- Mamma Mio The Tummy Rub Butter (120 g)
Mamma Mio The Tummy Rub Oil (120 mL)
Other than my child's health and safety, stretch marks were my number 1 concern during pregnancy. I did a lot of online research and most people recommended the Mama Mio Tummy Rub. This tummy rub is sold in two forms: a butter/lotion or oil form. I used both and they worked just as well, so it really comes down to personal preference. As for me, I preferred the oil because I thought it was much easier to apply and massage onto the belly. The oil might also be more comfortable during winter since the butter may feel cold on the skin. But hey, that's just me. The Mama Mio tummy rub oil has a pleasant citrusy lemon smell which I enjoyed much more than the Clarins Tonic Body Treatment oil. I applied it generously once a day (at night, after showers), and 1 bottle lasted me about 1 - 2 months. As for results, i still got some stretch marks around the lateral sides of my tummy, but come on, I gained 20 kgs throughout my pregnancy, so I wasn't going to dodge that bullet anyway! I'm just glad they're barely visible now, so I'm a happy customer!
- Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil (100 ml)
Clarins Stretch Mark Minimizer (200 ml)
Clarins is another top contender in the pregnancy stretch mark prevention category. I tried Clarins along with Mama Mio during my pregnancy, but because I really didn't like the Clarin's Tonic Body Treatment Oil's herbal smell, I ended up saving it for my postpartum recovery period. But because I barely anytime for myself after Nolan was born, I only used Clarins for about 1 month postpartum. You can use the Tonic Body treatment oil alone, or in combination with the stretch mark minimizer. Some people pre-mix the two together before application but I usually use the oil first, then top with off with the stretch mark minimizer. This product has great reviews, so if you don't mind spending a little bit more on skincare, it's also a great buy.
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Maternity Pants / Leggings
As I've mentioned above, I gained A LOT of weight during my pregnancy, but I was able to hold out until I was 20 weeks before I finally switched to maternity pants. During the 1st trimester, I would just wear loose fitting clothes that were able to cover my unzipped pants and go on with my day (I later learned there are things called maternity bands which are used to cover up your zipper area so you can continue wearing your regular jeans). When i tried on my first pair of maternity pants, all I could think of is why I didn't do the switch sooner...they're super duper comfortable! I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but once you try them on, you'll understand why mom jeans are still huge among, well, moms... SO COMFY! If I could, i would still be wearing maternity pants now, but can't let the husband think I'm already giving up after baby number 1. So until next time, maternity pants! Miss you guys already.
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Maternity Coat
Nolan was born if February, so my 3rd trimester was spent in the cold, wet winter of Taipei. If you don't want to spend 10 minutes every morning putting on layers and layers of clothing during the winter time, definitely invest int a nice, warm maternity coat. Unless you're one of the lucky ones, there's no way you're going to zip up your regular coats without looking like you're going to burst. One good thing about being pregnant in the winter is having a higher body temperature, so one cozy coat over a knit sweater kept me warm all season. This was one purchase that even JLo agreed was a great buy, i wore it every single day for 2-3 months. Don't know what I'd do without it!
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Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby (by Tracy Hogg)
Mamma Mio The Tummy Rub Oil (120 mL)
Other than my child's health and safety, stretch marks were my number 1 concern during pregnancy. I did a lot of online research and most people recommended the Mama Mio Tummy Rub. This tummy rub is sold in two forms: a butter/lotion or oil form. I used both and they worked just as well, so it really comes down to personal preference. As for me, I preferred the oil because I thought it was much easier to apply and massage onto the belly. The oil might also be more comfortable during winter since the butter may feel cold on the skin. But hey, that's just me. The Mama Mio tummy rub oil has a pleasant citrusy lemon smell which I enjoyed much more than the Clarins Tonic Body Treatment oil. I applied it generously once a day (at night, after showers), and 1 bottle lasted me about 1 - 2 months. As for results, i still got some stretch marks around the lateral sides of my tummy, but come on, I gained 20 kgs throughout my pregnancy, so I wasn't going to dodge that bullet anyway! I'm just glad they're barely visible now, so I'm a happy customer!
Clarins Stretch Mark Minimizer (200 ml)
Clarins is another top contender in the pregnancy stretch mark prevention category. I tried Clarins along with Mama Mio during my pregnancy, but because I really didn't like the Clarin's Tonic Body Treatment Oil's herbal smell, I ended up saving it for my postpartum recovery period. But because I barely anytime for myself after Nolan was born, I only used Clarins for about 1 month postpartum. You can use the Tonic Body treatment oil alone, or in combination with the stretch mark minimizer. Some people pre-mix the two together before application but I usually use the oil first, then top with off with the stretch mark minimizer. This product has great reviews, so if you don't mind spending a little bit more on skincare, it's also a great buy.
Maternity Pants / Leggings
As I've mentioned above, I gained A LOT of weight during my pregnancy, but I was able to hold out until I was 20 weeks before I finally switched to maternity pants. During the 1st trimester, I would just wear loose fitting clothes that were able to cover my unzipped pants and go on with my day (I later learned there are things called maternity bands which are used to cover up your zipper area so you can continue wearing your regular jeans). When i tried on my first pair of maternity pants, all I could think of is why I didn't do the switch sooner...they're super duper comfortable! I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but once you try them on, you'll understand why mom jeans are still huge among, well, moms... SO COMFY! If I could, i would still be wearing maternity pants now, but can't let the husband think I'm already giving up after baby number 1. So until next time, maternity pants! Miss you guys already.
Maternity Coat
Nolan was born if February, so my 3rd trimester was spent in the cold, wet winter of Taipei. If you don't want to spend 10 minutes every morning putting on layers and layers of clothing during the winter time, definitely invest int a nice, warm maternity coat. Unless you're one of the lucky ones, there's no way you're going to zip up your regular coats without looking like you're going to burst. One good thing about being pregnant in the winter is having a higher body temperature, so one cozy coat over a knit sweater kept me warm all season. This was one purchase that even JLo agreed was a great buy, i wore it every single day for 2-3 months. Don't know what I'd do without it!
Nolan was born if February, so my 3rd trimester was spent in the cold, wet winter of Taipei. If you don't want to spend 10 minutes every morning putting on layers and layers of clothing during the winter time, definitely invest int a nice, warm maternity coat. Unless you're one of the lucky ones, there's no way you're going to zip up your regular coats without looking like you're going to burst. One good thing about being pregnant in the winter is having a higher body temperature, so one cozy coat over a knit sweater kept me warm all season. This was one purchase that even JLo agreed was a great buy, i wore it every single day for 2-3 months. Don't know what I'd do without it!
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby (by Tracy Hogg)
Last but not least, this book is something I urge every expecting mother to read before the baby arrives. Yes, BEFORE!! Trust me, between the pumping, feeding, and diaper changing... you're NOT going to have any time to yourself, even with the help of your husband!! This book will tell you all you need to know on how to train your baby into a routine. And a routine is most important if you want to survive the first 5 months of infancy. I really can't go into detail about what's inside because it's been 10 months since I read this, but Tracy does include very helpful schedules that you can just follow if you become as desperate as I did.
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So there you go! It's not a long list, but these 5 items are probably the more practical things that I can think of right now, and it can suit the needs of most expecting mothers. I'll definitely come back to this post if there are more things I'd like to add in the future, but this is it for now. Hope it was helpful!
This blog is a pregnancy treasure trove! Anjelikuh's must-have list is a gem for moms-to-be. From practical essentials to heartfelt recommendations, it's a thoughtful guide for navigating pregnancy. Thanks for sharing. Have a look at the best collection of modern maternity clothes at Lovemere.
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