There are plenty of things we can go without. However when it comes to pregnancy, there are certain essentials that each individual, minimalist or not, wants to make that nine months a little more tolerable.
Some of these are obvious and some are a but more specific to my lifestyle. Maybe they can help you out during your transformative time! All of these were things that were already in my life and I got great use out of while pregnant. Then some of them were swaps to a better brand (mainly the consumables), but I kept it pretty minimal!
The main things you’ll NEED are free flowing/stretchy clothes (I had a summer pregnancy), comfortable shoes, and a good prenatal! Some people don’t even take that, I did however for my current and last pregnancy simply because I wanted to be sure I was getting enough nutrients.
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Edible Essentials
Alter Eco Blackout Chocolate– I’m not going to lie to you this is a little bit pricey but I’m a quality not quantity type of woman. I only eat a half to one piece of this when I get the craving. This is the creamiest, smoothest dark chocolate I’ve ever had and my favorite BAR NONE (pun intended). It’s not super bitter but it certainly isn’t a milk chocolate candy bar.
Sunny Fruit organic dried fruits – These I eat for fiber and because I love dried fruits. I used to have a huge gummy craving so this satisfies that taste perfectly. They’re also a great snack for my two year old!
Earth Mama Red Rasberry tea– I began drinking this tea a little earlier this pregnancy. It did start to give me Braxton Hicks contractions here and there but those were never a bother. I just drink a lot of water as well.
Ricolas– Definitely not ‘pregnancy essentials’ and maybe not minimalist, but I just love ricolas. They help to clear my nose and give me an extra herbal boost when I’m feeling drained. They’re better than sugary peppermints!
Cod Liver Oil– I HIGHLY RECOMMEND all pregnant women and just all people to consume this oil. I definitely attest my seven year remission from Ulcerative Colitis to this healing fat. I also blame it, but am eternally grateful, for giving me (a lanky slimmer lady) an 8lb 11oz first child. With a 10cm head diameter. He was much bigger than ANYONE expected.
Mint, Chamomile and Lemon Balm- I home grow a lot of herbs and these were my staples in the earth winter months until now in the heat of the summer. I’ll make a chilled mint or lemon balm lemonade. The chamomile I ran out of after the first trimester because I sucked that tea down so quick to survive those first months!
Pregnancy Products
Sleepy Lush Lotion- before pregnancy I didn’t often moisturize. I would use coconut oil if needed but since your body changes so much, my self care preferences changed too. One of my best friends gave me a sample size of this lotion in my first pregnancy and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s creamy, it smells amazing, it’s cruelty free, handmade, all the good things! How could anyone not love it?!
Earth Mama Belly Lotion- I don’t think they sell this product anymore, which is such a bummer! I used to alternate between this and the lush one. This had a more awakening citrus scent that I just love during the day. This is another fantastic natural product with no crap in the ingredients. Their belly oil is probably a great alternative.
Homemade Face Moisturizer – For those hormonal breakouts, I was VERY generous using this. Jojoba oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil…apply after showers and at night…enough said! 🙂
Comfort & Calming
Mala Beads & My Clear Quartz- I starting wear my larger quartz crystal (that I’ve had for a decade) after the second month. It just calms my nerves. I feel like it’s good for the baby and for me. My mala beads were just so helpful in meditation and practicing breathing in preparation for labor. It also really helped my to hone in on my affirmations and mantras I wanted to use for this labor and birth.
Vivo Barefoot Shoes– I’m currently in physical therapy to help prep my uterus since my last child was so big… gravity and fetal pressure ran its course on me. These are so good for exercising and extended walking with my toddler. Or playground adventures of course! I’m obsessed with them and I want more pairs of their shoes.
Amish Made Rocking Chair- This was something we already had and I knew I’d get good use out of post partum. I’ve actually used it a lot more than I anticipated during this pregnancy. I needed some good structure to practice my Kegels and just to support my lower back. Sinking into a couch and sitting in the floor didn’t seem to be helping my body so the chair was deemed ‘the mama chair’.
Sanuk Sandals– I found a pair of these at a thrift store brand new with the tags on last year. Had them for a month or two… then my dog ate them! My mom ended up buying me a new pair for my birthday recently and I can’t stop wearing them. For comfort, for swollen feet, for cuteness, these shoes are the best right now.
What I wish I had..
The only thing I wish I had was a pregnancy pillow. I was going to DIY one but I just never got around to it. Now I’m six months in and just use multiple pillows to suffice.
I already had stretchy pants, skirts and flowy, free size dresses because that’s just my style anyways. So not much was bought this pregnancy and that’s the way I like it! I kept it pretty simple for both my pregnancies because who needs the extra stress of stuff in that state!
All in all you’ll REALLY only need stretchy clothes, comfy shoes, some kind of moisturizer, and good vitamins. That’s really it to get through. I didn’t NEED a pregnancy pillow or fancy chocolate, but it sure was nice to have. I made due perfectly with what I already had and the extras were just creature comforts.
What were some of your favorite pregnancy essentials and did you go minimalist or maximalist? What couldn’t you live without for those long nine months? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!!
Cheers to being a beautiful vessel!
xoxo, Tayler
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