A pregnancy journey comes with its own set of highs and lows, but it doesn’t mean it’s not a rewarding or fulfilling one. For a first-time mother, this can be an exciting and stressful process. 

Before shopping for your newborn, it’s important to take notes and get everything you need for your pregnancy. Let’s take a look at some of the must-haves for expecting mums below.

• When to use: End of first trimester/start of second trimester
• What is it for: To make bedtime more comfortable
• Highly recommended: Doomoo Buddy Pregnancy Pillow
• Hatchery tip: Bring this along to the hospital before you pop for much needed comfort

As your body experience changes throughout your pregnancy, daily activities such as sleeping or lying will not be as easy as it was before. Getting a pregnancy pillow is a much-needed essential for all pregnant mothers. Thoughtfully designed to contour to the shape of your body, its ergonomic structure makes lying on your side so much more comfortable as it supports the extra weight from your growing baby, as well as provides soothing support to your knees and ankles. 

Get a more restful and comfortable sleep with a classic favourite that many expectant moms swear by - Doomoo Buddy: Organic Cotton Multi-functional Cushion. This 3-in-1 pregnancy pillow is filled with a special type of polystyrene micro balls that makes the pillow extra malleable. The pillow cover is made with a soft stretchy organic cotton material, that is smooth to the touch and cooling even in Singapore’s hot weather. 

The pillow is also great for everyday use - while lounging in bed or while watching TV on the sofa. Many moms have even complained that the pillow is so comfortable that their husbands end up hogging their Doomoo Buddy. 

What’s even better is that the pillow can be used as a nursing cushion, and also transforms into a lounger for your newborn, making it last even beyond your pregnancy stages.

• When to use: Second trimester (or before pregnancy)
• What is it for: To help with urinary incontinence
• Highly recommended: Elvie Trainer, Kegel Trainer For Stronger Pelvic Floor
• Hatchery tip: You can start using this even before pregnancy

Pelvic floor problems, like urinary incontinence, are surprisingly common, affecting 1 in 3 women and up to 80% of expectant and new moms. As the baby grows, the uterus places increased pressure on the bladder, leading to occasional leaks of urine, especially when laughing, sneezing, or coughing. While it can be an uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing issue, there are various strategies, including pelvic floor exercises that can help manage urinary incontinence during pregnancy. 

Designed to cut out all of the guesswork, Elvie Trainer is an easy, fun and effective way to strengthen and tone your pelvic floor. The device connects to a free app that guides you through fun, 5-minute Kegel exercise workouts while visualizing and correcting your technique in response to your muscle movements. Stronger pelvic floor has also been linked to faster postnatal recovery, allowing you to improve your mental well-being and quality of life.

As the Elvie Trainer is required to be inserted into your vagina, It is highly recommended to check with your OBGYN before using this while pregnant, and is only advisable to be used from the second trimester onwards, and from 6 weeks postpartum. 

• When to use: First trimester (it’s never too early to start using this!)
• What is it for: To increase your skin’s moisture levels to prevent stretch marks
• Highly recommended: Clarins Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert and Tonic Body Treatment Oil
• Hatchery tip: Many moms bring along their Clarins Treatment Oil for their prenatal massage sessions

Stretch mark creams are formulated to help prevent and reduce the appearance of stretch marks, which can develop as the skin stretches to accommodate a growing baby. While no cream can guarantee complete prevention, regular application of a stretch mark cream can help keep the skin hydrated and improve its elasticity, potentially minimizing the severity of stretch marks. It's essential to choose a product with safe ingredients, specifically designed for use during pregnancy, and to start applying it early in the pregnancy for the best results. However, individual results may vary, as genetic factors also play a significant role in whether or not stretch marks will develop.

Known for its reputation as a trusted brand in the beauty and skincare industry, Clarins has developed the Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert and Treatment Oil specifically to support expectant mothers. Both combine botanical ingredients and innovative research to help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Add these to your daily self-care routine as a form of indulging yourself, and it also does wonders in soothing your tired body at the end of the day.

• When to buy: Second trimester 
• What is it for: You need new clothes to accommodate your growing belly and chest
• Highly recommended: Uniqlo’s stretchy pants + Jump Eat Cry’s maternity dresses 
• Hatchery tip: Opt for stretchy/baggy clothes that you will wear even after giving birth

• When to buy: Second trimester 
• What is it for: To reduce leg swelling and alleviating leg discomfort
• Highly recommended: Ebene Compression Socks
• Hatchery tip: Bring along your compression socks for long-haul flights in future

Pregnant women often complain of leg pain, cramps, and aching due to the added strain on leg veins. Compression socks provide graduated pressure, which is tighter at the ankle and gradually decreases up the leg. This design helps reduce discomfort and leg fatigue, especially during bedtime.

As compression socks come in varying levels of compression, it’s important to consult with your OBGYN before using them during pregnancy to ensure they are the right choice for your specific needs.

• When to buy: End of second trimester/start of third trimester
• What is it for: To relieve back pains and provide support
• Highly recommended: Lunavie Maternity Support Belt
• Hatchery tip: Pregnancy support belts can even be used during postpartum

As the weight of your belly increases, a pregnancy support belt is a lifesaver as it helps to alleviate back pain by reducing the strain on lower back muscles and offer relief from pelvic discomfort by stabilizing the pelvis. They promote better posture, preventing the postural changes that often come with pregnancy, and can help maintain abdominal muscle tone.

One downside is that they may be uncomfortable to wear for long hours in Singapore’s humid weather, and may often look clunky under clothing. Wear a support belt no more than two to three hours at a time to prevent overdependence.

If you’re an expecting mum, ensure that you’re getting your baby nursery essentials from a certified baby store to ensure they meet the required safety requirements.

Hatchery Cribs has a widely curated range of essentials for both you and your baby past your pregnancy stage, including pregnancy pillows, nursing chairs, bedside bassinets, and wearable breast pumps. Browse our website, check out our virtual showroom, or drop by our ware studio to view our products in person this weekend!