The thing about growing a baby is that every day brings something different. That growing belly isn’t the only thing you will notice when you’re pregnant. Your body is changing daily and with that, comes a host of little aches and pains you may not have been expecting, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Here’s a little list to help you be prepared for what comes next and maybe some tricks to manage the discomforts.

- Morning Sickness. This is one of the most talked about side effects of being pregnant. It is different for every woman and even different with each pregnancy. It can come on suddenly and drag on for weeks or, if you are lucky, you’ll only experience a few days of being sick, morning or otherwise. You don’t need to take morning sickness laying down! (Well, maybe…) One of the best natural remedies for morning sickness is ginger. A hard, ginger candy can do wonders for the nausea. Lemon juice can be good, of course dilute it with water and add a little sweetener to help it down a little easier. Some women have even reported that bubble gum does the trick. Again, try a few different hacks until you find one that works the best for you.
- Back pain. Back pain is miserable when you aren’t pregnant but a growing belly can make everything worse, especially back pain and getting any measurable relief. When back pain hits, it’s tempting to lay down but moving and light stretching can be very beneficial. You may also want to consider massage, or chiropractic alignments. Have you heard of a belly band? It’s basically a back brace for pregnant women that has a supportive band that goes around the belly to add a little more support to that grown tummy.
- Sleep. Sleep can be challenging as your pregnancy progresses. Investing in a pregnancy pillow will really help support you in all the right places.
- Heartburn. Very few women are able to escape at least a brush with the discomfort of heartburn. If you are suffering with this, check your diet. Make sure you are eating plenty of nutrients that support your gut health and digestion. Eating smaller meals more frequently is a hack that works for some women. Avoid foods you know are hard for you to digest and of course spicy foods and carbonation can increase your issues. If you can’t get a handle on the indigestion and heart burn, come in and see us. We can offer more help and ideas.
- Stretch marks. The dreaded stretch marks! This is a natural occurrence with pregnancy as your body is growing and often rapidly. One of the best ways to try to prevent stretch marks is to keep your skin well moisturized. Coconut Oil is on the best moisturizers out there. Hydrated skin means there is a little elasticity which will help reduce larger stretch marks.
- Leg Cramps. Your hormones, and nutrients are shifting and supporting the health of your unborn child. This can sometimes result in you being a little depleted. Sometimes, a little magnesium, ideally from your diet will help with evening leg cramps. Did you know bananas are a good source of magnesium and potassium and also help with nausea, so I guess you could say it is a super food for pregnant women. You can also try stretching and a warm bath to relax your muscles and take the pressure off.
What are some of the things you do help with the discomforts of pregnancy. Join us on Facebook where we will continue the conversation. We’d love to hear from you!