Hey guys 👋
I know it’s been more than a year since I have not written any articles on my blog nor been very present on my social media accounts (from the title, you can directly determine why 😜) but here I am; on and off but kinda trying to be present more often 🙊
In this blog, I will be mostly talking about some little tips and things that can help you during your pregnancy period and at the maternity because I personally think that those things are not told to expecting mothers and then later, you find them out by yourself on the internet or other mums and wished you knew it earlier.
IMPORTANT: The below comes from my personal experience and before doing anything that can put you or your baby in danger, please check with your gynecologist, your midwife or your GP.
As a background info about my pregnancy, it was my first one and I did not have the “best time of my life” like some women have. I have learnt through the process that this is completely normal and OK. Not all pregnancies are the same and if you are a mom of more than one kid, you would agree with me that all YOUR pregnancies are different. You do NOT have to compare your process or yourself to another person.
Here are my two tips during the pregnancy:
- Go see an osteopath during your pregnancy (and, post-partum – for you and your little love!)
I know, you’ll ask me how is that related (continue reading impatient woman! 😆)
Start of my pregnancy was not fun because I had nauseas until the 5-6 months, crazy isn’t it? And, they were not only morning sickness ones but almost all-day through! Yeah, it s*cked.
So, I paid a visit to an osteopath specialized for pregnant women and babies around my 5 months’ for a general checkup and she told me that because one of my vertebrate was not positioned correctly (due to an operation I had in 2020 – I’ll come back to this a bit further in my blog), my baby was high up therefore, closer to my stomach rather than in a rocking, comfortable position closer to my vertebral column. That was the reason why I had the nauseas and acidity reflux for a long time 😶
She fixed that.As your body is changing and every part/organ inside you is expanding and moving to give place to your little one, an osteopath will help you to restore the optimal alignment and mobility of the structures so that you have less pregnancy-related pains. S/He will also prepare your body for delivery by ensuring the proper alignment of your pelvis and spine and a quick recovery.
Around the 8-9 months (sometimes even the previous trimester), some of you might start getting the round ligament pains – these are crazy because it hurts like hell and that’s when you start walking like a penguin 🐧 and sitting/standing up is a workout. The osteopath is the one you need 💁♀️ - Go see a physiotherapist when you get swollen feet
Most pregnant women experience heavy legs and swollen feet during pregnancy – I say most because again, everybody is different and for me, for example, I got those only when it was getting very hot. Sometimes, a footbath of cold water can quickly soothe and sometimes, not; that’s where the physiotherapy comes in.A physiotherapist will do a kind of “drainage” method to circulate the water retention in your legs and relieve the discomfort of swollen and heating feet.
Don’t worry, this process does not hurt at all and you can enjoy it as a leg massage 😉
Now, as a background info regarding my delivery – I just know that I did not have a “plan” but I wished for a completely natural delivery unless there were any complications. I also knew that I did not want an epidural – this comes to the operation I was talking about earlier in this post so, here we go.
In September 2020, I underwent a surgery for my foot (Hallux Valgus or commonly know as bunion) and had to go through an epidural PLUS a needle behind the respective knee. After the operation, I HATED that I could not feel my legs at all. Actually, I could not feel the lower part of my body from my hips and had an awful pain in my lower belly (of course, because you cannot pee!). I think it took 4 to 6 hours before I could move my legs and hips again but not completely; I could not even get out of the hospital bed to go to the toilet! How is that related to my pregnancy?
Well, the experience I had, did not motivate me to go through another epidural where I would not feel anything if I had to push for my baby to come out 🤷♀️ Furthermore, the epidural moved one of my vertebrates making me sick through 4 to 5 months of my pregnancy until I went to see the osteopath and received some anti-nausea pills from my gynecologist.
To conclude, I still went for an epidural because 44 hours of pain was too much to bear 🙊 But what you need to know is that, you can ask for a light dose and increase little by little if need be during the labour phase.
Let’s move to the next point, preparing for the birth and maternity.
Below is a small list of practical things that you would need at those two “events” (of course, edited by me 😄). You can also find other list inspirations online if ever…
They advise you to start preparing your suitcase around the 35th week of pregnancy because it could happen at any time (but, they also say the first one comes always much later than the due date 🤫) Like I said earlier, there is no general rule 🤷♀️ However, be prepared.
