Time passing while pregnant is a funny thing!
To me these past months have felt emotionally and physically long and arduous. We have had some intense ups and downs, and sickness and fatigue have persisted well into the second trimester. But, woah! We are over halfway now. How did this happen so quickly?
Putting together this post, I have a renewed desire to find more joy during this precious time! It’s not natural to be as attentive to this new little growing one while busily caring for other bigger little ones.
When I do slow down, though, to “listen” for the kicks, or to giggle at the surprise of my swelling belly in a window reflection (“oh yeah! I’m going to have a baby!”), I am able to receive again the pure gift of this life. A trying-to-get-up eye roll turns into a smiley-eyed, sweet knowing that a miracle is happening right now in my womb.
I have always appreciated suggestions from other mothers on what helped them through their pregnancies. There are so many resources available, and I know some things are good fits for some women and not for others. I like pulling good ones together so that friends don’t have to do all the research on their own.
I’ve kept it simple, and I hope sharing my own tips and current favorite supplies may be helpful if you or someone you know is expecting. They would make great little gifts to amazon over to a pregnant sister.
I’d love to know what other things you would add in the comments below!
**I am not a partner with any of these items below- I have just found them so helpful! The amazon.com items are affiliate links***
Enjoy!
physical remedies
1. Seabands
These are cloth bracelets that use acupressure on the wrists to help with nausea.
2. Pregnancy Tea
Nice and calming minty taste, with organic raspberry, nettle and other herbs to support the womb.
3. Vitamin Water Zero Lemonade
Lemon helps me a lot with nausea, and this drink is nutrient enhanced without the sugar crash (it’s sweetened with stevia).
4. Baby Bellyband
This thing helps SO MUCH for belly, back and pelvic floor support. It was recommended to me by the physcial therapist I had after my first birth and I use it for both pregnancy and the postpartum period.
5. Sleeping Wedge
If you (or husband, ha!) gets overwhelmed by the huge body pregnancy pillows, this little guy is quite helpful as a belly support or back wedge to keep you from rolling on your back while sleeping.
6. Exercise Ball
Great for so many labor preparation exercises as well as birthing time support. Also nice for sitting while giving soothing bounces to baby in his/her first months. If you don’t like the plasticy look in your home, there are a lot of fun fabric wrapping tutorials online for these birthing balls.
mental and spiritual resources
7. Understanding Your Moods When You’re Expecting: Emotions, Mental Health and Happiness
I stumbled upon this book at the library and just love how it normalizes all the various thoughts and feelings you may have when you’re pregnant. It educates on what may be happening biologically, as well as what can be helpful for coping both during and after pregnancy.
8. Ovia App
I open this free app once a week when baby turns another week old. I like to marvel at the growth that has occurred and skim all the fun development facts.
9. Prayers for Pregnancy ebook
Only $4.99, a really lovely compilation of prayers by Laura Kelly Fanucci, for both mama and baby throughout the nine months and beyond. I’ve been so glad to have help finding words to pray for health and peace.
birth preparation
Bradley Method
Nicholas and I had a really good experience taking this course and learning from this material with our first child. It laid a great foundation when it came to understanding options for birthing, how it all actually happens, and how Nicholas could be as involved as possible in supporting me. A lot of practical learning gave me peace in feeling prepared going into labor and Nicholas confidence in accompanying me. We won’t take the whole class again, but plan to review the material in the coming months.
Hypnobirthing or Hypnobabies
Because I wanted to explore different relaxation tools for birth, we purchased the hypnobabies at-home course during our last pregnancy. It came with a large workbook text and audio to learn helpful breathing, relaxation techniques, etc. Though I did not enter hypno-anesthesia with this past birthing experience, I was grateful to utilize the mp3 tracks on the way to the hospital and when I arrived for a bit (as well as many many pregnant nights trying to fall asleep). It is my aim to get these out again very soon, practice more, and hopefully feel even more equipped this go-round approaching (God-willing!) my third natural childbirth.
Doula Services
If you can make it happen financially, I highly highly recommend to all my friends hiring a doula.
My friend Laura, who was our doula for our first baby, answers some common questions here: https://www.filumenabirth.com/what-is-a-doula.
Process Fears
It is so normal to feel nervous and to have various fears as birthing time draws near. For me it’s been so important to address them before baby starts coming. Personally, the more I make preparations, I have a deeper sense of peace. I’ve found it helpful to voice my emotions with a compassionate doula or midwife or therapist, and also to bounce them off of other veteren mothers (who I know will be empathetic and encouraging).
I plan to re-process my first two birthing experiences and try to identify and resolve any negative associated emotions, as well as celebrate/ positively reinforce everything that went well.
I hope these are helpful, now please tell me your favorite pregnancy go-to’s below!
Love, Serra Ann
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