10 Pregnancy Hacks Every Expecting Mama Should Know

From our growing bellies to the seemingly never-ending list of pregnancy symptoms we endure, pregnancy can be a tough season! It takes a toll on your normal everyday life (especially if this isn’t your first baby!), and can really tend to overcomplicate simple tasks.

Having recently had my fourth baby, I know a thing or two about being pregnant and am sharing with you a few tricks to help make these long 40 weeks go a little smoother.

Keep reading for my top 10 pregnancy hacks that you need to know as an expecting mama!

By the way - if you are looking for a Birth Class - I have one! Your Best Birth is everything you need to understand your pregnancy, birth and postpartum - whether you are a first time mom or fourth, looking for a different experience. Use code BLOG to save 20% on the class and send me a note to get this reimbursed by your insurance!

10 Things Every Expecting Mom Should Know

1. Morning sickness remedies

If you’ve recently found out you are expecting, you’re probably nearing some bouts of morning sickness (if you haven’t already!). While there are no proven methods to avoid morning sickness altogether, these remedies can help lessen your symptoms.

Use seasickness remedies: One seasickness remedy that can really help is using an acupressure wrist band. This elastic band has a small piece of plastic sewn into it that applies pressure to a pressure point on your wrist, combating nausea. The brand Sea-Band has one specifically created for morning sickness relief. These bands have been proven to work for a lot of women, and are completely drug-free!

Nausea popsicles: If you’ve been struggling with morning sickness, you’ve most likely not felt like eating a whole lot. Try eating something cold - like popsicles! The trick here is to eat ones with either Ginger or citrus in them. You can probably find ones from the store, but making them is super simple too - there are tons of recipes on Pinterest!

Morning sickness tea: Most tea brands have a morning sickness tea in their line-up. Just like the nausea popsicles, you’ll just want to make sure they have Ginger or citrus in them. (Pink Stork makes a Ginger Orange one that is great!)

Aromatherapy: While some scents can definitely trigger nausea, there are other scents that can actually help combat it. If you have some essential oils on hand, you can try sniffing them directly from the bottle, or diffusing a nausea blend. Some of my favorites to keep on hand during the first trimester (and sometimes beyond) are Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, and Ginger.

2. Nightstand anti-nausea kit

While we’re on the topic of morning sickness, an anti-nausea kit for your nightstand is a must! I like to get a cute basket and fill it with snacks, a water bottle, and vitamins. Eating a snack before you go to bed can help you not feel so sick the moment your eyes open the next morning, so I like to keep some crackers or pretzels in the basket. And since vitamins and your prenatal can sometimes trigger nausea, taking them at night might help  keep some morning nausea at bay!

3. Keep yourself organized

Pregnancy brain is real! (like, scientifically proven!) It’s like walking into a room and instantly forgetting why you went in there, but for 9 months straight, and after too. Even if you weren’t a forgetful person before pregnancy, you’ll want to use something to help keep you organized. Writing everything down, setting timers, keeping lists of things you don’t want to forget, or even using a daily pill box for your vitamins can help.

4. Pregnancy pillow or blanket

If you don’t already have a pregnancy pillow, you can also use a large cozy blanket or extra bed pillows. Since you won’t be able to sleep on your stomach for long, and sleep during pregnancy can become quite interesting, these can help keep you comfortable so you can get some much-needed rest. You’ll want to strategically place them into your side body to make everything feel more supported.

5. Compression socks

As you near your third trimester and especially in your last couple of weeks, it’s completely normal to experience swelling. (*though, if it gets super intense, you’ll want to show your care team as this can be a sign of preeclampsia*)This swelling can be super uncomfortable (especially in your feet!), but compression socks can help reduce the swelling. If you don’t want to wear them during the day, you can wear them at night while sleeping!

6. Buy clothes you can wear again after pregnancy

I do not like spending money on clothes I’m only going to wear for a few months. Especially with the minimal closet and capsule wardrobe trend! Instead, buy clothes that you can wear after pregnancy too! Oversized t-shirts, sweaters, t-shirt dresses, and leggings are all on trend right now and all stretch well and can carry you throughout your entire pregnancy. They are even comfortable to wear during the postpartum period.

7. Kinesio tape

Kinesio tape is body tape that is primarily used by athletes to support muscles and joints. With pregnancy putting a major strain on your body (especially your abs and back), taping your belly to support these regions can provide immediate relief. There are a lot of different patterns you can place the tape in, depending on what area of your body is feeling the most strain, so it’s best to check with your doctor first before trying it on your own! Also be sure to learn the proper way to remove it, since the skin on your belly is very delicate while pregnant and improper removal can irritate the skin.

8. Grabber

General clumsiness is normal during pregnancy, and with this comes dropping things. It may seem silly, but purchasing a grabber is super convenient when your belly becomes too big to bend over. Or, you can use your toes! Not to mention, if you have other kids who keep toys laying around, a grabber comes in clutch for cleaning up at the end of the day!

9. Squatty potty

Pregnancy constipation is no joke! And, unfortunately, the farther you get along in your pregnancy, the worse it gets. If you don’t already know (or don’t already own one), a squatty potty aligns your body into the most natural position for a bowel movement and has even been proven to make a difference.

10. Plan ahead

One of the best things you can do for yourself before you meet your little one is to plan ahead! One of my favorite ways to prepare for postpartum is to prepare different kits that I know I’ll need multiple times a day.

Postpartum kit: This kit can be kept in the bathroom, ready for you whenever you need it! Things you’ll want to include in it:

• Adult diapers

• Pads (long, with wings)

• Peri bottle

• Perineal herbal spray or balm

• Tucks pads (witch hazel)

• Dermaplast

Breastfeeding kit: If you are breastfeeding - it is a full-time job in itself. Having a kit on hand of all the items you’ll need during or after each feeding can help relieve some of the headache:

• Nipple cream

• Nursing pads

• Water bottle

• Lactation cookies or other snacks

• Nursing bra (Check out this blog for my favorite ones!)

• Pump

Preparing a few freezer meals to have on hand for those first few days back home when you really don’t feel like cooking can also be super helpful - but don’t make too many where it becomes overwhelming.

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