My Pregnancy Tips (Part I)

Because I’ve been seeing nonstop preggo posts on FB and I’ve had so many questions from expecting new mommies and friends of expecting mommies about my pregnancy, I wanted to offer some helpful tips that really helped me (some of which I wish someone would have told me when I was pregnant). Granted, every woman is different and every baby is too, but it’s always nice to hear and share stories.  

This is a Two-Part Series. Part I will be about things I did during the 1st half of my pregnancy.  Hope these tips are helpful…and here’s a couple more photos of Marli because she is too. darn. cute. 🙂

(1) ASK QUESTIONS : So this pertains to your OB/GYN.  Whether you’ve been with your doctor for a long time or looking for a new one, if you’re a new mommy, this will be a whole new kind of conversation with your doctor.  These are some questions you should always ask besides the basic stuff like your diet, physical activity, products you can/can’t use, etc).

• What is your availability with normal business hours and after hours?  Who should I call if you are unavailable?
• Are you planning on going out of town when my baby is due?  If so, who is the backup person to deliver my baby?  (Often times, if it is a group practice, another OB/GYN in the office will deliver your baby.  As for private practice, I am unsure…it will probably be the doctor on duty at the hospital.  This might sway your view on whether or not to schedule the birth. We had to deal with this…but I’ll elaborate on it in the Part II Series.) 
• What’s your percentage rate for vaginal delivery vs. c-section?  (You can also ask about his/her rate for a natural birth if you are interested. Some doctors have a high rate of performing c-sections. You need to know this!)
• What’s your position on inductions?  (Some doctors are more conservative than others and will induce if you are one day overdue; others may wait as long as 1-2 weeks past your due date.)
• Where do you have birthing rights?  (In other words, where can you deliver my baby?) Do they do home births?
• Do you have a list of suggested pediatricians? (He/she should have a list of recommended pediatricians, many of which have worked together in the past.)

(2) GET EDUCATED : Read, read, read!  I subscribed to getting weekly updates HERE about Marli’s development as she grew in my belly.  I loved reading about what she could do as each week passed and how big she was getting…from a pea to an orange…haha.  I got most of my reading from online, but did buy THIS book to read when I was 7 months.  So helpful!  Again, I believe a book can’t tell you everything because it’s geared from a general standpoint, but it was a good foundation for basic knowledge. This prepared me for what to expect. I always read a couple weeks ahead when Marli arrived to stay ahead of things.

(3) NOURISH YOURSELF : As soon as you find out you’re expecting, start taking your prenatal vitamins.  They have extra nutrients for you and baby. I took one THIS ONE with extra DHA.  You can get this at Target.  Stay hydrated and eat a well-balanced meal.  Increase your calorie intake by 300 calories per day in the 1st trimester.  I also made it a point to eat salmon once a week for the yummy omegas.  The 1st month was difficult because I couldn’t stand the smell and texture, but after the morning sickness went away, it was smooth sailing.  Also, I was pretty tired the first month so make sure to listen to your body and get the rest you need!

(4) GET MOVING : Exercising at a moderate pace for 30 minutes 4-5 times a week was a lifesaver for me!  I NEVER went to the gym – I did everything in my house or outdoors to stay in shape.  I lifted weights, ran (until 4 months), walked, and stayed active.  I really think exercising up to the delivery helped my labor immensely…not to mention helping my body bounce back.  I remembered that a week before she arrived, all I wanted to do was take SUPER LONG walks…guess it was my body’s way of preparing itself for her. Consult with your doctor about what you can/can’t do and how often.

(5) Get a SNOOGLE!  It will save your life!  As your belly grows, sleeping will become less and less comfortable.  THIS pillow LITERALLY saved my sanity.  I still sleep with it sometimes 🙂

(6) LET IT GLOW : Hopefully you won’t experience much nausea, but if you do, I am hoping it won’t last.  For me, I had morning sickness during month 2 & 3. It wasn’t super bad, but it was an uneasy feeling all day, especially after I ate…which made me NOT want to eat.  But, I knew it would pass.  And it did.  Like a lot of woman, the 2nd trimester is the best.  You’re getting used to your growing belly and you have this amazing glow on your skin. So, embrace it, and feel like the beautiful RAWR you are!  

Do you have any tips for surviving the first half of your pregnancy?  Do share :)  I’ll post Part II for the second half of the pregnancy tomorrow.