Top 7 Must-Have Products That Got Me Through My Second Pregnancy

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Going through pregnancy a second time is an exciting and challenging experience. As a soon-to-be mom of two, I know firsthand the physical and emotional toll that pregnancy can take on a woman's body, especially when you are taking care of not only yourself, but a toddler! That's why I am thrilled to share with you my top 7 must-have products that helped me survive (and thrive??) in my second pregnancy. These products not only made my pregnancy easier, but also helped me feel confident and comfortable.

In this article, I reveal the products that were my go-to during these past nine months, and explain why they were essential for my journey:

  • Stretch mark prevention

  • Prenatal vitamins

  • Pregnancy pillow

  • Maternity shorts

  • Everyday leggings that work throughout pregnancy and post-partum

  • Slip-on shoes

  • Tanning mousse

So, whether you're a soon-to-be mom or simply curious about the best pregnancy products on the market, keep reading to discover my top picks!

Table of Contents

    Stretch Mark Prevention and Treatment

    Stretch marks, or striae, often develop during pregnancy due to the rapid stretching of the skin as your body grows to accommodate your baby. I’m not here to tell you that there is a 100% guaranteed way to prevent stretch marks from happening during pregnancy. Factors that increase your risk include genetics, excessive or rapid weight gain, carrying multiples, and having a larger baby. While stretch marks are often unavoidable, you can take steps to minimize their appearance. Maintaining healthy, gradual weight gain, staying hydrated, and applying moisturizers rich in vitamins E and C may help.

    With my first pregnancy, my nightly post-shower routine was to religiously apply Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Body Oil on my belly, followed by Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lotion For Stretch Marks. I can say honestly that I did NOT develop any stretch marks with my first pregnancy. Now—whether that was due to genetics or the Palmer’s products, I can’t be sure, but it certainly didn’t hurt!

    With my second pregnancy, the first night I tried applying the Palmer’s oil and lotion I had to shower again later that night to wash it off. For whatever reason, my first trimester sense of smell did not agree with the scent of the oil and lotion and was nauseating. The scent didn’t bother me at all with pregnancy nubmer one, but every pregnancy is different!

    That’s why my go-to product throughout pregnancy #2 was Bio-Oil! Similar to Palmer’s, I applied it to my belly every night after showering. It has a really pleasant scent with chamomile and lavender, which helps with sleep too. The price point is a bit higher than Palmer’s, but overall is still very affordable and the large bottle lasted through my entire 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

    Prenatal Vitamins

    As a pharmacist, I can tend to be very picky when it comes to choosing vitamins and supplements. The market is flooded with options, and none are FDA regulated. I NEED to know that the product I’m using is trustworthy, and that’s of even more importance during pregnancy. Here are some things I take into consideration as a pharmacist when choosing a supplement:

    • Third-party testing: Look for seals from independent organizations like NSF International, USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia), or ConsumerLab to verify purity and accuracy of ingredients.

    • Transparent labeling: Ensure the label provides clear information on all active ingredients, dosage, serving size, and any potential allergens or fillers.

    • Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification: Check for adherence to GMP, ensuring the product is produced in a facility with high-quality standards.

    • Scientific backing: Look for supplements with clinical trials or peer-reviewed studies supporting their claims.

    • Reputable brand: Choose products from brands with a strong history of safety and transparency, avoiding those with frequent recalls or regulatory warnings.

    • Expiration date: Check the expiration date to ensure the supplement is fresh and potent.

    • Minimal additives: Avoid supplements with unnecessary artificial colors, preservatives, or excessive fillers.

    The specific prenatal vitamin I took throughout this pregnancy was the NatureMade Prenatal Vitamin with Folic Acid and DHA and EPA. I take these at bedtime to minimize any stomach upset, but I never noticed any GI side effects with this product. I chose this one given the reputable brand, USP verification, and inclusion of adequate folic acid (800 mcg per dose) and omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA (260 mg).

    Folic acid (folate) is essential for helping to prevent neural tube defects in the developing baby’s brain and spine. Ideally, you’ll want to start taking folate a few months before becoming pregnant. It is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to take at least 600 mcg folic acid daily while pregnant (most importantly during the first trimester), through diet and a prenatal vitamin.

    Omega 3s, DHA and EPA, are vital for supporting brain, eye and nervous system development in baby, and lower risk for preterm birth. Good news is, many pregnant women get a lot of omega 3s in their diet if they eat fish regularly. I’ve never been a big fan of seafood so I admittedly don’t get much DHA or EPA through diet, and I don’t take extra fish oil supplements. Thus, it was important to me to find a prenatal vitamin that had these built in!

