The 6 Products I Found Most Useful During My Pregnancy

This prenatal once had a 20K person waitlist, and I’m not surprised. I have always hated taking pills or vitamins of any kind – they’re hard to swallow and make me nauseous. I was dreading taking a prenatal vitamin daily until I discovered Ritual. Ritual’s prenatal is easy to swallow, has a delayed release, no nausea capsule design and 12 science-backed, traceable ingredients in their most absorbable forms. These pills are also citrus scented, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and free of artificial colorants and synthetic fillers. I’m happy to report that these are worth the hype and the wait.

Developed with Harvard dermatologists and OBGYNs, EllaOla’s luxurious new Belly Oil is deeply rooted in science. This magical oil is made with a proprietary blend of organic natural plant oils, botanical extracts and vitamin-rich ingredients to smooth, firm and brighten skin while reducing stretch marks during pregnancy and postpartum. After applying this oil several times throughout the day to keep my skin hydrated, I’ve noticed a huge difference in the texture of my skin. I also love that it keeps my skin hydrated without being sticky or staining my clothes. I’ve loved using EllaOla’s high-effective skincare line on my littles, and I’m thrilled to report that this product for mamas delivers in spades, too.

During pregnancy, the body produces approximately 50% more blood and body fluids to meet the needs of the developing baby. The extra fluid in the body and the pressure from the growing uterus can cause swelling (or "edema") in the ankles and feet (hello, cankles). I came across these compression socks after seeing them on Karlie Kloss’ Instagram and was impressed by their beautiful design. Beyond reducing the swelling in my legs, they actually energize my entire body. The compression feels like a tiny army of massagers spoiling me at the spa!

These luxe French terry joggers have been one of my best pregnancy investments. No drawstring and just elastic means a loungewear pant that doesn’t scream maternity, and that can be worn before, during, and after pregnancy. They can be dressed up or down, and provide the perfect combination of “holding you in” and overall comfort to take on the day or just relax at home.

This Lively Mesh Maternity Bra combines function, style, and comfort, and can grow with you for pregnancy and beyond. I bought one when I noticed my boobs were growing out of my normal bras around 4 months of being pregnant. The fabric is soft and durable like a sleep bralette, but it's not bulky like most maternity bras. I can't wait to continue to wear it even when I am not pregnant or breastfeeding!

The last thing I want to worry about in pregnancy is...tying my shoes. Literally. Especially in my third trimester, I’ve had trouble bending over to complete that daily task. Enter Allbirds, the New Zealand company that took the shoe industry by storm when it launched an uber comfy Merino Wool Joggers a few years back. The brand is back at it with the Loungers, a loafer style slip-on. The ZQ Merino wool material is great at regulating temperature, so they’re ideal for year-round wear. Plus, Allbirds has a 30 day no-questions-asked return policy and donates lightly worn shoes to Soles4Souls.