As any woman who's ever carried a child can tell you, those nine months can be seriously taxing on your mood and body. Luckily, several moms-to-be have discovered amazing pregnancy hacks and tips that they were kind enough to share with the rest of us!
It's understandable why some of these simple yet genius tricks don't occur to every soon-to-be mama — "pregnancy brain" is real and makes just remembering your name hard enough on its own.
But when things start to get really dire, like suffering through seemingly endless hours of morning sickness, even the most exhausted pregnant woman can come up with seriously life-changing hacks.
You may have heard some of the tips below passed around between friends and family members, but modern moms have definitely changed the game with some newer developments too.
Take a look and let us know if we missed any awesome pregnancy hacks you've used yourself or heard helped others.
And don't forget to SHARE with all the pregnant ladies who could use these helpful tricks!
1. Do Prenatal Yoga
I've heard so many mommies recommend this to their pregnant friends in recent years, and the Mayo Clinic backs up their claims by saying the physical activity can help moms-to-be sleep better, reduce stress and anxiety, increase flexibility, and soothe pains.
2. Use Kinesio Tape On Your Bump To Relieve Pressure
The tape is more typically found on athletes recovering from injuries, but smart mommies-to-be have discovered how helpful it is for blood circulation and support on their bumps.
3. Apply For Temporary Disability Parking
Some retailers offer pregnancy-priority parking regardless, but you can also talk with your doctor to see if your complications qualify you for disability status no matter where you're parking as you go about your day.
4. Soak Bloated Feet In Tonic Water
The quinine helps reduce swelling and the tiny bubbles help gently massage the puffed-up skin back to a more comfortable level.
5. Use An Inner Tube To Sleep On Your Belly
If you're used to sleeping on your tummy, this is a genius way to make sure you stay cozy throughout those long nine months — which is a difficult enough task on its own.
6. Toss Your Bra In The Freezer During Hot Summer Months
Honestly, you can do this even if you aren't pregnant to keep yourself cool in the blistering heat, but it's especially helpful for those carrying extra baby baggage.
7. Eat Citrus To Curb Morning Sickness
Citrus is a great way to reduce morning sickness, so starting your day with something like fresh lime ice pops or some herbal lemon tea can help settle your stomach.
8. Pee Before You Brush Your Teeth
Many women have trouble with an extra-sensitive gag reflex and frequently end up heaving over the toilet before they’ve finished brushing their teeth.
Of course, the baby is also adding extra pressure on the bladder and it doesn’t take much movement for a little (or a lot) of urine to leak out. Relieving yourself before the vulnerable vomit-inducing situation can save you from having to change your undies when you’re done with the unfortunate side effect.
9. Invest In A Grabber Tool
It might feel a little silly, but think about how frustrated you will be when something falls to the ground and basically feels lost forever. Use this tool rather than exhaust yourself with the energy it takes to bend over.
10. Always Have Pads Around
Not only will they help soak up little accidents when you laugh, sneeze, or move a bit too abruptly in between bathroom breaks, you might be one of the roughly 20 percent of women who spot throughout their pregnancy.
11. Make A Portable Morning Sickness Kit
Any woman who's ever been pregnant can tell you that so-called morning sickness clearly doesn't know how to read a clock and can strike at any time of the day
Keep a small bag handy with things like crackers, a toothbrush, toothpaste, mints, face wipes, and maybe a plastic bag for those pesky times you can't make it to the bathroom — like when you're stuck in traffic.
Did we miss any incredible pregnancy hacks you've passed on to mommies-to-be? Let us know in the comments and be sure to SHARE with your friends!
