that it does in fact talk about the support pregnant people need during this time. Hopefully your boyfriend is open to reading a bit so he can understand what’s going on. The books are written by men, for men so I would hope he will believe the information haha

For you:

• Show Dad How
  
• The Baby Onwer's Manual
  
  For Her:
  
  
  
• The Mayo Clinic Guide To a Healthy Pregnancy. Has a monthly pregnancy break down with what is going on, along with a "When to call a care provider" check list per month.
  
  Also you might get some more input over on /r/predaddit. This subreddit is for pregnant folks. :)

Have you heard of fertility awareness? I love this book: http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Fertility-Anniversary-Edition/dp/0060881909. I got pregnant when I first started trying after having been on hormonal birth control (the pill) for ten years. I started reading it because I was just interested in how my body worked without hormones once I decided to stop taking the pill, and we decided we wanted to try for a baby shortly thereafter. What I loved most about the book is that it helps you determine if you really need (expensive!) fertility treatments or not without going to the doctor, and what kinds you might need. It is a huge learning curve, I thought, but it is so well worth it. It was really liberating to learn all of the clues about when I was fertile and when I wasn't. I feel like women should be learning this stuff in high school - knowing these things is really, really empowering.

I literally LoLed! I bet many dads to be could use that!

My husband read this book. It had a whole section on what mom is going through and how to show empathy and support. Hope you find something similar.

I love my wedge!!! 2 people an a large dog in a queen size bed... I don't have room for a maternity pillow.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N06ZFIX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3xg1DbGXY93WY

So, I used a pregnancy body pillow at first, which worked until I hit third trimester-- then it didn't offer enough support, as they tend to be pretty soft. What has been working for me (37 weeks) is a high/firm bamboo memory foam pillow under the neck / just above my shoulders (seriously, make sure it hits above the shoulder and wedge your shoulder under it a little bit if need be), a Boppy pregnancy wedge under my belly to keep it from overbalancing me, and a soft standard pillow that I can just hug in front of me (keeps chest expanded and shoulders from curling too much. It's unwieldy and rolling over in the middle of the night is a bit like playing tetris (you def have to rebuild your setup), but it's alleviated so much pain.

You're fine. I didn't have my first visit until about 10 weeks, and then another 4 weeks until my first ultrasound.

Read some books, starting with Expecting Better. That one will help you cut through a lot of the crap you're going to hear from people in the next few months. Good luck!

I have a body pillow (Snoogle), AND a wedge. The wedge is a lifesaver, it just exists to support my bump lol. This is the one I got:
https://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Pregnancy-Wedge-Petite-Trellis/dp/B01N06ZFIX?th=1

I broke my back when I was 16 by slamming my left hip into a pole sledding, so I've ALWAYS had hip pain sleeping on my left side. The wedge and snoogle help so much with taking the weight off my hips I've actually had less pain/numbness than pre-pregnancy.

I got this pillow off amazon and it’s been great for sleeping and sitting

Edit: I swing the bottom part up and make a little cushion for me to sit in. I just realized the photos don’t really show that as an example. But you can do a lot with it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KIQH2VU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ciOMDbQTG0PDP

I got this book for my husband and he loved it!:

​

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939754682/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow with Jersey Cover, C Shaped Full Body Pillow - Available in Grey, Blue, Pink, Mint Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KIQH2VU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_k9bvDbAFVZREQ

I use this one! I think it’s super soft, especially compared to other options available.

I've found The Expectant Father to be useful and informative, as well as Expecting Better.

I got this book for my husband and he really likes it! He always brings up little facts and tidbits he learned from it.

https://www.amazon.com/Expectant-Father-Ultimate-Dads-Be/dp/0789212137/ref=dp_ob_image_bk

I liked this one - https://www.amazon.com/Mayo-Clinic-Guide-Healthy-Pregnancy/dp/1561487171

woah, rude. everyone has the right to do what makes them feel comfortable. there's actually research that 1-2 glasses a week in first trimester and up to 1 a day after that is safe. there's a good book that talks about how these risks are likely wayyy overblown.

PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow with Jersey Cover, C Shaped Full Body Pillow - Available in Grey, Blue, Pink, Mint Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KIQH2VU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ze-LDb1RM46CZ


Life saver

The Expectant Father: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0789212137/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_l7zGDb87JH4XY

Here are two, one for pregnancy and one for the first year.

https://www.amazon.com/Expectant-Father-Ultimate-Dads-Be/dp/0789212137/

https://www.amazon.com/New-Father-Dads-Guide-First/dp/0789211777

This Pregnancy book written by a female economist who had children and decided to actually take a look at data vs. what we are “told”.

37 weeks here and the body pillow is LIFE.

https://www.amazon.com/PharMeDoc-Pregnancy-Pillow-Jersey-Shaped/dp/B01KIQH2VU/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=25Y48N6UH0CLW&keywords=maternity+pillow&qid=1556810642&s=gateway&sprefix=maternity+pil&sr=8-6

Ask him to come to your appointments, it helps with processing. It's especially helpful during ultrasound appointments.

Many, many men have expressed that they don't feel connected to the baby until the birth. So don't get upset if he's having difficulties. Additionally, it's difficult for men to learn about pregnancy and it's processes because the material is all targeting women. Books often put dad in a backseat, and make them feel excluded or helpless. It's important that he reads books written for men, and not books with a single 'dad chapter'. I highly reccommend this book series, The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be