23 Best Pregnancy Survival Kit Items (For Yourself or As a Gift)

A Pregnancy Survival Kit? Please! How dramatic…

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful things that happens to most women. You don’t need anything else… the “pregnancy glow” will carry you through all of your trimesters in a marshmallow cloud.

Yeah… OKAY! Until nausea, heartburn, back pain, stretch marks, breast engorgement, and Braxton Hick’s kick in. Then, you will be running for the hills, looking for pregnancy essentials that will help you feel a bit more human and less, well… crappy.

What do I know about pregnancy survival kits?

Well, long story short, I worked as a Surgical Nurse during both of my pregnancies. With my first child, in particular, I worked as an Open Heart Surgical Nurse.

Being on my feet for lengthy hours at a time, as well as the additional stress and demand on my body while pregnant, prompted me to find ways to well… survive pregnancy! My most extended shift while pregnant was 26 hours through 3 back-to-back emergencies at 28 weeks pregnant.

So is there such a thing as a “pregnancy survival kit”? You bet there is, and today I will be sharing pregnancy essentials that will help you get through all the rough patches by having maternity essentials that will help you do just that.

What will you find in this pregnancy essentials kit guide?

All products I share below can be conveniently purchased online. The selection is based on products I have used that are healthy and beneficial to your health and well-being.

This list also consists of products that are organic, all-natural, non-toxic, and that have excellent reviews by not just myself but other moms as well.

Although not all items will fit in a gift basket, I will also list pregnancy items that, although more significant in size, are also pregnancy essentials.

Also, I will be listing the items of this Maternity Survival Kit by trimester so that you can easily pick and choose what you need based on your progression:

• First Trimester: Pregnancy Survival Kit 
• Second Trimester: Pregnancy Survival Kit
• Third Trimester: Pregnancy Survival Kit
• Pregnancy Survival Kit Gift Basket Ideas
• Favorite Pregnancy Gift Baskets 

Additionally, if you want to create a “Pregnancy Survival Kit Gift Basket” as a gift to someone else or buy one already put together for you, the last section will have a lot of great options.

So, ready to make your pregnancy life or someone else’s much easier? Let’s get building…

The Ultimate Pregnancy Survival Kit

* This post contains affiliate links. Click here for more info. 

First Trimester: Pregnancy Survival Kit 

1. Ginger Tea

Make no mistake that the number one pregnancy survival kit item that every mama needs is anti-nausea ANYTHING! Especially in the first and even second trimesters.

Adding one of these Organic Ginger Tea boxes to your pregnancy survival kit is a great idea.

2. Ginger Candy 

Continuity with our first-trimester pregnancy kit must-haves; this is another anti-nausea lifesaver.

Organic Ginger Candies were my saving grace as I worked long hours in the Operating Room. Keeping a bag of these in my pocket and eating them as needed kept me from many trips to the toilet.

3. Saltine Crackers 

Organic saltine crackers are another simple yet helpful addition to any pregnancy survival kit. They are very easy on the stomach, and although not super highly nutritious, they are oftentimes the only thing that goes down…. and stays down.

They also make an excellent addition to any pregnancy survival kit gift basket.

4. Sea-Bands

Another great addition to our maternity survival kit, whether for you or someone else, is Sea Bands.

They are a great natural alternative to morning sickness relief. I did not personally use a Sea Band, but I have heard of others who have and swear by them.

The Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband has some of the best reviews (4,500+) on Amazon, and it is an Amazon’s Choice Product. 

5. Tumbler

Another great gift not just for the first pregnancy but even postpartum and thereafter is a Tumbler.

Staying hydrated is extremely important while pregnant and more so if you plan to breastfeed.

I carry this water bottle around ALL day, and it reminds me to drink water. I also love that regardless of where I leave my water (as I am notorious for doing that) it will remain cold throughout the day.

That might not be a problem for some moms-to-be, but here in South Florida, cold water during pregnancy, especially in the summer months, is a must.

This 30 oz Tumbler is made of double-wall stainless steel (no plastic to worry about) and vacuum-sealed construction, which keeps the water cold for 24 hours and hot for 8 hours.

