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Must-have products to make your pregnancy more comfortable

Morning sickness is often one of the first and strongest symptoms that you’re expecting, but it’s by no means the only one! Throughout your pregnancy your body will change in countless ways to allow your little one to grow and thrive in the womb. Thankfully, these must-have products will help you manage when these changes prove to be more uncomfortable than you can bear.

Pregnancy essentials for maximum comfort

Morning sickness is often one of the first and strongest symptoms that you’re expecting, but it’s by no means the only one! Throughout your pregnancy your body will change in countless ways to allow your little one to grow and thrive in the womb. Thankfully, these must-have products will help you manage when these changes prove to be more uncomfortable than you can bear.

For wardrobe comfort…

With empire-waisted maxi dresses and layered tunics and leggings currently in style, some women can get away with purchasing virtually no maternity clothes during their pregnancy. But once you reach your third trimester, you will likely need a little help to make your existing wardrobe more comfortable. As an alternative to buying new jeans and pants, consider investing in wardrobe extenders, such as the Fertile Mind Belly Belt — it loops between your pants buttons and creates extra space — or belly bands, which can be worn over pants and leggings to cover your bump.

Fertile Mind Bando, $45 (sold with Belly Belt)

Fertile Mind Belly Belt, $25 on its own, or $45 with Bando

Work that bump! Master the art of maternity chic >>

For sore nipples…

Are your nipples feeling itchy, sore or sensitive? There’s a reason for this: The skin of the areola is packed with nerve endings and with elevated hormones charging through your system, they can become increasingly tender. Lansinoh HPA Lanolin is a 100 per cent lanolin product that soothes and protects sore, sensitive, cracked nipples. According to the manufacturer, it’s effective because it “coats the free nerve endings and places them in a more normal environment; many mothers report instant pain relief.” While it was designed to provide relief to breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women have also been using it in the lead up to childbirth for many years.

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin, various sizes, priced from $7-$18. Available at your local pharmacy.

For tender breasts…

A supportive bra will be your best friend throughout your pregnancy, as it not only helps you feel more comfortable, but may help to prevent sagging once the baby is born. Some women invest in nursing bras to wear throughout their pregnancy — why not kill two birds with one stone? — or you can opt for tailored maternity bras that are designed specifically to support extra-heavy breasts during this time. If you already own comfortable bras and don’t want to fork out extra cash for underwear that you’ll only wear for a few months, consider purchasing a couple of bra extenders. They’re available from department stores like Kmart, Target and Big W for less than $10 a pack.

Bra extenders, priced from $6-$10

Practical yet pretty maternity lingerie >>

For stretch marks…

Prevention is always better than cure, which is why many mamas slather their growing bellies in Bio-Oil or baby oil on a daily basis. While there is no way to medically prevent stretch marks from forming (as creams, oils and lotions cannot penetrate to the deep skin layer where stretch marks occur) they can help to moisturise your skin and make it feel less dry and itchy. Bio?Oil — which has won 85 skincare awards since launching in 2002 — has also been proven effective in improving the appearance of stretch marks. According to a study conducted at the proDERM Institute for Applied Dermatological Research in Hamburg, 95 per cent of subjects reported a statistically significant improved result after only two weeks.

Bio-Oil, various sizes, priced from $12-$22. Available at your local pharmacy.

Baby oil, various sizes, priced from $4.99. Available at your local supermarket, department store or pharmacy.

More pregnancy tips

The details of pregnancy no-one tells you about
Tips to stay fit while pregnant
Foods you can’t eat when expecting

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