Pregnancy Must-Haves for Every Stage (From Nausea to Nesting)
I’ll be honest: before I got pregnant, I thought most pregnancy products were a racket. A special pillow? Compression socks? A belly band? Please. I was working full-time, traveling regularly and fully intended to carry on as normal until my due date. I managed to follow through on my intentions—my last cross-country flight was a week before I gave birth, and I went into the office the morning I went into labor. But I couldn’t have done so without the pregnancy products I once scoffed at.
By the time my third trimester arrived, I had quietly acquired almost every item on this list, and in an effort to spare other mamas-to-be the same trial-and-error process, I’m fully embracing the opportunity to share what actually works. Because here’s what no one tells you (or what you don’t fully absorb until you’re in it): pregnancy is physically relentless in ways that vary wildly by trimester, by body and by day. The right pregnancy essentials don’t just make things more comfortable, they make it possible to keep doing the things you actually want to do.
My first trimester was defined almost entirely by nausea. Not glamorous, not manageable with saltines alone, just relentless. My third trimester brought a different set of challenges: a body that felt foreign, sleep that required architectural support, and a growing awareness that at 5’2", I had seriously underestimated how much real estate a baby occupies. What got me through was not any single miracle product, but a series of carefully chosen ones—some obvious (prenatal vitamins), and some that I initially dismissed, but later came to depend on (compression socks, a body pillow, nursing bras).
The products in this guide were chosen with all of that in mind: what actually works, across all three trimesters, for real pregnant people—not the idealized version. You’ll find things that address specific discomforts as they arise, and things that simply make daily life better as your body changes.
Pregnancy looks different for everyone, which means our research had to cast a wide net. The most helpful pregnancy products are the ones that solve specific problems at specific stages–– and that’s the lens we used here. Here’s how we put this guide together:
- We drew on the firsthand experience of the author, a mom who worked in an office and traveled throughout her pregnancy, using products that proved useful in real life.
- We surveyed nearly 850 expectant and new parents in The Bump community to understand which products they relied on during pregnancy, and why.
- We conducted hands-on product testing with pregnant and postpartum testers across multiple categories including compression socks, belly bands, stretch mark creams, maternity jeans, nursing bras, pregnancy pillows and pajamas––scoring each on categories like comfort, effectiveness, ease of use and value for the money.
- We combed through The Bump community forums to understand what real parents liked (and didn’t) like about specific products, across different body types, trimesters and experiences.
- We consulted scientific research and recommendations from leading medical groups to ensure our picks support both comfort and health at every stage of pregnancy.
- We also considered brands that parents––including our editors––have trusted throughout their own pregnancies.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read more about how The Bump develops our product reviews.
Prenatal vitamin
One of the first things your OB will tell you, before you even see a positive pregnancy test, is to start taking a prenatal vitamin. During pregnancy, your body's nutritional demands increase significantly—it's tough to get everything you and baby needs from diet alone. According to guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), key nutrients like folate, iron, choline and DHA play an important role in fetal brain and nervous system development. The earlier you start, the better, which also means choosing a formula you can tolerate, especially in those early weeks when nausea makes almost everything feel impossible.
TheraNatal Complete is the prenatal I'd point anyone toward. It delivers 25 essential nutrients across three pills a day, including both DHA and EPA in a separate softgel, and folate in the more bioavailable 5-MTHF form. Plus, it contains a higher level of vitamin B6, which may help ease first trimester nausea. It's also NSF certified and third-party tested—an added layer of reassurance when you’re paying closer attention to what you’re putting into your body. Our product tester Janelle noted its comprehensive nutrient profile and quality assurance as standout features. One thing to keep in mind: it uses ferrous fumarate for iron, which can be harder on digestion, so it's best taken with food.
Our community says:
It's the brand my RE recommends, and it's independently tested to confirm that it actually contains what it claims to contain. – skilouise, The Bump forum member
Nausea relief band
The biggest misnomer of pregnancy? Morning sickness. For me, it was morning, afternoon and night—and it hit me the hardest in the first trimester when I was least prepared for it (and not yet sharing the news). Finding relief that's safe, effective and doesn't require a prescription can feel like its own project. Ginger, B6 and small frequent meals help, but when nausea is relentless, you’ll want something you can wear all day without side effects.
