Pregnancy…such a happy, glowing time, right?! It wasn’t for me! I was always looking for ways and things that would make pregnancy more comfortable.
I was never a graceful pregnant woman. Through my first trimester, I felt sick, dizzy, and just bad the whole first trimester. I was OK in the second trimester with my first, and felt awful in my third.
With my second, I was just uncomfortable and miserable from day one! Everything ached and hurt and I felt terrible.
Don’t get me wrong – there are moments I loved! Feeling the baby move, a growing belly, and knowing I was housing a little blessing were amazing feelings. But the way I felt was not so great.
I know there are other mamas out there like me that didn’t find pregnancy to be magical and lovely! So this post will be about how you can make pregnancy more comfortable.
This post and any other post on These Hungry Kids website is not intended to replace medical advice. You should always discuss concerns with your medical provider. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience, that means I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made using the links on this site. This comes at no additional cost to you!
Pregnancy Pillow
As far as I’m concerned, this is a must-have! Especially if you’re a stomach or back sleeper.
In the later stages of pregnancy, it’s not recommended (or comfortable) to sleep flat on your back or stomach.
In fact, as a labor nurse, I can tell you that babies do NOT like when you’re totally flat on your back for more than a few minutes. You should put a pillow under one of your hips at the very least if you need to lay on your back.
I used a C-shaped pillow during both of my pregnancies, but I honestly think I’d like a U-shaped or oval shaped one better. I found it annoying to switch sides without the belly support on the open side, and think one that had the support on both sides would be better.
The great thing about these pillows is that it prevents you from laying flat on your back or belly. If you roll from your side to your back, the other side will be under your hip to keep you from being totally flat.
As pregnancy progresses, being completely flat may reduce the amount of blood flow to the baby. The pregnancy pillow helps prevent that.
I also had a ton of symphysis pubis pain with my last pregnancy, and having a pillow between my knees was the only thing that was comfy. I even used it a few weeks postpartum as that joint healed.
You may also like:
–How to Help During Labor: Advice for Dads and Partners
–10 Common Mistakes Women Make in Labor
–Labor Inductions: What You Need to Know
Support belt or kinesiology tape
I used a support belt throughout the later part of the second trimester and beginning of my third. After that, it became uncomfortable and wasn’t super useful.
My physician prescribed me this one, but to be totally honest having a prescription didn’t help me. I later found out that I paid the same price as without a prescription, but I had to drive 30 minutes away to a medical supply store to pick it up. Next time I’ll just order it online. Check with your doctor’s office and insurance to see if they’ll offer you more than I got!
I loved the strap on the top of the belly of this one. It really gave my belly the extra lift and support I needed. It’s optional if you don’t like it, however.
I never tried using kinesiology tape, but it probably would have helped a lot with my symphysis pubis pain. The nice part about this is that it can be used until the very end, whereas the belt I grew out of.
Wearing the belt helped me get through working long days on my feet! I highly recommend it for anyone getting uncomfortable.
Comfortable clothes
While I admire people who get dolled up every day, it just isn’t me.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to do my hair and makeup for a fun night out. But day-to-day you’ll find me in sweatpants or athletic wear.
It’s no different during pregnancy! I want comfort over style, and comfortable maternity wear is a must. These leggings were a go-to, and they are great postpartum as well!
Stretch Mark/Itch Cream
UGH. The dreaded stretch marks!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of my stripes and what my body did! But a growing belly can be soooo itchy and uncomfortable.
I recommend the Earth Mama Organics Belly Butter or Belly Oil to help with the itching and discomfort of stretching skin. (They also have an amazing nipple butter if you are planning to breastfeed.)
I love Earth Mama Organics so much, they agreed to give me a coupon code for my readers! Use code thesehungrykids for 20% an item until April 30th! That’s coming quickly… so don’t miss your chance to save!
Epsom Salt Baths
I suffered from restless legs in my last pregnancy, and I swear that Epsom salt baths helped me settle down for sleep!
Epsom salts contain a high concentration of magnesium which can help soothe muscles. It helped me crawl into bed without restless legs or aches and pains each night!
Sit on a ball
As everyone knows, I AM OBSESSED WITH BIRTHING BALLS.
Why, you ask?!
It’s a simple, effective way to keep your body loose and relaxed during labor, and a great way to relieve back and hip pains during pregnancy.
At the end of my pregnancy, I would eat dinner on it, watch TV on it, and just chill on it. Sitting on a birth ball was SO much more comfortable to me than anything else.
I talk about them in my post about managing pain in labor, and in my post about how to manage each phase of labor like a pro.
As a labor nurse, I suggest a birthing ball to all of my patients. I like The Birth Ball brand specifically because it comes with it’s own pump (to make it as firm as you like it), non-skid socks, and a booklet of exercises for before and after pregnancy. It really makes the product worth it when you can use it for longer!
Compression socks
Full disclosure: I never wore compression socks.
I included it only because I have soooo many friends who wear them and love them!
Why didn’t I use them? No idea. I just didn’t. There’s really no good reason.
I did a little digging, and found these compression socks to be the highest rated on Amazon and the best value (6 pairs for $20 USD). Let me know if you like them!
How is your pregnancy going?! I’d love to know!
And if you tried any of these and got some relief, I’d love to hear it!
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