10 tips for a healthier and easier pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of life’s most beautiful experiences, but that doesn’t mean the journey is easy. We’ve heard all the common problems women face – cramps, heartburn, trouble sleeping, swollen feet… the list goes on. And these symptoms can affect any woman, including your favorite celebrities. While pregnant celebrities may have more resources to make their experience easier (like taking lavish babymoons), they often use the same hacks and tips to make the pregnancy smoother. We’ve collected some unique pregnancy hacks to help ease the most common symptoms and situations.
Pregnancy Tips and Hacks
Sometimes you just need a good old fashioned life hack to deal with some of the difficulties of pregnancy. These tried and true hacks from everyday moms and celebrity moms are sure to help you get through some of the challenges.
1. Try motion sickness tapes for another nausea hack
Morning sickness (which can actually occur at any time of the day) is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. Many famous moms have been open about their struggles with morning sickness — some more serious than others. During her first pregnancy, Kate Middleton was hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe morning sickness. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to reduce the feeling of nausea. Ginger candies are known to help, and Tia Mowry even wore motion sickness bands to help her out!
2. Hair Bows To Extend Zippers
To make the most of your current wardrobe before shopping for maternity clothes, use a hair tie to extend the zippers and buttons of your pants. Thread a hair tie through the buttonhole and hook the other end to the actual knot. This will give you a few inches more space before you have to swap out for maternity clothes, and you’ll save some money too.
3. Tongs in the shower
Your kitchen utensils can come in handy in other rooms too! If you drop something in the shower, like a loofah or a bottle of shampoo, it can be hard to lean over and pick it up with your beautiful growing belly getting in the way. Keeping tongs in the shower (or any other gripping device) will allow you to pick up those items without worrying about tipping over.
4. You can still eat cold cuts
There are many do’s and don’ts to keep track of during your pregnancy. One of the most common concerns for women is what to eat and what to avoid. Deli meat is one type of food that doctors typically recommend avoiding due to concerns about the possible presence of bacterial listeria. Kristin Cavallaric shared a great hack so pregnant women can still eat cold cuts – putting it in the microwave for about 30 seconds will kill all the germs so you can safely enjoy a sandwich.
5. Calcium and magnesium are your best friend
Over the course of your pregnancy, your doctor will definitely recommend a variety of supplements and vitamins to keep you in the best health possible. Two minerals to consider are calcium and magnesium, which can be found together in one dietary supplement Cal-Mag. Some have said that it helps reduce leg cramps, helps with insomnia and can also help strengthen your baby’s bones.
6. Wear a Maternity Survival Kit
We all know that cravings can strike at any time while you are pregnant. Just as you can prepare a hospital bag before you go into labor, making a pregnancy survival kit ensures that you are prepared at any time. Pack snacks (and lots of chocolate), tissues, panty liners, antacids in a small toiletry bag – everything you need in the blink of an eye. Keep the kit in your car or bag so you always have it to hand!
7. Caffeine Can Help Common Symptoms
While health professionals may advise avoiding or limiting your caffeine intake, some evidence shows that caffeine may be beneficial. When Katherine Heigl was pregnant, she suffered from sinus problems, headaches and swollen feet. Because caffeine can reduce inflammation and help with water retention, her OB/GYN recommended a cup of coffee in the morning to help ease the symptoms she was experiencing. It worked and her son was born perfectly healthy.
8. Prenatal Yoga Can Help With Nausea
Gwyneth Paltrow was one of the first celebrities to popularize prenatal yoga while pregnant with her first child. Many models also opt for yoga during their pregnancy, including Gisele and Miranda Kerr. Eva Longoria was candid about how uncomfortable she felt at times during her pregnancy, but continued her yoga practice to alleviate some of that discomfort. However, it is important to talk to your doctor about how much physical activity is safe for you during pregnancy, as it varies for everyone.
9. Sports Tape To Relieve Pain
Kinesiology tape is an elastic therapeutic tape that athletes often use to treat, repair and prevent injuries. It also promotes better blood circulation and can even help train your body in posture correction. With the discomfort and pain that often comes with pregnancy, sports tape can help ease those symptoms for some much-needed relief. It is recommended that a trainer or physiotherapist helps you with the tape the first time.
10. Try different oils for more comfort
Celebrities swear by the benefits of various oils during pregnancy to reduce the appearance of stretch marks – coconut oil is particularly effective. However, oils can help relieve other pregnancy symptoms and discomforts. Jessica Alba would rely on lavender oil to help with stress, and Miranda Kerr used rosehip oil from her KORA beauty line to prevent stretch marks. Plus, rosehip oil is full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids to keep your skin in general healthier.