Acupressure wristbands were, I'll admit, the first product on this list I thought was completely made up. Elastic bands with a plastic stud—really? But they apply pressure to a point on the inner wrist, which has been shown to reduce nausea in multiple clinical settings, including chemotherapy and pregnancy. I first experienced these positive effects during acupuncture, but found that I could get similar relief from a simple drugstore version. The bands offer the same concept as some better-known brands at a lower price point. I wore mine through most of my first trimester and reached for them on particularly bad days. They won't eliminate nausea entirely, but on the days when you need to get through a meeting or a commute, they make a real difference.
Our community says:
I just got on here to rave about the [CVS] bands! I don't know/care if it is the placebo effect, but I feel so much better. – Mrs_Elizabeth, The Bump forum member
Compression socks
Swollen feet and ankles are one of those pregnancy symptoms nobody warns you about enthusiastically enough. As your uterus grows, it can put pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs. The result (especially by the end of the day, or after a long flight) is swelling that can range from mildly uncomfortable to genuinely painful. Compression socks apply graduated pressure to the lower leg, which helps improve circulation and reduce swelling. They're also one of the few things that make flying while pregnant feel manageable, which I can personally attest to after a cross-country flight at 39 weeks.
I first started wearing Comrad knee-high socks pre-pregnancy, but once I was expecting they quickly made the jump from nice-to-have to indispensable. What sets them apart from other options is the combination of antimicrobial, moisture-wicking nylon fabric (no sweaty feet, even after a full day) and a slim profile that slides easily into shoes. They're snug without feeling punishing. I would wear them on flights, during workouts and on long walks––and in each situation, they helped reduce swelling and foot pain. They come in a multipack with a wide size range including wide-calf options, and the ombre colorway means they don't look like medical equipment. One tip, though: wash before first wear, as the dye can transfer.
Our community says:
I liked the colors and widths that Comrad offered. Having larger calves, finding the right compression and size was important. Comrad had plenty of options. – Brittany, The Bump survey respondent
Pregnancy belly band
During my third trimester, the dreaded lightning crotch (also known as round ligament pain) set up camp in my lower body and refused to leave. Indeed, round ligament pain, pelvic pressure and lower back aches are common with a growing belly—and they tend to arrive just when you most need to keep functioning. A belly band helps to redistribute some of that weight, taking pressure off your hips and lower back so you can stand, walk and sit through the day with less discomfort. For anyone working in an office or on their feet, it's less a luxury than a practical support tool by the third trimester.
The AZMED belt stands out for its simplicity. Unlike multi-strap bands that require a tutorial to put on, this is a single wide band that wraps and fastens with Velcro––easy to adjust one-handed, and simple to take on and off as needed. Other than literally lifting my belly up with my own two hands (which needless to say, was not a sustainable solution), this was the most reliable relief I found. The breathable mesh front panel keeps things from getting too hot, and the single Velcro strap is simple and easy to use, but stays secure throughout the day without slipping. Our product tester Nathalia, who suffered from round ligament pain severe enough that she couldn't walk without a band, found that the simple support worked just as well as other models with more complicated straps. All for under $25!
Our community says:
My back pain improved with use for an affordable price. – Julie*, The Bump survey respondent
Stretch mark cream
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and during pregnancy it’s doing something truly remarkable: stretching to accommodate a growing baby. Keeping it hydrated and comfortable is one of the best things you can do to support that process. Stretch marks are largely genetic, so no cream will guarantee you won't get them, but consistent moisturizing helps maintain skin elasticity and relieves the itchiness that often accompanies rapid stretching. Starting early, ideally in the second trimester, can help you stay ahead of that discomfort.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter is the reliable everyday workhorse here: affordable, widely available, and effective at keeping skin hydrated and helping ease itchiness. Our product tester Lizzy, 21 weeks pregnant, found it absorbed quickly without leaving residue, though she noted she needed to apply it twice daily for lasting hydration. It has a slight cocoa butter scent that most people find pleasant; if you're fragrance-sensitive in early pregnancy, you may want to wait until your second trimester to introduce it.
Our community says:
Easy to use and non-greasy. – Mika*, The Bump Survey respondent
Cooling sheets
Running hot during pregnancy is almost universal, and it starts earlier than most people expect. Percale weave is your friend here: it's crisper and more breathable than sateen, with a cool-to-the-touch feel that doesn't trap heat. I slept on Brooklinen Classic Percale sheets through my third trimester and the difference from my previous sheets was immediate: less waking up sweaty, more actual sleep. The 270-thread-count percale gets softer with every wash without losing its structure. If you're going to invest in one bedroom upgrade for pregnancy, this is a great place to start.
