18 Pregnancy Must-Haves You Can’t Do Without

Prenatal vitamins are a great way to supplement your daily food intake to ensure you and baby are receiving all of the nutrients you both need—which is why we consider them one of the top pregnancy must-haves for moms. A popular choice among many parents-to-be is this option from Nature Made. On the ingredient list, you’ll find folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and vitamin D3. Together, these nutrients will promote the development of baby’s brain, eye and nervous system as they grow.

Moreover, 24 percent of our survey respondents told us they used these specific prenatal vitamins when expecting. Members from The Bump community love that these capsules are easy to swallow, contain a wide range of ingredients (including DHA) and that they’re affordable compared to other options on the market. Many parents in our community forums also discuss how these soft-gel vitamins are easy on their stomach and don’t add to their nausea symptoms. "No nausea experienced with it but I do take on a full stomach. They are pretty large pills though, because they are combined with the DHA,” commented HeartItRaces, when speaking of Nature Made’s prenatal vitamins.

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Morning sickness is a total misnomer; it should be called all-day sickness. It’s true that for many expectant moms, feeling queasy around the clock is one of the many realities of early pregnancy—and it can be hard to find effective relief. But lots of women—including moms-to-be in The Bump community forums—who’ve been there swear by these acupressure wristbands from Sea-Band. “They have helped incredibly! All day I have had minimal nausea. It took me about an hour to feel the full effect, but this is definitely the [best] I've felt in weeks,” commented questisbest.

Wondering how they work? Both of these stretchy cotton wristbands are complete with a plastic stud. When placing them on each wrist, they work to activate key pressure points, alleviating nausea and vomiting as a result. Even better, these must-haves for pregnant moms are also super-affordable, meaning it can’t hurt to try them if you’ve been struggling with morning sickness.

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Looking for another nausea relief option? Try popping one of these morning sickness lozenges into your mouth. These first-trimester must-haves are made with vitamin B6 and ginger to support digestion and help ease the “quease.” Plus, the vegan sweets are free from GMOs, gluten, preservatives, soy and dairy, for added peace of mind. Choose from several flavors (including sweet peppermint, ginger mango and ginger raspberry), depending on your preferences.

Expectant moms from The Bump community forums are big fans of these lozenges as an effective form of morning sickness relief. According to darkrose88: “I've tried both flavors they offer and they help me so much. Last pregnancy I remember being constantly nauseous [and] miserable and this time, since I discovered their sweets, I've been able to actually function. I go through anywhere from 1 to 4 sweets per day depending on how sick I've been getting. They are like lozenges so it's really easy to pop in when I start feeling off.” The bottom line? While these sweets won’t necessarily cure your morning sickness, they’ll definitely take the edge off.

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These days, there are a ton of cute options when it comes to maternity clothes, but let’s face it: It’s hard to give up your favorite pair of jeans for months on end. Thankfully, with the Ingrid + Isabel BellaBand, you don’t have to ditch the pre-pregnancy denim (at least not for a while!). The soft, stretchy band comes in four different sizes, and slips over your unbuttoned non-maternity pants, giving your bump more room to grow. Available in three neutral colors, it won’t be difficult to incorporate it into outfits; many moms say that if it’s visible, it just looks like an undershirt or camisole.

Expectant moms in The Bump community forum highly praise this pregnancy band for its versatility. Some also point out that it’s a first-trimester must-have—especially if you aren’t yet telling people you’re pregnant or if you’re just in need of a bit of added belly support but aren’t ready for maternity clothes. “I love mine,” said mom2be614, “I just have one in black, but I used it for a solid chunk of my first pregnancy, for a few months after [my first child] was born, and I'm wearing it again now. I especially like that I can wear my nice work pants for a while longer since I really can't afford a full maternity wardrobe." It’s easy to see why this band has been a best-seller for years!

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At some point in your second trimester, you’ll want to switch up your sleeping position to snooze exclusively on your side (ideally the left)—which isn’t always the most comfortable change for back or stomach sleepers. That’s where a pregnancy pillow will come in handy—and why it secured a spot on our list of maternity must-haves. Our favorite is the Momcozy Huggable Maternity Body Pillow, which earned a Best of The Bump award in 2023. As you snooze, you can count on the U-shape to follow the natural curve of your body, providing support to your back, head, belly and hips. Moreover, it comes with a removable, machine-washable cover for easy cleaning.

