12 Useful Products to Buy in Your Second Trimester

If you’re an avid back or stomach sleeper, you’ll have to retire your favorite ways to snooze by the time you hit your second trimester. The Boppy Total Body Pillow has a B shape to contour to your bump while you sleep on your side. You can tuck the lower half between your thighs to align your achy hips, snuggle the center under your bump for extra pressure relief, and the top portion can slide under your head (replacing your standard pillow). The cover can be removed and tossed in the wash, and since the middle piece is flat, you can twist it into different shapes and use the pillow for added support when you’re sitting up.

After being pregnant twice, through all four seasons, I can confirm that your maternity leggings will be the most worn piece of clothing in your closet once your belly pops. This pair from Old Navy is made of their signature PowerSoft material, which provides just enough supportive compression to be comfortable while running errands, working out or just hanging out at home. We love the affordable price point too (and Old Navy runs sales all throughout the year, so you can always stock up).

As your bump continues to grow, your skin will stretch and can become itchy and irritated. This lightweight, vitamin-rich belly oil is nourishing and actually helps to protect your skin barrier. Since it isn’t heavy, it absorbs into your skin nicely so you won’t feel like an oil slick throughout the day, and you can use it daily.

Even simple tasks like cooking dinner can take a toll on your back during pregnancy. A heating pad for your back provides relief, whether you’re on the couch watching TV or cranking away at your desk. Just be sure not to use your heating pad for longer than 15 minutes or so, and don’t fall asleep while using it.

It seems unfair that when you’re at your achiest, your ability to address those pains is more complicated since there are more guidelines around which medications are recommended and which aren’t. This muscle salve is a natural antidote to all that ails you with ingredients like arnica and rosemary. Treat yourself to a soothing self-massage to relieve end-of-day pains.

To help support your growing baby and expanding bump, your hips will start to spread a bit to keep your gait even. What does this have to do with undies? Your pre-pregnancy underwear may start to feel less comfy and more like a vise grip, which is why it’s a worthwhile investment to stock up on a few maternity pairs by the second trimester. These maternity underwear by Bodily are a personal favorite, and even though I just celebrated my daughter’s first birthday recently, I still reach for these (they’re great for the fourth trimester, postpartum period too!). During my pregnancy, the high-waisted cut felt supportive, and since the material feels like butter, they didn’t chafe my skin.

As your baby grows and your gait adjusts to accommodate the little person you’re carrying around, your feet will be sore. While it’d be nice to be able to snap your fingers and get an instant masseuse to administer a professional-level foot massage, this heated automated option can do the job. Though it’s not made specifically for pregnant people, the features like an on-button that you can click with your toe (instead of bending over, which I personally banned by my second trimester) make it a dream to use.

During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by 50 percent and hormonal shifts cause fluid retention—both leading to swelling. Instead of wrestling with your pre-pregnancy shoes, do yourself a favor and add a slip-on shoe to your closet. This pair by Kizik has a bendable heel so you can have that sneaker look without even untying the laces. While the knit material make these very breathable, we also love Birkenstocks for a warm-weather option.

Pregnancy insomnia is real, and some pregnant people swear by listening to an audiobook while falling asleep or when they wake up in the middle of the night. You can listen to an actual story or tune in to a sleep-specific podcast that’ll banish second-trimester insomnia in no time. We also love The Calm app for meditation-like sounds.

By your second trimester, sore breasts are no longer an early symptom of pregnancy and more likely due to your bust size outgrowing your current bra. Maternity-specific bras or nursing bras are soft and stretchy, making them flexible enough for your growing bust. This one is sleep- and nursing-friendly, so you can wear it now while you sleep and during postpartum.

Compression socks can help to get the extra blood volume and fluid flowing, keeping uncomfortable swelling down. And if you have travel plans on your calendar during the second or third trimester, many experts suggest wearing a pair of compression socks to prevent blood clot-related issues. This pair by Comrad compression socks are breathable, have a wide band at the top so they don’t slip down and are designed with antimicrobial silver to keep odors at bay. I wore these on a 10-hour road trip and on a four-hour flight and both times, my feet were comfortable and didn’t feel swampy at all.

If you’ve never tried a weighted blanket, I’d describe the feeling as a gentle full-body hug. During your second trimester, when your body is achy and you’re tossing and turning at night, a weighted blanket can add an extra layer of relaxation and light pain relief. I used this one by Bearaby during pregnancy and after. Not only is it really nice to look at, but it’s super comfortable and was perfect for my pregnancy-induced restless leg syndrome.