my third trimester essentials

Well, I'm finally reaching the end of my pregnancy.  I'm 39 weeks pregnant and we're ready for baby at any time.

Here's what's helped get me through this thrilling final stretch: My Essentials for the Third Trimester...

Maternity Underwear. 
Trust me on this one. Comfort is key to maintaining your sanity!

Comfortable Shoes
My feet have been incredibly, painfully swollen for the better part of this third trimester... Nothing sent me into tears of frustration like struggling to get boots on my feet. I even had to take a day off work when I couldn't get boots on my feet during a bad snowstorm! While boots are a logistical nightmare when you've got a big bump, I highly reccommend having at least one pair of shoes that fit comfortably. I bought some basic blat flates I could wear for work from Payless but, if I could go back in time, I would have also bought running shoes (with velcro!) so that my joints have some shock-absorption as I take walks during the last few weeks of my pregnancy.

Maternity Leggings
I was the kind of person pre-pregnancy who loathed people who wear leggings as pants... Now, I am now one of those people. I have two pairs and, let me tell you, the two days of the week I wore those leggings to work in my final trimester were real good days. 

Nursing Bra(s) & Tank(s)
One thing I learned from my sister giving birth two months ago its that it's better to wait to buy your nursing bras until AFTER your milk comes in and your supply regulates. So keeping in mind my boobs would be in flux in the beginning, I bought the following that would accomodate my changing bosom:
- Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra
- Medela Ultra Stretch Nursing Bra
- 2 Basic Nursing Tanks (from Target) in different sizes

A Sense Of Humour
People are assholes. Between feeling sensitive about your seemingly out-of-control body, sleep deprivation, and surging hormones, it's easy for your feelings to be hurt. Prepare for people - even your friends and family - to make dumb, insensitive comments ("You're huge!", "Are you sure there's just one baby in there?", etc.) and don't you dare feel bad about having a bitchy response to them.

I can honestly say that even in spite of my big bump, swollen feet and heartburn, I truly love being pregnant. I only hope you can savour the third trimester as much as I have!