Nursing & Support Pillow
The heavier your belly gets, the more comfortable it is to sleep on your side. Toward the end of pregnancy, this position is also recommended to avoid your uterus pressing on the vena cava, which can cause shortness of breath or heart palpitations. The most relaxing side-sleeping position is with a long pillow placed under your head, belly, and between your knees. Flexible nursing pillows filled with microbeads are perfect — and after birth, they double as support while breastfeeding.
Midwife
As soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, start looking for a midwife who fits your needs. Midwives work very differently, and the earlier you begin your search, the greater the choice. Key criteria can include:
- home birth support
- prenatal care
- courses offered
- or special training, such as breastfeeding or babywearing advice.
Handbag Essentials
Alongside your usual daily things, I recommend always carrying:
- Maternity record and insurance card (always important, just in case)
- Powerbank and charging cable — in case your battery runs low on the way to the clinic or during long check-ups when you want to update your partner.
- Snack and water bottle — a nut bar, trail mix, or fruit bar is perfect when sudden hunger strikes.
Sunscreen
Pregnant skin is especially sensitive and can develop dark spots in the sun if you don’t use enough sunscreen — spots that fade only slowly. Applying sunscreen is not just sun protection, it’s also part of your beauty routine.
