When you are expecting, you want to take good care of yourself and the baby in your belly. And it's okay to spoil yourself a little too. Only how do you do this in a sustainable way? We dive into the world of sustainable pregnancy. Which things do you really need and can you buy them more sustainably?
Sustainable pregnancy: list of things you really need
Congratulations! You are pregnant! A special time is dawning. Periods of enjoyment, but also doubts and questions alternate. Your body is changing, you are changing. That is no small thing. And you want to do it all as well, healthy and sustainable as possible. Many women want to make more conscious choices during their pregnancy. The new little earthling on the way often makes us aware that we should take better care of ourselves and of the earth.
Even if you decide to take a more sustainable approach to your pregnancy: you won't get out of buying stuff during those nine months. Your favourite pair of jeans will most likely not be able to wear for nine months... A sustainable pregnancy doesn't seem easy, but with a little extra detective work, you can still go a long way. Spoiler: you really don't need to buy everything new for those nine months. In this article, I'll help you get started!
Sustainable maternity wear
One of the things you need during pregnancy: new clothes. Especially trousers and bras really don't fit anymore at some point. To buy a new wardrobe right away is a waste, as you will probably only wear these clothes for a few months. Fortunately, there are some more durable and cheaper alternatives. Here are a few suggestions:
The clothing industry is incredibly polluting for the planet. You can take a big sustainable step during your pregnancy by not buying new maternity clothes. Try borrowing clothes from friends or the rent them. You can also find a lot of second-hand clothes.
- Trousers that are too tight at your belly are not nice when you are pregnant. The cheapest and most durable hack: put a rubber band around your button, thread the elastic through your buttonhole and then put it back around the button. A long shirt or jumper over it and you won't see a thing. You can also buy trouser extenders, such as these trouser extender made of organic cotton. Do you have any old trousers lying around? Then you can also make your own trouser widener with our DIY. This way, you can wear your favourite trousers even during your pregnancy.
- The same goes for bras. Your breasts probably grow a few sizes during pregnancy, but it's a waste to buy a new bra every time you only wear it for a short time. Often a bra extender, for the back of your bra, too. When you need a new bra at the end of your pregnancy, and you plan to breastfeed, you can already have a nursing bra buy. Buy these a little too big rather than too small, as your breasts might grow a little bigger when milk pours in after birth.
- Apart from trousers and bras, you can still wear many clothes, such as wide shirts and dresses, during your pregnancy. If you do need new items, there is plenty of second-hand supply. On Marktplaats, Vinted or at the thrift store, you can find many beautiful maternity clothes that have been worn very little.
- Another sustainable and inexpensive option is to rent maternity clothes. This can be done, for example, at circos.
- Would you still like to buy new maternity clothes? You can find more and more beautiful and durable maternity clothes. You will find some suggestions in the brand guide to sustainable maternity wear from When Sara Smiles.
First aid when your winter coat no longer fits
Should you be heavily pregnant in winter, you might need a new winter coat. In any case, I no longer fit into my winter coats. Since I thought it was a waste to buy a new coat for a few months, I bought a second-hand one. I chose a coat that, by means of a zip-off insert, you can also use to keep your child warm in the baby carrier. I found a coat for twenty euros that was as good as new, which I enjoyed both during my pregnancy and afterwards.
Healthy and sustainable food during your pregnancy
Local and seasonal fruit and vegetables
When you are pregnant, it is extra important to eat healthy. You don't have to eat twice as much right away, but you might feel a bit more hungry. When you eat mostly fruits and vegetables during these extra meals, you are not only doing some good for you and your baby, but also for the planet. Plant-based eating is generally more sustainable. (Do get proper advice if you want to follow a strict vegan diet during your pregnancy).
But there's more. Choose local fruits and vegetables that are currently in season. This is not only better for the environment, but also for your health. When you buy fruit or vegetables locally, the transport route is shorter and the fruits or vegetables are riper before they are harvested. As a result, fewer nutrients are lost. Seasonal fruit and vegetables also contain more nutrients because they are stored for less time. Moreover, fewer pesticides are often used because they are less susceptible to diseases. Better for yourself and better for the environment. Finally, you can still opt for organically grown fruits and vegetables, as they also contain less chemical pesticides.
Natural food supplements during pregnancy
For most women, it is wise to take one or more supplements during pregnancy. If you choose to take supplements, you can make sure they are as natural as possible and vegan. I personally found the plant-based dietary supplements from Vitaminfit very fine.
Eating healthy during your pregnancy is important. You need more and crazy food cravings can make you suddenly crave distinct things (which are not always healthy).
Sleeping during pregnancy
As pregnancy progresses, sleeping can become more difficult. The bigger your belly gets, the harder it is to find a nice sleeping position. A nursing pillow can support your belly while lying down. Nursing pillows are usually filled with small spheres, making them easily adapt to your body. Unfortunately, these balls are often made of plastic such as polyester, but fortunately there are more and more sustainable alternatives. For example this Feeding pillow from Lotties with a cover made of certified organic cotton and a filling made of maize fleece. If you want to breastfeed later, a nursing pillow is also very handy.
Sustainable and natural care for pregnant women
When you are pregnant, your body is already working hard enough. So it's okay to give it some extra attention. Regularly rubbing your belly with a nice oil is not only a relaxing moment for yourself, but can also help to prevent stretch marks. Preferably choose a good-quality pure oil, such as the Almond oil from Primavera. The advantage of almond oil is that you will soon be able to use it for your baby: almond oil is ideal for dry skin, for bathing and also for cleaning dirty baby bottoms. So it is very sustainable.
Do you love grooming products and need more than just an oil for your tummy? Then the grooming products from Naïf highly recommended. Naïf has a wide range of delicious natural and sustainable products.
Pampering yourself during pregnancy
During this special stage of life, it is okay to spoil yourself. This can also be done in a sustainable way. Instead of going shopping, spend a day at the spa. Or invest your money in an interesting pregnancy course, a relaxing pregnancy yoga course or a breastfeeding course. This way, you can prepare for the arrival of your little one in a relaxed way and get to know other mothers. Above all, enjoy your rest and go on as many nice trips as possible. If you prefer to relax, you can also read a good book on the couch with a nice cup of tea, like this one Book on green parenting by Kari van der Heide Whether the beautiful Mums book by Nina Pierson.
From sustainable pregnancy to sustainable maternity
As you could read, a sustainable pregnancy does not have to be difficult or expensive at all. You need far less stuff than you think, and in many cases you can even save a lot of money. But when the baby arrives, there are some things that are very handy to have around the house. Think about nappies, clothes or a place to sleep. If you want to get through the postpartum period as sustainably as possible, it is a good idea to prepare for it while you are pregnant. That way, you will have plenty of time to score that nice cot or pram second-hand. Check out more tips for a sustainable baby outfit here.
More sustainable pregnancy and maternity tips
- Also see: tips for breastfeeding.
- Also see: the list of the cutest sustainable maternity gifts.
- Also see: what is the environmental impact of hugs and how do you find sustainable hugs?
Sources: Milieu Centraal, Nutrition Centre seasonal vegetables, wir-essen-gesund.de, utopia.de, Nutrition centre organic label, Nutrition centre multivitamins. Photo credits: Josh Willink (Pexels), Markus Distelrath (Pixabay) Ivan Samkov (Pexels), Pavel Danilyuk (Pexels), Matilda Wormwood (Pexels), Cottonbro (Pexels), Olia Danilevich (Pexels).
