10 Baby Bump Tips

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This is one of my last photos with a ‘roo in my pouch.

A month or so after this snap was captured we welcomed Fin into the world and our lives have shifted in every imaginable, wonderful way.

I may be one of the few people to say this, but I LOVED having a hitchhiker. Granted, I would have an occasional whine about stretching and complaint about fatigue, but even Carl could see that I adored every minute of being pregnant.

I enjoyed always having someone to talk to, every new movement would thrill me, and I liked having to get creative with my wardrobe (I didn’t buy a single piece of maternity wear and neither should you).

My pregnancy was fairly smooth from beginning to end. I gained the correct amount of weight, did the right exercises, and ate good food 95% of the time. And though our little guy came a few weeks earlier than expected, he was healthy, strong and ready to see the world. I’d like to believe that it’s because Carl and I took the time to make lifestyle changes before he was conceived and during the entire time he was calling me home.

And for those curious to know, I had a natural birth. No drugs. No knives. No cussing.

Was it hard? Yes. Impossible? No.

I don’t like to advice people on how to lead their lives. But if you’re curious, like many of my girlfriends are, here are a 10 things I did or used to help make my pregnancy easier.

1. Folic Acid/Zinc: Even when having a baby was just a spark of an idea. I decided to load my body with the right vitamins. Folic Acid being one of the most important on that list (click here to find out why). It takes two to make a baby and your partner shouldn’t be just a bystander. Ask him to cut down on alcohol, caffeine, and to pop the right multi-vitamin every morning with a good amount of zinc. It’s the least he can do.

2. Wheatgrass powder: Many women have complained about having acid reflux throughout most of their pregnancy. Around my second trimester, I started to feel like I was experiencing just that. My mom recommended having a teaspoonful of wheatgrass powder in a glass of water first thing in the morning and I never felt that uncomfortable feeling again. Not to mention that wheatgrass powder is loaded with tons of good for you things. I haven’t stopped taking it since.

3. Never go hungry but don’t eat for two: This phrase says it all. Many women use pregnancy as an excuse to stuff themselves to their heart’s content. Unfortunately, that way of thinking doesn’t benefit anyone but your tongue. I always made sure to have three full meals. I also had nuts, dried fruit, or yogurt in the fridge where I worked and often had a fresh orange as my midday snack. Your tenant doesn’t need much more sugar, carbs, and fats than you already take in a normal day.

4. Bellaband: My secret to never having to buy maternity clothes. This stretchy piece of fabric was recommended by my sister-in-law who used the same one during both her pregnancies. It made slipping into my favourite jeans and shorts easy all the way till I was in the delivery room.

5. Argan Oil & Cerave Moisturizing Cream: Many dermatologists have told me that coming out of a pregnancy stretch mark-free is a win in your genetic lottery. But I do think you can do things to help your genes along. Gaining the right amount of weight, keeping yourself hydrated, and moisturizing. I used Cerave with a few drops of argan oil everyday on my entire body. I liked how Cerave was easily absorbed and didn’t make me feel sticky. I tried mixing it with all sorts of oils (almond, avocado, rosehip, etc.) but argan was the one I liked the best.

6. Mini Belly Cradle: The later you get into your pregnancy, the heavier your front area feels. I felt more comfortable when I was able to give my belly a bit of lift, so I used this belly support band. I only used it when I had to stand for long periods and giving my back and belly this help made me feel better.

7. Take care of your legs: I really found that the added weight (a healthy amount is between 25-30 pounds) really puts a burden on your body’s lower half. Around the end of my second trimester, my favourite ritual would be to rub Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil on my legs (it smelled so good) and put them up on the wall beside my bed for at least 15 minutes. Trust me, your feet will thank you.

8. Prenatal Yoga: While spending a few weeks in LA to accompany Carl for work, I joined a yoga studio and attended prenatal classes 2-3 times a week. I’m convinced that the gentle stretching we had to do every session is what helped me dilate so quickly.

9. Don’t forget to take it easy: Your first pregnancy is a time in your life that’s never going to happen again. Take the time out of your routine to stop and enjoy it. Write in a journal, spend some time alone with your thoughts and tenant, and enjoy those naps with the occasional kick to wake you up.

10. Get educated: Each woman approaches childbirth differently. I have a friend who went the all natural route but refused to even watch one video about how babies enter the world. I, on the other hand, prefer to be armed with as much knowledge as possible. I was willing to go the epidural path if the pain felt too unbearable, but I believe these two books helped me understand my body and how to manage what it was feeling:

• Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth: A very hippy approach to natural childbirth but with some very helpful advice.

• Birth Skills: I didn’t even get to finish this book, but I really used all the tips I read about how to manage the pain during labour. It’s also great how it gets your partner involved.

Feel free to share your own pregnancy tips in the comments section. I’ll hopefully be writing a little more frequently now that we’ve established a routine and the holiday dust has settled. Happy 2013, everyone!