    Not all prenatal vitamins, even ones you can find regularly at the drugstore, contain the recommended daily doses of typically recommended ingredients, especially folate and DHA + EPA.

    Don’t be like me. I learned this late in the first trimester of my first pregnancy, when I took a closer look at the label of the prenatal gummy vitamins I had been taking at the time, and found that they didn’t contain any omega 3s, and only 400 mcg of folic acid. Even as a pharmacist this simple dose check slipped through the cracks. Of course I panicked a bit, and quickly made the switch to the NatureMade vitamins. Everything checked out OK with baby. BUT— when I knew we were going to start trying to conceive our second child, I knew exactly which vitamin I was going to start taking.

    Pregnancy Pillow

    A pregnancy pillow isn’t just a luxury—it’s a game-changer when it comes to comfort and support during pregnancy. As your body changes, it becomes harder to find a comfortable sleeping position, especially as your bump grows. That’s where a pregnancy pillow comes in.

    There are all sizes and shapes of pregnancy pillows on the market, which makes it hard to narrow down the choices when first shopping for one. The one I landed on was this U-shape body pillow from Pharmedoc. I loved it so much through my first pregnancy that I saved it to use again for my second. I think the long U-shape design made it the easiest and most comfortable for side-sleeping consistently. The cover also comes off the pillows, making it easy to throw in the laundry.

    Why use a pregnancy pillow in the first place?

    • Improved Comfort: As your belly expands, pressure on your hips, back, and legs increases. A pregnancy pillow helps align your body and supports your growing bump, taking the strain off these pressure points. This extra cushioning allows for better sleep, which is crucial for your energy levels and overall well-being during pregnancy.

    • Better Sleep Quality: Pregnancy can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep, but a pregnancy pillow can help by promoting side sleeping, which is recommended for optimal blood flow to both you and your baby. It can also help alleviate common issues like heartburn, back pain, and swollen legs which can affect your sleep.

    • Posture Support: Sleeping on your side becomes essential as your pregnancy progresses, and a pregnancy pillow makes this much easier to accomplish, especially in the second and third trimesters. It helps prevent you from rolling onto your back, which can reduce circulation.

    When should I start using it?

    There’s no set time to start using a pregnancy pillow, but many women find it helpful beginning in the second trimester, as the baby bump becomes more pronounced. As the body shifts and grows, you’ll likely notice more discomfort when lying down, and that’s a good indicator it’s time to introduce a pregnancy pillow to your nightly routine.

    In my first pregnancy, I didn’t start using my pregnancy pillow until around 17-18 weeks because it took a long time for my belly to really start showing. With my second pregnancy I began using it late in first trimester as my bump came up much earlier!

    Maternity Shorts

    Being due in October this time around, most of my second and third trimester were spent battling the heat of the summer. While I did enjoy the comfort of several maternity-friendly dresses through the summer, I’m really most comfortable in shorts or leggings for day-to-day activities, especially on days I stay at home with my toddler!

    The classic denim shorts I wore in my first and second pregnancies were these Levi’s! I wore these so often in my first pregnancy I bought another pair in a different denim wash for my second pregnancy.

    Levi's denim maternity shorts

    For maternity shorts and pants, I personally thought the ones that stretched over the belly were the most comfortable. For those that prefer the under-the-belly fit, I’ve heard good reviews for these denim shorts on Amazon.

    For my second pregnancy, I also wanted to add some shorts to my wardrobe that were more “athleisure.” I wanted something I could wear not only for workouts and lounging, but were still cute for running errands or hanging out with friends. I tried out this pair I found on Amazon and ultimately had to buy 2 more pairs! These shorts have gotten the MOST use out of ANY maternity clothes I’ve bought over these 2 pregnancies. See the short video clip below of these shorts in action during a home workout.

    All-Purpose Leggings

    Quality leggings are probably the biggest staple of my daily wardrobe, especially working from home. Days I spend taking care of my toddler — I’m grabbing a pair of leggings. Work from home day? Leggings. Sure, I might get dressed up to go out for a date, an evening with friends, or traveling for work, but I’m putting on leggings or something more comfortable as soon as I get home!

    It’s important for my leggings to work just as well for workouts as they do for running errands and doing everyday mom activities. Bonus if I can wear them throughout pregnancy as well! I love the comfort of maternity leggings, but if I can save money by buying regular leggings that work pre-pregnancy, through pregnancy, AND postpartum—I’ve hit the jackpot!

    As does seemingly every other female in fitness, I fell in love with Lululemon Align pants during my first pregnancy. I avoided them for so long just due to the cost, but once I got one pair, I found myself going back for more. Even so, it was still so painful to pay >$100 for just a pair of leggings!

