View Full Version : Best pregnancy tips and advice
bheditor
12-04-2011, 18:48
Hi everyone!!! :wave:
We want to compile a pregnancy tip for each day of pregnancy (we'll do the maths on that one later ... is it 280 days :confused: ...)
Anywho ...
Tell us your best tip/advice for pregnant women?
What was the best tip you received?
Here's one of the top of my head:
"Buy some compression stocking (socks) to help control swollen ankles"
(I had elephant ankles ... :()
So it could be practical things like that and timely things as well. So a tip towards the end of pregnancy could be something like "start cooking and freezing food to help when baby arrives... you won't feel like cooking then..."
:highfive:
Guest1234
12-04-2011, 19:01
Chiropractic care!
Just*Ace
12-04-2011, 19:10
Fruit tingles are awesome when you have heartburn - always keep a pack in your handbag!
There is no need to waste money on maternity clothes, loose dresses, long tops and tights all work the same.
If it is your first baby try and really treat yourself in the last few weeks of pregnancy coz you won't be able to for a long time! It doesn't have to be expensive stuff, even just a block of choccy and a DVD night :)
shellski
12-04-2011, 19:13
If you start to get sore hips and/or pelvis, don't try to keep power walking through the pain. Go and tell your doctor, who will probably refer you to a physio because chances are, you have SPD. (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) It's a condition that, in mild cases, can be annoying when you lay on one side too much, hurts to sit or stand in one spot for too long, makes it hard to get in and out of bed, the car, etc...but in severe cases, you can barely walk, if at all, and even thinking about trying to step into your underwear of a morning makes you cry, knowing how much pain you will be in when you try. Exercising is NOT recommended as you will make it worse. The best thing to do, until you can get to the doctor for a diagnosis, is to sit on a comfortable chair, with your hips at a higher level than your knees and keep your knees together. Especially when you get up off a chair, and even moreso when twisting in and out of the seat in the car or getting in and out of bed. A good tip my physio gave me was to get a plastic bag to sit on when in the car because it made it easier to twist my legs out while keeping my knees together.
Good luck to you all and I hope you never have to use my advice! xoxo :fingerscrossed:
bheditor
12-04-2011, 19:30
Fruit tingles are awesome when you have heartburn - always keep a pack in your handbag!
:hyper: Yay! I love Fruit Tingles and now I have AN AWESOME REASON to eat them!!
Love your work ...
Guest1234
12-04-2011, 19:35
I think listening to your body first and foremost is extremely important. Only you know your body best, no one else, despite what some 'professionals' may like you to think.
Trust your OB and go with the flow. You can NOT plan anything, it is a dynamic situation that you can only work with what happens at the time. If you stay to rigid it makes the whole process very difficult. Just relax, enjoy the process and go with what your OB recommends, they do know best.:cheerleader1:
Guest1234
12-04-2011, 19:38
If you start to get sore hips and/or pelvis, don't try to keep power walking through the pain. Go and tell your doctor, who will probably refer you to a physio because chances are, you have SPD. (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) It's a condition that, in mild cases, can be annoying when you lay on one side too much, hurts to sit or stand in one spot for too long, makes it hard to get in and out of bed, the car, etc...but in severe cases, you can barely walk, if at all, and even thinking about trying to step into your underwear of a morning makes you cry, knowing how much pain you will be in when you try. Exercising is NOT recommended as you will make it worse. The best thing to do, until you can get to the doctor for a diagnosis, is to sit on a comfortable chair, with your hips at a higher level than your knees and keep your knees together. Especially when you get up off a chair, and even moreso when twisting in and out of the seat in the car or getting in and out of bed. A good tip my physio gave me was to get a plastic bag to sit on when in the car because it made it easier to twist my legs out while keeping my knees together.
