Mother Knows Best, But She Can Still Use A Helping Hand: 40 Hacks For Expectant Mothers
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. Nothing compares to the feeling of a safe, successful delivery, and finally holding your baby in your arms for the first time. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Before childbirth, there’s the whole ordeal of being pregnant. As hormones change and body needs increase, pregnant mothers have to deal with a lot of changes.
Without warning, certain smells are guaranteed to trigger nausea and favorite foods taste disgusting. And as the months pass, you can’t do things you used to or even get a good night’s sleep because of that growing baby bump. What’s a pregnant woman to do in order to not lose her sanity? Relax and don’t let the small stuff stress you. We have come up with 40 of the most useful hacks that will help you get through your pregnancy without going cray-cray.
Chips for morning sickness? We never thought of that
A lot of women were able to tell they were pregnant even before they took a pregnancy test. How? Because they experienced terrible morning sickness. It seems like for most females, morning sickness is common in pregnancy. Lucky are those who didn’t have to suffer from it.
But why suffer if there’s something you can do about it? We didn’t even think that potato chips can help morning sickness but a lot of pregnant women swear it works! Snack on some chips and drink lemonade in the morning and your spirits will be lifted.
Coconut oil to the rescue
Another common complaint from pregnant women is itchy bellies. They’d give everything just to scratch their bellies but they also know that it will result in rashes and unsightly marks. So, how do you not suffer from itching without using a lot of chemicals?
The answer has been under our noses the whole tile. Coconut oil! Why didn’t we think of that? Coconut oil has cooling properties that help soothe your skin and after applying it to your belly, you’ll notice relief in just a few minutes.
Read about what you should expect
Are you familiar with the book What to Expect Before You’re Expecting? It turns out it’s a great read and is very helpful for mothers-to-be everywhere. Knowing what’s going to happen before it does will help you plan going forward and make you less anxious.
So, peruse pregnancy and motherhood books and articles on the Internet. They provide valuable insight and knowledge about the whole new world of pregnancy. Talk to your momma friends, too. They have been there and done that. Every pregnancy and motherhood journey is different, but there are always similarities.
Hoard pillows
When you’re pregnant, it’s as if every joint, bone, and muscle hurts. No matter what position you’re in when you sleep, everything feels uncomfortable. Luckily, you don’t have to just grin and bear it because we have a life-saving hack for you.
You may not be able to buy the most expensive and luxurious mattress, but you can always hoard pillows. They’re the next best thing! They don’t cost as much and can make your pregnancy much more bearable and your sleep quality better.
Get your hands on some ginger ale when feeling nauseous
Ah, nausea. The bane of every pregnant woman. To and fro to the toilet they go. Pregnant women contemplate why people can eat so much when they can’t even keep their breakfast in their tummies. What can you if you have a nausea attack?
Get your hands on some ginger ale for relief. Some people may disagree with this and may think it’s just a placebo, but thousands of pregnant women swear by it. So, tell your husband to pick up some ginger ale next time you send him to the store.
Make the home a pregnant-friendly place
When you’re so far along and your tummy has swollen to the size of four melons, your movements are limited, and you can no longer do the things you used to. Forget about reaching things on the floor; you can’t even bend to touch your own feet.
You don’t want to be contorting yourself into awkward positions just to grab one thing off the floor. A pair of kitchen tongs come in handy when you’re expecting. They are like an extension of your arms and will allow you to pick things up with ease.
Don’t worry about jeans not fitting you because there’s a remedy
One of the tell-tale signs of being pregnant is a bulging belly. After all, your baby grows as each month passes. However, this also leads to your dresses and jeans not being able to fit anymore. But instead of buying pregnancy jeans right away, why don’t you try this hack?
Make an extension of your jeans by using a hair tie and making a loop, just like in the photo. Don’t make it obvious, though, and make sure you’re wearing a long shirt to cover it. It isn’t the most fashionable hack, but when you’re pregnant, you just want to be comfortable!
Comfortable pants, whether pregnant or not
Comfortable pants, whether pregnant or not, should be part of anybody’s wardrobe. Who wants to go through life with pants that bite your tummy, behind, or thighs? Why bear the discomfort when there’s something much better waiting for you out there?
It turns out there’s a pair of pants out there that fits you from before pregnancy until you ballon by the ninth month. Sweatpants are the answer to your worries before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after childbirth. Aren’t they magical? Why are we only finding out about this now?
Stock up on your cravings
When you’re expecting, you have weird cravings. You suddenly want to eat strange food combinations such as cake and ketchup or perhaps steak and mayonnaise. Anyway, we know pregnant women everywhere can relate. Instead of sending your husband out in the middle of the night to scour for groceries, try this hack instead.
