Halfway through the week and more than halfway through March – which is just insane! I think the entire country has been plagued by the effects of this storm that is currently on it’s way to Boston. I hope that everyone is safe! I wanted to share a few things that helped me get through the first half of my pregnancy! So much of this is trial and error as well as personal preference & I scoured a lot of blogs as well as read a lot of reviews, but more than anything I asked my doctor every single question I could think of because to me they are much better than Google forums!
Prenatal Vitamin||
Prenatal Vitamin||
First things first – the prenatal! I started taking prenatal multi-vitamins about 2 years ago – at first just to strengthen my hair and nails, which it did wonders for. Through a lot of trial and error, I ended up testing a lot of different brands. I really liked the gummy vitamins from Olly, but after speaking with my doctor she recommended taking these from Nature Made. This value size has 250 tablets and I take them after dinner (usually my biggest meal) and with lots of water. I have only felt nauseous a few times from them, but that was because I took them on an empty stomach.
Sea-Band for sickness ||
Sea-Band for sickness ||
I was pretty lucky and only had nausea for about 2-3 weeks. It wasn’t every day and it if did happen would usually be at night. After reading a few blogs, I tried sea bands and maybe it was a mind trick, but it felt like they really help. You are wearing the bands at a pressure points that helps to reduce nausea. While I can’t say that it will work for everyone, it definitely worked for me. A lot of women swear by Preggie Pops, but if I ever felt nauseous during the day I’d pop a jolly rancher and instantly felt better. I did notice that I developed motion sickness on the train, which is totally new for me, so I could only read for about 10 minutes of my 30 minute commute.
Mama Mio the Tummy Butter ||
Mama Mio the Tummy Butter ||
This is a personal preference for most and the only thing I’ve used thus far as it relates to stretch marks. I didn’t start using this until about week 12, but actually purchased around week 9. I can’t say for certain if it will help keep stretch marks at bay for the entire pregnancy, but it’s working for now. I also just “popped” so I’ll be more diligent about using this every night. I have heard that using oils / serums also helps, so I’ve been using a few that some friends recommended as well.
Waffles & Mango slices ||
Waffles & Mango slices ||
Count it as a craving or just bizarre, but I literally went through two cartons of Trader Joe’s sliced mango’s a week. I would eat them like it was my job and they just taste so delicious! I still eat about one carton a week! The waffles were something I needed to eat as soon as I got up in the morning before getting on the train – it wasn’t my breakfast, but it was my pre-breakfast so I wouldn’t have an empty stomach and helped curb nausea.
Expecting 411 ||
Expecting 411 ||
I got a lot of book recommendations and even had friends give me their books, but I purchased Expecting 411 right after I found out I was pregnant. It answers all the “normal questions” you can think of – from what cheeses are safe to eat, to if you can continue to get gel manicures, to if the pains your feeling are normal and what isn’t. I keep this on my nightstand and read random bits every single night. They share each test you can expect to take during your pregnancy and also things to ask your doctor that you may not even think of.
Ovia App ||
Ovia App ||
There are tons of pregnancy tracking apps out there and I just happened to start using Ovia which is a free one and really like it. I get an email daily about development, fun things happening with the baby, what I should be doing and eating. You have a countdown as well and a picture of how big the baby is! I chose to do Parisian Bakery as my theme and as of this week it’s the size of a Palmier cookie –> not a clue what kind of cookie that is, but it doesn’t look that big!
Things I wish I didn’t buy ||
Things I wish I didn’t buy ||
I think I was a little too excited to “grow” and picked up maternity tights at about 9 weeks! Here we are at almost 21 weeks and they are still way too big and unfortunately I won’t be wearing them soon because it’ll just get too hot! I also purchased this belly belt kit and it just didn’t work for me. It comes with different colors and sizes (S,M,L) but it didn’t seem to fit any of my pants and was too big on most of my pants. I did get to borrow thebelly band from a friend and that worked like a charm! I pretty much wore my regular pants through 15/16 weeks just left them unbuttoned, but at the urging of my doctor I finally caved and bought maternity jeans and pants and let’s just say it will be very hard to go back to regular jeans after!
I’d love to know if there was anything that helped get you through the entire pregnancy!
I love the Ovia app, I had a different one last time and prefer ovia for sure. I had to change my settings from the Persian bakery because I never knew what the heck they were comparing baby to. How great are maternity jeans and leggings?! I started wearing them so much earlier this time. How exciting to already be halfway! And to have escaped the first trimester with minor nausea. Baby girl will be here before you know it!
That's good to know about the 411 book! I feel like that will come in handy for me in the future because I always have a million questions and am pretty much a hypochondriac! How crazy that you are already at the halfway point! Happy Wednesday, Biana!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
Glad to hear you didn’t have nausea too bad and that those bands helped! And sorry to hear that the tights didn’t work out. That’s definitely a bummer!
I'm so glad to hear you at least aren't feeling sick! I was nauseous from sun up to sun down my entire first trimester with Camden. Then the second trimester hit and it was like magic how good I felt! Now that you've gone to maternity pants you are never going to want to put regular pants on again, ha!
I too am glad you are not feeling sick. Pregnancy is so trial and error and I am glad you are finding things that work. So much more great items available now a days. WOWZER, half way, the 20-30 weeks were my favorite!!! Enjoy this miracle sweet friend!