6. Prenatal Vitamins

As you probably already know, prenatal vitamins are essential and play a super important role in a healthy pregnancy.

A great and popular choice is the SmartyPants Organic Prenatal Formula. They are a daily organic gummy prenatal multivitamin and contain probiotics, vitamin C, D3, and zinc for immunity, biotin, omega 3 fish oil, selenium, B6, and B12.

* As with any other supplement, consult your doctor before taking them.

7. Pregnancy Planner

Talking about a pregnancy survival kit, a pregnancy planner is a must!

Being so busy throughout both of my pregnancies, a pregnancy planner allowed me to stay organized and in control. Everything I needed to get done (doctor’s appointments, things to buy, baby items to put together, things to plan), everything was all in one place.

If you are putting together this pregnancy survival kit for you or a friend, I recommend the Ultimate Pregnancy Planner Printable Bundle!

It is a must-have pregnancy survival kit item because it lays out all of the essential things you need to get ready for without much effort from your end.

8. Lip Balm

Pregnancy is a tricky time for our skin as hormone fluctuations are responsible for all skin changes.

For me, having lip balm at all times was a must. Especially working in the Operating Room where cold temperatures are the norm, my lips were prone to cracking.

My favorite daily lip balm is the E.O.S Natural and Organic Stick Lip Balm.

This variety pack includes one stick each of Strawberry Sorbet, Sweet Mint, Vanilla Bean, and Pomegranate Raspberry. They are made with sustainably sourced USDA Certified Organic Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Jojoba Seed Oil. 

Second Trimester: Pregnancy Survival Kit

9. Comfy Clothes

In the second trimester, your everyday clothes will likely feel tight and uncomfortable. So, it is no secret that your pregnancy survival kit should include clothes that are comfortable and effortless.

Whether you are making your maternity survival kit or are making it for someone else, here are some of my favorite maternity clothing must-haves:

• Maternity T-Shirt Tops (Classic Side Ruched)
• Maternity Pants (Women’s Casual, Stretchy, and Comfortable)
• Pajamas Set (Pregnancy/Nursing/Labor/Delivery)
• Panties (Maternity and Postpartum)

10. Comfy Shoes

Continuing the comfy maternity clothes category and a pregnancy must-have are comfortable shoes.

Pregnancy back pain is very common, and one of the best ways to combat that is with comfortable shoes.

An affordable and popular maternity shoe option is the Skechers Sport Women’s Empire Fashion Sneaker. 

11. Moisturizer

As previously mentioned, the fluctuation of pregnancy hormones is responsible for all types of skin changes. One of the most common, especially as your belly grows and skin stretches, is itchy skin. (Source).

A great and healthy option is the Organic Shea Butter by Sky Organics (16 oz). It is made with 100% pure unrefined raw African shea butter and can moisturize the face and body. Using organic and chemical-free products is a good idea, especially when pregnant. 

For a complete list of great organic products pregnancy products, click here.

12. Compression Socks

I could not put together this pregnancy survival kit without including one of the items that had one of the most significant impacts during both pregnancies.

Maternity compression socks!

These were a lifesaver when I was pregnant with my first child and worked long shifts on my feet as an Open Heart Surgery Nurse.

They work by applying gradual pressure to the veins, arteries, and muscles inside your legs, combating swelling in the feet and ankles, helping prevent and diminish varicose veins, and improving circulation throughout the body.

Studies have shown that using graduated compression stocking during pregnancy decrease leg problems such as swelling, tiredness, and pain. Other studies have even concluded that wearing stockings in early pregnancy can reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

* As always, discuss it with your doctor before using them.

14. Sleeping Pillow

Another pregnancy survival item is the pregnancy body pillow. As you will soon notice, typically as early as the early second trimester, comfortable sleeping will progressively become more challenging.

Why a body pillow? Well…

This “U” shaped body pillow helps support your back, hips, knees, neck, and head to help ease discomfort associated with pregnancy.

Also, what is different about this PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow is that it comes with a detachable extension that can be used as a full-body pillow when you don’t want to use the entire set. 

Third Trimester: Pregnancy Survival Kit

15. Tums

As you get closer to the third trimester, there are a few items you probably can’t do without.