You’ll find yourself looking for food during ungodly hours of the night so make sure you stock up on your favorites! Make sure your pantry has everything you ever need so it won’t matter if you wake up at three am because you can just go to the kitchen and know where to go.
Make parking options work for you
You get many privileges when you’re pregnant so make sure to take advantage of them because they will make your life easier. When you’re expecting, the parking benefits disabled people enjoy also apply to you. So, instead of dealing with parking difficulties, make your pregnancy work for you.
We all know how challenging parking is even when you’re not pregnant, more so when you have a huge bump in front of you that makes it hard to maneuver. Avoid the stress, discomfort, and worries by keeping your eyes peeled for these parking spots.
Getting rid of hair can be more painful during pregnancy
Hair is something that most women would rather not have on their bodies, except on their heads and they go to various lengths to get rid of hair. Name it, plucking, shaving, waxing, laser procedures, women have been through it all.
But the thing is, when you’re pregnant, your skin is super sensitive and something as painless as hair removal can become suddenly unbearable during pregnancy. So, if you want silky smooth skin without jumping from the pain of waxing, apply some numbing spray first.
Baking soda offers relief from acid reflux
Baking soda is not only an indispensable item in the household for cleaning and baking, it happens to offer relief to pregnant women who suffer from the all too common acid reflux or heartburn issues. No one likes the burning feeling in the chest that’s caused by stomach acid traveling to the throat.
Although there are OTC drugs for heartburn, it’s best to steer clear of them during pregnancy, unless otherwise advised by your OB. A safe alternative is to dissolve one to two teaspoons of baking soda. Drink it, and it will help you feel better.
A good sheet makes a world of difference
As your tummy gets bigger and your delivery date approaches, you’ll discover that you’re more sensitive, and a lot of things irritate you, apart from your husband. Kidding aside, even sleeping is a challenge because you can’t lie flat and your sheets are itchy all of a sudden.
Be mindful when it comes to choosing sheets and opt for materials that are silky, soft, and won’t cause friction. Watch out when these fabrics go on sale so you can stock up on them and don’t have to suffer from a night of turning over left and right.
Make slip-ons your best friend
A lot of people aren’t fans of shoelaces because they’re too much of a hassle to bend over and tie them. Sometimes, they untie themselves when you’re in the middle of crossing the road. Granted, they are more secure than slip-ons, but they can make all the difference for a pregnant woman.
So, if you’re having trouble bending over, steer clear of shoelaces and make slip-ons your best friend. You’ll get in and out of your shoes faster. However, if you’d rather stay with shoelaces, a good hack is to lace your footwear with knots and that will prevent them from opening again on both ends.
Steer clear of junk food and opt for healthy snacks
It’s difficult to say no to your cravings, especially when you have a little human inside you that makes you hungry every hour. Plus, snacking is advised if you are a mother-to-be. What’s not advised, however, is snacking on junk food and too much sugar.
You don’t want to develop gestational diabetes, and you don’t want to have a baby that’s too big, so it’s important to make healthy choices when it’s time to chow down. Instead of chips or sweets, reach for filling fruits such as frozen grapes.
Stop morning sickness in its tracks
We’ve talked about morning sickness already and how it’s the least fun part of pregnancy for expectant mothers. If the lemonade and potato chips hack doesn’t work for you, we’ve got another one! This doesn’t only offer relief; it’s delicious, too.
Blend banana, berries, crushed ginger, and lemon together. Put them in the ice cube tray, pop them in the freezer, and take them out whenever you feel like you’re about to suffer from another bout of morning sickness. They will save you!
Pregnancy pillows make everything better
People who think that pregnancy pillows don’t make any difference are probably those who have never been pregnant. They look weird, they are super big, and they occupy more than half of the bed. But they work like magic.
When you do get pregnant, get yourself a pregnancy pillow. It doesn’t cost a fortune, and it is money well spent. Body aches will immediately reduce or go away completely once you have a pregnancy pillow, and you’ll achieve better sleep, too.
Kinesio tape for pregnancy works wonders
If you think that Kinesio tape is only for sports-related injuries, think again. You’re not giving it the credit it deserves. It’s a taping technique that alleviates pain, even for pregnant women. It makes carrying the weight of a tiny human in your body tolerable.
If you have areas with aches and pains, don’t hesitate to use Kinesio tapes over them and ensure that you keep them on for at least three hours to get the best results. Sometimes, the best remedies are the simplest ones.
Have a plan for the day
Have you ever heard of pregnancy brain? It’s similar to what they call a foggy brain where you forget little things easily, can’t seem to make wise decisions, and can’t think clearly. Women, even after giving birth, tend to still have a “pregnancy brain.”
