Becky’s Pregnancy Lessons, Tips & Essentials

DO… Speak to friends, family and a partner if you have one to get help with daily living. HG is debilitating and suffering in silence will quickly worsen your mental health. Isolation can worsen symptoms as there’s an element of stress to it.

DON’T… Put off seeing your midwife or GP. HG can quickly cause dehydration but if you get advice fast, experts can monitor your condition and the health of your baby. They can also advise on anti-sickness medication quickly to stop things spiralling or returning.

DO… Pay attention to triggers. You may notice getting in and out of a car, exposure to bright lights, loud noises or strong smells can cause an onset of HG. It’s not always the case but keeping a diary can be helpful so as you know what to avoid – take note of timings too. 

DON’T… Ignore food entirely. This is easier said than done but it’s crucial you eat when you feel able. Opt for bland foods like dry crackers, rice, pasta or potatoes and if that feels too much, try pairing it with ice cubes to help everything go down more easily. It can be hard to swallow with HG as your mouth is so dry, so gentle lubrication with water can be useful.

DO… Try acupuncture. Recent studies and analysis have a strong correlation to show holistic treatments like this can be incredibly effective for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, so it’s worth considering if you’re able.

DON’T… Google what to do. Your midwife, GP and obstetrician are who you need to respond to your HG. It’s important to stay informed and read up on it but only from trusted websites. Because HG is still relatively under researched, you need to limit your reading. I recommend sticking to Hyperemesis.org and GuysandStThomas.nhs.uk.

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Eczema is familiar to me but I wasn’t expecting to develop PUPPP – itchy, hive-like bumps across my bum, thighs and tummy that looked like severe stretch marks. Though harmless, I sought advice from Dr Ellie Rashid, consultant dermatologist for CeraVe – one of the best brands for soothing this condition.

“PUPPP is understood to be caused by the rapid stretching of the skin, which damages connective tissue, triggering an inflammatory response,” she says. “Hormonal changes and foetal DNA in maternal skin may also play a role. It normally affects upper legs, buttocks and can involve the arms – it often spreads, so always see your GP to confirm what it is. It’s exacerbated by anything that increases blood flow to the skin, so reduce hot baths and showers as well as any hot water bottles or heat pads. Your best bet is to restore skin’s barrier with soothing, cooling creams – of which, I recommend keeping in the fridge. I recommend CeraVe’s Moisturising Cream or lotion, La Roche Posay’s Lipikar Baume, Cetraben Cream and Aveeno’s Dermexa. Each one focuses on repair and reinforcing a healthy skin barrier. Ditch any harsh soaps as well and use gentle cleansing substitutes until things calm.”

Speaking of skincare, I am often asked how I’ve adapted my routine in pregnancy. On my face, I have relied on gentle formulas, ditching heavy acids and too much exfoliation. It’s been about comfort and nourishing dehydration, which worsened with sickness. I’ve used CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser consistently, alongside Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturiser which is so quenching thanks to its cooling, gel texture. I’ll sometimes interchange this with Vichy’s Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum if I want something even lighter. At night, I love layering on Beauty Pie’s Micro-Caviar Overnight Moisture Mask for a dose of non-suffocating moisture and when I really want to treat myself, I reach for Sisley’s Black Rose Cream Mask which is called a facial in a tube for a reason. When I do use an exfoliator to boost brightness and cell turnover, it’s always Medik8’s Press & Glow Tonic which is well-tolerated by all – even in pregnancy.

When it comes to my body, I feel like a slippery fish most nights – layering on oils religiously to prevent skin slackening. And honestly? I do think it’s helped. Body brushing has made a difference too, although it’s harder the bigger you get.

The products I’ve relied on include Aveeno’s Skin Relief Body Oil Spray, Bloom & Blossom’s Polishing Body Cleanser, and Hatch Mama Belly Oil – each has kept my skin feeling soothed and strong. For big flare-ups, La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Balm has been a lifesaver. And Sunday Riley’s CEO Vitamin C Brighten + Tighten Body Butter deserves a special mention – I could bathe in it. It leaves you with the most incredible glassy finish, like you're wearing invisible tights.

