Pregnancy Hacks You Wish You Kew When You Were Expecting
There is so much to learn about being expectant. The season of growth and anticipation is absolutely magical. Be it a first pregnancy or a fourth pregnancy (keeping in mind that every pregnancy is a different experience), life is quite difficult when you’re expectant. From what expectant women have to go through on a daily basis to some of the things that they should know and are expected to recall, it is a lot. There may not be a lot that can be done about the situation, but surely, some hacks can make life much easier by simplifying things. Below are some pregnancy hacks many mothers wished they knew at when they were pregnant:
- The Popular Jean Hack.
Is your favorite pair of jeans becoming tight? When you cannot fit into your jeans, just solve this issue by using a hair tie! Put the hair tie through the holes where the button should be. Take the end coming out of the hole and get it around the jean and through the other side. Pull it together and make it as tight as possible and then loop the other end onto your button. And now you are able to wear your jeans regularly even when you cannot button them up all the way! Just ensure that you wear a top long enough to cover the zipper area! For some, this trick will enable you to wear your jeans for much longer that you would normally have.The only problem is that it’s only best for pregnancy in early stages. Once the belly starts to grow, it is not very effective in keeping your pants up.
- Using a Belly Band When the Baby Bump Starts To Show.
The belly band is one of the best investments that you can make during your pregnancy. It is designed to give support to the lower back and the abdomen. Some of the benefits of using a belly band include:
i. Reduces the pain.
Joint pain and back pain can be exasperating and can make execution of daily chores a bit difficult. By wearing a belly bump, your lower back and the baby bump is supported. This will help in reducing the pain.
ii. Provision of tender compression during activities.
The gentle compression of the belly band helps support the womb and lessens discomfort from movement during physical activities.
N/B: excess compression on the abdomen can reduce circulation and causes negative effects of blood pressure. It can also lead to heartburn and constipation.
iii. Provision of outside cues for posture.
They facilitate good posture by externally providing cues. Since it supports the lower back and torso, the belly band encourages good posture and prevents the lower back from being overly extended. The characteristic “leaning back” appearance is because of the additional weight that is carried at the front of the body in addition to the stretching and weakening of the important muscles supporting the spine.
iv. Allows you to comfortably go about your daily activities.
It goes without saying that prenatal exercising has a positive impact on the health of the mother and the baby. Exercises improve muscle tone and stamina and reduce incidences of hypertension, diabetes, and depression. A lot of women find it difficult to exercise while pregnant due to the pain and discomfort. Wearing a belly band helps reduce the discomfort and gives you room to participate in your daily activities.
iv. It can be worn post partum to provide support.
Reduced core strength is usual in the following weeks post partum. The stretched muscles and ligaments need time to heal. The demanding job combined with the weakness can be difficult which can lead to injuries. Most women find wearing a belly band after delivery helpful as it gives additional support to the lower back and the abdomen, therefore reducing discomfort. It is also an added advantage to women who experienced diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles). It will physically bring the abdominal muscles together. In addition to doing some specific exercises, this will help in bridging the gap between the abdominal muscles.
N/B:
- Always keep in mind that the belly band is a temporary fix. It does not heal any underlying condition or dysfunction. By supporting the abdomen, it “turns off” the muscles underneath leading to increased weakness long term.
- Always wear belly bands or the support garment for at mist three hours at a time to reduce chances of overdependence.
- Exercises that strengthen the transverse abdominis should be done with the help of a belly band in order to strengthen the core muscles during the pregnancy and post partum.
- Always consult with your doctor before using any compression garments. Pregnant mothers with a compromised blood circulation or a blood pressure that is not normal may be discouraged to use the belly band.
- Invest in Pillows.
As you near your due date, your baby bump will start to grow. This will make sleeping super uncomfortable, contributing to sleepless nights and a lot of pain for you. You have most likely heard about pregnancy pillows and heard about how comfortable they are. Even though it is not a “need”, they are not luxury items. They are helpful in increasing flexibility and boosting energy and stamina throughout your pregnancy.
The three main areas where they truly shine are under your belly, behind your back and in between your legs. These spots stand to greatly benefit from additional support while you sleep during your pregnancy. Even though they might not work wonders for everyone, generally a pregnancy pillow:
- Makes your adjustment into a new sleeping position easier.
- Keeps your neck, back and hips aligned during sleep.
- Decreases the pressure around the hips and pubic bone by having your legs stay parallel to each other.
- Improves your circulation.
- Improves common pregnancy conditions such as heart burns, nasal congestion and leg cramps.
- Prevents you from rolling over onto your back when sleeping.
N/B: just be sure that your mattress and pillows are giving correct alignment of the spine. There is a strain put on your spine, ligaments and joints by simply being pregnant. Sleeping out of alignment will only aggravate these problems since it is easy to pull or strain muscles when pregnant.
- Nausea Relief.
Morning sickness doesn’t necessarily have to happen in the morning. Some women experience it throughout the day. Some ways to help with the nausea include:
i, Eating small portions of food frequently. Not eating alone can worsen the nausea. Thus, it is advisable to eat frequently in small portions instead of a three course meal. Also try snacking frequently.
ii. Incorporating ginger in your tea. Research shows that ginger has the ability to sooth an upset stomach. Try taking ginger tea, or ginger incorporated drinks and meals.
iii. Avoiding strong scents and foods that can be triggers. Stay away from greasy and fatty meals, and strong smells that can act as triggers. In addition to that, you can eat meals and drink beverages separately. This also helps with the nausea. Alternatively, you can try aromatherapy – smelling mint, lemon or even scented oils.
iv. Exercising .Try taking a walk, yoga, a swim. This helps greatly with the nausea. However, always consult with your doctor about what exercises are good for your health and baby.
- Get yourself a pregnancy/nursing bra.
As you progress into your pregnancy, you tend to experience sore breasts and tender or even swollen nipples. Maternity bras are specifically designed to protect your breasts during pregnancy since it is around the time the milk ducts begin to grow. How do you get the best nursing bra?
i. Comfort is important.
It is advisable to avoid wearing nursing bras that have an underwire. This is because underwires put pressure on the milk ducts which can possibly block milk flow. In addition to that, maternity bras are designed to provide additional support while being soft and breathable. It is an additional advantage if the bra is cotton underlining reducing sensitivity brought about by chafing.
ii. Continual Nursing.
There are some maternity bras that are comfortable for sleeping in. A good nursing bra is seamless with double layered cups that can allow you to wear it with or without nursing pads. As an alternative, there are nursing camisoles. They are also a good option for sleeping in and can also work as a normal top.
iii. Flexibility
One of the physical changes during pregnancy is increased breast size. A maternity bra is made in such a way that it can accommodate your change in breast size comfortably.
Pregnancy Hacks You Wish You Kew When You Were Expecting
