Packing Your Hospital Bag

It is really important to pack your hospital bag in the last few weeks of your third trimester just in case it’s go time. I wasn’t aware of its significance the first time around and just went with what the hospital provided me. With my second delivery, I was much better prepared and thankful for what I packed because it helped my recovery tremendously. In fact because of it, I didn’t mind staying in the hospital for longer it almost felt like a hotel stay!

It's my second time delivering and this is how I prepped for a faster recovery at my hospital stay and during COVID-19. Don't overpack and sharing the essent...

If you’re interested in seeing how I’ve kept a healthy pregnancy—check out My Pregnancy 101 and Baby Registry Recommendations for 2020.

hospital questions to ask your healthcare provider:

1. Will I get tested for COVID-19 at any point?

2. At any point will I have to wear a mask?

3. Will I have to wear a mask during active labor?

4. How many support person(s) am I allowed during labor and delivery?

5. Are visitors allowed?

6. Is my support person allowed to leave and re-enter the hospital post-delivery?

7. How many days/nights will I spend in the hospital before being discharged? Are we being discharged early due to COVID-19 at all?

8. Will there be a shower in my recovery room?

9. What are my pain medication options besides epidural?

10. Is the hospital still providing post-delivery massages? 

11. Will the hospital provide grip socks during my stay?

12. Will there be a yoga ball or any other items to assist with my labor?

13. Will the hospital provide numbing spray?

14. Will the hospital provide ice packs?

15. Will the hospital provide disposable underwear?

16. Is there WIFI available?

17. Is there a fridge in my recovery room?

18. Are we allowed to walk the hallways during recovery?

clothing items

• Nursing Gowns (I recommend packing 2):

  • Amazon Short Sleeves Nursing Gown

  • Amazon Sleeveless Nursing Gown

• Nursing Bra (I recommend packing 2):

  • Kindred Bravely Sports Nursing Bra - Use MARIAM20 for $ off.

  • Target Sports Nursing Bra

  • Amazon 3 Pack Nursing Bra

• Amazon Compression Socks

• Silk Robe (optional)

• Hair Accessories

  • Headband

  • Scrunchies

• Water Bottle

bath items

• Bathroom Slippers

  • Adidas Women’s Slides

• Bath Towel

• Dry Shampoo (if you’re not planning on washing your hair)

• Essential Skincare items (face cleanser, moisturizer, creams, body wash, body lotion, lip balm, deodorant, etc. Below are the items I brought):

  • Z’non Face Cleanser

  • Skinceuticals Vitamin C Serum

  • Sunday Riley Lactic Acid Treatment

  • Z’non Youth Oil

  • Josie Maran Argan Oil

  • Z’non Silk Moisturizer

  • Eminence Organics Bamboo Guava Age Defying Moisturizer

  • Hydrocortisone

  • Aveeno Eczema Therapy Relief

• Makeup (I didn’t end up using mine, I just used an Instagram filter)

SLEEP NEEDS

• Fleece Compact Blanket

• Extendable Cord Phone Charger

dry food snacks (examples below are from trader joe’s)

• Dates

• Popcorn

• Lentil Potato Crunch Curls

• Nuts

• Seeds

• Roasted Seaweed

• Raisins

NEWBORN ITEMS

• Nursing Boppy Pillow

• Newborn Outfit

  • Little One Shop - Use MARIAM for $ off.

Pregnancy Fitness

One of the biggest lessons I learned from my first pregnancy was how to maintain my strength and a healthy weight. This time around I only gained 45 lbs (healthy weight gain for my size).

The key to maintaining your weight and strength is staying active. For me staying active was my savior throughout most of my pregnancy. Not only did I attain my goal, but it helped me tremendously with my pregnancy symptoms as well as in labor, and now postpartum recovery.

I’m sharing exactly what I did in my video below:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

If you’d like to see more on my pregnancy journey and the changes I’ve made my second time around check out My Pregnancy 101.

PRENATAL EXERCISE PRODUCTS

Proper Pregnancy Support:

• Fitness/Workout & Standing Belly Support

• Adidas Ultraboost 2020 (or shoes that support your feet best)

Safe Workout Equipment:

• 3 lb Free Weights

• P.Volve Premium Kit (includes armband & P.volve ball) $80

  • Purchase on Amazon Prime

  • Purchase through female empowered Mavely app

• P.Volve 3 lbs Ankle Weights $17

  • Purchase on Amazon Prime

  • Purchase through female empowered Mavely app

• P.Volve Heavy Ankle Band $16

  • Purchase on Amazon Prime

  • Purchase through female empowered Mavely app

PREGNANCY WORKOUTS

YouTube Workouts:

• PopSugar Fitness: I love how they offer modifications for each exercise (perfect for pregnancy)

• SELF: Be sure to look up pregnancy modifications prior to these excellent workouts