So fun to read about what’s working for you! You seem to be tackling pregnancy like a champ 🙂
I love reading this! It's fun to hear about your journey so far. Keep us posted! 🙂
Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com
I swear by those sea band bracelets! I used them for my third pregnancy and they helped so much. I can't believe you guys are getting another storm! Stay safe and warm!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I used my belly band post baby also- they are awesome! Ps the yummie leggings are great and remind me of pregnancy leggings
My mom said the same thing about being too excited to grow with her first pregnancy. Glad that the sea band bracelets are working for you!
Definitely saving this post for the future! Super helpful! I'm not pregnant and I could go through bags and bags of those TJs sliced mangos too haha! That app also sounds like so much fun–how cute that it tells you the size of the baby!!
Rosy Outlook
Great update! I always hated prenatal vitamins. They made me gag. I had to switch to gummies.
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
all great tips! gotta find what works for you 🙂 glad you didn't have much nausea – the worst of course. and glad you find some good vitamins. 🙂 have a great trip girly!
xoxo cheshire kat
So glad to hear that your nausea wasn't too crazy, that is always one of the hardest parts. Rub ALL of the oils on your belly to prevent stretch marks (and your boobs and thighs too, sorry TMI!) Aren't maternity pants glorious? All pants should be stretchy waist!
Glad to hear that you haven't had too much morning sickness. My friend loves those sea band bracelets. My friend loves those maternity jeans, haha she totally worn them after her pregnancy for a bit cause she loved them so much.
I use those bands for most of my life just traveling & my motion sickness 🙂
The belly band was a lifesaver for me too! Maybe you could still get some use out of the leggings on cooler spring nights?! Sierra~Beautifully Candid
I feel like all multi-vitamins make me feel sick unless I take them with food. Anyways!! You look GREAT and I am glad that you are finding out what works for you and what does not. Hope that you are feeling good today too! 🙂
I am not pregnant (and not planning it yet..lol) but I love soaking in all the tips I can get early on! Thanks for sharing! What a huge blessing that you didn't have much morning sickness! Fingers crossed for no stretch marks!
Good to know about that app and prenatal vitamins! My doctor instructed me to start taking those one to two months before I decide to go off my birth control, and I've been trying to find recommended ones. Although, I might need gummies since I have such a hard time swallowing big pills!
One of my friends is in her first trimester and she's super sick all the time so I'll have to tell her about the sea bands. Her doctor tried to give her some kind of medicine that's safe for her to take while preggo but she just doesn't like taking stuff if she doesn't have to.
I'm so happy that you weren't very sick. I was SO sick…like had to be taken out of work sick. Nothing helped me, not ginger, not sea bands, even the diclegis that my doctor prescribed only took the edge off, it was horrible. And every time I took a prenatal vitamin I threw up. 🙁 I will say when I got to start wearing pregnancy pants it was the best…so comfortable, i never want to wear real ones agains. 😉
I loved the Ovia app too! Glad to hear you haven't been too sick. That is the worst, and I know I got lucky in that regard as well. Fruit was my favorite and what I craved my entire pregnancy. Zoe LOVES fruit and can get enough. I guess she was the one forcing my hand on that 😉
Good to know the good and the meh.
I’m so glad that you didn’t have a lot of morning sickness, but definitely eating something in the morning helped me out too. If you have a desk job, I’d suggest getting something that you can prop your feet up on during your third trimester. It helped me out because I was swelling so bad!
God how I wish my stepdaughter (who is also expecting her first baby this August) were like YOU………she isn't listening to her doctor AT ALL……….she has no clue and when we try and offer advice she just turns off. Can I trade her in for YOU? xoxo catchatwithcarenandcody
I think I need to save this post to refer back to for when I get pregnant.
That's so good you didn't suffer from nausea too long — it's horrendous. When I was pregnant I had it every single day at the same time, in the afternoon, like clock-work! Glad you are finding things that work well for you. Wishing y'all the best!
Love seeing what your favorites have been – I did the same thing with maternity clothes – I got way too excited and bought way too early and things took forever to fit.
I LOVED my maternity jeans and leggings. I never wanted to go back either. I used a coconut/vitamin e oil on my belly. My belly itched so bad when it stretched (probably because of twins) and it was the only thing that helped me. I am soooo happy for you guys and can't wait to read more updates.
So many goodies on this list! And all hail the sea bands, my nausea was really bad between weeks 6 and 11 so they were a lifesaver. Belly butter is the best, and I owe the no stretch marks to it and with keeping active. SO excited for you sweet friend <3
Green Fashionista
Aren’t maternity jeans pure heaven? I mean I’m wondering if it’s socially acceptable to wear them even when not preggo haha!
I'll have to keep that sea band in mind, though I'm praying I don't get nauseous the next time around. I didn't really get it with Aviah, just really bad headaches during the first trimester and fatigue all the way through. As for stretch marks, I ended up getting a bunch on the sides right at the tail end when she had a massive growth spurt. I had been using Bio Oil the entire time twice a day and it didn't help in the end, so I'd suggest you continue using this, as it sounds more moisturizing. I'm so excited for you, girl, and look forward to reading more about your pregnancy as times goes on!
XO,
Jalisa
THE STYLE CONTOUR