Maternity Underwear from Motherhood
An absolute must would have to be maternity undies. I'm not referring to the super large granny panty style either. I have no idea what they do to those to make them so comfortable but I think it's strange that they don't make regular undies as comfortable as those are. I'm guilty of wearing them well past pregnancy. A good year past pregnancy to be completely honest. I still have some pairs left over from my pregnancy with Bryson and some new pairs that are washed and ready to be worn for next time.
http://www.motherhood.com/maternity/panties.asp
My favorite kind is the boyshorts but I think they call them hipsters on their site.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion
Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion. I really believe stretchmarks are mostly caused by genetics and lifestyle. There are some things you just can't control. But there is no need to feel that terrible itchy feeling all across the bottom of a huge belly that you cannot even see anymore when you look down. Pregnancy is all about finding comfort. It's very soothing to put on especially after a long shower.
Palmer's can be found at any drugstore. Of course I realized after a few trips to CVS it's actually located in the BABY aisle, not the aisle with body lotions and creams.
Snoogle Body Pillow
The snoogle became a third body in our bed, right smack in the middle, from very early on in my pregnancy. I LOVED this thing. I flattened it out to the point that it had to be tossed a couple of months after having Bryson. It was a sad ending to a loving relationship as I shoved it down the trash chute to the dumpster below. I was still up all hours of the night, especially towards the end, but for the hours in between I really believe this pillow made the difference.
It looks ridiculous but it is amazing. When you are off balance, have horrible heartburn, gain 60 pounds, and spasms in the 7th month that make you immobile, (wait maybe this is just about myself, for the sake of humanity I hope so) this is a lifesaver. Mine was a purplish pink and the cover comes off and is washable. The Snoogle can be found here.
Ginger Ale
I've always associated ginger ale with being sick. I guess in a way pregnancy is like an illness. It's not terminal though and there is a deadline. This seemed to be the only thing that could soothe my stomach. Of course I began by drinking the regular kind and have my midwife tell me months later I need to start drinking the diet because I was gaining too much weight. Diet tasted just the same, it just never occured to me to be drinking that instead. Learned for the next round.
There are many more little things that made the experience easier. Monthly pedicures, a husband willing to rub your feet every once in awhile, a maternity massage, fulfilling the craving for salad... not just any salad. Outback Steakhouse salad! Tums. Floating around weightless in a pool. Naps. Napping got me through the 1st trimester. I often wonder what the next time is going to be like. I don't have the luxury of being a first time mom the next time around. I will have a very mobile toddler and a puppy to keep my hands full.
Enjoy the sleeping first time moms. Appreciate every second of your snoogle with the ginger ale at arm's reach because once that baby is here, it's a lifetime of never enjoying sleep ever again.
I didn't think of the long term sleep deprival (the rest of my days) until after my son was born. I should have slept every minute I had the chance when I was young and single. If a little sleep deprivation is the main cost of raising beautiful and wonderful children, then so be it.
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