15 Third Trimester Must Haves For Expecting Moms

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The third trimester can be an uncomfortable and exciting time in your pregnancy. Here are my third trimester must haves for an easier pregnancy!

Third Trimester Must Haves 

1. Pregnancy Pillow 

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During the third trimester sleep is hard. You are exhausted, but you are achy and do you really need to use the bathroom again…yes, yes you do.

Getting a pregnancy pillow can really help support you in all the right places to prevent some of those aches and pains. 

2. Epsom Salts 

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While we are talking about aches and pains we have to talk about Epsom salts. A warm Epsom salt bath feels like heaven during the third trimester. Epsom salts can soothe and relieve the pains of sore muscles.

If you get bad back, hip or leg pain these can become a lifesaver for you.

As you near the end of your pregnancy you may have difficulty getting in and out of the bath on your own. I only take baths when my husband is home and can help me get out. I’ve almost gotten stuck in the bath a couple of times. 

3. Back Massager 

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I don’t know about you, but I started feeling guilty asking my hubby for back massages pretty much every day. So I started using this back massager and it helped so much. You can plug it in pretty much anywhere and it feels so good!

4. Prenatal Massage 

If you can afford to get a prenatal massage…do it! I didn’t with my first baby, but I did with my second and it made a huge difference.

You can check with your local massage parlors, but I ended up finding my place on Groupon!

5. Maternity Support Band 

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The pressure of your growing belly can put some major strain on your back and hips. Using a maternity support band can help alleviate some of that pressure.

6. Heating Pad 

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The warmth of a heating pad can be so soothing on an achy back (are you starting to get the idea that the third trimester can be pretty uncomfortable?).

Just like your bath you don’t want your hot pad to be super hot, but just warm enough to help with the aches. I use a microwaveable hot pad like this one or you can use an electric heating pad – just make sure it has a low/warm setting.

7. Ice Pack 

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With pains sometimes it helps to alternate between hot and cold. With both of my babies, I’ve had Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction (SPD) and Sciatica problems. Most of the time I preferred the heat from a hot pad, but if it got really irritated I would break out the ice pack.

This can help reduce swelling if you have irritated joints or muscles.

Plus, if you are pregnant in the third trimester and feel super hot pulling out the ice pack can be a quick way to cool off. I have a smaller one that I keep to put on my neck if I’m hot or have a headache and then a larger one like this for if my back is aching.

8. Portable Fan 

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I’ve experienced the third trimester in both the winter/spring as well as in the summer and I feel like I am always hot. Having a small portable fan is super convenient so you don’t have to freeze everyone else out.

During my summer pregnancy, my husband bought me this little fan and a spray bottle that I would fill with water and it felt like heaven.

9. Reusable Water Bottle 

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When you are pregnant you need to drink a lot of water and in the third trimester you need to drink even more.

It is said that pregnant women should drink at least 10 8 oz glasses per day.

I use a Contigo water bottle like this one and aim to drink it 3-4 times during the day. This helps me track how much I’m drinking to make sure that I’m staying hydrated enough.

This is super important during the third trimester when becoming dehydrated can cause uncomfortable braxton hicks contractions, leg cramps and more.

10. Panty Liners

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If drinking all of that water wasn’t enough, add a bowling ball pushing down on your bladder. Sometimes, especially if this isn’t your first baby, there can be a bit of bladder leakage during the third trimester.

A swift baby kick to the bladder or sneezing without your legs crossed can result in an uncomfortable situation.

I’d pick up a pack to have on hand in case this happens to you as you go through the third trimester.

11. Prunes 

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On the other end, there is the dreaded third trimester constipation. Many women become irregular in the third trimester and prunes are a natural way to help keep things moving along.

You also can talk to your doctor about your constipation and they can prescribe a stool softener to help you stay regular.

12. Tums 

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Heartburn can come in a fury during the third trimester. I was blessed with very little heartburn with my first pregnancy, but with baby #2 ouch!

As always check with your doctor before taking any medication while pregnant, but I got the go-ahead from my doctor to take Tums during my pregnancy. If your heartburn becomes more serious they may also prescribe something to help relieve the painful symptoms.

13. Compression Socks 

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During pregnancy, your circulatory system is under a lot more pressure. Plus, during the end of your pregnancy, you probably aren’t as mobile as you were before.

They actually had to check me for a blood clot in my leg (which I didn’t have, thank goodness!) when I was 31 weeks pregnant. I had a lot of complications in that pregnancy which lead to sitting and being in bed a lot and it turns out one of my veins actually got “stretched” from the extra pressure.

My doctor recommended that I try using compression socks like these to help keep the blood flowing more evenly in my legs

14. Slip-On Shoes 

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By the third trimester getting your shoes on is a challenge, to say the least. If it is summer find yourself some slip on sandals or if it is during the cooler months look for some warmer closed-toe shoes like these that you can slip on. 

15. Stretch Mark Cream  

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Hopefully, you’ve been trying to keep things moisturized your entire pregnancy, but during the third trimester is when your baby grows the most! The stretching can be itchy or painful and can leave permanent stretch marks.

Try a stretch mark cream like this one to help prevent stretch marks.

As I’m writing this I’m 32 weeks pregnant with baby #2 and these are my third trimester must haves that are saving me right now!

Do you have a product that makes the third trimester better for you? Share it with us below!