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I learned a lot during the 9 months I was pregnant that I will be carrying forward into future pregnancies to make the experience more enjoyable. More symptom-specific tips can be found in my first, second, and third trimester posts. This post, however, will be more general.
Laundry Tongs
I am a fairly short gal. I can barely get items out of the back of the washer normally. Pretty quickly, I stopped being able to reach entirely. That is when I went to the kitchen and grabbed the tongs out of the drawer. This was a fantastic decision, and I still use them regularly since I am always wearing my baby and can’t bend over the washing machine.
Know When To Stop Moving
Everyone always says to keep moving and stay active when pregnant. I tried really hard to do so, but for the last month, I hurt so badly that I quit. I thought I was just being lazy, but I ended up having less pain in the last few weeks than I did in the months previous. While staying active is good, it is also important to know when to rest and take it easy.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, stretching or yoga can be a gentle way to move your body without pain.
Freezer Meals
When I found out I was pregnant, I began to double everything I was making for dinner and freeze half. This was a fantastic decision. That way, when I was very pregnant, I didn’t have to spend days on end in the kitchen preparing food for postpartum. It also enabled me to have plenty on hand, so when I was near the end and tired, I could grab something easily. I plan to stock my freezer before I even get pregnant again so I don’t have to worry about food when tired and nauseous.
Chiropractor
Going to the chiropractor both while pregnant and then again post partum is fantastic. Your bones and joints are all moving and shifting, and it is so nice to get them back in place. It helps with pain and discomfort tremendously. Getting adjusted helped with my sciatica and round ligament pain.
Hands and Knees
Especially as my baby grew bigger, I found tremendous comfort in being on my hands and knees. This position helped ease my back pain and strain. It even helped with the round ligament pain I experienced early on.
Magnesium
I have sung from the hilltops the praises of magnesium. Taking it before bed was the only thing that enabled me to get any sleep. Soaking in a bath with magnesium Epsom salt helped with restless legs and cramping. It is a magical mineral.
Try New Things
Pregnancy is a wonderful time to try things that you have never tried or that you previously disliked. I am normally not a spicy food fan, but buffalo chicken dip was one of the only things I could eat early on. I previously didn’t like baths, so I put off trying to take one, and regret that decision. I even found myself enjoying a cold shower. Your body is changing, and hormones are going crazy. You never know what you will end up enjoying.
Fans
A small fan that you can keep in your purse is a fantastic investment for pregnancy. I used mine all the time and will continue to do so in future pregnancies.
Dresses
I found dresses to be lifesaving when pregnant as well as postpartum. They were easy to throw on, and loose to help me stay cool. A loose-fitting dress will also grow with you and shrink back down after the baby comes. As a bonus tip, look for dresses that have buttons so they will be nursing-friendly.
I hope you found these tips helpful and that they make your pregnancy a bit easier and more enjoyable. I would love to know your best tips for pregnancy survival in a comment below.
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