Pregnancy is a journey into motherhood – and let me be straight with all you first-time mommies out there: it’s a beautiful journey with a dash of pain and discomfort. While pregnancy for every woman is different, generally speaking, the experience is a shared one.
To all you pregnant mommies out there – whether you are seasoned or first-timers, I’d like to share some simple tricks that can make your pregnancy journey a smoother one. These tips are based on personal experience – but let me tell you, they make a whole lot of difference. Let’s get to it!
Keep some snacks and drinks by your nightstand
This is a lifesaver. When you’re pregnant, hunger keeps knocking on your door, and you do not want to leave it unsatisfied. If your hunger pangs are not satisfied, be ready for a mini concert where you have gas buildup, and your baby is the star of the show – both heavily kicking and rumbling inside you. You can feel hungry at any time of the day, but more so during the night. If you’re easily nauseated, it’s best to keep some tummy-filling snacks within reach to avoid a miserable night. Set up a mini snack area in your room or bedside with healthy drinks and snacks to calm your hunger.
Get creative with your comfort
You might not need a pregnancy pillow during your first trimester, but as your belly grows, so does discomfort. Your growing belly puts strain on your spine and joints, and a pregnancy pillow can provide support under your belly and between your legs. However, nothing beats the craving for and satisfaction of sleeping on the tummy. Yes, I know it’s insane to even think about it, but trust me, that’s one of the things you’ll miss dearly once you’re in your third trimester. Don’t be discouraged just yet, because there’s always a solution to all issues. You can get creative by using a swimming pool ring or firm pillows to support your body to get into a comfortable position. Be careful to not overstrain your belly or back.
Remedies to soothe heartburn
You’re prone to experiencing acid reflux during your pregnancy – more so after the second trimester. This is because your growing belly pushes your stomach, so you’re likely to experience heartburn or acid reflux after a heavy or spicy meal. So my personal advice would be to keep meal time light and easy. We know it can be very tempting to eat to your heart’s content, especially when you have the food you’re craving staring at you, but mindful eating will help with the after effects. Munch at short intervals instead – it will save you from having to take Gaviscon to ease the heartburn. If you do end up having acid reflux or heartburn, mix a tablespoon of honey with warm milk and drink it to soothe the pain. It should give you much needed relief.
Opt for sports bra instead of maternity bra
In pregnancy, your body morphs into a slightly different form to support your growing baby. You will gain weight and the proportions of certain body parts change. The shape of your breasts will change to become bigger, of course. You might not be comfortable putting on your daily bra anymore because of the change in size – and an increase in your level of sweating. So, your best bet would be either a maternity bra or a sports bra. Both do a great job in keeping them ladies in place, with a high level of comfort. The difference is, maternity bras can be expensive and you might not be wearing them once you’re done with pregnancy. A good sports bra can give you the same support and comfort without breaking the bank. Make sure to pick a bra that provides enough support for your growing chest and opt for light, sweat-wicking fabrics that will hide any colostrum leakage you might experience during your pregnancy.
Consume bananas to ease muscle cramps
Many pregnant women experience sharp pain in their feet that usually happens at night. Anything from having a vitamin deficiency, to changes in your metabolism can lead to these painful cramps that are especially common late in your pregnancy. So to ease these cramps, include bananas in your diet. This nutrient-laden fruit, which is packed with potassium, magnesium and calcium, can help to give you relief from muscle cramps and sharp pains.
Stay hydrated
One of the things that I was seriously lacking and found extremely hard to accomplish was to keep hydrated. My body would feel overly warm as a result of insufficient water intake, of course. Doctors recommend that expectant mothers drink 8 to 12 cups a day. While it may be difficult to keep track of how much you’re consuming, and having to constantly remember to fuel up, have a bottle of your choice and bring that with you wherever you go. It will help you to monitor your water intake while being a cool accessory to have. The choices and designs of water bottles are aplenty, and some are really funky. So grab one and make it your best friend.
More on pregnancy and motherhood? Read this:
https://lipstiq.com/parenting/174525/you-can-definitely-relate-to-these-4-things-if-youre-a-new-mom/
