What You Actually Need (and Don’t Need) in Pregnancy & Postpartum

From a birth educator who sees parents overwhelmed by “must-have” lists every single week

If you’ve ever opened Instagram, Google, or a baby shop while pregnant… you’ll know this feeling:

“Do I really need all of this?”

Short answer? No.

Longer, more honest answer? You don’t need more stuff — you need the right support, the right preparation, and a bit of care directed back at you.

Let’s strip this back and talk honestly about what matters in pregnancy and postpartum — and what you can happily leave on the shelf.

What You DON’T Need (Despite What Marketing Tells You)

❌ Every gadget labelled “must-have”

If it promises to fix birth, sleep, feeding, or recovery with one magical product… be cautious. Birth and babies don’t work like that.

❌ 15 different baby carriers, pillows, and “sleep solutions”

One good option is plenty. More stuff often creates more overwhelm — not more ease.

❌ A Pinterest-perfect postpartum setup

You don’t need aesthetic nappies, matching loungewear sets, or a curated “fourth trimester station” to be a good mum.

❌ To prepare only for the baby

This is the big one.So many parents prepare beautifully for baby… and forget themselves completely.

What You DO Need in Pregnancy

✔️ Education that reduces fear (not adds to it)

You don’t need to know everything.You need to understand what’s normal, what helps labour feel easier, and how your body actually works.

This is where antenatal classes matter — not as a tick-box, but as preparation that helps you feel calm, confident, and capable.

✔️ Body preparation (yes, it matters)

Birth is physical.How you move, rest, breathe, and support your body during pregnancy can directly affect how labour feels.

Not about perfection — about supporting your body to do what it already knows how to do.

✔️ A plan for postpartum (before you give birth)

Not a rigid schedule — a real plan:

• Who will help?

• What support do I have?

• How will I recover?

• Where can I turn if things feel harder than expected?

What You ACTUALLY Need Postpartum

✔️ Recovery care for you

Postpartum isn’t just about surviving the newborn stage — it’s about healing.

This is where thoughtful, practical care makes a huge difference. Not luxury. Not excess. Just what actually helps your body recover.

I often recommend looking at Vital Bits for this exact reason.

They truly get it.

Motherhood is full of bits — the amazing bits, the overwhelming bits, the “is this normal?” bits.Vital Bits exists to make the hard bits easier, with no-fuss, trusted essentials that support healing and recovery.

One of my personal favourites — and something I often mention in my antenatal classes — is The Essential Recovery Care Pack. Not because you need more stuff…but because you need to take care of yourself.

Vital Bits

It’s filled with the kind of recovery support that mums often don’t realise they’ll want until they’re already exhausted and sore.

✔️ Support + connection

This is non-negotiable.

Postpartum can be beautiful and lonely — sometimes at the same time. You need:

• People who get it

• Other mums to talk to

• A space where you don’t have to pretend you’re coping

You were never meant to do this alone.

✔️ Permission to rest

Real rest.Not “sleep when the baby sleeps” (helpful but unrealistic). But permission to recover slowly, gently, and without guilt.

The Big Takeaway (Read This Twice)

You don’t need:

• More products

• More pressure

• More unrealistic expectations

You do need:

• Calm, evidence-based education

• Practical preparation for birth and after

• Support that centres you, not just the baby

Because when mums are supported, birth feels less frightening…postpartum feels less isolating…and motherhood feels more doable.

That’s always the goal 🤍

If you’re currently pregnant and want support that’s modern, practical, and genuinely caring — start with education that makes you feel steady, not overwhelmed.And when it comes to recovery, choose things that help you heal — not things that clutter your space.

You deserve care too.

Donna x

Modern Antenatal Classes Auckland