If you feel like your third trimester is tough – that’s because it is. There are a lot of aches and pains happening, plus the thought of meeting your baby soon can feel overwhelming (there’s so much to do!). Our must-have items can help.
Listen closely: it’s essential that you remain as comfortable as possible throughout the final weeks of your pregnancy.
Rest is your friend right now. Take as much as you can get and use the below items to help you feel your best. Your body is gearing up for the monumental act of birth, and postpartum healing can demand a lot physically, emotionally, and mentally.
- U-shaped pregnancy pillow
- Magnesium supplement
- Organic panty liners
- Refreshing wipes
- Electrolyte packets
- Protein-rich snacks
- Compression socks
- Maternity clothes
- Yoga ball
- Heating pad
- Postpartum plan
- Comfortable pajamas
- pH-balanced cleanser
- Thermal water bottle
- Nursing bras
- Calming tea
- Labor prep tools
- Hemorrhoid relief cream
- Foam roller
- Comfortable underwear
How can I make my third trimester easier?
You can start to make your third trimester easier by getting prepared with essential items for this time and taking action on the below. Now is the time to turn inwards and connect with yourself and the life you’re preparing to bring into this world.
- Set boundaries with your time and energy
- Prioritize gentle daily movement (yoga, walking, stretching)
- Take some time to breathe throughout the day
- Book yourself a massage or acupuncture session
- Take your supplements and stay hydrated
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The best products for your third trimester
Below you’ll find our top products for making your third trimester as comfortable as possible. Keep in mind, you might not need all of these items, but it’s good to keep them on your radar (bookmark this page!) should a need arise.
1. A U-shaped pregnancy pillow
If you haven’t already purchased one, a u-shaped pregnancy pillow is a must-have for late pregnancy. It can help provide support to your belly, hips, back, and feet.
Plus, side sleeping with a pillow between your legs can help your baby get into an optimal birthing position.
2. Magnesium in various forms
This mineral is hands-down our favorite hack for helping out your third trimester. Magnesium can help encourage your muscles to relax (goodbye, restless legs) and support healthy bowel movements. Studies have found it can help you get a better night of sleep.
There are three ways to use magnesium in your third trimester.
3. Organic panty liners
Have you noticed an increase in discharge lately? Yup, that’s common in the third trimester of pregnancy.
A package or two of these organic panty liners by Honey Pot Co. can help you feel fresh all day long. They also contain soothing lavender and aloe, plus cooling mint to help dial down the temperature down there.
4. Refreshing wipes
Speaking of bodily changes, having a package of refreshing wipes for your intimate area, body, and face is necessary. We love the Mommy-to-Be wipes formulated with clean, all-natural ingredients. Plus, they smell amazing!
5. Electrolyte packets
Keeping your hydration and energy up is critical in your final weeks (and throughout labor, birth, and postpartum). Throw a packet or two – paired with a snack – in your bag every time you leave the house.
These sugar-free electrolyte packets are backed by science and packed with nourishing ingredients like pink Himalayan salt, coconut water, and lemon juice.
6. Protein-rich snacks
Which brings us to snacks. High-protein snacks are essential right now. Not only is it getting harder for you to stomach larger meals, but your body requires more energy more consistently than before.
We love RXBAR or any bar that has over 10g of protein and is on the lower end of grams of sugar.
7. Compression socks
Circulation is essential to help keep swelling at bay. Graduated compression socks help provide the ideal amount of compression to reduce lactic acid build-up and decrease puffiness.
8. Maternity clothes you actually like
Nothing is more frustrating than having clothes that don’t fit. Invest in a few pieces of versatile maternity clothes that can help you feel more like yourself.
- A season-appropriate coat
- A pair of boyfriend jeans
- An oversized denim jacket
- A few neutral short sleeve tops
- A white button down
- A neutral long-sleeve top
- A pair of black yoga pants
- An oversized sweater
We love shopping at Old Navy, Gap, and ASOS for cute, budget-friendly pieces for your third trimester. Plus, many styles can transition into nursing if needed.
9. A yoga ball
Not only will a yoga ball help relieve back pain, but it’s also a great tool when you are in the early stages of labor or want to encourage labor to begin in the first place.
If you’re sitting at a desk all day, swap out your desk chair for the ball a few hours each day to help prep your pelvis for birth.
10. A heating pad
Aches and pains that won’t quit? A heating pad with different settings can help provide some gentle relief. Plus, you can use it after birth for postpartum healing and recovery, too.
11. A postpartum gameplan
While often overlooked for a birth plan, a postpartum prep and recovery plan is essential to make, ideally while in your third trimester.
Caring for a newborn is all-consuming at times, and you and your support team must be on the same page when it comes to, well, everything. This free guide contains everything you need to get started.
12. Comfortable pajamas
Finding a pair of pajamas that fit in your third trimester, are comfortable, and are cute isn’t always easy, but these might be a winner. When you find a pair you love, we suggest buying at least two pairs, so you have clean jammies at all times.
13. A pH-balanced cleanser
Also from The Honey Pot Co, this herbal-infused foaming cleanser is made with clean, natural ingredients to help encourage a healthy balance of bacteria below.
14. A large water bottle
If you don’t already have one, invest in a large water bottle (ideally a thermal one) that can encourage you to drink enough water all day long. Plus, you’ll love having it around during postpartum recovery, too.
15. A few nursing bras
It’s a good idea to have some nursing bras for your third trimester and definitely for postpartum. We’ve rounded up our favorite budget-friendly nursing bras on Amazon, so you can easily find the best bra for you and your needs.
16. Calming tea sachets
When sleep begins to feel elusive, having some calming organic tea on hand can help you wind down at night. We love the Pink Stork Organic Calm Tea because of the high-quality and tension-relieving ingredients like peppermint, rosehips, and lavender.
17. Labor-encouraging tools
Speaking of tea, we suggest buying red raspberry leaf tea to start drinking around 36 weeks (always check with your doctor first) to help encourage your body to prepare for labor.
You can also try eating two organic dates every day. We love them cut in half and topped with nut butter and a pinch of sea salt for the perfect sweet treat.
18. Hemorrhoid relief cream
Oh, right. Those pesky – and unbearably uncomfortable – things. You’ll want a small pot of organic hemorrhoid relief cream on hand for late pregnancy and especially for your postpartum recovery.
The one we linked above also contains witch hazel which is incredibly soothing to irritated and sensitive skin.
19. A foam roller
Tight muscles are all too familiar in this stage of pregnancy, and a simple foam roller can help you get some quick relief. If you’re unsure how to use it, a quick YouTube search can pull up some helpful videos.
20. Comfortable underwear
Nothing is more uncomfortable than too tight underwear on your third-trimester belly. This one-size-fits-all seamless underwear is excellent for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. These undies are a little spendy but can last a long time if you treat them properly.
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