First Trimester Pregnancy Must-Haves

Folic acid is particularly important in the early days of pregnancy, before many people even know they conceived. If you haven’t already been taking a prenatal, the time to start is now, Dr. Greves says. This multivitamin is packed with folic acid, plus iron, DHA and other good-for-you-and-baby vitamins and nutrients. (DHA, in case you’re not familiar with it, is thought to be good for baby’s brain and eye development.) Plus, the brand says that these vitamins are put through 100-plus quality checks, so you can feel comfortable knowing that they contain exactly what the bottle says.

For many moms-to-be, morning sickness is one of the first signs that they’ve got a bun in the oven. If nausea is getting you down, eating a ginger candy might help calm your tummy. Ginger may or may not help — it depends on the person, Dr. Greves says, noting that “there’s no harm in trying.” She also notes that ginger “helps with nausea in quite a bit of my patients.” Lots of expectant parents turn to these extra-spicy lozenges, which are organic and non-GMO. If you don’t enjoy the taste of ginger, the brand also offers a peppermint variety.

If you’re not quite ready to splurge on maternity jeans, using a waistline extender can help you to stretch your regular pants until you’re a little further along in your pregnancy. This extender comes recommended by some What to Expect community parents and is offered in several sizes to grow with your expanding belly. Paired with a tunic or longer shirt, no one but you will be the wiser.

Not a fan of ginger candy? Many parents-to-be swear by acupressure wrist bands as a natural and effective way to relieve morning sickness. These SeaBand acupressure bracelets — which are praised by lots of parents in the What to Expect community — might help soothe your tummy, and they’re washable, too. “The bands hit a pressure point that may help with nausea,” Dr. Greves says. “It’s worth a try and can’t hurt.” Dr. Greves also notes she’s had several patients who have seen relief with these bands.

Thanks to those wonderful pregnancy hormones, many people experience sore and bleeding gums during pregnancy. Help keep gingivitis at bay — and those pearlies looking white — by using a soft-bristled toothbrush twice daily. Brilliant’s Expectant Mom Toothbrush has 360 degrees of extra-fine bristles to help you get to those hard-to-reach spots, made with a soft material that won’t irritate your gums. (Don’t forget to make a visit to your dentist every six months, too!)

Your pregnancy is such an exciting life event, and you’ll want to remember it forever. A specially designed pregnancy journal can help you document all those special memories right from the moment you get a positive test. This journal from What to Expect creator Heidi Murkoff gives you special spots to write down everything, like visits to your healthcare provider, shopping lists, birthing plans, potential baby names and gifts you’ve received for baby.

This book (you may have heard of it!) is often referred to as the “pregnancy bible” as it contains everything you need to know about the growth of your little bundle. Filled with facts, helpful tips and reassurance as to what’s happening with your body and baby through all trimesters of pregnancy, it’s a must-have for helping quell parent-to-be anxiety.

Hydration is crucial during your pregnancy. “Your blood volume is expanding so you need the liquid for that,” Greves says. And, she points out, if you’re struggling with morning sickness, you need to replace fluids you’re losing. “Hydration can just help you feel better overall,” she adds. Make sure you always have cold H2O ready to go with this Yeti Rambler. It has a double-walled vacuum to keep your drinks cold (or hot) for hours and holds up to 18 ounces at a time (a great size for day-to-day use). A wide bottle mouth makes it easier to drink lots of liquids at once, while sturdy construction means it can stand up to accidental drops. And, of course, you can use this well beyond pregnancy.

It might be hard to stomach breakfast during the first trimester, which makes having a stash of protein- and fiber-packed bars a real lifesaver. Small enough to tuck into your purse but dense enough to keep you feeling full until lunchtime, these bars come in several flavors (with no artificial sweeteners) and are sure to satisfy those pregnancy cravings for something sweet without being overpowering. “Stay away from super sweet things — those tend to make women feel not so great,” Dr. Greves says. Each bar contains eight grams of protein to help sustain you as you go about your day.

Gatorade has been a favorite sports drink for years, and it can help when you’re struggling with morning sickness, too. “Gatorade beverages can definitely help with replenishing electrolytes, especially if you’ve been vomiting,” Dr. Greves says. This 24-pack gives you plenty of flavors to choose from — lemon lime, orange, berry and fruit punch — so you can go with whatever your taste buds prefer on any given day. Note that it contains lots of sugar, though, so it may be a good idea to check in with your OB/GYN before chugging a bunch of this sports drink.