Easy-clean backup sheets
Here's the postpartum plot twist no one mentions in the registry guides: you will go through a lot of sheets. Night sweats, leaking, general newborn chaos—you name it. My bedding took an absolute beating in the weeks after birth and I was constantly changing or washing sheets. Mellani's microfiber sheets are the practical answer: incredibly soft (softer than you'd expect at the price point), machine washable, quick-drying and inexpensive enough that you won't stress about the washing cycle. I used Brooklinen during pregnancy and switched to Mellani after; they serve entirely different purposes and I'd recommend having both.
Pregnancy pillow
A pregnancy pillow sounds like a punchline until you're 30 weeks pregnant and can't remember the last time you slept through the night. The Momcozy U-shaped pillow was one of those products I held out on for far too long, and as soon as I tried it, I regretted not having it sooner. The U-shape supports your back, bump, knees and hips simultaneously, which matters because side sleeping (recommended from the second trimester on) puts strain on all of those points at once. Our tester Emily, 25 weeks pregnant, scored it a perfect 10 out of 10, and said it helped her stop waking up to toss and turn after the first night. The removable cover is machine washable, which you'll appreciate more than you expect. I’ve also continued to love this pillow postpartum and often find myself cuddling it to sleep.
Maternity lounge pant
Dressing during pregnancy requires a full-on strategy that covers comfort, function and appearance. The Kindred Bravely bamboo wide leg pant does everything you want a maternity lounge pant to do: it's impossibly soft, the wide waistband accommodates a growing bump without rolling or digging and the wide-leg silhouette is relaxed without looking sloppy. Bamboo fabric is naturally temperature-regulating, which helps with the problem of running hot, and it gets softer with washing. These transition seamlessly into postpartum (I’m still wearing mine six months postpartum), which means you're buying something you'll actually wear for months, not weeks.
Maternity pajamas
What you sleep in during pregnancy matters a ton, especially given the increased sensitivity of your skin (and your nipples). The Kindred Bravely Clea set is the one I'd point first-time pregnant women toward: soft, stretchy and bump-friendly from the second trimester through postpartum, with a nursing-accessible design that means you don't need to retire it the moment the baby arrives. The shorts-and-top combination works year-round since you'll be warmer than usual regardless of season, and the fabric doesn't cling or ride up as your body changes.
Maternity/nursing bra
Your bra situation during pregnancy and postpartum is one of the areas where most people underinvest––and feel it acutely. Your size changes significantly, often more than once, and standard sizing systems frequently fail to keep up. For anyone who wears a larger cup size, this is where most maternity bra brands quietly give up, offering a narrow size range in frumpy styles. Bravissimo specializes in fuller busts (or busts that become fuller post-pregnancy).
I came to the Ultimate Comfort Nova wrap bra postpartum and immediately wished I'd had it during pregnancy. The Nova is a wireless nursing bra with genuinely impressive support for a wire-free construction: the crossover center panel keeps everything in place while remaining comfortable enough to wear all day and sleep in. Available in an extended size range starting at larger cup sizes, it’s not the right fit for everyone—but for those who struggle to find supportive options in standard maternity brands, it fills a major gap.
Of course every mom-to-be's body is different—you can find the right bra for your body at our full article on the best maternity and nursing bras.
Maternity jeans
Maternity jeans have come a long way from the dark wash panel-front styles of a decade ago, but finding a pair that feels like your jeans and not a pregnancy compromise is still harder than it should be. The challenge is complex—you want something that moves with your body, doesn't fall down when you bend over, looks like something you'd actually choose to wear and doesn't cost so much that you resent only being able to wear it for a few months.
The Abercrombie over-belly straight cut is the one I kept reaching for. The over-belly panel provides full coverage and genuine bump support without the oppressive compression feeling some panels have. By midday, I often forgot I was even wearing a waistband. The straight ankle cut reads as a regular pair of well-fitting jeans on the outside, which matters when you're trying to continue looking like yourself for as long as possible. I wore them to the office and on weekends, and despite the heavy mileage, the denim has enough stretch to adapt to late-pregnancy changes without losing its shape after washing. Pair with an oversized blazer and they can take you from the first trimester to your last day in the office.
Maternity leggings
As much as I appreciated my maternity jeans, my favorite bottoms during pregnancy (and in general) were undoubtedly leggings. That said, not all maternity leggings are created equal, and the difference between a pair that merely accommodates your bump and one that actively supports it is significant. The Belly Bandit Maternity Leggings were almost always on my body throughout the third trimester. The compression is firm but not restrictive: tight enough to feel supportive, not tight enough to feel like you're being squeezed. I wore them on flights (including that cross-country trip at 39 weeks), to the office, and on days when my legs felt heavy and swollen.