Make sure you remember everything important by writing down a to-do list or your plan for the day. Jot things down and tick them off as soon as you’ve done. This will ensure you don’t forget to pay your electricity bills and your husband won’t be unpleasantly surprised to come home to a dark house.
Thank heavens for sportswear
Kudos to the people behind sportswear because they do more than just protect you when participating in taxing sports and activities, they also help when you’re pregnant. Why buy expensive pregnancy clothes when you can wear sportswear. You don’t need to answer that!
They expand, conform to your body, offer support, and are economical. It’s no wonder even celebrities turn to them when they have a bun in the oven. In addition, you can still wear them even after you give birth.
Organization is the way to go
When you’re pregnant, you need to take medicine or supplements regularly, but most of the time they’re forgotten, no thanks to pregnancy brain. Make sure you remember to take them on time through some organization method and pill organizers.
Pill organizers are cheap and you can find them everywhere so there’s no reason to not have one at home. Make time and label stickers, print them, and put them on the pill box to serve as a reminder every time you look at it.
Leaks when nursing? Use feminine liners
Ask any lactating woman, and she will tell you that one of the things she doesn’t like about pregnancy is leaky breasts. You need to keep nursing pads on hand for this. However, there are times when it’s difficult to find them.
Don’t fret when you can’t find nursing pads because feminine liners will do just as good of a job, if not better. They’re long, so you might want to cut them to size. Press them on when you’re leaking, and remember to change them every hour.
Acid reflux be gone
Heartburn or acid reflux is common during pregnancy, and it is often caused by hormonal changes or the tiny human pressing against your belly. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer from it for long. If you have apple cider vinegar at home, then you already have had of what you need.
Mix 2 quarts of water, 1/3 teaspoon of ginger powder, and 2/3 cup of apple cider vinegar and drink the concoction. Another great thing about this is it’s safe enough to drink it as many times as you like. Nothing beats natural.
Keep yourself hydrated with the help of fruits
Hydration is key to staying healthy, regardless if you’re pregnant or not. We all know that dehydration can potentially cause many health problems. Make sure you are sufficiently hydrated, especially if you have a little human inside you; they need all the nutrients they can get.
If you’re one of those people who always forget to reach for that glass of water, you can trick yourself into drinking more by putting a price of fruit in your water. It will give the water some flavor and will encourage you to reach for it more often.
Show some love to your feet
Your feet carry you around the whole day, and take you to all the places you want to go for your whole life! That’s already intense. Now, imagine having to carry the weight of an adult and a baby in the tummy. You’re feet are already tired, so show them some love.
Your feet deserve a massage now and then. Make the experience even better by using essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus, as they will relieve the pain and swelling that’s so common for pregnant women. Thank us later.
Get freebies and samples
Baby stuff can be expensive, so you must prepare for your little one’s arrival. Stock up on baby items when you see a sale, and you’ll be able to save a substantial amount of money. One baby item that can easily drain your budget is diapers.
Save some money by signing up for freebies. We understand some people don’t like receiving marketing emails, but what you can do is create a different email solely for the purpose of freebies. You get free samples and save money. Win-win!
When your shirts suddenly seem shorter
When your tummy starts showing, it’s not unusual to find that some of your shirts have suddenly become shorter and tighter. It’s an unpleasant surprise that your favorite shirts can no longer support or cover your baby bump. When that happens, don’t go running to buy new clothes just yet.
Get some of your worn-out shirts, particularly those you no longer care for, and cut them. Wear them over the lower part of your tummy and wear your nice shirts on top of them. Now, you don’t need to worry about exposing your tummy.
Put a bra in your fridge
Yes, you read that right, put a bra in your fridge? Why so? It’s going to rescue you during particularly hot summer days. Undergarments are a double-edged sword, and they can make you uncomfortable and itchy but if used right, they can help.
You can’t always turn the AC on at home especially if you’re trying to cut back on energy bills, so the next best thing to do is put a bra in your fridge for a few hours. Take it out, wear it, and it will definitely cool you down instantly.
Salt bath for swollen feet
When you’re pregnant, your feet are working double-time to support your growing body and keep you upright, so you should never neglect them. One of the most common pregnancy problems women deal with everywhere is sore and swollen feet.
Get some Epsom salt, pour about two to three spoons into lukewarm water, and soak your feet until the water cools down. This will provide comfort and give your feet that much-needed relief you’ve been searching for. Do this regularly, and your feet will thank you for it.
Do a bit of yoga
More than 5,000 years old and still practiced today by people all over the world, yoga has been proven to offer the body numerous benefits. Introduced to the US in the 18th century, it was originally a form of healing.