Good luck to you all and I hope you never have to use my advice! xoxo :fingerscrossed:
I had this during my last pregnancy. So badly that I was practically paralysed. My doctor told me it was normal :rolleyes: but the midwives directed me to a lovely chiropractor who 'fixed' me after one appointment and it just got better and better after every single appointment. I also slept 14 hours a night right til the end because of it!
my absolutely essential, must, i tell strangers in the street tip is...
learn to breastfeed (or at least really familiarize urself with it) BEFORE u have a hungry baby in ur arms and ur looking at your breast thinking 'baby sucks where?!" :BFing: :D
Nitzerette
12-04-2011, 20:05
Buy a Bellybean Maternity Pillow. I thought it was a bit expensive - so my husband went ahead and ordered it for me. Great purchase! Then sometimes put the newborn between the pillows when on the bed. And still use it now for myself. Sleep is important!
I found when I had morning sickness drinking ginger beer or ginger tea helps calm the stomach.
inkognito
13-04-2011, 11:22
things dont always go to plan, so be prepared for anything, and ask questions
also if you have a c/section ask to have the catheter AFTER the spinal ;)
duckduckgoose
13-04-2011, 11:36
Dont eat too much dairy or you might have a lactose intolerant baby!!
Buy some breastfeeding tops, silicone nipple covers and soft crop tops before bub arrives.
Go swimming - it's nice to feel weightless. Prenatal yoga is great too.
Get a stool to sit on in the kitchen when doing the dishes or preparing food - sit down whenever you can,
Read Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin.
Don't just cook and freeze meals - make snacks like biscuit dough, pizza scrolls and muesli bars too.
krystallxx
13-04-2011, 11:38
Caffeine makes heartburn worse!
Multi vitamins aren't always great, they made my ms alot worse then it was.
Invest in a comfy sleeping bra (I got a fertile mind 1 called the superbra...not cheap but well worth it ) I also lived in a pair of Lorna Jane 3/4 pants...think their called flashpants or dancepants ??? I gained a fair bit & they were comfy all through.
willowwillow
13-04-2011, 16:21
I second Fruit Tingles.. They work a treat :)
changethestars
13-04-2011, 16:49
Don't be afraid to hold out for the birth you want. Trust your body and your instincts - and remember that this is YOUR pregnancy, no one else's!
And when people start to tell you their birthing/parenting horror stories - switch off or respectfully tell them to shut up. Live your own experience with a happy and optimistic heart, everyone's experience will be different.
Love your body for what it can do - you are a beautiful woman nuturing life.
shellski
17-04-2011, 09:18
WOW!!!! That's awesome! I'm so glad you got relief for yours! :D
I wish I had've known about that with my son's pregnancy. Thanks for the tip, I'll remember that with this pregnancy. :D
Crazyfamily
17-04-2011, 11:44
treat yourself to a nice, easy to manage hair cut not long before your due date. (i looked terrible in some of my photos as my hair was out of control). (sorry not really a great tip but i hate some of my pics)
Mum2Bugalugs
17-04-2011, 11:53
A pillow (or two) between my legs while sleeping on my side did wonders for my hip pain!
bheditor
17-04-2011, 20:55
:cheerleader1:hi guys! These are great tips! Keep them coming!
:cheerleader2: :cheerleader1: :cheerleader2:
scarlett41
17-04-2011, 21:14
Visit a dentist. Prior to pregnancy I had "perfect" teeth (no fillings etc) and my dentist tells me now that its lucky I did care for my teeth before having a baby because they have really suffered:( (still no fillings:cheerleader1: but a few more stains worse gingivitus)
Tee up some trusted people to look out for you when you are home. Just say to your mum MIL or friends "I may not be able to ask for help can you just come in and do something useful" Like just arrive with a meal or something to chuck in the freezer or pop in at dinner time to hold baby while we eat together or do a load of washing for me. I know I couldn't ask but appreciated it just being done.
Pack a skeleton hospital bag at about 28 weeks. just a couple of trackies, some baby outfits/blankets, some undies, toothbrush and maternity pads. Just in case you go early you have something to get you started. You can add to it as time goes but I went early and while I was underprepared I had enough to get me through until my mum could fill in the gaps!!
