Have Your Best Pregnancy – Tips from a Mom of 7

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I have 7 children, so I’ve compiled 7 pregnancy tips for you today!

I LOVE being pregnant! Sure, there were times when I complained during my past pregnancies, but overall I loved the experience. There is something magical about hearing your baby’s heartbeat inside of you and feeling those precious baby kicks!

Having gone through 9 different pregnancies now (7 full term, live births and 2 miscarriages), I’ve learned quite a few things along the way. In fact, I learn something new each pregnancy! Today I’d like to share with you some tips that I believe will be helpful to you if you’re expecting.

Gummy Vitamins

When I first got pregnant, I wanted to do everything “as healthy as possible”. That meant spending high dollars on fancy prenatal pills. Now, I’m not putting those pills down. In fact, I still take fancy prenatal pills…but usually not during the first trimester. I found myself gagging on those huge pills, so far too often I skipped taking my vitamins.

While gummy prenatal vitamins might not sound as nutritious, they have really come a long way over the years and they are certainly better than taking nothing at all. Keep a bottle of them on hand for days when you just can’t handle swallowing the bigger pills.

Pick a Good Care Provider (and it’s okay to switch!)

From the moment I got pregnant, I knew I wanted a natural, drug-free birth. I’d heard that midwives were the way to go if you wanted a natural birth, so I found some in the phone book and booked an appointment.

The only thing was, my appointments were never like I imagined. Honestly, it felt like I was part of some assembly line of pregnant women they were just bringing through the line to check vitals and then send me on my way. After a number of office visits that left a sour taste in my mouth, I went in search of something better.

As luck would have it, I’d started taking childbirth classes and the teacher had birthed her children at home. The more I learned about it, the more I desired it. I interviewed the midwives and switched care providers when I was about 30-32 weeks along.

It was scary to switch, yes, and felt even a little wrong to switch so late in the pregnancy, but I am SO glad I did. It was truly the best thing I ever did for my birth experience.

If your care provider isn’t willing to support you in the care you desire for yourself and your baby, it’s never too late to make a change!

Visit a Chiropractor for Body Aches and Pains

Oh man, with each pregnancy I seemed to get new body aches and issues. With my baby Maggie, the aches and pains were pretty mild. Mainly pains from my skin being stretched. Jacob pushed a rib out of place and my belly looked lopsided, Zellene was so high in my belly it was hard to breathe, and oh (oh oh oh) the hemorrhoids.

Those who know me know that I don’t like to take over-the-counter or prescription medications unless absolutely necessary (and I mean, absolutely!), especially when I’m pregnant.

Thankfully during Jacob’s pregnancy, I discovered the wonderful world of chiropractic care. My chiropractor was able to address all of my aches and pains and really helped me to feel as comfortable as possible during my pregnancies while avoiding medications.

Chiropractic care is also very helpful once your baby arrives too as you adjust back to your non-pregnant body.

Try Lemons for Heartburn

This could fall under aches and pains, but for me (and many other women) it was so extreme that I feel like it deserves its own category. I suffered with heartburn during all of my pregnancies.  

With Maggie and Jacob I used papaya extract tablets and chewed gum throughout the day for relief. Towards the end of my pregnancies, that failed to completely cure the problem and I just suffered through it.

Finally, the third time around, I stumbled upon a natural remedy that works, and it’s so easy: lemon water for heartburn. Take a clean lemon, slice it in half, squeeze the juice into a glass and fill it the rest of the way with water. Then drink it down.

After doing so, my heartburn was usually gone within 15 minutes! I normally drank this 1-2 times a day and it kept my heartburn. As an added bonus, lemon water is really good for you, so drink up!

Ever since I discovered this trick, my pregnancy heartburn has been much better!

On a Budget? There’s a Lot You Don’t Need

Don’t let all of the baby advertisements fool you. There are a LOT of baby products you really don’t need. Sure they are nice and cute, but you can do without them.

For instance, the crib bedding sets can cost you well over $100, and most don’t even come with a sheet. Here’s the thing though, those big comforters that come with the crib set, you’ll likely never use them. Same with the bumpers, which most pediatricians do not recommend.

