During this pregnancy there have been numerous things that I have found helpful, which aren't necessarily your typical "What to expect" things.
The first trimester was the worst as far as sickness, the second trimester was a breeze, and the third trimester is proving to be . . . challenging.
10 Things That Have Helped Me Get Through This Pregnancy :
- A good BPA-free water bottle that holds at least 30 ounces. I used a glass mason jar with a straw lid that I bought off of Etsy. I've dropped it a billion times and it hasn't broken. Mason jars are pretty wide however and they won't fit into your cup holder of your car -- so have multiple good drinking vessels! Plus you'll want to wash them :)
- Great prenatal vitamins -- this is a given but do your research when it comes to prenatals. Look up what's in them and look up their reviews. Make sure to read the back and find out if you're supposed to take 3 a day or just one. Also make sure that the ingredients line up with what you're getting in your diet. Does your prenatal have enough calcium and vitamin D? Does it include probiotics? How about Omega 3s?
- Snacks that settle your stomach. People will recommend ginger, peppermint, etc. Try out what works for you. I ended up needing saltines and ginger ale -- while ginger snaps made me sick as a dog in that first trimester.
- Tylenol Extra Strength - as always talk to your doctor first because for some reason you might be the one person on earth who isn't allowed a little Tylenol. However, my midwife said that it was alright for me to have 2 extra strength Tylenol for my migraines. I try to stay away from medications as much as I can but if you are in serious pain don't freak out about it, just make yourself feel better. Also know that Advil and other pain medications are not safe so make sure that it's Tylenol and ask your OB or midwife. Also my midwife recommended Arnica homeopathic tablets if you're not into using any medications. I personally never tried it.
- Coffee / Caffeinated teas - In the first trimester just the thought of coffee make me sick to my stomach, however I quickly realized that the caffeine was a good help to ease my headaches, if they weren't bad enough to use Tylenol. My midwife said that I can have two cups a day, which is 16 oz.
- Microfiber towels and diaper rash cream -- Okay this is a weird one but I have been pregnant over the summer and as a well-endowed lady I have found that shoving a microfiber towel under my bra when I'm taking my daily (?) walks the best way to get rid of boob sweat. If you do sweat and chaff in areas you didn't know could possibly chaff -- grab up some diaper rash cream and slather it on.
- Blender -- I hate fruit. I REALLY hate fruit. Most of all I hate bananas. During my second trimester I developed pretty bad leg cramps at night and the only thing that helped was getting more bananas in my diet. Having a good blender is a really great way to get your daily fruits in (as well as your daily probiotics if you add some yogurt!). I also add spinach because it cuts the taste of the bananas.
- Buying maternity clothes as you need them -- I bought a few items of maternity clothes in the first trimester and guess what -- by the third they don't fit. Maxi dresses are a good investment, some sports bras that are bigger or a bra borrowed from a bigger friend, full belly banded bottoms should be bought later on or a size bigger than you think you are going to be, and go ahead an buy a few basic blouses. I have found a basic black v-neck blouse and tank invaluable. Also...
- Slip on shoes or a damn good husband/fiance/boyfriend/baby daddy/roommate/partner because by the end you'll stop being able to reach the laces :) Suck it up and buy some Toms or some Birks, or just go with your ratty old flip flops who cares. (except your toenail polish is gonna be looking pretty bad )
- BIG underwear. -- you may not think your butt is going to get much bigger but I can't tell you how much you will LOVE having a pack of big underwear. You remember when you were a kid and your underwear came in a pack of 10? Yeah, get those. One size up. You can still get black ones or whatever makes ya feel sexy, but seriously.