They transitioned naturally into postpartum use—the waistband sits over the bump in pregnancy and folds down comfortably after, which means you're getting genuine mileage out of the investment. But if you need true graduated compression to help with the postpartum days, I also loved the Mother Tucker Postpartum Compression Leggings.
Our community says:
Stretchy and comfortable! – Alice*, The Bump survey respondent
Maternity underwear
Underwear is perhaps the least glamorous item on this list and also one of the ones that most directly impacts daily comfort. As your belly grows, waistbands that once worked become uncomfortable, and low-rise cuts that don't cover the bump can dig in in ways that are genuinely irritating. Maternity underwear is designed to sit either fully over the bump (for added support) or comfortably under it (for those who prefer less coverage), and the right pair should stay in place without bunching or rolling.
The Kindred Bravely bundle is the practical answer to a very real need. This customizable 7-pack lets you try different options—high-waist, bikini, hipster—without committing to a full drawer of one silhouette, because what feels right in the second trimester may not be what you want in the third. The fabric is soft and stretchy enough to accommodate your changing body, and members of The Bump community consistently praise the fit and the value. Survey respondents appreciated the comfort, stretchiness and ease of care as standard features. Think of this as the unglamorous essential you'll be grateful to have on rotation every day.
Our community says:
I definitely don't wear 'maternity' underwear every day but I do like the pairs I have from Kindred Bravely. – burr1371, The Bump forum member
Large water bottle
You have no idea how much water you'll want—scratch that, need—to drink during pregnancy until you’re in it. Guidance from ACOG recommends at least 8-12 cups a day, and often more as pregnancy progresses and into postpartum. One of the easiest ways to stay on track is to have a large water bottle you can carry everywhere—because if you have to keep refilling a small glass, it quickly becomes one more thing to skip.
The Hydrapeak Nomad is a solid option: vacuum-insulated stainless steel keeps water cold for hours, the 32-ounce capacity means fewer refills, and it's leak-resistant enough to toss in a bag without worry. Having a dedicated bottle you actually like using can make a noticeable difference in how consistently you stay hydrated. Get one early and make it part of your daily routine.
Electrolyte mix
Drinking enough water during pregnancy is only part of the hydration equation. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium help your body absorb and retain fluids more effectively and they become especially important during pregnancy when blood volume increases significantly. (Many women experience dehydration-related symptoms like headaches, cramping and fatigue). If you're someone who struggles with leg cramps at night, which is common in the third trimester, low electrolytes are frequently the culprit.
Needed Hydration Support is formulated specifically for pregnancy and postpartum, which matters because many popular electrolyte products on the market are loaded with sugar and artificial flavoring. Needed keeps the formula clean and the ingredient list short: electrolytes in meaningful amounts without the candy-flavoring that makes other products feel like a sports drink. It dissolves easily in water, which means adding it to that large water bottle becomes a simple daily habit rather than a production. Many people find it particularly helpful starting in the second trimester and continuing through the later stages of pregnancy.
*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.
About the writer
Lulu Chang is a D.C.-based writer and new mom whose work spans travel, food, and lifestyle for publications including She Knows, Eater, USA Today, Resy, Inside Hook, and Hotels Above Par. She recently welcomed her first child and spent the better part of the past year field-testing the products on this list—working in an office, traveling for work, and ultimately going into labor the morning after her last day at the office. Her reporting is driven by firsthand experience and a preference for honest, practical recommendations over aspirational ones. When she’s not writing, she can be found attempting to keep a small human alive while also eating her way across Washington, DC.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Surveys:
The Bump January 2024 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of over 350 new parents from The Bump community about what pregnancy products they used and what they did and didn’t like about them.
The Bump September 2023 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of almost 200 new and expectant parents from The Bump community about what pregnancy products they used and what they did and didn’t like about them.
The Bump May 2023 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of 300 new and expectant parents from The Bump community about what pregnancy products they used and what they did and didn’t like about them.
Scientific literature
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Healthy Eating During Pregnancy, March 2026
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Ask ACOG: How Much Water Should I Drink During Pregnancy?, October 2020
Advances in Integrative Medicine, The Effect of P6 Acupressure on Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, ScienceDirect, May 2020
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