You are finally pregnant! It is a great feeling knowing you are going to become a mother. You will give birth and that’s nothing less than a miracle. Sure, you are looking forward to it, but there are also horror stories you have heard about pregnancy. Growing a baby inside your body is not exactly a piece of cake; you are going to have to deal with the pains, aches and bodily discomforts associated with it. It is all worth it because you end up with a little one at the end of this long journey. But, this doesn’t mean that your pregnancy has to be comfortable.
It is true that it may be a bit unrealistic to believe pregnant women can be as comfortable as they were before pregnancy. However, this doesn’t mean that nothing can be done. There are a number of tips that can aid you in making your pregnancy as comfortable as possible and mitigate the problems, pains and aches that are likely to come with it. Want to know what they are? Here is a comprehensive guide:
Wear maternity clothes
The definition of maternity clothes has been refined in the last decade or so. Gone are the days when maternity clothes meant wearing tents that had bows strategically placed to hide the pregnancy. These days, pregnant women can look as stylish as the next woman, show off their belly bump proudly and do this all very comfortably. This clothing is especially designed to accommodate a belly that’s going to grow so women will feel comfortable rather than feeling squished. There is no need for you to fight your growing up and it is better than you make the transition to maternity clothing as soon as possible if you don’t want to be uncomfortable.
Get some pillows
Pillows are often regarded as the new best friends of all pregnant women. In fact, now special pillows for expecting moms have been introduced, which have been made for their comfort. Pregnant women will find that pillows can go a long way in reducing their pains and body aches that come along with their pregnancy, whether they use a full-body pillow for easier sleeping or use a small one to support the back when sitting in an office chair. As pregnancy body pillows are especially designed for this purpose, they can be immensely useful in supporting the weight of the belly while you are lying down and thus promote comfort.
Eat small meals regularly
All rules go out the window in pregnancy. Sure, you are one of those women who have a policy of having three strict meals in a day and don’t believe in snacking. But, when you are pregnant, your whole body is changing, which means its requirements are also varying. You are now responsible for another human being and this has to be taken seriously. It is recommended that you eat five to six meals on a daily basis. No, this doesn’t mean huge meals, but small ones as they can be useful in easing the feelings of morning sickness and prevent indigestion and heartburn.
Elevate your feet
Your ankles and feet will start to swell during the end of your pregnancy, especially when you have been on your feet for too long. Therefore, you need to keep your feet elevated as much as possible. This will reduce the swelling, if your feet have already become swollen, or may even prevent it altogether if you start doing it beforehand.
Always stay hydrated
During pregnancy, it is essential that a woman gets plenty of fluids. Water can be extremely handy for flushing out the toxins and waste products in the body and also assists in liver and kidney function in both the baby and mother. If you become dehydrated during pregnancy, you are going to suffer from fatigue, constipation, contractions and even preterm labor or miscarriage. Thus, it is important that you drink lots of water throughout the day to avoid uncomfortable pains and aches. Avoid sugary beverages and caffeine and rely solely on water. 8 to 10 glasses of water are recommended by experts.
Above all, pregnant women also need to rest as much as possible if they want to have a comfortable pregnancy.