Heartburn is a prevalent pregnancy symptom. Although I was thankful not to have experienced it, many moms-to-be can’t do without their Tums.

Pregnancy Gift Basket Ideas

If you are putting together this pregnancy survival kit for a friend, here are other great pregnancy must-haves to include in your gift basket.

16. Movies

Who doesn’t love movies? Moms-to-be is no exception. Include one of these classics in your pregnancy gift basket, and watch her smile.

Here are some of my all-time favorites:

• What to Expect When You are Expecting 
• The Backup Plan
• Baby Mama
• The Switch

17. Books

Books also make for great basket gifts. So, if you are putting together a pregnancy survival gift basket for someone else, consider adding one of these:

• What to Expect When You Are Expecting 
• Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide
• Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy 
• Expecting Better

18. Letters to Baby

Another great addition to any maternity gift kit is a Letters to Baby Journal.

This beautiful keepsake allows you to fill twelve envelopes with written messages for your baby. After you have written your letters, you seal the envelopes within the journal and gift them to your child later.

19. Chocolate

Okay, let’s face it… Chocolate is an excellent gift for any occasion, but I can almost assure you that a pregnant mama will be twice as grateful.

Also, just because it is chocolate doesn’t mean that it can’t be healthy. So, we will choose the healthiest chocolate version for our pregnancy survival kit: organic dark chocolate.

The Theo Organic 85% Pure Dark Chocolate is what we buy in our house. So good… and healthy!

20. Funny Pregnancy Mugs

Mugs also make a great addition to any pregnancy kit. Especially those that talk about “surviving pregnancy.”

Here are some funny and cute options:

• Prangry
• I’ve Waited 9 Months for This (Wine Glass)
• Mommy EST.
• Hello, my new name is Mommy

21. Gift Card

Last but not least, items you can include in your Pregnancy Survival Kit gift basket are, of course, gift cards.

Whether you buy a gift card for a particular store or a debit card with a cash amount, they will be of great use for a mom-to-be.

Favorite Pregnancy Gift Baskets 

So, what if you don’t want to worry about putting any of those pregnancy survival items together?

There are plenty of options for that. Whether you are looking for a maternity kit for yourself or to gift to someone else, here are some great alternatives.

Both of the companies below allow you to purchase a one-time Pregnancy Kit or to signup for a month-to-month subscription plan for the length of your pregnancy.

22. Earth Mama’s Goodie Bag

This cute little thing is a great gift for moms-to-be as it contains all clean, non-toxic, and organic ingredients.

It comes as a 5-piece, cruelty-free, travel-size set. Its eco-packaging is made from recycled cardboard, with no bleach, dyes, or glue, and is 100% recyclable. It includes:

• Ginger Fresh Deodorant
• Morning Wellness Castile Body Wash
• Belly Butter
• Belly Oil
• Orange Ginger Lip Balm

As with all of Earth Mama Organic’s products, these too are free of toxins and chemicals, such as NO Propylene Glycol, Artificial Fragrance, Parabens, or Aluminum.

If you would like to learn more about why Earth Mama is such a great company for expectant mamas and 15 of the best Earth Mama Products for pregnant mamas, postpartum, breastfeeding, and babies, click here!

22. Bump Boxes

Bump Boxes are another great and popular option.

Their boxes are also made up of safe products to use during pregnancy as the product is carefully selected to be chemical-free,

Every Bump Box has at least five products, and whether as a monthly subscription or a one-time purchase, it will be delivered straight to your door (or the address you choose to be sent to.

>> To learn more about Bump Boxes, click here <<

★ Related Articles: 

• Earth Mama Organics (15 Best Organic Products for Mom and Baby)
• 10 Natural Morning Sickness Remedies 
• Best Pregnancy Must-Haves Master List
• 13 Ways to Relieve Pregnancy Fatigue and Exhaustion

In Summary 

A Pregnancy Survival Kit can make a real difference in getting you through some of the most common hurdles.

So, whether you are putting together a kit for yourself or a dear friend, now you have a complete list of healthy and valuable items you (or she) will love.

Remember, if you don’t want to put one together, check out Ecocentric Mom or Bump Boxes to have a pregnancy goodie box delivered to your door.