Have Your Best Pregnancy – 7 Pregnancy Tips to Help You Achieve It!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I’ve been pregnant 6 times now, 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 6 different pregnancies now (5 full term, live births and 1 miscarriage), 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.

7 Pregnancy Tips

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 that 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.

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, a 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 really 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!

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 it 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 really 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!

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 own 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 own toes anymore. Get in a few extra date nights as well!

Take More Photos

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. You’ll wish later you had taken more photos of your growing bump. You can never take too many photos, so just do it!

My sister and I when we were pregnant at the same time, Spring 2012.

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!