• BodyFit by Amy: Pregnancy workouts through any trimester

• Niki Sky

Instagram Workouts: Please familiarize yourself with the proper pregnancy modifications before performing any of the Instagram workouts (ie: do not any of the ab exercises as shown in the IGTVs)

• TrainWithDanny

  • Booty & Legs

  • Glutes

  • Full Body 1

  • Full Body 2

  • Full Body 3

  • Full Body 4

  • Full Body 5

  • Full Body 6

  • Full Body 7

  • Glutes

  • Full Body 8

  • Full Body 9

  • Full Body 10

  • Full Body 11

  • Full Body 12

  • Full Body 13

  • Full Body 14

  • Full Body 15

  • Full Body 16

  • Full Body 17

• Pvolve

  • Body Sculpt

  • Inner Thigh

  • Lower Body

  • Upper Body

  • Total Body

  • Booty

  • Glutes

• Melissa Wood

  • Full Body

• Sami Clarke

  • Full Body

  • Glutes

  • Full Body

  • Booty

  • Upper Body

• Dog Pound

  • Full Body

  • Booty

  • Glutes

  • Full Body

Prenatal & Post-natal App Workouts:

• Sweat App

• Melissa Wood Health

My Pregnancy 101

Hi guys! Based on requests, I’m sharing my second pregnancy journey with you all. I won’t be able to share everything since there is a lot of info and I am pregnantly exhausted haha, but here is what I can share below. Please keep me and baby in your prayers and keep checking back to this post for more updates on my pregnancy journey!

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Pregnancy essentials - Products

This is what I did differently in my second pregnancy and it has made a tremendous difference compared to my first. I'll be sharing all the helpful tips (die...

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS:

• Prenatal Vitamins - This is currently what I use and I love it (Amazon Prime)

  • 2 tablets of DHA (gelatin is derived from seaweed/halal)

  • 1 tablet of Prenatal Vitamin

• OR Prenatal Vitamins Animal Protein - I saw great benefits, but I’m not comfortable with animal sources (Amazon Prime)

  • 1 tablet of Prenatal Vitamin (gelatin is derived from animal protein & includes DHA)

• Belly Support Bands:

  • Fitness/Workout & Standing Belly Support - I use this every time I exercise

  • Over Regular Jeans/Bottoms (hidden under tops) - I use this until 30 weeks for whenever I had to wear jeans or pants

  • Adidas Ultraboost 2020 - I am flat-footed along with a few knee issues so I appreciate the comfortable cushion it provides my feet along with its snug, but not too tight fit.

• Easy 32 oz Water Bottle (Amazon Prime):

  • My Favorite Water Bottle - I’ve tried many water bottles and this is the easiest to bring everywhere and chug tons of water

• Preventative Stretch Mark Measures:

  • 100% Rosehip Oil: regenerates skin and pregnancy friendly, non-irritable, moisturizes at a deeper penetration. I saw a huge difference using this versus in my first pregnancy, because I never itched my belly and my stretch marks are a lot less and not dark at all.

  • Bio Oil - worked better for me post delivery, when I used this during my first pregnancy I was constantly itchy and I still had tons of stretch marks. Post delivery it helped lighten the stretch marks and I wasn’t as sensitive to it.

  • Exfoliating Dry Brush: move in upwards circular motion before showering

  • Lush Rose Jam Body Wash

  • Lush Argan Oil Body Conditioner: I apply this after Rosehip oil for extra layer of moisturization and it’s not necessary to wash off since it’s all natural ingredients. It really moisturizes my body.

• Pregnancy Pillow:

  • Sleeping Full Cuddle Pillow - I recommend this over my pillow because you’ll need the full cuddle for being comfortable while tossing and turning, on both sides trust me.

  • Sleeping J Pillow - This is what I purchased, but like I said it was a pain to change sides with because of the full cuddle being one sided.

  • Back Support Pillow - Amazing to use for back support especially if you’re in a desk chair for a long time or lacking support on the couch. They transformed the original I purchased into this wedge, either way it seems to be more multi-functional as this new wedge they have.

• Skincare:

  • Z’NON Vitamin C Face Wash - This has maintained my skin so well prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy.

  • Aveeno Eczema Therapy - I like to pair this with a little bit of hydrocortisone cream to provide moisturizing relief. I definitely lather this on as often as possible to prevent my flare-ups from becoming dry.

  • Hydrocortisone Cream - I use a pea size amount to place on any eczema flare-ups and follow up with a layer of Aveeno Eczema Therapy.

• Haircare:

  • Hemp Oil - I like give myself a scalp massage and let it mask overnight. You only need 1-2 drops for your whole scalp.

  • Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner - I’ve only had to make this purchase once a year and I’m giving you my honest opinion, this works best for my hair. Use MARIAMSHIBLY for 70% off your purchase.

• Leakproof Panties

  • Amazon 5 Pack Panties - I wish I found these during my first pregnancy! They’re amazing for securing those annoying leaks when you laugh and sneeze and even after pregnancy. I recommend ordering both normal size and size up for 3rd trimester and immediately post delivery (after you’re done with hospital panties).

