Pregnancy Faves: Tried and True

My book of choice:

There are SO MANY pregnancy guides out there, it was really overwhelming to even go to the library and survey the shelves, let alone delve into the depths of amazon's book stores.  I found the Sears' book by perusing the library and checking out books that looked like they were worth reading- a pretty ground-breaking method, I know.  But even before my first pregnancy I had been following a few mommy blogs and had been reading Baby Center, so I had formulated an interest in certain birthing methods and philosophies. As I read the Sears' book, I found it supported how I felt about birth and babies, especially on all my big points.  I also liked the format better than "What to Expect When You're Expecting," which is also a great resource but a bit overwhelming at times.  "The Pregnancy Book" reads, well, like a book, not an encyclopedia, so I made it part of my nightly, relaxing, baby-prep routine.

Anti-Nausea Tools:

• Laying down on my left side, because a nice lie down is always helpful when making a person, and for us preggers gals, left-side laying is best for baby.
• Smaller, more frequent meals
• Cinnamon candies-like cinnamon bears or Hot Tamales
• Peppermint Tea
• Pretzels or Saltines and sips of water

My Go-To Stretch Mark Defender: 

 Palmers Cocoa Butter for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks might be dependent on your DNA, but my philosophy for using stretch mark lotion is simple: if I'm gonna get them, at least I'll be reducing their appearance while they form and keeping my tummy lathered and moisturized helps fend off that pregnant belly itching which is unattractively reminiscient of a redneck woman.  I love the way this lotion smells, it's like chocolate and roses, and it's not greasy or too "balmy." One of my friends recommended it to me when she found out I was pregnant, she absolutely swore by it-she's a tiny girl and came out of her first pregnancy with nary a stretch mark.  I used it with Sawyer and only got a teenzy mark on my side. 

How I Cope with All Those Body Changes:

• I never look at the scale!

And whoever does isn't allowed to tell me what's there.  My midwives only talk about my weight if it appears unhealthy. So far in two pregnancies we've only had to talk about my weight once, and that was when I had suddenly lost some pounds late in pregnancy with Sawyer.  Not knowing how much I weigh helps me focus so much more on being healthy and enjoying my rotund physique, and not charting and comparing my weight gains.  It's really such a relief.

• Pregnancy Clothes!

It's like playing dress-up for nine months! I know some people have trouble justifying the expense, but not me :) I have no trouble in this instance, since properly-fitting clothes are so much more comfortable and help me enjoy and feel confident about every shape change in pregnancy.  I've also developed some pretty awesome, nearly foolproof pregger-clothes shopping techniques.  Here are some of my rules:

-Shop for items that will fit for the full nine months.  This maximizes wear and usefulness.  Bonus points for clothes that pull double duty for pregnancy and post-baby body, and I'm a triple crown winner if I can find something that works for pregnancy, post-baby, and nursing.
-Keep it Cheap, as in, $50 or less per piece (not cheaply made-that's never a winning situation).  I usually spend around our under $25 an item, and only spend more if I know I will wear it frequently during pregnancy, or if it complies with rule #4...
-Look for clothes that aren't maternity-specific, but will accommodate a bump nicely and still fit post-baby and post-baby-weight loss.  Shh! My big secret is that most of my maternity clothes aren't really maternity! They're just styles that look good with a big belly. This is what I look for:

1. Empire waist
• tops and dresses that hit above the bump and below the chest, with plenty of wiggle room for that bump to grow.
• sometimes a size up is in order, usually to accommodate the enlarging ladies 
  
  
2. Stretchy and long
• gotta have length to cover that tummy
  
  
  
  
3. Tunics
• I wear a lot of these in the beginning bump stages, since they're flowy and comfy. But once I pop they get a bit tight around the middle unless they have stretch.
  
  
  
  
4. Pieces with Forgiveness
• the most easily-transitioned pieces, and very accepting of all shapes and sizes
• button-ups
• cardigans
• I pair them with a maternity tank or t-shirt
  
  
  
  

  

  {double give! button-up and a back zipper; a boutique find}

5. Maxi dresses, maxi or midi skirts
• Fitted and stretchy or with a high waist, maxi dresses almost always work, and I usually don't even have to size up.
• I like to wear maxi or midi skirts under my tummy until it's nice and round, then-since I have all that length to work with, I like to wear them over my belly. Super cozy and cute. 
  
  
6. Leggings galore
• I wear my regular leggings throughout pregnancy, mostly because I've found that if I size up, the leggings slide down and I'm always adjusting them.  I love a few pairs of maternity leggings though, especially as the end nears, and Old Navy has my favorite, under the belly kind.
• Lots of ladies like to invest in a good pair of maternity jeans, and I think that's a good idea, I just haven't done it yet.  My maternity jeans are Old Navy and forever21 (their maternity line is now extinct), but I've always preferred pairing leggings with tunics and shorter dresses, and now that I'm up and down and crawling on the floor pushing trains around all day, leggings suit me best.

None of those outfits above are pregnancy clothes, just clothes that fit well during pregnancy.  I typically forage for finds at H&M, forever21, Francesca's Collections, TJ Maxx, asos, and local boutiques.  Now, I know I'm not a fashion genius, these are just some tips and tricks that work for my situation and budget, but I'm sure you could tweak them to fit any budget and style.

Stay tuned for some new things I'm trying out this pregnancy!