Oh, maternity! It can be such an exciting and terrific time and also it can likewise be truly tough (just being sincere here). Between the queasiness, your ever before transforming body, and also insane hormones, pregnancy is a wild trip to claim the least. Because we lately discovered we’re anticipating second, I discover myself thinking of all the little things I learned throughout my first maternity. I’m much from being a maternity pro, but a minimum of I have a better concept of what to expect and also just how to make one of the most out these following eight months. Below are 15 maternity hacks to assist you soothe the pain, simplicity right into your expanding body, and take pleasure in each month of expanding a child!
15 Pregnancy Hacks That Will Certainly Have You Rockin’ Bump Life
First Trimester Pregnancy Hacks
Fight Queasiness and Early Morning Sickness
This maternity has actually completely kicked my butt when it concerns morning illness. Since I’m a pregnancy and also parenting blogger, I did a great deal of study and tried tons of different queasiness treatments to see what worked the very best. For both of my pregnancies, my hands down favorite method to combat morning illness has been Preggy Pop Drops. They’re little sour candies made with necessary oils and natural flavors. I do not understand what it is about them, but they have the capability to completely decrease my nausea or vomiting. I try to draw on one for as lengthy as possible, as well as by the time it’s gone, so is my uncomfortable tummy.
Maternity Hacks
My various other ideal practice when it pertains to nausea is remaining hydrated. If I go as well long without alcohol consumption water (or some other kind of liquid), I start to really feel the morning health issues taking control. My best guidance is to obtain a gigantic water bottle (like the ones you get at the health center) as well as try to drink at the very least a gallon of water each day.
Stay Organized with the Oh Baby Maternity Organizer
If you have not looked into the Oh Baby Pregnancy Organizer, you have to. This pregnancy coordinator takes all the guesswork out of getting ready for baby. It has over 50 printables that assist you remain organized and prepare for your kid without forgetting anything (hi maternity brain).
It includes things like:
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A doctor questionnaire (not gonna lie, I was Googling “what to ask when talking to a pediatrician” in the car before going in to meet mine for the first time)
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Baby registry list
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Hospital bag checklist
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Birth plan template
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Information for newborn care
…and lots and lots of other helpful resources!
If this is your first time walking through pregnancy, I highly recommend you check out this coordinator.
Pamper Yourself With Bump Boxes
I’m mosting likely to be truthful and confess that subscription boxes are something I would usually never do. I’m a majorly dime pincher and getting a bunch of “surprise” spam to my house on a month-to-month basis isn’t truly my point. But, the Bump Boxes are a various tale. Primarily, these nine months are a time to indulge on your own. For real.
If you’re not the type of person that typically splurges on self-care, currently is the time. Bump Boxes are loaded with items that are really valuable and are customized to your due date. In each box, you get things like stretch mark lotion, heartburn relief, maternity teas, and even cute water bottles and coffee mugs! You can browse #bumpboxes on Instagram to obtain a preview right into some other mother’s boxes prior to you order.
Purchase a Pregnancy Pillow
You possibly will not have a very big bump by the end of your initial trimester, but I highly suggest buying a maternity pillow EARLY! One day, you’re going to wake up, look in the mirror, and surprisingly have a big baby bump. You’re going to want that pregnancy pillow.
I was being super penny-wise throughout my last maternity and convinced myself that I really did not require an expensive pregnancy pillow. My plan was to stack a bunch of regular pillows between my legs and behind my back — I thought it would work fine.
A few weeks later, my friend gave me her pregnancy pillow after trying it for a night and deciding she didn’t like it. Not sure what she was thinking, but this pillow saved my life! I have the large “C”-shaped pillow, and it was perfect for rolling from side to side when my stomach got too big to lie on either hip for long. I carried an almost 10-pound baby, and I’m convinced this pillow is the only reason I got any sleep between weeks 36–41.
2nd Trimester Maternity Hacks
Get a Stubborn Belly Band (or DIY One)
As I’m writing this, I realize my partner really helped me out during my last pregnancy. She introduced me to Preggy Pop Drops, lent me her pregnancy pillow, and bought me a belly band (when I had no idea what one was).
A belly band is basically a band of fabric that covers the fact that your pants aren’t buttoned or zipped. Once you’re dressed, it just looks like a longer cami under your shirt. There’s this awkward stage of pregnancy when you’re too big for your regular clothes but too small for maternity wear — that’s where the belly band comes in.
You can also DIY your own belly bands by cutting old tank tops (full tutorial below).
Use the Hair Tie Trick
Another way to extend the life of your pre-baby clothing is the hair tie trick. You’ll need a longer shirt to hide it, but it can keep you in your regular pants for a few extra weeks.
Prevent Stretch Marks
My sister-in-law gave me excellent advice when I was pregnant with Weston. She had just had a baby and didn’t have a single stretch mark. She said she started moisturizing her belly from the very beginning, before it even started growing.
