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Pregnancy is arguably one of the most mystic and extraordinary phases of life for any woman. However, there’s nothing ordinary about pregnancy. Pregnancy will turn your world inside out, and things will not be the way you’re used to at all. We need hacks in every aspect of life, but they can be the difference between misery and comfort during pregnancy.
Every stage of pregnancy comes with its discomforts and inconveniences. Some may be major, while others are just little annoyances that shake the joy out of the pregnancy. Instead of sitting and crying – which is very likely in pregnancy because you’re a dollop of emotions you need pregnancy hacks from someone who’s been there before to make life easier.
As your body expands and hormones get produced by the bucket loads, there’s a lot that will be out-of-the-ordinary. Pregnancy and preparing for a baby are expensive; you cannot buy everything you need for every little discomfort. It helps to know a few pregnancy hacks for new moms to save time, money, and tears. This article shares 11 pregnancy hacks every woman needs to know.
In this article
11 Pregnancy Hacks For First Time Moms
#1 Invest in a Good Maternity Pillow
A maternity pillow is the one thing that will alleviate 99 of your pregnancy problems – and more after delivery. Back pain is a common pregnancy complaint among pregnant mothers. Coupled with the lack of a proper sleeping position where every turn hurts, sleeping discomforts can give you a nightmare during pregnancy.
Take care of all your sleeping problems and back pains by investing in a good pregnancy pillow. Pregnancy pillows come in varied shapes and materials for you to choose from. You can take a C-shaped pillow if you sleep more on your side and are looking to support the back. The U-shaped pillow is also excellent for offering back support and alleviating backaches and leg cramps.
Buy a Momcozy Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping from Amazon.
If you’re suffering from reflex and don’t know how to sleep without your dinner coming up, get the maternity cushion. The pillow will elevate your upper body to keep the reflux from getting worse. The most exciting thing is that you can carry your pregnancy pillow everywhere you go. This will make traveling and sleeping in strange beds easier and bearable.
Related Article: Benefits of a pregnancy pillow
#2 Get a Baby Toothbrush
Preparing to brush your teeth during pregnancy can sometimes feel like you’re preparing to bungee jump from a cliff. Nausea in the first trimester might have you hating the very thought of brushing your teeth. In the later months, you may gag every time you attempt to brush since your stomach has been pushed all the way to your throat by the growing baby.
One of the best pregnancy hacks that worked for me and will make your brushing your teeth a less torturous venture is to swap your toothbrush with a baby toothbrush. The bristles on a baby’s toothbrush are softer, guaranteeing you less irritation in the mouth. They are also softer; they won’t go all the way to your esophagus.
If your taste buds disagree with the adult toothpaste taste, get a toddler’s paste with a bubble gum flavor. Your teeth will still get clean, and you’ll have solved another pregnancy problem without much hassle.
Related article: 11 Common Pregnancy Problems and Solutions
#3 Flavor Your Water
Water never tastes worse than it does in pregnancy, and drinking water sometimes does feel like a punishment. Water is essential in pregnancy; it keeps you hydrated, keeps you from getting urinary tract infections, and keeps away constipation. That’s why drinking adequate water is also one of the best pregnancy hacks that can take care of most of the pregnancy’s problems. Migraines and other common pregnancy ailments sometimes need you to be well hydrated, and they are gone.
It’s, therefore, very frustrating when water tastes like misery. To make water easier to drink, infuse it with fruits to change the taste and smell. Cut a few slices of lemon, orange, cucumber, or the fruit or berries you’re craving and throw them into your water bottle. The difference in taste may be all you need to down the wonder liquid without retching.
Related Article: How to Control Food Cravings in Pregnancy
#4 Get a Reminder App
Pregnancy brain is real; you may be experiencing a hazy brain and forgetting the most important appointments and names. If you’re already struggling to remember things, get an app on your phone to remind you of the things you need to do.
If you keep forgetting to drink up, get an app that will remind you when it’s time to hydrate. Put all your appointments and meetings in an app that will send you reminders; at the frequency you desire.
Make lists of your routine – everything you need to do, everywhere you need to go, and all the things you need to get when you go shopping. It’s very frustrating to remember you forgot something at the store when you are too tired to go and get it.
#5 Read, Selectively
Even if this is not your first baby, you will find yourself constantly in need of information. No two pregnancies are alike; you may have a different experience from what you previously had. Getting relevant books and blogs on various pregnancy-related topics is a good pregnancy hacks every woman needs to know.
Choose books with good reviews to avoid loading up unnecessary information. You can even get recommendations for good books from your gynecologist. There are many little things to scare you in pregnancy, but you will be ready and calm when you notice them when you know what to expect.
Reading will also help you understand what signs and symptoms to ignore in pregnancy and what warrants an immediate call to the emergency room. Don’t go about pregnancy clueless; useful information never hurts.
While it may sound like a paradox, reading is good, but not all reading is good. Although ‘googling’ is a quick and easy way to get answers, a lot of information is not verifiable. This can send you into panic mode over everyday things. Having a good source of information during pregnancy will save you lots of anxiety.
Sift through your reading list carefully and avoid sites that may seem to be peddling more lies and myths than truth. Fact-check every piece of information on multiple sites, and before taking any action, check with your doctor. It would be better to ask and be wrong than not to ask and make a fatal mistake.
