Pregnancy Essentials I Actually Used ♡
If you’re reading my blog for the first time, welcome. My name is Tanu, and I’m a first-time mom to my beautiful daughter, Mira. I started Mira & Co. because throughout my pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and early motherhood journey, I spent countless hours researching, comparing recommendations, and trying to figure out what was actually worth it. Everything I share here is based on my personal experience — what helped, what didn’t, and what I wish I knew sooner.
To be honest, I did not buy a huge number of products during pregnancy. A few things genuinely helped me feel more comfortable, but what mattered most was good nutrition, hydration, rest, and listening to my body. These are the pregnancy essentials I actually used and found helpful during my own journey.
This post is based only on my personal experience. Please speak with your gynecologist or healthcare provider before taking any medicine, supplement, magnesium, prenatal vitamin, or trying anything new during pregnancy — especially if you have pain, pelvic pressure, gestational diabetes, short cervix, bleeding, contractions, or any pregnancy complication.
1. Prenatal vitamins
Prenatal vitamins were one of the first things I took seriously during pregnancy. I live in the Czech Republic, and the prenatal vitamin I personally used was Femibion. Different countries may have different brands, so this is something I would always suggest discussing with your doctor first.
Later, when I started having pelvic pain, pressure, and sciatica-like discomfort, my gynecologist suggested magnesium as well. For me, it really helped, but supplements are not something I would randomly start without medical advice.
VIEW PRENATAL VITAMINS
2. Water bottle / tumbler
Hydration was one of the biggest things during pregnancy. I tried to drink around 2.5–3 litres of water a day, but honestly, I am someone who easily forgets to drink water.
I bought a Stanley tumbler and kept it next to my bed. The straw made it easy to sip slowly, and it also fit in my car. It became one of those simple products that reminded me to drink more water.
VIEW TUMBLER
3. Pregnancy pillow
As my belly grew, sleep became harder. One regular pillow was not enough anymore. I needed support behind my back and between my legs because my lower back, hips, and pelvis felt heavy and uncomfortable.
I bought a Momcozy pregnancy pillow, and it helped support my back, hips, and pelvis much better while sleeping. It made nights feel a little less uncomfortable, especially during the later months.
VIEW PREGNANCY PILLOW
4. Exercise ball
When I had pelvic pressure and pain, an exercise ball helped me so much. Sitting on it gently gave me relief, especially on days when regular chairs felt uncomfortable.
I also found it helpful during Braxton Hicks. Getting up, walking slowly around the house, drinking water, and gently using the ball helped me feel more settled when those random tightening pains came.
VIEW EXERCISE BALL
5. Nursing bras
As my body changed, my regular bras became uncomfortable very quickly. I needed something softer, stretchier, and more forgiving around the chest and rib area.
I bought comfortable nursing bras during pregnancy itself. They were useful before birth and also made sense for postpartum, so this felt like a practical purchase rather than something I would use only for a short time.
VIEW NURSING BRAS
6. Maternity leggings & underwear
Most of my clothes slowly stopped fitting, and I did not want anything tight around my belly. I started wearing loose shirts, oversized t-shirts, and soft maternity pants.
Since I live in a colder country, I also bought bigger-size warm maternity leggings. Maternity underwear also became a comfort essential because it gently covered my belly and reduced that heavy feeling around my bump.
VIEW MATERNITY CLOTHES
7. Compression socks
More towards the second trimester, my legs and feet started swelling because of water retention. It felt heavy and uncomfortable, especially after standing or walking.
My doctor suggested using compression socks, and I honestly found them helpful. They are not the most glamorous pregnancy product, but they were very practical and made a real difference for swollen legs.
VIEW COMPRESSION SOCKS
8. Slip-on shoes or comfortable sandals
Comfortable footwear became very important once my feet started swelling and bending down became harder. I mostly wore my Nike Air Force 1 shoes because the sole felt comfortable and walking felt easier on my heels.
For warmer days, I would suggest flat shoes or a supportive wedge sandal. During winter, I lived in my winter boots. The main thing is to choose something stable, comfortable, and easy to wear.
VIEW COMFORTABLE SHOES
9. Bio Oil for Stretch Marks
Comfortable footwear became very important once my feet started swelling and bending down became harder. I mostly wore my Nike Air Force 1 shoes because the sole felt comfortable and walking felt easier on my heels.
For warmer days, I would suggest flat shoes or a supportive wedge sandal. During winter, I lived in my winter boots. The main thing is to choose something stable, comfortable, and easy to wear.
VIEW BIO OIL
10. Cocoa Butter Cream for Stretch Marks
Comfortable footwear became very important once my feet started swelling and bending down became harder. I mostly wore my Nike Air Force 1 shoes because the sole felt comfortable and walking felt easier on my heels.
For warmer days, I would suggest flat shoes or a supportive wedge sandal. During winter, I lived in my winter boots. The main thing is to choose something stable, comfortable, and easy to wear.
VIEW PALMER’S COCOA CREAMLooking back, good nutrition, hydration, rest, and emotional support mattered more than any product. A pregnancy pillow, tumbler, exercise ball, soft clothes, compression socks, and comfortable shoes helped me, but nothing replaced listening to my body and checking things with my doctor. And honestly, sometimes the best relief was simply my husband pampering me with a gentle massage. If you are in your second trimester and your doctor says it is okay, you can also consider a pregnancy massage.
New here? ♡
Start with honest baby product recommendations and real first-time mom lessons.
START HERE