    That’s when I found the Butterluxe leggings from CRZ Yoga. These are the leggings that made me never turn back to Lululemon. Trying them side by side, the Butterluxe material feels nearly identical to Lululemon Align, and over time with daily wear and tear and rounds in the laundry, they have held up just as well if not better than Lululemon.

    Not to mention they fit in the same size through my entire pregnancy, from the early weeks to late 3rd trimester! The photos below show a few of my weekly bump photos from 2nd trimester to as late as 36 weeks!

    The best part is, the cost of one pair of CRZ Yoga leggings is ONE-THIRD the price of a pair of Align pants. I can’t emphasize this enough. CRZ leggings are the same quality if not better vs Align, and ONE-THIRD the price.

    I have since tried and loved several other products from CRZ Yoga, but the Butterluxe leggings are hands-down my favorite of their collection!

    Slip-On Shoes

    One of the biggest unexpected daily struggles with later pregnancy is the difficulty of simply putting on socks and shoes. Any kind of slip-on shoes suddenly become much more attractive. However, most shoes I would normally wear to workout are not the most slip-on friendly. Sure, I can force my normal training shoes to be slip-on, but it can damage the shoe more overtime, and if I ever have to re-tie my shoes, I might not be able to slip them on as easily.

    This year for Mother’s Day my husband and son bought me my first pair of Kizik slip-on shoes, and these quickly became my ride-or-die shoes through this pregnancy. I specifically have the Women’s Athens shoes in white creme. Kizik shoes are designed to be slip-on and come in many different styles. Admittedly, they may not be the absolute BEST shoes for weight training, but the convenience and ease of use in pregnancy has greatly outweighed any negatives.

    I have worn them for everything— from workouts and stroller walks to everyday errands. Sadly, with daily wear, the lighter colors like the white-creme can become dirty quickly. But not to worry—I have found that they clean up very easily! I took the video above right after cleaning and drying them using a combo of this popular “Miss Mouth’s” stain treatment spray, and Dawn dish soap.

    Here’s the before and after:

    Self-Tanning Mousse

    Let’s face it—pregnancy can make you feel less like your glowing, confident self and more like you’re navigating a body that doesn’t quite feel like your own. One little cosmetic ritual that helped me feel more like “me” was using St. Tropez self-tanning mousse in the spring and summer months. While the pregnancy glow is a real thing, sometimes adding a bit of extra color can do wonders for your confidence, especially during those times when your skin (and hormones) are unpredictable.

    Before I dive into why I love this product, I want to make it clear that I spoke with my OB-GYN to get the all-clear before using it. I also waited until I was past the most delicate first trimester before applying it. It’s important to note that the use of self-tanning products hasn’t been thoroughly studied in pregnant women, so always check with your healthcare provider first.

    Why I Used It:

    I chose to continue using this particular self-tanner during pregnancy because I trust the St. Tropez brand and its ingredient transparency. Most self-tanners work by using DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a color additive that reacts with dead skin cells to produce a tanned look. The absorption of DHA is thought to be very low, so I felt comfortable using it with my doctor’s approval.

    Plus, let’s be real—pregnancy can bring a whole host of body changes that leave you feeling less than fabulous at times. For me, a little self-tanner went a long way in helping me feel more put-together and confident, especially during moments when my body felt unfamiliar. Having that boost, no matter how small, was a form of self-care that made a huge difference.

    What I Love About This Self-Tanner:

    This mousse not only gives a natural, streak-free tan but also has a gentle, lightweight formula that feels good on the skin. It doesn’t have that harsh self-tanner smell, which is a big plus, especially if pregnancy heightens your sensitivity to strong scents. It’s a quick-drying formula, and it only stays on 1-3 hours before rinsing off. Afterwards, the tan develops gradually over the next several hours, with no orange look.

    Just remember, while it made me feel great, always check with your OB-GYN before adding any new products to your routine during pregnancy, even something as simple as self-tanner. It’s all about finding what works for you and helps you feel your best, while also prioritizing safety! For more information about use of self-tanners in pregnancy, What To Expect has a great summary article here.

    Final Thoughts

    As I prepare for the arrival of baby number two, these seven products have been essential in keeping me comfortable, healthy, and feeling my best throughout pregnancy. From skin care to athleisure to slip-on shoes, each item has played a key role in these past 9 months! I hope my experiences help you navigate your own pregnancy with a little more ease and confidence.

    If you enjoyed this blog and want more tips on fitness, wellness, and motherhood, be sure to follow me on Instagram for daily updates and inspiration. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email newsletter for exclusive content and recommendations delivered right to your inbox!

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