Congratulations, you're pregnant!
So now you're probably nauseous, you have to pee every 10 minutes, and you're totally
stressing about the actual birth.
Luckily, you don't have to suffer through the next nine months.
We've got experts weighing in on the very best life hacks for nailing your pregnancy.
Fireball
OK, no, not this kind...
THIS kind.
You've probably heard ginger tea soothes nausea, but did you know that hot tamales and atomic
fireballs get the same results?
Reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh says, "Herbalists have long known of the power
of cinnamon, and many recent published scientific studies are also demonstrating the same.
Cinnamon is a side-effect-free way of reducing symptoms that are so commonly seen in pregnancy."
She adds, "I tell patients to suck on the candy and don't necessarily eat the entire
[thing].
But just warning you, after pregnancy you may have a really hard time eating a hot tamale
again."
But if you're sweating the heat, there's another option!
Unisom
Beat the nausea, without a prescription.
Dr. Aimee says, quote, "You've heard of Kim Kardashian marketing Diclegis for nausea.
It's pregnancy category A, which means it's safe [for your baby]...But if you need relief
in a pinch…"
"Taking Unisom with b6 is almost just like Diclegis and no prescription needed.
Unisom tabs are super small and easier to swallow so they may work better."
However, Dr. Aimee warns, "Before you try any of these pregnancy hacks do talk to your
doctor.
Severe nausea could be a sign of untreated hyperthyroidism, and that's something you'd
want to know."
Stimulation
Gotta go — with nowhere to go?
Bailey Gaddis, birth doula, and author of Feng Shui Mommy says, "If you're ever in traffic
with a full bladder...redirect attention from your bladder by using...touch techniques."
She says, quote, "If you're not the one driving, direct attention to your arm by lightly grazing
the back of your fingertips across your arm.
This light touch helps to stimulate your nerve endings and release endorphins.
If you're the one behind the wheel, lightly graze one thumb across the side of the other."
Or maybe, you actually want to stimulate your pee...
Peppermint oil
If you're having trouble peeing, Gaddis says, "Pressure on the bladder and swelling in [the]
vaginal region [makes it] difficult to fully empty the bladder...My number one, top secret
tip, that all my pregnant clients love, is to put a few drops of peppermint essential
oil in the toilet bowl if you ever have trouble urinating.
Peppermint oil is so effective because its vapors help to dilate the urethra.
This tip is especially helpful during childbirth when the pressure on the bladder and swelling
in the vaginal region is greatly intensified."
Relax with your main squeeze
Use that baby-related restless sleep, as a chance to bond with your partner.
Gaddis says, "To ward off insomnia, tell your partner it's essential to practice birthing
relaxation techniques like pressure point work, light touch massage, scalp, jaw, and
foot massage, and guided meditation together before bed to ensure you're both fully prepped
for birth."
Doing these relaxation techniques has multiple benefits.
Gaddis continues, "Not only can this get you nightly massages, but it will serve to deepen
your bond with your partner, fill your birthing tool kit, and help you drift into deep and
restorative sleep."
Meditative meals
Meditating before meals can help you make better food choices and stay healthy throughout
your pregnancy.
Gaddis recommends, "Meditate for three minutes before preparing any meal, or going into a
restaurant...When you take a few quiet moments to clear the mind before making food selections,
you're more likely to tune into what your body actually needs and desires, instead of
what your mind is saying sounds good."
Singing along
Trainers often suggest the "talk test," in which you see if you can talk comfortably
during exercise, in order to measure the intensity of your workout.
But according to Helene Byrne, internationally recognized prenatal and postpartum fitness
expert, and founder of BeFit-Mom, the "sing test" works even better.
She says, "When we speak, it's far too easy and common to take small, barely noticeable
inhalations.
So while you may not be out-right panting, you can unintentionally overshoot your ideal
prenatal aerobic training zone without recognizing it in your body."
Here's what she suggests instead: "Sing a simple song like Row, Row, Row Your Boat and
if you need to take a big inhale between the first two lines...then you should lower your
intensity."
To the core
When you have a baby occupying your uterus, it's common to experience pain.
But you can set yourself up for a smoother third trimester by doing prenatal core exercises.
Byrne recommends, "Prevent common pregnancy problems like diastasis recti , pelvic instability,
and back pain with simple prenatal core exercises that build and maintain strength in the transverse
abdominis, or TvA.
The TvA is our body's internal corset and when contracted, compresses the abdomen.
Performing these safe moves throughout pregnancy will not just prevent or lessen the severity
of these issues, but will also greatly aid in the pushing phase of labor, as the TvA
is our primary, voluntary expulsion muscle."
Yoga ball
Lessen the chance of an episiotomy or vaginal tearing by exercising on a yoga ball.
As Byrne describes it, "When you...straddle a large exercise ball, your pelvic floor is
in contact with the ball.
As you exercise on the balls, whether simple stretches, with free weights, or stability
moves, the membrane of the ball and your pelvic floor will function as one unit.
As your weight shifts on the ball, your pelvic floor will undergo a small amount of upward
pressure which gently stretches your pelvic floor muscles, which builds elasticity."
In addition, Byrne suggested, "After 36 weeks gestation, you can gently bounce on the ball
for 5 minutes a day, to more effectively build elasticity in your pelvic floor.
Practicing Kegels on the ball is great too."
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