Find an affordable crib and purchase a sheet, and you’re good to go. I spent a lot of money on an adorable bedding set and really regretted it later. I could have spent that money on a lot of other more useful items for our baby.

You can also do without baby towels. Again, adorable, but one of your bath towels will do just fine. If you are purchasing a playard, get one with a built-in changing table, and then you won’t need to buy a changing table. It’s one of those pieces of furniture that will be useless in just a few short years.

Another thing to consider is borrowing baby gear from a family member or friend. Babies only use a bouncer seat or swing for a few short months. Borrowing is a great way to stay within budget!

Low Iron

I have had low iron with all of my pregnancies. The thing I have found that helps the most is taking desiccated liver tablets. Another option that has also helped was Blood Builder tablets.

Make a Baby Registry

Most new moms make a registry the first time around, but I recommend that you make one for additional babies as well (although your registry might be smaller). Although you might not be showered with as many gifts during your second pregnancy, you will still have close friends and family members who want to spoil you, and registering is the best way for them to find out what you need.

Plus, you never know – they might be planning a surprise shower for you and can’t tell you to register, so just do it!

For my last few babies, I’ve made a Target Baby Registry and I’ve always been happy I did so. When it came time to return gifts to Target, I’ve always had an easy time with it.  Plus, you get a free Target baby gift bag just for registering there!

Not sure what to put on your registry? Check out this list of the best baby shower gifts and the must-have baby products for 2024.

Don’t Stress About Siblings

I can’t tell you how many moms I’ve talked to who are expecting their second child and worried about how the first will handle it. If that’s you right now, don’t worry – all moms go through this.

I can tell you from experience that it was much more traumatic for me. I remember holding back the tears as Maggie left with my in-laws right before Jacob was born. I thought, “This is it – her world will never be the same. Will she be sad she doesn’t have all of my attention anymore? Will she resent her baby brother? Will she think I don’t love her as much anymore or that he’s replacing her?”

When she came home and saw her new baby brother, she looked at him, smiled, and said “baby”…..and about 2 minutes later she was on her merry way to play with her toys. If it affected her at all, she didn’t let on. She was 2 years old then. When her younger sister Zellene was born 2 years later, she was PUMPED to have a new baby in the house (and a sister at that) and has been the perfect helper.

I haven’t noticed any resentment or issues with any of my children. What I have seen is how much they all love each other. They look out for each other and are truly the best friends. I had nothing to worry about and chances are, you don’t either!

Spoil Yourself a Bit

Once that baby comes, it’s going to be all about him/her for quite a while. There may be days when you don’t even get a shower (especially if you have a few young children).

Now is the time to pamper yourself a bit. Go splurge on a prenatal massage or pedicure since you probably can’t reach your toes anymore. Get in a few extra date nights as well!

Take More Photos & Videos Too

There were days when I didn’t feel pretty because I was swollen, broken out, or just plain too tired and exhausted to put on makeup and/or fix my hair. Before you know it though, that baby will be here and you’ll no longer be pregnant.

I’m really not sure why, but I took very few pictures when I was pregnant with my first child. Back then we didn’t have smartphones, so a selfie wasn’t as simple as it is now and I guess I just didn’t think to ask my husband to do so. Trust me, from someone who didn’t do it nearly enough, take.those.pictures! You will cherish looking back at your growing belly and your child will too as he/she grows up.

The picture above is one of the only photos I have from Maggie’s pregnancy. As you can see, the quality isn’t great at all, but I still cherish it. This photo was actually taken during labor – my water had just broken! Oh how I wish I could go back in time and take lots and lots of photos!

You’ll wish later you had taken more photos of your growing bump. You can never take too many photos, so just do it! And, while I’m at it, you should take more videos too! Get in the habit now so you do it more when the baby arrives.

Save Money – Stock Up Early

Trust me, you can never have too many diapers and wipes.  If you buy them early when they are on sale and you can match them with a coupon, you’ll save quite a bit of money over your baby’s first two years. Plus, you aren’t going to want to have to run out for extra diapers all the time!

I’d suggest 1 -2 packages of sizes NB and Small, then a few more as the sizes go up. I find that my children have been in size 3 for the longest periods of time. If you’re worried that you will end up with packages you don’t need, keep in mind that you probably have lots of friends having babies and diapers are always a welcome gift!