Minimalist Pregnancy Must-Haves - Ultimate List

Pregnancy is an exciting, and sometimes confusing, time. Nowadays there are so many items that are marketed as “must-haves” and it can get expensive and cluttered quickly. This is likely the last thing you want when you’re about to welcome a new baby! On the other hand, there are a few minimalist pregnancy must-haves that can help make pregnancy a much more enjoyable season of life.

As I’m nearing the end of my 2nd pregnancy and in talking to other moms, I’ve realized which things have been essential and what most people can pretty easily do without.

I’m not a strict minimalist, but my husband will tell you that if something’s not being used regularly, it’s in danger of being thrown out. He’s learned this the hard way! I’ve carried this mindset into pregnancy. Even though I don’t expect this to be the last time I’m pregnant, I still don’t want to store unnecessary items or have to repurchase things that I really should have kept.

That’s why I’ve created this ultimate list of minimalist pregnancy must-haves. Most of the items are easy to store, and you may even find some of them helpful outside of pregnancy. Keep reading to find all of the best pregnancy items that will fit into your minimalist or semi-minimalist lifestyle!

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1st Trimester Must-Haves

Peppermint essential oil – Diffusing peppermint essential oil is a natural way to potentially lessen 1st trimester nausea. Just smelling an empty bottle of peppermint oil instantly relieved my nausea whenever it got too bad. Since the menthol in peppermint can reduce milk supply, it’s not recommended to use peppermint essential oil after the 2nd trimester.

Prenatal vitamin – If you haven’t already started taking prenatal vitamins, you’ll want to go ahead and start now. It’s usually recommended to continue taking them at least until you’re done breastfeeding.

Women’s probiotic – While probiotics are always a good thing for general health, they’re often even more important during pregnancy. I primarily credit taking probiotic supplements and eating lots of fermented foods with helping me avoid most of the common digestive issues many women experience during pregnancy.

Ginger tea or candied ginger – Ginger is often used to settle the stomach, and it can really help during the 1st trimester. I even carried candied ginger in my purse during my first trimester!

Comfortable clothes – While you likely won’t need maternity clothes quite yet, you will probably have days where you don’t feel like wearing anything too restrictive. The good thing is you likely already have some clothes like this in your closet!

The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth – This book is the naturally-minded and encouraging version of What to Expect when You’re Expecting. I think it’s an essential for every pregnant woman!

2nd & 3rd Trimester Must-Haves

Exercise ball – There are so many amazing uses for an exercise ball during pregnancy and labor! It makes a wonderful chair which encourages the baby to get into the optimal position. There are also many pregnancy exercises and stretches that use an exercise ball. Many women enjoy using exercise balls during labor as well.

Yoga mat (or soft carpeted floor) – Stretching is so important in pregnancy! If you don’t have a comfortable carpeted floor, a yoga mat is extremely helpful.

Nursing bras – Even though you still have some time before meeting your baby, you’re likely already starting to outgrow your normal bras. Instead of sizing up, I think it’s smartest to go ahead and buy a few nursing bras that you’ll continue to use if you breastfeed your baby.

Maternity leggings – I’m not a fan of most maternity clothes, but a good pair of maternity leggings is a lifesaver!

Loose dresses and/or skirts – In an effort to avoid buying lots of expensive or uncomfortable maternity clothes, I found that many non-maternity loose dresses and skirts fit the whole 9 months. The best part is that they can stay a part of my normal wardrobe even when I’m no longer pregnant!

Maternity lounge pants – These were one of the few maternity clothing items that I found to be essential.

Other maternity clothes – While I don’t think you need an entire maternity wardrobe, depending on your lifestyle, you may find that you need a few maternity t-shirts, a pair of shorts or jeans, or clothes for work.

NORA tea – A delicious mix of nettle, oat straw, red raspberry leaf, and alfalfa, this tea is full of so many health benefits! Personally, it increased my energy levels so much that I no longer needed daytime naps. While there are a few places you can buy it, I prefer making my own blend with herbs purchased in bulk.

Extra pillows or pregnancy pillow – Many women swear by pregnancy pillows, and it’s definitely worth the cost if that’s the best way for you to get a good night’s sleep. However, others, including me, find that all they need is an extra regular pillow or two. Before purchasing a pregnancy pillow, I recommend experimenting with a few extra regular pillows first.

Stretch-mark lotion – This can be a specific belly balm or just a healthy version of regular lotion. You can even find a DIY tallow balm here that I use during my pregnancies.

What to Buy for a Minimalist Pregnant Mom

Buying gifts for minimalists can be hard! If you’re trying to find the perfect gift for a minimalist pregnant mom, start by asking her what she needs. If she says she doesn’t need anything personally, she’ll likely appreciate a gift off of her baby registry the most.

Another great option is something that gets used up that won’t ever need to be put in storage. Here are some ideas that almost any pregnant mom would appreciate:

Pregnancy-safe tea
Non-toxic candles
Healthy snacks
Non-toxic lotion or other non-toxic pampering items
A couple hours of help around the house
Home-cooked meal delivered on an evening of her choice
Frozen meal for postpartum
Restaurant gift card for when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Minimalist Pregnancy Must-Haves – Conclusion

Pregnancy is a natural season of life that women have been going through for all of history, and it often doesn’t take many extra supplies. I have found that just these few minimalist pregnancy must-haves have been the only supplies I’ve needed for comfortable and enjoyable pregnancies.

Is there anything you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments!