LIL Baby: Second Trimester Favorites

Hi everyone! Today I wanted to share some of my favorite must-haves that got me through the second trimester of pregnancy.

If there’s one thing I know about this pregnancy, it’s that the journey is flying! I’m currently typing this up at 35 Weeks, and I got a reality check last week when I ended up going in to see my doctor. Due to some concerning symptoms (I’ll be sharing more in a Third Trimester Update soon), she wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going into pre-term labor. Thank goodness that wasn’t the case, but it made me realize that this little miracle really could arrive sooner than anyone expected.

That said, there are so many posts that I want to get to before I dive into mommy hood! It’s a given that I miss checking in with you all on the regular, but once again, work has been busier than ever. I feel like I say that every time … but is just keeps getting crazier as time goes on. (Ironic, right?)

I’m just about three weeks out from the start of my maternity leave (holy cow!), so I want to preface the next month by noting I will be sharing a lot of pregnancy related posts. My goal is to sprinkle in the regular food, fitness, and NYC chatter in between, but for the most part, I will be focusing on creating the pre-natal posts I’ve been dying to put together as soon as I can.

If reading about this pregnancy isn’t for you, or if you are in a hard place in your own pregnancy journey, please know that I appreciate you checking in so, so much. I apologize in advance for the pre-baby overload … but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do before the newest addition to the Hesington family arrives!

So, without further ado, here are the products I turned to on a regular basis throughout my second trimester. Please feel free to leave your advice and pregnancy must-haves in the comments section, too!

 

• the Snoogle

was honestly the best investment ever. I loved this design, and it fits in great with our master bedroom.

I ordered it about halfway through my first trimester, but I really started appreciating it in the second. Since I’ve been hearing numerous bloggers and friends raving about it for years, it was an obvious purchase, and I wondered where it had been all my life as soon as it arrived. I love the extra hip support it provides, and it feels like I’m surrounded in my own cloud of pillows when I nestle in with it wrapped around me. It’s also nice to know that I won’t roll onto my back nearly as often as I would without extra cushion throughout the night.

is worth every penny, y’all!

 

• maternity leggings

My mom gifted me my first pair of maternity leggings towards the end of the first trimester. Once I tried them on, I rarely went back to regular leggings, even if they were high-waisted. They’re just so comfy.

Since I work at a fitness studio, I invested in a handful of maternity leggings in a variety of styles. I have, but my favorites all go above the belly for extra support and smoothness like and.

This is one of those things that you’ll thank yourself for buying sooner than later.

 

• refillable water tumbler

After downing water bottles and tall glasses of water in what seemed like a few minutes every time, I upped my water game and brought home this large tumbler from Starbucks over the holidays (<- I paid more than half the price when I purchased it directly from a Starbucks location, by the way.)

The easy-access straw makes drinking water more enticing throughout my work days and while on-the-go.

(Check out some of my other favorite water bottles here and here.)

It’s important to keep you and the baby hydrated, and I find that always having it with me gave me a constant reminder to drink water. I end up carrying it around the house with me while I’m home and putting it on my nightstand at night, too. If you ask me, every mom-to-be needs a good water tumbler or two!

 

• workouts

I felt amazing while working out during the second trimester!

I didn’t do any form of exercise until I hit the 12 Week mark (it was a personal choice I talked more about here and here), and I really found my pre-natal fitness grove around 15 Weeks. My energy was up, so I wanted to take advantage of that while it lasted, and I loved breaking a sweat during group fitness classes including Orangetheory Fitness and barre workouts.

If I couldn’t make it to the gym or workouts during the day, I used lighter weights (or bodyweight) and completed at-home circuit workouts.

 

• at-home heartbeat monitor

I first mentioned how helpful a heartbeat monitor has been during this pregnancy around 18 Weeks. Given our history with difficulties carrying to term, having a heartbeat monitor at home to turn to any time I had nervous feelings about our little one was a game changer.

I had some scares in the second trimester including two falls (!!!), and there was a time where I ended every night with a listen in on the baby’s heartbeat and movements to be able to ease my mind before bed.

Scott got ordered the Wusic Music Heartbeat Monitor for me as a halfway-there present, and it’s one hundred percent worth the investment. It’s challenging to detect the heartbeat until about 16 Weeks, but once you find it, it’s an amazing sound to listen to and share with loved ones. This monitor recommends getting a lubricant gel (not included) for best results and comes with two sets of earbuds with a shared connector.

