The Pregnancy Survival Guide
According to me – who’s had just about every pregnancy symptom you can!
Every woman’s pregnancy is different – I’ve certainly learnt that the hard way. And anyone who hasn’t experienced the intrinsic uniqueness of pregnancy nausea can’t tell you jack about it. (Sorry, but it’s true.)
However, some recommendations CAN be helpful. (Also some aren’t, so if this isn’t – ignore it completely and just do you, sis.)
Here are mine:
Nausea & Vomiting
Let’s start with the worst guy: nausea. Some people have it with the vomit, some without. He’s fickle like that.
Meds:
Firstly: GET MEDS IMMEDIATELY. There’s no awards for toughing it out and just when you think it can’t get worse, it will. Oh honey, it will.
Ondansetron: Often doctors will lean towards ‘metoclopramide’ (often ‘Pramin’ – I know, PRAM-in) as I’ve been informed it’s safest while pregnant. However I basically just vomited it up all the time. Ask for ondansetron. Actually, no DEMAND ondansetron.
Get the wafers as they dissolve and hit your bloodstream while tablets can – and will – be vomited back up.
My tip: meds did not stop me throwing up, but I would have them right after and would sometimes feel human for an hour.
Vomit bags:
Whenever you’re near any kind of medical facility, ask for – or steal – vomit bags. Stock up. Trust me.
I kept them in all my handbags, my car, my boyfriend's car, in my bra, anywhere I was at any time – SO handy. (I’ve vomited in more of the than I care to remember.)
Try eating:
Muesli bars – they’ll give you energy and some sustenance, while also being edible. (I like the Nature Valley crunchy peanut butter or the Baked Oaty Slice with raspberry and white chocolate.)
Jatz & Shapes – salty, flavourful, and can slowly munch on a box on them between pukes.
Vegemite toast – there’s something about it.
Yoghurt – can go either way, but it’s been one of the only things I can eat consistently and made me feel like I was having some ~ semi ~ healthy.
Hash browns and hot chips – now is not the time for this ‘be healthy’ crap. If you’re feeling nauseous, carbs are your friend!!!
Plain pasta – just with cheese or try nice fresh pastas with just oil or butter.
Frosty Fruits – I loved them in the early days and I needed the sugar.
DRINK:
Cold water – if you’re struggling to keep water down (I was), go cold. Don’t know why, but it helps.
Try drinking out of straw – less likely to make you vom. (Skulling water is no good.)
Advice from others:
Hydralyte – I hate it but others love it.
Note: if you’re feeling super faint and seeing stars a lot, you’re likely on the edge of dehydration and need a drip. Go to the hospital. (I’ve been dizzy my whole pregnancy so the pretty little stars have become my friends but I know when it’s too far.)
Constipation
Ah, one of the biggest joys of pregnancy – it gets tight in there as the baby presses on and squishes all your organs and suddenly it feels like you’re passing rocks.
Try:
Weetbix – I’m telling you, it works.
Movicol – people swear by it. (I think it helps but nothing saved me like 2-3 Weetbix of a morning.)
Indigestion
This kicked in really bad for me around the 25 week mark – and I mean KICKED IN.
Meds:
Gaviscon – I’d recommend going straight for the hard stuff: dual action in the pink bottle. At first I measured, then I was just glugging straight from the bottle. (Get the drink, not the tablets – way easier.)
Apple Cider Vinegar – I chow down the Nature’s Way gummies but I believe it helps in any form.
Mylanta
Food:
Up & Gos – the only thing I can eat/drink when I’m having a bad flare up. The calcium helps (it’s an ingredient in Gavison) plus they go down easy while giving me SOME sustenance.
Fruit Tingles – multiple people have sworn they help. (I personally don’t like them so haven’t tried.)
Quick Eaze – I’m not sure it helps a lot but it definitely takes the edge off when I’m somewhere and suddenly feel like my chest is about to break into a ball of a thousand flames.
Chewing on lollies – often chewing on Zappos or Mentos helps. I think getting saliva moving through must be helpful? (That's a guess by someone with no medical experience whatsoever and who nearly failed Science.)
Try:
Sleep propped up – lying flat is no good. It burns and you wake up at 3am with bile in your mouth (true story).
Sleeping
Speaking of sleeping… ORDER YOUR PREGNANCY PILLOW NOW BECAUSE THE SECOND YOU NEED IT, YOU’LL THINK YOU’RE GOING TO DIE WITHOUT IT!!!
Here’s the one I got: click here. (My boyfriend and I call it ‘Fred & George’.)
I recommend flipping it around so the head bit is between your legs and using your normal pillow under your head.
Reading
I love to read and learn and become a self-professed expert on things by reading so naturally, that’s what I thought I’d do. However, many books DO NOT HELP.
These are the ONLY three I’d recommend:
The Motherhood
The Motherhood doesn't tell you what to do – it just makes you feel better about all the ways you might get it wrong.
Every new and expecting mum I know that's read it has loved it.
I did – it made me feel equipped and supported and put me in the 'I got this' tude.
Baby On Board
Recommended by my aunt who's a doctor with a bazillion qualifications – including diplomas in obstetrics, gynaecology and child health. (She's also a mum.)
It prepares you for the first 6 weeks – busting myths, covering all the things that might happen, practical advice (including what/who to ignore). Very reassuring.
Up the Duff
I loved this at first as she so honest and upfront – until it started saying ‘nausea symptoms will die off’ and my hadn’t.
HOWEVER it’s a much better and much more Aussie alternative to What To Expect When You’re Expecting. (I hated that book.)
Note: DO NOT GOOGLE! (Unless you’re googling this blog.) I found Google made me feel worse and it’s inaccurate. Listen to trusted sources.
Wearing
I live in about five items of clothing and nothing else. (I’m naked a lot too – that helps.)
I NEVER normally wear bras – I have small boobs and they’re uncomfy, so why would I?
So if, like me, pregnancy and the resulting size of your nipples has forced you into bra-wearing, go Bonds. They’re so comfy – I've gotten a range of crop tops and wire-free bras.
(They also have great breast-feeding singlets – I haven’t yet needed it but have bought one for my hospital bag.)
Emamaco
THE BEST MATERNITY TIGHTS – I tried others and nothing compares. (Think of them as the Lululemon of maternity tights.) They grow with you and are fab.
Bae The Label
I have shorts, a jumper, and pants from here and love them all. They’ve also got a lot of stuff that works for pregnant bod and breast-feeding/just-given-birth bod.
Pretty Little Thing
I LIVE in my fluffy Pretty Little Thing co-ord set. Normally I’m anti fast fashion but when you hit the 30 week mark, you hate majority of fabrics touching your skin and this is like being wrapped in a hug.
Cotton On Maternity
My fave maternity track pants – highly recommend.
Iconic
My favourite pregnancy dress is Atmos&Here: click here.
Remember: this is one of the only times in your life you have a belly and want to show it off. WEAR TIGHT FITTING STUFF!! Pregnant women look amaze in tight fitting dresses.
Apps
My preferred is the ‘What To Expect’ app (even though I dislike the book). It keeps you updated on the sized fruit your baby is (which is so weird when you think about it), provides actually helpful info, and informed me how lots of women experience their first trimester symptoms again in the third. (Yay! Lucky me!)
Ice Cream
It’s essential.
Connoisseur Belgian Chocolate
Connoisseur Vanilla Caramel Brownie (but on the stick ONLY – no good in the tub)
Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked
Also I strongly recommend Apple Pies and baked goods.