• Maternity Leggings:

  • Kindred Bravely Everyday Joggers - the only pants I lived in during pregnancy and postpartum because of how soft and comfortable it is. Use MARIAM20 for $ off #BraveMomAd

  • H&M Leggings

  • PinkBlush Basic Leggings

  • Ingrid & Isabel Grey Active Leggings

  • Blanqi Everyday Leggings - better for second trimester or smaller bumps

  • Zella Everyday/Active Leggings

  • Ingrid & Isabel Active Leggings

  • 2 Pack H&M Capri Leggings - good to wear under dresses

  • 2 Pack H&M Leggings - good to wear under dresses

• Maternity Pants (if belly band no longer works on regular pants):

  • H&M Beige Wide Leg Pants

  • H&M Cropped Wide Leg Pants

  • H&M Blue Cropped Pants

  • H&M Blue Wide Leg Pants

  • PinkBlush Navy Jeans

  • PinkBlush Beige Jeggings

  • PinkBlush Distressed Blue Jeans

• Maternity Pajamas

  • Kindred Bravely Davy Nursing Pajamas - The softest fabric and you can look cute walking around in these pajamas in your house and they’ll work for nursing too. Use MARIAM20 for $ off #BraveMomAd

• Maternity Tank Tops:

  • Kindred Bravely Active Bamboo Tank - It’s so soft and great coverage! Use MARIAM20 for $ off #BraveMomAd

  • Kindred Bravely Nursing Cami - Super soft and spandex like material and you can use it for nursing later on too. Use MARIAM20 for $ off #BraveMomAd

  • PinkBlush Cami

  • PinkBlush Tank

  • PinkBlush Loose Tank

Third Trimester - Postpartum Prep

• Compression Socks (It’s a good idea to include in your hospital bag)

  • Amazon 3 Pack Socks

• Vaginal Recovery

  • Earth Mama Perineal Spray

  • Earth Mama Nipple Butter

  • Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle

  • Tuck’s Medicated Cooling Pads

• Leakproof Panties

  • Amazon 5 Pack Panties (order both normal size and size up for 3rd trimester & immediately post delivery)

• Postpartum Belly Band

  • Immediately Post-Delivery 3 in 1 Recovery Band

  • Cosmetic Surgical Shape Vest (size up one full size)

• Nursing Bras (It’s a good idea to include 1-2 in your hospital bag)

  • Kindred Bravely Sports Nursing Bra - I love the band because it’s so soft and easy to exercise in. Use MARIAM20 for $ off #BraveMomAd

  • Target 2 Pack Sleeping Nursing Bra - great to wear third trimester as well - order a size up

  • Target Nursing Sports Bra

  • Amazon 2 Pack Sleeping Nursing Bra

  • Amazon 3 Pack Nursing Bras

• Nursing Tanks

  • Kindred Bravely Active Nursing Tank - Super soft and long, great coverage.Use MARIAM20 for $ off #BraveMomAd

  • Kindred Bravely Nursing Cami - Super soft and spandex like material. Use MARIAM20 for $ off #BraveMomAd

  • Target Nursing Cami

• Nursing Gowns (Perfect for the hospital and to lounge at home)

  • Amazon Short Sleeve Gown

  • Amazon Sleeveless Gown

• Nursing Pajamas

  • Kindred Bravely Davy Nursing Pajamas - The softest fabric and you can look cute walking around in these pajamas in your house. Use MARIAM20 for $ off #BraveMomAd

• Nursing Tops

  • Kindred Bravely Active Nursing Tank - Super soft and long, great coverage.  Use MARIAM20 for $ off #BraveMomAd

  • PinkBlush Soft Nursing Long Sleeve - so cozy, casual and dressy. It’s great to wear third trimester as well.

  • PinkBlush Cold Shoulder Nursing Top - cute and dressy.

  • PinkBlush Lace Nursing Long Sleeve - trendy and casual.

  • PinkBlush Nursing Short Sleeve Wrap Top - trendy and casual.

• Newborn Clothing & Items

  • Little One Shop - Super cute, affordable and great sales. I’m constantly buying for my newborn and for gifts as well. Use MARIAM for more $ off your purchase.

  • Kibou Minimal Diaper Bag - perfect for on-the-go belt bag that also has a changing pad, waterproof pocket for wipes, and space to hold your diapers, bottles and keys.

  • Famo Kids Play Mat - large non-toxic soft foam play mat with modern and chic patterns to go perfectly in your house. It’s super easy to clean with just one dry-wipe and mobile. I like that I can break it apart and use it as any size I need it to be. Use MARIAMSHIBLY for free shipping and $ off your order.

Kindred Bravely Davy Nursing Gown. Use MARIAM20 for $ off your order.

Kindred Bravely Nursing Active Tank and Everyday Joggers. Use MARIAM20 for $ off your order.

Famo Kids Play Mat. Use MARIAMSHIBLY for $ off your order and free shipping.