Ah, pregnancy. It’s an interesting time in a woman’s life. Limbs are swelling, skin is stretching (oohh is it stretching), and internal organs are literally being cast aside to make room for a new kid in town. Bouts of laughter are frequently followed by crying spells, both of which were probably precipitated by a Huggies commercial. And then there’s the nausea, of course.
I don’t claim to know anything more than anyone else regarding how best to survive pregnancy, but here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the last 7 months:
First of all, don’t be so hard on yourself. I wouldn’t consider myself an overachiever by any stretch of the imagination, but even I struggled with (and still do, to some extent) the overwhelming feeling of… blah. My days revolved around battling nausea, exhaustion, and hunger. My diet consisted largely of Lucky Charms and prenatal vitamins, and the only thing I looked forward to on a daily basis was bedtime. I spent week after week mourning the loss of my former self, but then something magical happened and I started to accept it because one, I had no choice, and two, I’m growing a human and that’s awesome!
Along those same lines, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Barry agrees that I excelled in this arena (see exhibit A) but for those women who are slightly less obnoxious than me, ask for help! Or ice cream, or cupcakes, or Lucky Charms.
Second, find yourself a support person. You know, that one person who can talk you off a ledge while still making you feel like you’re completely in charge. In my case, Barry plays the part of counselor, cheerleader, and hostage negotiator. While I assume his willingness to accommodate my craziness is primarily an act of self-preservation (see exhibit B), he plays the part to a T and for that, I’m grateful.
Next, find a few products that help you feel somewhere between ‘slightly less crappy’ and ‘amazing’. If I had to choose my two favorites, they’d be Unisom and my Bellaband (obviously check with your doctor before starting any new med while pregnant). The first reduced my nausea by at least 75% and the second allowed me to wear non-maternity pants well into my 6th month. Big wins in my book!
Finally, buy a nightlight for your bathroom. You’ll need it.