I followed her advice and applied lotion to my belly every night and anytime my skin felt itchy from stretching. My belly came out mostly untouched, but my thighs, butt, and boobs weren’t so lucky — I had been too focused on my stomach. Stock up on stretch mark cream (I used this kind) or make your own!
Add Collagen Powder to Your Morning Drink
Another creative way to fight stretch marks during pregnancy is to add collagen powder to your morning beverage. Collagen is a protein that helps skin stay flexible and strong — perfect for stretching skin. It also supports healthy hair, skin, nails, joints, and bones, all of which are super helpful during pregnancy.
Buy Maternal Clothing in the Convenience of Your Own Home
Just when I assumed I could not like Amazon.com any longer, they created Prime Closet. If you’re an Amazon.com Prime participant, you can shop on Amazon, have 3 or more items delivered to your door, try them on in the convenience of your own home, and return everything you don’t like — free of charge! You only get charged for the items you keep.
Let me tell you why this is the best way to buy pregnancy clothes:
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You don’t have to leave your home.
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Amazon has way more options than your local maternity store — and they’re way more affordable.
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You don’t need to deal with the dreaded dressing room (trust me, this space is an expectant woman’s worst enemy).
You can browse Amazon’s maternity section below!
Third Trimester Pregnancy Hacks
Take Your Baby Prep Classes Online
Technology is a wonderful thing, especially when it comes to parenthood. I have no idea how our parents survived without video baby monitors and Google. Thanks to technology, we can now take all our pre-baby courses online, in our pajamas, whenever we want!
If you haven’t enrolled in any pre-baby classes yet, I highly recommend checking out the following:
Birth it Up — As my doctor always says, “there’s nothing worse than surprises in the hospital room.” As a woman, I believe we should be prepared for anything that can come our way during labor and delivery. I think it’s empowering and calming to know what to expect on the big day. Birth it Up is taught by a registered labor and delivery nurse and covers topics like:
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How to recognize when you’re really in labor
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Pain management
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Labor positions
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Pushing tips
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And much more
You can learn more and sign up for the course here.
Milkology (The Ultimate Breastfeeding Course) — As a breastfeeding mom, I can say that learning the ins and outs of milk production was one of the hardest parts of becoming a mother. I was constantly wondering:
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Am I “doing it right”?
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Is my baby getting enough milk?
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Is he eating too much or too little?
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Is this pain normal?
The reality is, nursing is challenging and a steep learning curve for most new moms. I love Milkology because it covers everything you need to know about breastfeeding your baby. Lessons teach you:
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What to do during your first nursing session after birth
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How to manage milk supply
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Latching and positioning
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Troubleshooting
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And much more
If you plan to breastfeed, I would highly recommend spending time with this course before your baby arrives!
Toss a Baby Diaper Celebration
A diaper celebration is generally the male matching of a child shower (without the corny video games). Below’s exactly how it works … your companion and all of his individual good friends get together to view some showing off event or have a bonfire, or play texas hold’em (or whatever drifts your watercraft).
Price of admission to this person’s evening is a box of baby diapers.
It’s a wonderful little last hurrah for the man in your life as well as a terrific way of obtaining a whole bunch of complimentary baby diapers! Because of our diaper celebration, we didn’t have to get diapers for the very first 15 months of Weston’s life!
Below is a picture from one of the most recent diaper party my husband went to. You can have a look at even more suggestions on just how to build an outstanding baby diaper stockpile here.
Ask for Books Rather Than Cards at Your Child Shower
I came across this idea on Pinterest and it was a massive success. Instead of cards, ask each guest at your baby shower to bring a book and also compose a little note to your baby on the within.
It’s a wonderful means to grow your child’s collection and also an amazing means to reveal your little one just how much they are loved in the future. You can just include the demand as component of your infant shower invitation.
Obtain a Totally Free Breast Pump With Insurance Policy
It wasn’t till a friend of mine lately opened a breast pump at her child shower that I recognized that not everyone understands that you can obtain one absolutely free via insurance coverage. The procedure is so straightforward and also a substantial cash saver when it involves getting ready for child.
My bust pump would have cost me over $200. Rather, I got it free of charge, loved it, and also utilized it for over a year. You can discover exactly how to obtain your free breast pump here!
Nest Like a Pro
Preparing your residence for infant can be hard. You don’t really know what you’re mosting likely to require or where to place things till your youngster has actually made their arrival.
However, I’ve created a listing of 8 ways to prepare your residence for baby that I believe is actually practical for expecting mommies! You can have a look at the complete article here.
I wish these pregnancy hacks aid prepare you as well as your body for the remarkable globe of maternity. Getting weight, insane mood swings, as well as sleepless evenings don’t exactly sound like a blast, however bring and growing an infant for 9 months is one of the most amazing things you’ll ever experience. I hope these maternity hacks enable to you reduced the pain and also help you enjoy all the fantastic things pregnancy has to offer.