I can’t believe we are already coming to the end of June! The reality of baby on his way is becoming very real. And it better be, because he could be here any day now!
I’m feeling very lucky that our summer has been (relatively) cool starting out. I remember this time last year already dying from the heat. Lucky for me we’ve had some late rain and cloudy days. It has definitely made this tail end of pregnancy more survivable!
Still, getting through the summer heat has had its challenges with a little heater inside of me, clothes that don’t fit, and limited recreational options. So I thought I’d share my list of things I’m glad I did for myself and things I wish I’d done (or done sooner). I’m starting to realize that growing a baby inside is not an easy feat. And sometimes you should just take some time/money to treat yourself. 🙂
This post contains some affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through the link I may receive a small compensation at no cost to you. Thanks for your support! All links are to products I wholeheartedly recommend. 🙂
Supportive Sandals
This is probably my number one. I had wanted Chacos or some other supported, sturdy sandal, for quite some time. With back aches, and flattening, swollen feet, pregnancy finally got me to cave in. I am SO GLAD I did.
Since wearing these all the time, my back has felt so much better and I can walk and get exercise without feeling awful. Definitely a worthwhile investment.
These can run kind of expensive, but I did a fair share of research on Amazon before finally making my purchase. While they can run upwards of $100, I found mine for about $50! Considering the use I’ve already gotten out of them and the number of years they tend to last, I’d say it was money well spent!
You can follow this link to see the ones I purchased. It looks like they have gone up in price a bit (still a great deal for Chacos). There are still tons of great deals to be found!
Comfortable (nursing) Bras
I knew I was going to invest in nursing bras once baby came anyway. After trying one on at my sister’s house, I decided it was well worthy it to get them now! These ones I bought offer all the comfort of a sports bra with the support of a regular bra. I can wear them to exercise and on the day-to-day. I’m still looking for a good sleep bra option that fits well (the ones I got were mediocre), but I’ll update when I do!
But I am so so glad that I invested in these.
Summer Clothes that FIT
This is one of those “wish I dids” that I’m now regretting. When I was a smaller pregnant size, I had a number of loose t-shirt dresses I planned on wearing during these summer months. But SURPRISE! I’ve grown a lot since then, and those dresses I had planned on wearing don’t actually fit at this point. I’m now at this awkward point where I don’t want to get more maternity clothes if I go into labor today. But if this baby is cooking for another 3 weeks, things could get very uncomfortable! So my advice is to invest in some items as soon as the weather warms up! don’t kid yourself into thinking you’ll be fine in maternity jeans and leggings. It is not always fun 😉
So I would definitely recommend getting even a couple maternity dresses and at least one pair of comfortable maternity shorts. Your internal heater will thank you.
Keep Drinking Tons of Water
If you don’t already own a reusable water bottle, now might be a great time to invest in one! With all the water you need to drink while pregnant, it just makes sense to have your own water bottle on hand, that you can fill on demand! Plus, think of all the reduced waste if you opt for reusing, rather than going through disposable water bottles 🙂
I got all of my water bottles free. But here are some good looking options. I have gotten some good water bottles from all these brands!
Treat yourself!
It goes without saying that pregnancy is hard work. Summer time is HOT. Regardless of when you are pregnant, it is important to care for yourself, in addition to the little one growing inside of you. Take time to love your body. Take care of your soul! Here are some things I have done to keep feeling well during this pregnancy:
Morning Walks
Meditation/Relaxation Practice
This one has been huge as I’m preparing to go all natural during the birth!
Prenatal Yoga Routines
Healthy Eating
Smoothies and fruit have been my best friends this pregnancy.
Pedicures!
I have never felt it worth my time or money to make this happen, but Carter’s sweet sister (who was also pregnant and ready to pop at the time) kindly treated us both to pregnant pedicures. I’ll admit it was quite nice to feel pampered. And get those toes looking nice since I can’t quite reach them anymore… 😉
Whatever you do to care for yourself, make it happen! Your health is important to baby’s health, and taking some time out of your day can work WONDERS on your pregnancy 🙂
