No, you haven’t lost your mind (or your body)—it will all be ok!
Nausea, breast tenderness, exhaustion, moodiness, weight gain—after reading a list of symptoms like these, a lot of women may be daunted by the reality of what pregnancy can do to their body. But of course, the journey becomes worth each and every struggle when that beautiful little person you’ve created enters the world.
Many women begin to feel symptoms immediately, even before the pregnancy is confirmed. And even though we know it’s normal, it can be hard not to analyze every single sensation and feeling. To help you adjust, here’s an overview of some changes you can expect and how to conquer them:
Morning sickness
Waking up feeling so nauseated that you can’t even get out of bed is not fun. For many soon-to-be-mommies, this queasiness is quite difficult to manage at times, but trust me, you’re not alone. Hold on and take a deep breath! You can and will get through it. First, remember that morning sickness commonly subsides after the first trimester. In fact, many expecting mothers don’t experience any nausea at all! If you’re not one of the lucky ones, here are a few tips on managing it:
- Keep crackers close by and munch on them whenever you feel queasy
- Eat a bunch of small meals throughout the day
- Avoid foods that are too rich or spicy
- Sniff lemons or other fresh scents—your sense of smell often triggers nausea
- Drink ice water or caffeine-free tea
- Focus on foods that make your tummy happy
Tender breasts
At the beginning of a pregnancy, even the slightest touch to your breasts may cause enough pain that you’ll be seeing stars. And even though it’s to be expected, it still hurts! You may also notice that your girls change in appearance. It’s all part of the amazing journey to motherhood and your body’s natural inclination to prepare for breastfeeding.
The changes in your breasts will continue throughout pregnancy, but most women will find they become less tender as they advance through the trimesters. In the meantime, try these tips to make yourself more comfortable:
- Get a well-fitting and supportive bra
- Apply warm compresses to alleviate soreness
- Sleep in your bra
- Drink plenty of water
- Reduce your salt intake
Moodiness
Let’s face it—there are about a million hormones bouncing around in your body during pregnancy. So just as you feel moody when you menstruate, you may be feeling an exponential increase in emotions. Mood swings are perfectly normal, but this dramatic range of emotions can be hard to handle. Here are some tips on getting through it:
- Give yourself a break
- Get regular exercise (even a walk around the block can help)
- Eat well
- Distract yourself by watching TV, reading, or catching a movie
- Sleep as much as possible
- Try a yoga class for pregnant mamas
- Remember, this too shall pass!
Stretch marks
These dreaded skin assailants attack 50-90 percent of pregnant women, though this fact doesn’t make anyone feel more comfortable about it. It’s one of those symptoms that many moms-to-be fear the most. But don’t dismay, stretch marks often fade away after giving birth. And while you can’t completely prevent them, there are ways to decrease your chances; take a look:
- Stay hydrated (keeping skin hydrated improves elasticity!)
- Eat gelatin to increase collagen formation
- Moisturize with coconut oil and shea butter
- Eat foods high in vitamin C (such as bell peppers, kale, broccoli, oranges, and grapefruits)
While the road to motherhood may seem bumpy (no pun intended), you can and will get through all of the changes. The most important bit of wisdom I can impart to you is to remember that everything you’re going through is normal—and to remember that these changes are all part of your body helping a healthy baby to grow. It’s A-Okay to feel anxious, moody, and tired. Give yourself permission to cry, nap, and do what you’ve got to do to manage it all.
And remember, to fully prepare for your labor and delivery, consider enrolling in my childbirth education course. I offer in-person, online, and private classes for parents-to-be that ensure your childbirth experience is as smooth as possible. Get in touch with me or register online today.