A final favourite find has to be the Meridian Slimmer Trimmer Razor. With my Winnie-the-Pooh tummy making visibility a challenge, this waterproof razor has been a game-changer – swift, snag-free and safe, with guard tech that eliminates the risk of nicks.

There are so many make-up products I love, but if I had to choose one that’s seen me through pregnancy, it would be Westman Atelier’s Liquid Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter in ‘Peau de Peche’.

Even at the height of HG, when I felt and looked my worst, this gave me an instant glow and made me look healthy again. The soft, peachy tint breathes life back into dull, tired skin – no foundation necessary (though it does sit beautifully under make-up).

Baby shopping can feel so overwhelming – and if there’s one thing everyone told me, it’s that you don’t need as much as you think. I asked friends and family with newborns what really mattered, and a few key pieces kept coming up, so we decided to prioritise those.

First was the pram. We went for the Stokke YOYO³ – compact, foldable, and ideal for small spaces. Plus, it easily converts as the baby grows with handy attachment packs. By far, it was the best we found and I love that it's a good size for travelling, too. Next was the car seat: after lots of recommendations, we chose the Cybex  Cloud T i-Size Rotating Car Seat. Its swivel stand was the clincher – anything that makes getting a baby in and out of the car less of a faff is a win. The Cybex COYA Carriers are great too, with a sturdy feel that provides no room for doubt. I'm really chuffed with the SnüzPod5 bedside crib we’ve got as well – it has a gentle tilt and easy-access design for peace of mind during those early months, as well as breathable material that prevents babies from getting too hot. We will be attaching our little Ewan The Dream Sheep white noise to the crib which is said to help soothe and calm with gentle lights and sounds. Finally, I'm excited to use our BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss, which also came highly recommended from friends. It will keep the baby entertained for months and is so easy to transport everywhere we go.

Beyond the essentials, I’ve been enjoying browsing Etta Loves, Cozy Crew Club, Garbo&Friends and Avery Row for stylish changing and play mats, and Tiba & Marl’s Borg Caddy is on my wish list – perfect for carting essentials around the house or taking out and about. People swear by the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Day & Night the Baby Bottle Maker Machine  for its efficiency and ease, so I will be getting this for when we move to bottle feeding. I also discovered Pawsey Preloved – a brilliant sustainable option for baby clothes – and plan to invest in some Love To Dream swaddles and Mori sleepsuits – the latter come highly recommended for those middle-of-the-night changes.

Knowledge is power, so throughout pregnancy I’ve done my research. Like many, I signed up to The Positive Birth Company’s programme – which is as empowering as everyone says – and paid extra for the full pack, which includes the ‘fourth trimester’ and ‘early years’ – two topics that are rarely covered, yet everyone tells you is key. I’ve found it so informative and comforting, not least because it includes plenty of useful advice around first aid, juggling relationship strains and sleep.

Speaking of sleep, it’s no secret that like many, the lack of it coming my way is a fear, so I’ve been reading Sleeping Through The Night by Jodi A. Mindell. It was recommended to me by a paediatric friend who told me it’s all any sleep coach can teach you. Will it work? I’ll get back to you but it certainly makes scientific sense and breaks everything down into bitesize chunks – it’s taught me about my own sleep habits too. Another standout read has been The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read by Philippa Perry. It’s been a bit of an emotional deep-dive, but in a good way – helping me think about resilience, emotional regulation and parenting with empathy. Honestly, it’s worth reading even if you're not having children.

I love running but pregnancy has nudged me towards gentler activities. Hill walking has been my saviour, and I’ve tried to fit in at least one Psycle Prenatal Barre session each week – brilliant for easing pelvic girdle pain.

Looking ahead, I’ve bought The Vertue Method’s Postnatal Restoration Programme. I trust Shona Vertue’s approach – it’s realistic, strength-focused and broken down into ten-minute sessions, which (fingers crossed) will feel achievable post-baby. For me, it’s not about how I look – it’s about feeling strong, empowered and like myself again.

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