30 often overlooked HSA & FSA eligible items for baby and mom

Sometimes the science behind getting pregnant takes a little bit of finessing. Kegg’s fertility tracker (which is designed to measure cervical fluid) helps tap you into the most accurate sign of the fertile window. The egg-shaped device uses advanced sensing technology to track the electrolytes levels of cervical fluid, which can detect ovulation up to seven days in advance. Especially helpful for women with inconsistent or unpredictable cycles, kegg can take the stress out of fertility tracking.

Knowledge is power, and the Women’s Fertility Test Bundle from Natalist gives you all the power you need to get this party started. Filled with ovulation and pregnancy tests along with the Everlywell Women’s Fertility Test which measures the five vital hormones that influence your fertility, these discreetly packaged essentials will help you better understand your fertility through ovulation and conception.

You could just stockpile some pregnancy tests as well. Clinically proven to be over 99% accurate (when used up to 3 days before your expected period), Natalist’s clear and easy to use pregnancy tests were clearly developed by a team of moms. Their instructions are to the point, the packaging is discreet and beautiful and as the only certified plastic neutral pregnancy test on the market, they take care of Mother Earth as well.

This is the birth class you have been waiting for. Community inspired, expert-driven and woman-centered, The Motherly Birth Class celebrates the wonder of your amazing body, your new baby, and honors you throughout this profound life transformation. In this class, we’ll provide you 12 incredible video lessons taught by pediatric nurse and certified midwife Diana Spalding as well as a detailed workbook to help guide you through this amazing course and your transformation to motherhood. In this class, we’ll walk beside you through all of it, even the hard stuff.

Belly Bandit has a handful of wonderful support bands and compression tops, but we love the Upsie Belly Wrap for a few reasons. The pregnancy support band can aid all sorts of discomforts like pressure relief on the bladder, releasing lower back pain, and redistributing belly weight so walking and standing is more bearable during the second and third trimester. You can even use it to stabilize your belly during exercise, acting as your ultimate “I got your back” product. Need some heat or ice to soothe back or belly pain? No problem! Just slip the included ice/heat pack into the pocket and you’re good to go.

Give your growing belly an extra layer of snug support. This comfortable band is ideal for protecting clothing from creams and oils while also keeping you covered as your body grows and changes.

Typically maternity and nursing bras do not qualify. However, according to Belly Bandit, their supremely comfortable, second skin Anti Bras are covered. The wire-free, ultra thin bra is also available in a scoop-neck style.

Another approved style is the Proof Stay Dry Wireless Comfort Bra. If you’re not a fan of boob sweat (who is??) this one’s for you. Not only is it wireless and super comfortable, but the removable pads are designed to wick moisture and keep you feeling fresh and dry all day long.

Mama, your body has been through a lot, which is why we love a solid pair of supportive undies to keep you comfortable. We’re big fans of the Leakproof Hipster because of its moderate coverage and ultimate absorbency for any accident, big or small. The multi-layer Leak-Loc™ system draws moisture away from the body, keeping you dry for hours. Plus, the fabric is super breathable with the classic hipster cut, which means you won’t feel like you’re wearing a diaper (because we’re so over that at this point). Once your period returns they’re ready to keep you dry and confident through your cycle. They’re also available in a variety of styles and absorbency.

If you’re under the impression that period panties can’t be cute, I’m here to tell you you’re 100% incorrect. And this bundle from Proof is well, proof. The trio includes some of my personal faves in a variety of absorbencies to start or round out a very solid collection. (The aforementioned Leakproof Hipster which holds up to 5 regular tampons, and The Leakproof Lace Cheeky and The Leakproof Lace Back Bikini which both hold up to 3 regular tampons.)

Real talk. Post vaginal birth you might be feeling like you sat on firecracker. The good news? Your body is surprisingly resilient. But as you heal, you’ll want all the comfort you can get. These blissful herbal pads from The Honey Pot are infused with lavender, mint and aloe to soothe your tender bits on contact as well as catch the occasional leak (it happens!)

Ensure you’ve got the post-birth essentials covered with this recovery kit from Lansinoh. It includes a peri wash bottle and travel bag, cooling herbal postpartum spray and 2 reusable hot/cold packs that you can use like a pad to get relief right where you need it.

Recovering from a c-section is no small feat. These incision-friendly, high-waisted undies lay flat and gentle against your scar and silver-infused fibers help eliminate bacteria and odor while targeted compression helps to reduce swelling. They’re also available in a shorter style, ideal for the months afterward.

If you’re under the impression that period panties can’t be cute, I’m here to tell you you’re 100% incorrect. And this bundle from Proof is well, proof. The trio includes some of my personal faves in a variety of absorbencies to start or round out a very solid collection. (The aforementioned Leakproof Hipster which holds up to 5 regular tampons, and The Leakproof Lace Cheeky and The Leakproof Lace Back Bikini which both hold up to 3 regular tampons.)

If you’re not already aboard the period cup train, there’s never been a better time to make the switch! As a menstrual cup convert, they completely changed the game for me, making my period so much easier to manage and a whole lot cheaper as well. This new style from Flex is great for beginners (and seasoned pros) with a cleverly designed pull tab for a stress-free removal.