Related article: 8 Pregnancy symptoms you should not ignore
#6 Enhance Your Sleep Quality
Insomnia may have visited you with all its siblings, but you need to rest. Once the baby arrives, sleep will be a nostalgic memory. If you’re not able to sleep, get creative ways to enhance your sleep quality during pregnancy.
The pregnancy hack that works best is to get quality noise-canceling earphones if you have background noises that are keeping you from getting your beauty sleep.
A white noise machine might be an excellent investment to help you sleep better. It will also come in handy when the baby is born if your home is near noises such as traffic, trains, or construction.
It will also be a great help if your partner is a snorer.
#7 Wear a Nursing Bra
Your boobs were probably the first sign that you were pregnant because of how much fuller they got. Full breasts also come with complications such as no fitting bra and bra scratches. Did you know you can start wearing your breastfeeding bra before delivery?
Painful breasts in pregnancy are a common but irritating phenomenon. Wearing a breastfeeding bra gives you the relief that’s elusive with standard bras. Breastfeeding bras are softer and have no underwire, making them much more comfortable.
They also have an adjustable fitting so that you can wear them more loosely. If you have been saving these for the days after delivery, you can unpack them and enjoy them now for relief from sore breasts during pregnancy.
Related article: 10 BEST NURSING BRAS FOR NEW MOMS
#8 Use Selfie Sticks and Tongs To Reach Things
As your pregnancy progresses and your belly grows more prominent, it will get harder to reach the floor. You may not even be able to see your feet. What, then do you do when you drop an earring or when you need to shave your legs? You will need a few pregnancy hacks to make your life easier during pregnancy.
You can use kitchen tongs to grab things below your reach – whether it’s a piece of jewelry or a bar of soap in the bathroom. Just keep one handy where you need it most. If you cannot reach your legs for a scrub or a much-needed shave, attach a sponge or a shaver to a selfie stick and stretch it to your feet for a good scrub.
Every woman needs to know these pregnancy hacks, especially if you are living alone. You may not have someone to scrub your legs for you, but you can make do with what you have.
#9 Transform Your Clothes
You may think you’re prepared for the day your clothes stop fitting, but you wake up one day and your precious little trousers can’t button. Instead of shopping for a whole new wardrobe, you can transform your regular clothes into maternity clothes.
Use rubber bands to extend the buttons of your trousers and shorts. Hook the band around the button and then loop it over the button-hole. Its elasticity will be a great help in offering you comfort.
Use bra extenders to make your bra a little bigger when it presses too hard against your skin. You could also cut the front part of your bar and stitch stretchable material to make it more elastic and make it fit better.
Turn the dresses that are now riding above the new because of the baby bump into top dresses. Get cute jeggings to go with them. You do not have to be a tailor or designer to make these wardrobe pregnancy hacks work. Check out a YouTube tutorial to learn how to make beautiful pieces for your maternity wear.
#10 Use a Mirror to Shave
Once your baby bump has blocked the view from your lady bits, shaving ‘down there’ can be a herculean task. This doesn’t mean you should let yourself go and hide all grooming until the bump is gone. Use a mirror in your shower to help with painless shaving devoid of accidents, nicks, and cuts.
Sit on a comfortable chair and pace the mirror in front of you. Slowly slide to the edge of the seat, taking caution not to fall. You can place a basin beneath you to catch any stray hair to avoid having to clean up too much after.
#11 Take it Easy
Pregnancy can be worrisome even when it seems to be going on just fine. The thoughts of delivery and the anticipated pain may rob you of the joy of pregnancy. One of the mental hacks every pregnant woman needs to know is to take a day at a time and purpose to be happy.
Remove yourself from negative people and situations and people and do the things that make you happy and lift your spirits. Stress is not good for the baby’s growth and development; it is actually associated with miscarriage. Stress may also predispose you to post-partum depression.
Related Article: How to Stay Happy in Pregnancy
FAQs
- What are 5 things a female should do while pregnant?
Some of the things you should do during pregnancy are to eat healthy foods, take a prenatal supplement with folic acid, reduce stress, and stay active.
- What husband should not do when wife is pregnant?
Some of the things to avoid doing when your wife is pregnant is to avoid saying mean words to their partner such as a mention of their weight and try to be as supportive as possible.
- What are the six things a pregnant woman needs more of?
Some of the nutrients you need more during pregnancy are folic acid, iron, choline, Vitamin B, calcium, and protein to provide adequate nutrients for the growing baby.
- What a newly pregnant woman needs to know?
Some of the best pregnancy hacks for first time moms are to remain active during pregnancy, eat healthy foods, drink adequate water, wear a well fitting bra, and read inspiring foods
- What positions should you avoid while pregnant?
You should avoid lying on your back while pregnanct especially during the last trimester because the weight of the baby can put excess pressure on the blood vessels. Sleeping on your side is considered safe.
Conclusion
Don’t take the pregnancy journey alone. Talking to fellow mothers who are in it with you or have gone ahead of you will give you more pregnancy hacks for new moms. And there’s no better teacher when it comes to pregnancy than experience.
Simple is beautiful, especially during pregnancy. Make use of what you have at home to make a memorable time. You don’t need to go to an exotic place to take photos; your backyard with your pets is enough.
Although every pregnancy is unique, a lot that happens in pregnancy is not. Sit with a cup of your favorite drink, catch up with other mamas, and share the pregnancy hacks that have worked for you. We hope that these 11 pregnancy hacks will make your life easier.
Read Next:
- 11 Common Pregnancy Problems and their solutions
- How to Stay Happy During Pregnancy
- 8 Pregnancy Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
