Pregnancy

Third Trimester Essentials

May 19, 2021
magnificent view of ocean beneath light pink sky

So you’ve made it to the third trimester? That means you are in the home stretch! You get to meet your baby so soon, but while you wait, you might as well be comfortable. I’ve included some of my favorite items that have helped me feel most at comfortable during the final months of pregnancy. Below are some of my third trimester essentials.

If you want a peak at my must have supplements during pregnancy, you can find that here.

If you want to read my most recent pregnancy update, you can find that here.

Underwear

As I get father along in pregnancy, I’m finding that my prepregnancy undies just aren’t as comfortable. My hips are expanding and I just need something more comfortable and specific for a pregnant body. Comfortable underwear definitely falls into the category of third trimester essentials.

This six pack of under the bump maternity undies that I found on Amazon have so many great reviews and after purchasing them I see why. They’re really comfortable and don’t dig in any wear or slide down. They run true to size and I think the little dip in the front adds a bit of sexiness.

third trimester essentials

I’ve been wearing these Kindred Bravely under the bump undies for working out and I love them. The fabric is really breathable and the waistband stays smooth and doesn’t roll down.

third trimester essentials

Bras

Another third trimester essential is a good bra that can transition from pregnancy to nursing.

I’ve been wearing these bralettes since my second pregnancy and I continue to reach for them. They are so comfortable and look cute on too. There straps offer a good amount of support, but they are comfy enough to wear to bed or just for lounging as well. They come in a few different colors and if you get the non-maternity version they’ve got even more patterns and they are still very easy and comfortable for nursing. Check out this busty version if you are a D or larger.

third trimester essentials

This bra is another really great option if you want something with a bit more support than a bralette. It comes in four different colors and is seamless, so it’s a great t-shirt bra. It also has nursing clips so it can be worn when baby is here as well.

third trimester essentials

My go to sports bras during pregnancy are these ones from Senita. They have so much different styles and colors to choose from. Their sports bras have great support and have a back clasp that makes them adjustable as your body grows. These are so much more comfortable than just trying to size up in your prepregnancy sports bra and the fact that they work well as nursing bras is also a bonus.

third trimester essentials

Clothes

I love all of my shorts that I have from Athleta during pregnancy. I can still wear my prepregnancy size in these, but I sized up just to make them a bit more comfortable. The elastic waistband on these shorts make them perfect for wearing under the bump, and they don’t dig in to your belly or feel too restrictive. I have this pair and this pair, both in a few different colors.

As far as tops go, I tend to buy basics in maternity tops and then layer with jackets or cardigans I already have to create different looks. I have so many of these tank tops and love them. They wear really well and have held up through multiple pregnancies. If you only want to buy a handful of maternity pieces, I would say get yourself some of these maternity tanks. They flatter the bump and come in a few different colors. They’ve got a henley tank as well which I’ve got and also love.

You can’t go wrong with a flattering dress. I love both body con style dresses and longer flow dresses. If you carry high like I do, size up in non maternity pieces and only buy if it has an elastic waist. I know other people make it work with dresses that have zippers, but nothing with a zipper has ever worked for me so I’ve honestly given up on that idea. This cute maternity dress from Amazon comes in a bunch of cute colors. I find that Free People dresses are flowy and can easily work while pregnant and postpartum if you want pieces that are longer lasting.

Products

This belly band provides great support for your growing belly as you start to get bigger. I like that it’s not too bulky like some of the other options. I’ve been using it for walks and working out and I’ve noticed a decrease in the pelvic pain that I was experiencing prior to wearing this. The reviews say it runs true to size but I found that I needed to size up one for a comfortable fit.

A good exercise ball is absolutely a third trimester essential. I like to do the daily activities recommended by Spinning Babies, which you can find here. These activities help your muscles stay loose, reduce back pain, and get your pelvis in proper alignment for birth. Some of the activities recommend using an exercise ball. I also just find that my exercise ball is comfortable for sitting on throughout the day. It’s really nice to have on hand during the early stages of labor when you are still at home but are working through contractions. Make sure to get a size that will allow your knees to remain lower than your hips when you sit on it. I’m 5’3″ and got this one in the 65cm size.

This is my first pregnancy that I’ve actually worn compression socks, and I regret not buying them sooner. I had a lot of swelling towards the end of my first pregnancy so it’s something I’d like to prevent if possible this time as the weather warm up. These compression socks are really comfortable and the cute colors and patterns make me feel less weird about wearing them out of the house. The ankle style is perfect for my daily walks. Be sure to check the sizing guide to decide what size you need.

third trimester essentials

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