Take photos of your pregnancy belly. I was DEAD against the idea of professional "corny" ones but DH took a couple of amazing shots of my belly as a bit of a time line (I look at me 5 months pregnant and it was still so flat!!) Just for your DH and yourself rather than a statement of pregnancy beauty.
Birth plan Smirth plan. When push comes to shove-pardon the pun-you need to decide what you are willing to do pain relief wise and how far you will go and who you will listen to at the end (if someone suggests c-sec or epi etc). Be informed and inform your team about it but the word plan indicates that it will run like a schedule which I think is a white elephant for new mums-its a false sense of security. I said to my midwife at the start "I'd rather not have an epi, no way will I have the pethadine and I'm happy with gas. I'll try bath, shower, heatpacks whatever you've got and if you tell me at the end somethings wrong and I need to do this I'll listen to you" That was it and I didn't have to focus on sticking to my "plan" at all.
Have a PJ day in your first week of maternity leave. I was waiting until 39 weeks-DS came at 37 and I never got my PJ day.
wileycharacter
22-04-2011, 15:59
If its your first one and your nervous, surround your self with friends who have kids. Talk out those fears, don't bottle them up.
elleandsam
22-04-2011, 16:17
Homebirth is safe, and a very viable option for most women.
Listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs.
Maxi-dresses make great maternity wear!
Give yourself permission to put your feet up at the end of each day.
Read, read, read everything you can about birth. Then make a flexible plan.
Do not commit to anything after the birth, don't commit to parties or weddings or morning teas, you never know what your babies temperament will be or how you will feel or whether or not you'll be up to going out.
Join the ABA before you have your baby and attend a class.
bheditor
04-05-2011, 13:16
any more tips this lovely wednesday afternoon... ?
Internet shopping...still get great specials & saves carrying heavy groccery bags. Also great for when bub arrives as they will even load them into the car if you choose pick up option. :smiliedance:
Visit a dentist. Prior to pregnancy I had "perfect" teeth (no fillings etc) and my dentist tells me now that its lucky I did care for my teeth before having a baby because they have really suffered:( (still no fillings:cheerleader1: but a few more stains worse gingivitus)
i ended up with a tooth abscess and needed a root canal at 28weeks... hadnt had anything done since high school b4 that!
awesome hints, subscribing.....
xx
bheditor
07-05-2011, 11:48
I bought some fruit tingles the other day ... have never been so excited to get indigestion!!
And they worked!!
:cheerleader1: :cheerleader2: :cheerleader1: :cheerleader2:
Who would have thought!!
Thanks for the awesome tip!
Anymore pregnancy tips?
what about ways to prepare for bub's arrival? Taking photos etc?
My only tip is that everyone seems to like to be an expert when it comes to pregnancy and it doesn't stop when the baby's born - in fact, there seems to be even more opinions and advice given then!!
Birthing options, breastfeeding, sleeping and settling, how much to cuddle your baby, nappies, dummies...it really never ends. What I've learned is to take stuff people say on board...BUT every single family and baby is different, so do what works and is right for YOU, and to hell with what everyone else thinks.
If breastfeeding doesn't work for you and your baby, try not to feel guilty, but be prepared for people to mercilessly lecture about it, because they do :rolleyes:. If you want a caesar, or pain relief in labour, do everything you can to get it...you will never regret listening to your body and instincts!!
If you want to cuddle your bub 12 hours a day, do it! You are the only one that knows what is best for you, and you are the only one that will be there at 3am to deal with things :thumbsup:
There is no right or wrong way...only your way!!
Savingfishfromdrowning
07-05-2011, 17:48
Elastic button extenders are great for prolonging your ability to wear non-maternity clothes, especially jeans!
Drink raspberry-leaf tea to tone your uterus.
When choosing a pram, take it out to your car and make sure it fits in the boot.
Write a list of questions to take to each OB appointment, otherwise you always forget something.
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