For the delivery room, I have nothing to add except one little precision for the baby part; most of the time, the hospital or clinic provide diapers. Unless, you have another brand you want to use or nappies then, it’s preferable to bring your own.
Why can’t you eat? Well, like I said above, it’s to avoid the poop situation 💩.
If you did not know, pooping happens when you push and this is completely normal! Don’t worry, you won’t have time to feel uncomfortable at the time it’s happening 😅 On top of it, even midwives/nurses/doctors say that it’s a good thing as it means that you are pushing “correctly”.
Add those to your maternity suitcase (you’ll thank me later 😉):
1. Long cable to charge your phone (or power bank, if you have, fully charged!)
2. Instant ice packs if you gave birth vaginally (I’ll precise, just in case, to be used down below for some relief 😉)
I went for this one on Amazon but any other brand with the same idea, will work out also.
You do not need readymade ice or be travelling with a thermostat cooler bag.
Squeeze this pack and the cold fluid will spread out and you can use it 😁
3. Always Discreet
They are actually panties for urinary leaks but they are so MUCH MORE comfortable than the “hospital-made pads” that they give you if you give birth vaginally.
They have a LeakGuard and as you know, Always has this OdourLock technology therefore, no odours and lightly scented.
I personally found that the Boutique line (black ones), are more discrete and comfortable than the white ones.
As for the size, I cannot predict how it’s gonna be for you but it will surely be a heavy flow. I went for Super and Night to be sure I was covered 😝
4. Nipple cream and Hydrogel pads (if you are breastfeeding)
If this is your first time breastfeeding, this thing hurts as hell! Even if you are doing it right 😥
So if you are staying 3-5 days at the hospital, believe me, you’ll be thankful to have a nipple cream by your bedside.
The most commonly known Lansinoh Nipple Cream works out really good and relieves directly after the first use. What’s also nice with those creams is that, it is completely safe for you and as well as your baby and has no taste or whatsoever. So, you can continue breastfeeding if the cream has not completely penetrated into your skin.
The one nipple cream that really worked wonders for me is from the Brand “SoKind” and the balm is called Pure Kindness. It is a bit pricey but I swear, after only the first application, it takes a few seconds to be “fit for duty” again 😅 I personally bought the Pregnancy Skin Care Kit as it was a better deal than buying a few products of the kit separately.
Additional tip: Get yourself some hydrogel pads
These are life-savers! What I did at the hospital after I removed them was, put them in the fridge for the next use.
Not only do they provide you a quick relief but also helps to heal any crevices and the fact that it was cold, was super soothing 😌
(I bought mine on Amazon here)
Last but not least, two tips for after the birth:
- Buy a postpartum belt (be it birth vaginally or via C-section)
As you know already by now, all your organs and muscles move when your baby grows inside you. So, logically after birth, the organs have to get into their respective places and the muscles toned again – a postpartum belt will quickly help you to achieve that.
What it will also do is:
– help to support your stomach and abs to avoid Diastasis Recti (also known as abdominal separation) and you don’t want that,
– it will reduce back pain as it will alleviate the pressure on your lower back,
– it will allow your pelvis to recover faster by stabilizing it’s floor
– appearance and figure is important, it will help with the stretch marks and flatter appearance for your stomach, and so much more.My advise is to buy a set that comprises of 3 different belts – belly, waist and pelvis. Then, you can wear them individually if an area needs more support.
(I bought mine on Amazon here)
- Go see and a physiotherapist to rehabilitate your perineum
Rehabilitating your perineum and strengthening your pelvic floor muscles are an important part of your postpartum healing.Of course, you can find out what exercises to do to achieve the above but a physiotherapist will follow your advancement closely and this kind of treatment is best when a professional is by your side to avoid you hurting more. S/he will work on your posture, breathing and slowly toning back your muscles. This treatment will also help you to reduce the pain during sexual intercourse and normalizing your urinary system.
I have finally reached the end of this post (I know, it was a long one 😅) but I really hope that these little tips will help you in your motherly journey 🌸
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to drop them in the comments or get in touch with me, I would be super happy if I could help anywhere.
Until then, take care Momma 💋
Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored. All products used/reviewed on this post have been 100% purchased with my own money unless I explicitly mention that it was given to me either as “PR sample” or gifted to me. I did not receive financial or any form of compensation from the brands mentioned here. Some of the links above are affiliate. All opinions expressed here are mine. Thank you for the support!
