Sure, you’ve read all sorts of long lists of pregnancy must-haves that want you to spend, spend, spend, but here are my top essentials for each trimester that won’t break the bank.

First Trimester: Lemon Juice!

It was the only thing that solved my nausea problem (granted, I was blessed by only enduring it for two weeks).  Eating raw lemons, or adding some lemon juice to my water kept me in check, or solved the issue immediately.

Second Trimester

At 4 months, BEFORE you start to expand, you should start lubing up to prepare your skin for stretching…hence, avoiding stretch marks.  Being my baby absorbs what I put on my skin I’m into chemical free/natural solutions.  Mothers Special Blend came HIGHLY recommended to me so I gave it a shot….and WOW!  Granted, a bottle will run you between $11 – $16 dollars (health food stores, vitamin world, online ordering) but it is WELL WORTH EVERY PENNY.  With 4.5 weeks left in my pregnancy, I’m on my third bottle with ZERO stretch marks.  More bang for your buck…it can double as massage oil, so pack it in your hospital bag.

Note:  It is oil…you will have to get used to slopping it on and may want to invest in several long tanks to put on beneath your clothing.  I’ve always applied to breasts and belly and just recently started on my outer thighs, and lower back.  Some women apply to their butts as well.  http://www.mothersspecialblend.com/

Third Trimester

You’re in the final stretch and busier than ever.  Setting up the nursery, washing baby clothing, buying everything you need that you didn’t get for your shower, installing a car seat, packing a diaper bag, packing your hospital bag….which brings me to treating yourself to a 100% cotton, fabulous, affordable delivery gown.  Check out the variety at prettypushers.com.

For $22 and up, not only will it make you feel better, but it is completely practical… better suited than a regular hospital gown.

Why?

Because it has front-tie openings for electronic monitor placement (instead of having to hike your hospital gown up), a low-cut back for epidural access (if needed), a slip-on halter top that can easily pull aside if you are going to breast feed during those first moments, and an adjustable tie closure back so one size fits all.

Note: I went with the “I Dream of Sushi” because of the dark color.  I preferred the yellows, pale greens etc, but kept in mind the reality of blood!

Please submit comments with your own pregnancy must-haves.  Word of mouth is the best way to share your rare find!

– Famespy Patty