Pregnancy Essentials (See Jane Bump)

I’m now 33 weeks pregnant and the official countdown to meeting this little baby has begun.  In some ways, I can’t believe how fast it’s gone by; in other ways, I can’t believe I haven’t had a drink since August (what a sweet moment that will finally be).  I’ve learned a few things along the way and wanted to share some of my pregnancy essentials for all you mothers to be (or even friends of mothers to be!).

BumpNest body pillow – Trust me.  You will get big enough where your hips start to hurt and you can’t get comfortable.  Enter, the body pillow.  The BumpNest pillow has been a lifesaver and ensures I get a great night’s sleep.
Belly Bandit – Ok fine, this is actually a post-partum essential.  I am already eager to get back into my normal wardrobe and I’ve already bought a Belly Bandit to help reshape the ol’ midsection.  I’ve heard great things so I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes!
Belly Butter – Stretch marks–they happen.  I don’t see any yet BUT I’ve been slathering on this cream every morning.  I’ve heard they’re genetic in pregnancy but it can’t hurt to also take preventative measures.
Maternity Jeans – “I’ll never buy maternity clothes,” I once ignorantly said.  You will want to buy maternity pants for the sake of comfort.  I have a feeling I’ll be wearing them for awhile after this baby arrives, too.
Comfy Shoes – I know you’ve all been seeing me wearing heels on the blog and I assure you, you can, too (if you’re comfortable); I even wore my 4 inch pumps to my shower this past weekend. But, I hear that your feet can swell and by then, you’ll need to ditch the heels and slip on something more comfortable.  During pregnancy, I’ve never commuted in heels (Chicago weather has been treacherous and I am notoriously clumsy) so a comfy pair of shoes has been essential even though I haven’t given up heels quite yet.
Baby Book – Pick your poison but read something.  Simply put, reading has increased my confidence about this whole parenting thing (gulp) and a few of my favorites have been What to Expect.., Mommy IQ, Bringing Up Bebe, and The Happiest Baby on the Block.
New Bras – If you were less-endowed like me pre-pregnancy, you can probably get away with wearing your current bras for awhile as your belly grows.  I’m still wearing my original bras but have bought some new ones to account for the (ahem) growth I’ve experienced and because I want something more comfortable.  I love wireless bralettes AND I know I’ll wear them post-delivery.
BellaBand – Before you dive headfirst into maternity pants, try out the BellaBand.  I wore one with my favorite pants up until about the third trimester.  I’m admittedly at a point now where my pre-pregnancy pants won’t even fit over my thighs/hips, so it’s maternity pants all the way, but from weeks 15-28, I loved the BellaBand.
Water – Sounds like a no-brainer but it’s essential to stay hydrated during your whole pregnancy.  I guzzle water like it’s my job and although I curse myself during that 5th bathroom trip in the middle of the night, I know keeping hydrated prevents swelling (funny how that works) and keeps this baby healthy.

Did you have any pregnancy essentials that I’m missing?