This maternity body pillow from Momcozy was used by Emily C., an independent product tester who was 25 weeks pregnant at the time. She awarded it a 5 out of 5 across categories like ease of use, support, effectiveness, quality, style and value. All in all, she wholeheartedly recommends the product. “It improves my sleep a lot,” she told us. “I really liked that it has the piece to go along my back. It did help get rid of some of my back pain at night. It’s comfortable and the material is really nice and soft. Also, I like how it helps me take the weight of my stomach off and relax.” What’s more, the versatile cushion can even be used for lounging on the couch and breastfeeding once baby has arrived.

Your body is about to undergo incredible changes to accommodate your growing baby. Keep your skin moisturized and elasticized with Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion. The best-selling stretch mark cream is made from shea butter, cocoa butter, natural oils, collagen, elastin and lutein. All of these ingredients work together to keep skin soft and hydrated for up to 48 hours. As a result, the skin can stretch more easily, reducing the chance of visible marks.

This Best of The Bump award-winner earned high praise for being easy to use and apply, having a non-greasy feel and its budget-friendly price point. Our product tester, Emily C., who was 25 weeks pregnant at the time, told us: “This lotion was great, it was the perfect texture, not too thick but not too thin and oily. It was super easy to rub in and came almost ready to use with just a simple unlock of the cap.” One possible downside: If you don’t like the smell of coconuts or if you’re sensitive to fragrance, this may not be the best choice for you.

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Whether you’re working up a sweat or relaxing around the house, you’re going to need a pair of comfy maternity leggings. They may not seem like a must-have for pregnant moms, but—trust us—once you put on a pair that seamlessly accommodates your bump, you’ll never look back.

A favorite among The Bump editorial team and our community is Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye Maternity Leggings. They feature a stretch panel that can be worn over the belly or folded down to meet your changing needs each trimester. You’ll also appreciate that the fabric is durable yet unbelievably soft and that it’s moisture-wicking to keep you cool and dry. All in all, "these leggings combine performance with ultimate comfort. I practically lived in my Beyond Yoga leggings throughout my pregnancy, whether I was at the gym or yoga studio, running errands or lounging around the house,” says Ashlee Neuman, content director of The Bump and mom of two.

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Your belly isn’t the only thing that gets bigger during pregnancy. Get the support your growing chest needs with a maternity bra that’s been specially designed for the job. Enter: The Bravado Designs Sculpt Bra. This seamless bralette will stretch to accommodate your changing shape, all while being gentle on your skin and offering support via built-in cups. The simple, full-coverage style comes in several on-trend colors and is ideal for everyday wear.

It didn’t come as a surprise that this Best of The Bump award-winner earned 5 out of 5 scores across several categories, like support, fit, quality, style and value. In particular, our product tester, Ivyonna A., who was 30 weeks pregnant at the time, raved about this bra’s comfort: “I really love the material and the comfort! I sit [at] a desk all day, and it doesn’t squeeze the top of my belly too tight.” All in all, this will be a bra you reach for again and again over the coming months.

As baby grows, your lower back (and your bladder! and your pelvic floor!) will begin to feel constant pressure. A high-quality belly band can give your body the support it needs during the time. In particular, this is a pregnancy must-haves for mom that can help make those last few weeks of pregnancy a little more comfortable.

While the NeoTech Care Pregnancy Support Maternity Belt isn’t the most stylish design on the market, you can depend on it to be super effective. The two-strap style means it can easily be adjusted to meet your changing needs while also offering well-rounded bump support. This way, it alleviates discomfort and pressure on the lower back, pelvic floor and round ligament pain.

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Denim is a modern-day wardrobe staple, so as your belly grows, you’ll want to trade in your favorites for a great pair of maternity jeans. The Bump editorial team and members of our community forums are big fans of these cropped jeans from Paige. Equal parts elevated and comfy, the timeless style looks like vintage denim while providing much-needed stretch, thanks to side panels. “They were a nice medium-thick fabric and they had just enough stretch to be comfy but also kept their shape,” commented Jen Lee, mom of three and head of marketing at The Bump.

The only downside of these must-haves for pregnancy is the high price point; however, many moms-to-be say that they’re definitely worth it. “Yes, they were expensive (about $200), but the price was worth it because they were really the only pair of real, non-comfy pants I wore; I think I probably wore them at least three days a week. Then, after I gave birth, I continued to wear them for a couple of months because they didn't look like typical maternity jeans but they had a nice stretchy waistband,” explained lawmomma10.

