1. Stretch Mark Cream
With the expanding of your mid region comes every woman's worst nightmare - stretch marks. While some women don't get them, others will find them showing up right away. I've been fortunate enough to avoid stretch marks on my belly as of now (33 weeks in) but I've noticed a few on my hips and on my breasts (which isn't a surprise because I had tiny boobs before I got pregnant). There are a lot of different lotions and creams on the market specifically targeted towards pregnant women and stretch marks, so you just need to find out what works for you. When I first went into a Thyme Maternity clothing store the clerk suggested I try out their brand of stretch mark cream and I've never looked back.
Thyme Maternity is a clothing store here in Canada (they also have small sections in Babies R Us in America). Their Soothing Therapy Protect Stretch Mark Cream sells for $20 but they always have a buy 2 get 1 free promotion on. They have a line of skin care products which include Breast Cream (which I also use), Leg Gel and Nipple Cream. The scent is a little strong but it doesn't linger and hasn't bothered me and I've had quite the issue with strong smells this pregnancy.
2. Maternity Pillow
Sleeping well and pregnancy don't usually go hand in hand, especially when you're belly is gigantic and everything hurts. Investing in a good pregnancy pillow (body pillow or wedge) is a great idea. I personally love my Snoogle, a crescent shaped body pillow. I've always had hip pain and my chiropractor suggested I sleep with a pillow between my legs. I purchased this at Babies R Us for $60 and it has been well worth it. It comes with a white pillow case but they sell patterned ones for $20-$30 which I picked up as well. If you don't like this, I've heard a wedge shaped pillow works wonders as well for putting behind your back as you sleep or even under your growing belly for a little extra support.
3. Maternity Underwear
Most of you pregnant ladies will notice sore breasts as early as the first trimester. Purchasing a maternity bra or two will definitely feel more comfortable than a push up bra, although they don't look quite as sexy. I went into Thyme and got measured for a maternity bra (usually the general rule they use is one cup size up and one letter size up), this means you'll be able to grow into it comfortably. Also if you have a Thyme Maternity near you their hipster underwear is ridiculously comfortable, pick up a package or two of those and you won't regret it.
4. Maternity Clothing
You'll notice you'll quickly out grow some of your more form fitting clothing, so it's a good idea to invest in a few maternity specific pieces. If you're lucky you'll still be able to wear some of your clothes so you don't have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. I got lucky and am experiencing the largest part of my pregnancy during fall/winter so I can get away with wearing some of my old sweaters and tunics. I think the general rule is make sure you have at least one pair of maternity pants, a couple shirts and a dress or two. Also maternity sleepwear/lounge wear is great as well. I also am not currently working in an office so I don't need a lot of fancier clothing, although I did invest in a few maternity dresses to wear to church on Sundays. I would absolutely recommend you get your hands on a pair of maternity leggings from Target ($24.99), they are the Be Maternity brand and the comfiest leggings you ever will wear. Also go ahead and grab yourself a Bella Band ($19.99 Target) so you can still wear your favorite pair of pants/jeans.
5. Morning Sickness Relief
I was lucky enough to experience terrible nausea and morning sickness right from the get go. Nausea started at 4 weeks and the actually vomiting started at 6. Some of you will experience morning sickness at specific times in the day, if you're like me it will last all day or you won't feel it at all. There are many things you can do to help relieve this symptom such as drinking water with lemon, snacking through out the day instead of eating a big meal at one, eating soda crackers, drinking ginger ale, sucking on hard candies like peppermint or Preggie Pop Drops etc. If your morning sickness doesn't get better and is causing you a lot of inconvenience or if like me and end up tearing your stomach lining make sure you talk to your doctor about something they can prescribe to relieve this. The thought of taking medication during my pregnancy made me feel really uneasy but after research online and talking to other mothers and my doctor I decided it was the right decision for me to get a prescription for Diclectin, which is a pill available in Canada specifically for morning sickness. I used to take one at night and one when I woke up and it would help me get through the day. As my pregnancy has progressed and my morning sickness lessened some I only have to take one at night before I go to bed. The only side effect I've noticed was that it did make me a little drowsy when I took it in the morning, but you're already tired being pregnant anyways that it didn't bother me much.
6. Massage/Chiropractors
Early on in my pregnancy I strained my lower back after a lovely morning spent bent over the toilet. I was in so much pain my husband had to help me just get around. I've always had a bit of a bad back from years of working in an office with a crappy desk chair and bad posture. I made a massage appointment and it was amazing. I've been back a few times but not since the fall (holiday season was just too busy!). I do plan on making a Prenatal Massage appointment within the next few months. Why not pamper yourself with a few massages? You're growing a human being, you should be allowed to have a great massage every once and a while.
Before I got pregnant my hips would like to pop in and out and just be a pain in the butt so I decided to start seeing my husbands chiropractor - mainly because with his benefits its free. It's good to start seeing a chiropractor early on in your pregnancy even if you don't have any immediate problems, because as you see them every few weeks they are able to see how your back/hips are responding to the bodily changes and help you should you become unaligned. They are also full of great knowledge about how your spine and muscles react to the pregnancy and full of tips and tricks on how to alleviate that annoying back ache that creeps up during the second and third trimesters. Plus if you're baby is breech there is specific things chiropractors can do to help move that baby into the head down position.
7. Food and Drink
Everyone craves different things during pregnancy and there are wonderful resources online which outline which foods are good and bad for pregnant women. While it's very important to make sure you're getting a well rounded nutritious diet you don't need to freak out and only eat vegan or organic food. I'm sure other people will argue me on this.
Make sure you're drinking a lot of water. I know it's annoying because you're already peeing every 5 minutes but hydration is very important during pregnancy. Your baby needs that water. Invest in a great water bottle and fill it up regularly! I purchased a Contigo thermos from Costco ($20.00 for 2) early on because it keeps drinks really hot or really cold and I like my water nice and cold with lots of ice! I refill it things several times a day and you can bring it with you every where you go.
If you want to have a can of coke every once and a while - go for it. Although I would be careful about your caffeine intake especially in the first trimester. Also chocolate is good, eat that chocolate. Basically it's just important to make sure you're getting a well rounded diet, you don't need to go over board either, but eat as much as you want, you've got to gain at least 20lbs....just listen to your body and your doctor or midwife.
8. Relax!
You're pregnant, you're going through changes, listen to your body and do what feels good to you. If you get winded exercising, take a break. If you feel sleepy, have a nap. If you don't feel like making dinner get your significant other to do it or order in. Try not to stress too much about labour or delivery! Milk it for all it's worth and don't feel bad for complaining every once and a while!