Yoga benefits pregnant women too. When you have a bump, it is good practice to do yoga. It helps get rid of the aches and pains that come with pregnancy. However, you should make sure that you get your physician’s approval first as pregnancies differ from one to another.
Sleep in a position that is comfortable for you
Getting a restful night’s sleep is challenging when pregnant. Sometimes, you find that only a handful of positions allow you to get some shut-eye. Some are also dangerous for the baby, so they are not advised for pregnant women.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t move at all. Get yourself a pregnancy pillow and you’ll feel like a new woman! Large and soft, they are also firm enough to support you and the little one. That being said, you still need to be cautious when moving to not hurt the baby.
Another way of dealing with morning sickness
Morning sickness is common in pregnant women, hence the number of remedies that you see on this list. After all, you can never have too many hacks for morning sickness. If you have tried the previous solutions, but still have no relief, you can get sea-sickness bands.
These bands are designed with studs that activate a certain pressure point on your wrist that controls your gag reflexes. When pressed, it will prevent nausea. Wear the band any time of the day or throughout the day; you won’t even notice it’s there.
Extend your bras
It’s common to become noticeably bigger when you’re pregnant because you have a growing human inside you. So, it’s only normal that you need to buy new underwear and clothes because your old ones don’t fit anymore.
However, you can still use the same bras, provided that there isn’t too much of a difference in your cup size. These handy bra extenders will give you more room and allow you to wear your old bras. Just make sure you buy them at lingerie shops where they are cheaper.
Always have snacks handy
There are times when you can’t help it and you need to travel long distances when you’re pregnant. Or, sometimes the traffic is so bad that you can’t reach your destination in the time you’re supposed to. What if you’re suddenly feeling hungry?
If you’re expecting, it’s natural to feel hungry almost all the time. Make sure you don’t starve yourself by making sure that you always have some snacks handy. You should bring a stash with you wherever you go. You’ll need them!
Prepare your newborn care package ahead of time
Although pregnant women have an EDD or estimated delivery date, babies rarely follow their EDDs and a good amount of the little ones can’t wait to see the world, so they end up arriving earlier than expected. Don’t be caught unaware.
Ensure you have all your baby things ready for whenever your little one decides to pop out. Your small package should include bibs, a baby thermometer, diapers, baby wipes, baby clothes, snot remover, and muslin wraps. Make sure you have the hospital’s emergency number on speed dial too,
Having difficulty brushing?
A lot of pregnant women seem to gag at anything and everything. Smell something they don’t like? Gag. Taste something they don’t like? Gag. Even brushing can be a difficult ordeal and can make them gag, too. So, what’s a pregnant woman to do?
An easy solution for this preggo problem is using a smaller toothbrush. You can even get a kid’s toothbrush if you’re feeling wild. Not only will they put a stop to your gagging problems, but they also come with soft bristles, too. So, do yourself a favor and go to the dollar store!
Prepare a nausea kit
We can never discuss nausea enough when pregnancy is involved because a lot of women suffer from it. Lucky are those who don’t have to worry about it. You don’t want to be perusing the aisles of baby clothes only to start feeling that you’re about to be sick.
Prepare a nausea kit! It typically includes some sweets, gums, a few snacks, and wipes just in case of any accidents. If you’ve missed them, scroll back up and you’ll see some other nausea and morning sickness hacks on this list, too.
You can turn your regular jeans into maternity jeans
Maternity jeans are lifesavers when your baby bump starts to balloon out of control. They stretch, thanks to the elastic waistband. However, they can be costly, especially the name brands. So, what’s a preggy budgeting momma-to-be supposed to do?
Easy! You can turn your regular jeans into maternity jeans with some elbow grease, scissors, and a sewing kit. It doesn’t take much. All you need to do is cut out the waistband’s pocket length and fill in the gaps using a stretchable fabric and voila! There you have it!
Preventing cramps when pregnant
Cramps are the bane of every woman, be it pregnant or not. They start surfacing when you begin getting your period and for some, they progressively get worse. It’s the one thing woman wish they could live without but, alas!
It turns out that drinking electrolyte water and bananas can help banish them. Why didn’t anyone tell us this secret sooner? You don’t need to buy special electrolyte water. Just store regular water in terracotta pots because they have minerals that charge your water with electrolytes and keep them cool.
Ice packs for swollen feet
The soaring temperatures during summertime not only affect pregnant women but everyone! However, the situation is worse for those who are expecting because not only do they have to deal with the heat, but they also have to deal with the various hormonal changes in their bodies.
The summer heat can lead to sweaty and swollen feet, which can become very uncomfortable. Grab some ice packs and put them on the blistered areas of your feet, and you’ll feel relief almost instantly. Just make sure to put ointment on your blisters, too, so they don’t worsen.