Being pregnant can be both magical and scary. A fetus develops into a full-fledged, kicking, wiggling baby. But at the same time, everyone from your great aunt to the stranger at the grocery store is giving you their unsolicited advice.
It’s hard to separate old wives’ tales from fact. So, here are 7 things you definitely shouldn’t do when you’re pregnant, and why:
- Don’t travel
There’s the packing, then the mad scramble to get everything you forgot to pack. You’re either cooped up in a plane or a car, and you’ll have to get up to pee every 10 minutes, bothering everyone who isn’t pregnant. When you get to your destination, chances are there won’t be nearly enough pillows (see #3), and new smells everywhere may make you nauseous. Your best bet is to stay home if you can, with your own safe pillow nest. - Don’t move furniture
Since there aren’t any safe limits which can be medically recommended for moving furniture while you’re pregnant, your best bet is to avoid it. - Don’t hold back on the pillows
You’ll probably come to find that it’s difficult to get comfy enough to sleep while you’re pregnant. A good idea is to use lots of pillows! You could use two up at your head, one at your side, and one between your legs to help with lower back pain. Or, you can get one of those sweet C-shaped pillows custom-designed for moms-to-be. Here’s a link to a great one: Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow. - Don’t worry about stretch marks
You’ll probably get them, and then have a good cry about them. Your body is stretching to make room for your baby, so there will be stretch marks. They will fade, or they’ll look like tiger stripes. So, don’t stress! - Don’t bring home a new pet
When you’re pregnant, you don’t have the ability or the time to potty train a puppy. If you do, the dog’s first few weeks in the house will be full of upheaval which isn’t fair to him, to you, or to your new baby. - Don’t skip having a baby shower
You’ll discover that there are baby products out there that you need, but you never knew existed (this goes especially to first-time moms!) Plus, it’s an opportunity for those who love you to gift you these products. Baby stuff is expensive, and every present means something you won’t have to buy. - Don’t be too attached to your birth plan
It’s important to be flexible with your birth plan because it’s impossible to predict what will happen. Also, staying flexible will make your labor less stressful for you.
As soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, start applying lotion to the areas where stretch marks usually pop up: your breasts, belly, lower back, and hips. Stretch marks are caused by fibers under your skin’s surface breaking apart because of quick weight gain. Moisturizing the areas we mention above will keep your skin’s elasticity, and make stretch marks less likely. Apply a rich cream in the morning; this will make it so your skin is hydrated all day. Before bed, draw a warm bath and add some drops of Vitamin E oil. Also, try to gain your pregnancy weight slowly and don’t put on more than your doctor recommends.
Question: I am near the end of my pregnancy and worry about dating after. I can see these ugly red stretch marks popping out all over my stomach and hips. I am only 22! How can this be happening and what can I do about it?!? I am embarrassed at the idea of anyone seeing my body again. Help!