A slightly different design than the typical suction style cups, menstrual discs are designed to rest up against your cervix like a diaphragm. For people who might find the stem of other cups uncomfortable, this smooth cup shape makes a great alternative. It also comes in one convenient size, so no head-scratching to figure out which one you need.

When you have your period and all you want to do is curl up with a heating pad, you should be able to. But duty calls and turns out you have work! errands! kids who want dinner again. For those times, slap on one of these thin adhesive heating patches and take the cramp relief on-the-go. They warm up instantly and provide comfort for up to six hours.

Or, for the days you can just take it easy, there’s nothing better than an extra large heating pad. In fact, you don’t even need an excuse to do so. I keep one on my office chair almost year round and have even been known to slip it between my sheets so I don’t have to get under chilly covers.

Perhaps the most mind-blowing period relieving product we’ve gotten our hands on, the Jovi is something that has to be experienced to be believed. Yes, it looks like a fancy bumper sticker but I promise there’s a whole lot more going on than meets the eye. Using patented nanocapacitor technology, an innovation that was originally developed for the military, it works with your body’s natural electrical signals to help relieve aches.

Simply apply the patch right where your cramps hurt and within a few minutes you can feel a warming sensation as they begin to dissipate. The reusable design can slip right into your underwear or used with their adhesive patches to apply it anywhere you need relief. (It’s not just for periods either! You can even use it against your forehead to treat headaches or on your back for cramps or pulled muscles.)

Willow has become the holy grail for millennial breastfeeding mamas because it’s a wireless, all-in-one smart breast pump that works quietly inside your bra. Designed to be used every which way from lying down on the couch to while taking a conference call, Willow runs on rechargeable battery and can be operated from an app on your phone. The app also keeps track of all kinds of useful information like how long you’ve pumped, how much you’ve collected and info about past sessions.

With so many breast pumps to choose from, it comes down to the details. Motif Medical’s Luna Double Electric Breast Pump checked all our boxes and more. Not only is is sleek and sophisticated (because let’s face it, you have to carry this thing around for months, so it better look cute), but this pump expresses milk with high efficiency and a quiet motor. Multiple massage and expression modes help you feel in control of the process and allow you to choose what works best. Plus, it’s BPA-free.

Yes! You can buy milk storage bags with FSA and HSA funds! And since it’s not like they expire, why not stockpile?

To any mamas who didn’t have access to nipple cream, we want to apologize with our whole hearts, because we don’t know what we’d do without it. Earth Mama Organics’ Nipple Butter is as luxurious as it is soothing, and offers all-day moisture. Apply before and after breastfeeding, and you’ll almost feel back to your old self (you know, pre-baby). This butter is dermatologist-tested and free of petroleum, lanolin, and parabens, so you can feel really good about using this butter all the time.

If you’re interested in testing your breast milk to know what nutrients you’re giving your baby, we can’t recommend Lactation Lab’s Standard Test Kit enough. Complete with sample collection vials and freezer gel packs, you’ll receive comprehensive test results with nutritional recommendations once you send in your samples. Just a week after sending, you’ll receive your results, which include a panel of nutritional content on top of calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C and B-12. With the help of this kit, you and your doctor can create a rock-solid feeding plan that gives your baby the best.

Ritual’s prenatal is built on an “everything you need, nothing you don’t” philosophy. Each of the delayed-release capsules are easy to absorb and contain just 12 essential nutrients including methylated B vitamins, bioavailable iron and 350 mg of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that’s necessary for fetal brain and eye development. And since the best vitamins are the ones you’ll actually want to take, these come with a clever citrus tab inside the bottle to make the whole experience even better.

Read more about it here.

While it may not be absolutely top of list, consider Needed’s Collagen Protein during both pregnancy and postpartum. Many women in both these stages aren’t getting enough protein, which can help with blood sugar management, keeping nausea at bay, and even helping to grow baby’s cells and placenta.

We love this product because it will take care of all these elements in your pregnancy and postpartum journey and then some (think pelvic floor tissue, joints, and healthy skin stretching). Ethically sourced and hydrolyzed (meaning it infuses easily into any food or drink), this collagen protein can be mixed into smoothies or tea. Of course, consult your doctor before starting!

If you’ve spent even 30 seconds searching for face sunscreen, you’ve most definitely stumbled upon Supergoop. Their uber-popular formulas are a favorite among skincare addicts and novices alike with an ever-expanding lineup of sun-protective products. I’ve tried several, but my absolute favorite is the Unseen Sunscreen. Not only is this my favorite sunscreen, it’s one of my top five beauty products of all time. Like desert island-levels of must-have.

The silky gel-like formula is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered, leaving a velvety finish that is somehow not at all drying. (Sorcery!) It leaves my skin perfectly primed for make-up and doesn’t come back to haunt me with grease or slippage when the temps rise throughout the day. It also blends seamlessly into all skin tones which (though all sunscreens should) is not often the case.

Before you know it, it will be time to do the daily full-body slather of sunscreen. This one is our top pick for adults and kids alike since it goes on without being white or gloppy. And while it comes in regular size bottles, this heavy duty pump option is our summer staple.

From dry skin to diaper rash, Aquaphor is a must-have for baby skin. The nourishing formula helps both heal and protect, so use with abandon. It’s also great for adults as well.