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Whether it’s your first pregnancy or your third, you’ll want to know what to anticipate throughout the next nine+ months. While your library might be full of options, you can’t go wrong with this classic pregnancy book. Originally published in 1979, it’s been revised several times since—most recently in 2018—and was thoughtfully written by a team of healthcare professionals who specialize in childbirth education.

As you flip through the book’s pages, you’ll find a helpful balance of medical expertise and real-life experience. Moreover, you’ll appreciate the authors’ reassuring, non-judgemental tone, as they guide you through each stage, from the first trimester through baby’s first year. The inclusive pregnancy book offers realistic advice for an array of family configurations, so you can ensure it’ll speak to your unique needs. fyziksgirl, a community member from The Bump forums, agreed, saying: “Lots and lots of fantastic information but given in a very positive way, no negative undertones. I enjoyed reading it, [and] actually went cover to cover while waiting to start TTC." Even better, this pregnancy book is also available on Kindle, so you’ll easily be able to read it on the go.

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Once you're pregnant, and your body really starts changing, you may have to temporarily retire your favorite panties. When it’s time to shop for maternity underwear, there are plenty of styles to choose from. Our advice: Opt for something you feel beautiful in that offers full coverage and stretch for maximum comfort. Luckily, Kindred Bravely’s Under-the-Bump Bikini Underwear checks both boxes—and then some.

Each pair is made from a super-soft blend of rayon, spandex and cotton, so it’ll move with you throughout the day and night. Best of all, the low-rise style will fit comfortably under your bump—and, thanks to the front crossover design, it won’t roll down. The undies come in a convenient pack of five and are available in pastel or neutral colors, so you can easily find the best fit for your needs. An added bonus: Save 15 percent off on pregnancy must-haves on Kindred Bravely’s website with code KBBMP15.

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As you switch up your wardrobe, you’ll also want to make some changes to your beauty routine. Do this by using pregnancy-safe skin-care products, just like The Honest Company’s maternity range. This Best of The Bump award-winning brand offers plenty of must-haves for pregnant moms, including body lotions, face washes, eye creams, face moisturizers and hydrating serums, to name a few. All of these have gentle ingredient lists, while still being effective. If you head to the pregnancy-specific section of the site, you can scroll to your heart’s content, knowing that everything has been approved as safe for moms-to-be.

Our survey shows that 13 percent of respondents (who are expectant parents themselves), used skin-care products from The Honest Company while pregnant. Astrid*, an expectant mom, raved about how effective she found the beauty brand’s offerings to be. “I've been really pleased with the Honest Company's products! [..] I switched to Mama's Gotta Glow body + face wash, which is designed for acne-prone skin, and it works like a charm at keeping my breakouts at bay. If I use it twice on my face in the evenings, it washes off my makeup.” What’s more, other survey respondents—who reported having combination, oily and normal skin types—loved how hydrating the formulas were. We’re obsessed!

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Depending on the timing of your pregnancy, you may find yourself struggling to zip up your favorite winter jacket. Don't want to splurge on a maternity coat? We hear you—and so do the makers of the Make My Belly Fit universal jacket extender.

This pregnancy must-have works with most zipper types to expand your go-to jacket; this way, you can wear it into your third trimester and beyond. If stormy weather is on the forecast—don’t fret. It’s made from an adjustable softshell fabric that’s wind-, rain- and snow-resistant. The extender even features a removable fleece layer for added warmth and comfort. Better yet, when your little one’s on the scene, you’ll be able to use it for babywearing as well. Who doesn’t love multipurpose maternity gear?

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Having a large water bottle on hand is essential when you’re expecting; after all, doctors say to guzzle at least 10 cups of H20 every day to stay hydrated. Get those ounces in easily as you work through your daily to-do list with the help of an insulated tumbler—just like the best-selling Stanley Quencher.

This highly praised cup is made from recycled, BPA-free stainless steel and is complete with double-wall vacuum insulation, so you can count on it to keep your beverage icy cold for hours on end. Thanks to the rotating lid, you can choose from three settings—a straw opening, a wide mouth opening and a full-cover top to prevent spills—depending on your needs. Even better, it features a comfort-grip handle and a reusable straw so you’ll be able to reach your water intake goal in no time.

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