 

• comfy tees and oversized sweaters

It’s a good thing that a lot of my wardrobe includes comfy tees and oversized sweaters, because that’s all I wanted to wear during the second trimester! I made a few maternity top purchases towards the end, but I was able to get away and feel good in looser fitting tees more than anything else.

One of my favorite items that I’ve still been able to wear throughout the third trimester is this Market & Spruce knit top from Stitch Fix. (pictured left)

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Your little bump can totally get away with sporting a standard tee shirt or knit top for different types of occasions or outings by pairing it with a cute pair of jeans and casual sneakers.

(This was one of the last times I was able to wear boyfriend jeans before moving onto maternity pants! See more about those below.)

 

• Belli Elasticity Belly Oil & Lotion

My friend Ashley recommended these products from Belli Beauty, and actually gave me the rest of you see below post-pregnancy.

 

I started using the for stretch mark protection early on, probably by the end of the first trimester. My skin around my belly also started to itch about this time, so I paired it with the all day moisture lotion, and it was a winning combination.

*knocking on some serious wood*, but, I still don’t have any sign stretch marks. Belli Beauty must be doing something right!

 

• maternity nursing bras

What’s funny about this one is that Scott and I found these maternity nursing bras on Amazon at about the same time. (Is that weird?) I mentioned that I wanted to order a few, inexpensive options that might be a little more comfortable than sporting a regular bra all day (aside from gym clothes, of course.) After researching for a bit, I decided that the bras I buy should also allow me to nurse in them, in order to get more long-term bang for my buck.

Right?

I actually purchased the set you see above in grey, tan, and black, but I thought the other color options were adorable and don’t necessarily scream nursing bra. I’ve been wearing them here and there and will definitely be turning to them after the baby arrives.

 

• maternity jeans

When boyfriend jeans became uncomfortable, I knew it was time to invest in at least a few pairs of maternity jeans.

My very favorite maternity line that I’ve found so far is Jessica Simpson, available at Macy’s, Motherhood, or even on Amazon at great price points. Unsure of sizing, I went into Motherhood and took advantage of a buy one get one 50% off sale on these Secret Fit Belly Skinny Leg Maternity Jeans in Light Destructed and Dark Wash. (FYI: Motherhood always has great sales and online discounts going on if you subscribe to their email list.)

Just like maternity leggings, I prefer to wear maternity jeans that have a layer that goes over the belly. They’re extremely comfortable, and I like the fact that I don’t have to worry about anything falling down or spilling over the top. (Fellow pregnant ladies know what I mean!)

Do yourself a favor and invest in at least a few pairs of good jeans and/or shorts depending on the seasons and climate around you early on.
 

• lukewarm baths

Baths were my jam during the second trimester, and still are. Taking a bath is a great way to unwind and just sit after a long day! Be aware, however, that hot baths that raise your core body temperature for more than 10 minutes should not be taken. Instead, fill your tub with lukewarm water, and, if you want to be extra cautious, get out of the tub after 10 minutes, and definitely stay away from hot tubs!

(Read more about the dangers of taking hot baths here.)

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For me, taking a bath became my favorite part of the day at times. A quick rinse was a great way to relax and ease some of my muscle and back soreness I would experience throughout the day. I prefer to steer clear of bubble baths during pregnancy (regular soap or natural body wash works just fine), fill up the tub with the small amount of lukewarm water that I need, and wash with only the soap I need after I’m in it.

If I need extra unwind time, I set the mood in the bathroom with dim lighting, candles, and music to enjoy it longer. I’ll trim my nails, groom my eyebrows, or do something else in the space instead. Getting out to a comfortable robe and slippers doesn’t hurt, either!

 

Second Trimester Suggestions From Friends

I’d like to close this round-up with a recap of highlights from first trimeter favorites and suggestions from friends that might be helpful during the second trimester. You just never know what might help you!

• pre-natal vitamins (a must! I’ve turned to these during my entire pregnancy.)
• a belly belt for extra support during workouts and the third trimester (I’ve heard good things about this brand)
• pregnancy apps: I’ve been loving Ovia and What To Expect for daily insights and weekly updates
• pregnancy books: What To Expect When You’re Expecting pretty much says it all in the title – other favs include Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad! for Scott and Baby Wise for sleep training
• roll-on essential oils to help ease nausea while commuting/traveling

 

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Thanks for checking in and reading about our lil baby journey. I’d love to hear from you and take note of some of your favorite items from your pregnancy and second trimester, too.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Disclaimer: While this post is not sponsored, affiliate links are included. I truly appreciate your support on the growth of this blog (and baby)!