Tips and Tricks for a happy pregnancy - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[FarmerMomma]

Originally Posted by BumkinsMum 

BH contractions will no doubt be different for every mama and every pregnancy. Mine usually start as soon as I've got a bump to show (14-16 weeks) 
A lot of aches are caused by stretching and RLP but are blamed on BH quite often I'd imagine. I can always tell for me because BH will last 10-20 seconds then stop completely whereas stretching and growing pains will make me achy all day.

I've always thought of it as a good sign, at least my body wants to get into shape even if I don't

 

Nope never had any 10-20 second thing. Very reassuring thing to me cause all those wiggles are really baby.

[FarmerMomma]

Originally Posted by JNajla 

Farmermama, I just laughed out loud at work reading the post about a warm bath to "birth your logs". As a mama with severe constipation, I appreciate your candidness and advice!

So glad someone could get something from that. Otherwise it's just really embarrassing. Well it's still embarrassing but now it's worth it. And if pregnancy doesn't have enough embarrassing moments parenthood sure will. Gotta love it.

[MamaBakerBetty]

I love this thread and will be stopping back by once I have some more to add and of course to see more of all your wonderful feedback!  

I too had constipation really bad by the end of the first tri and now, halfway through the second, it's gotten better, though sometimes it's still a couple of days before I go again.  It certainly adds to a feelings of lethargy and becoming a stuffed sausage.  I find that eating something high in fiber or just making sure to eat something every morning as well as having a hot cup of something (I have green tea) helps keep me more regular.  Not having a routine of what goes in first thing in the morning makes a huge difference in the routine of what comes out!  My mom also mentioned that after she had myself or my brother, and she was having constipation issues as well, her Dr. told her to put her feet up on something like a cup or stool so that your knees are level with your pelvis and sit up really straight.  She said things will just slide out.  While I said to her that nothing is just "sliding right out" any time soon, I find it does help a little.  

As someone else mentioned.  I have also found sugar to have noticeably intense effects on several portions of my being.  I do feel more headachy, especially if I haven't been drinking enough water.  S/he also goes wild and doesn't settle back down for at least half an hour or so.  I've had my suspicious eye on sugar for a long time now, but this just give evidence of it's immediate effects.  I have cut back almost completely and when I feel like I "must" have something sweet, I try to go for plain yogurt and a little maple syrup, home made cookies (with strict moderation) or a small square of dark chocolate.  Those things hamper my cravings and dont seem to have as strong of an effect. 

This is my first go around so I appreciate all the input and will certainly check back here often.  

[dayiscoming2006]

I think I started getting BH contrax really early this time. I remember around 10 weeks and up even? Pretty sure. I read about it and that can be normal. It happens more often and sooner with subsequent babies, especially when you have them pretty close together like myself. I guess the uterus just needs more exercise.

[JNajla]

Daisycoming, I think that's what my cramping/ achey feeling has been (BH) as well. Stretching has helped, as well as baths and heating pad.

[shanna-cat]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

I think I started getting BH contrax really early this time. I remember around 10 weeks and up even? Pretty sure. I read about it and that can be normal. It happens more often and sooner with subsequent babies, especially when you have them pretty close together like myself. I guess the uterus just needs more exercise.

me too! i was so surprised when i started feeling them around 12 weeks because i don't remember them until well into my second and third tri with my first two pregnancies. I would say I get them every other day, more if i have sex or workout.

i don't worry about them at all and just see it as another pregnancy thing that is helping make my uterus strong and prepare me for giving birth.

[Espion]

Originally Posted by shanna-cat 

i don't worry about them at all and just see it as another pregnancy thing that is helping make my uterus strong and prepare me for giving birth.

Speaking of this, is anyone doing the red raspberry leaf tea?  There is a ginormous thread about it in the main forum.  Wonder if anyone has any personal experience here.  

[pokeyAC]

I've been thinking about it Espion.  I have some loose herbs leftover from TTC.  I stopped drinking the tea when I found out I was pg because I heard it isn't always good to drink in the first trimester.  Thanks for the reminder.  I need to figure out when I will start drinking it again.

[dayiscoming2006]

Shanna-cat, this is the earliest I've had them too and it hasn't been that often here either.

I've been drinking some red raspberry tea off and on from the beginning of this pregnancy. I have heard that it can actually help prevent miscarriage due to atonic(I think that is what it was) uterus. Basically, a weak uterus. Usually I make a huge batch of iced tea. I put a little peppermint, nettles(highly recommended by midwife), and red raspberry leaf tea. 

I don't make it very strong. Last time I put like 8 bags of nettles, 2 bags of peppermint and 2 bags of red raspberry leaf. I make a gallon of tea at a time. I might up the amount of red raspberry over time. I drink a gallon of tea in less than two days because I can't stand water right now. I usually like water, but this pregnancy, it isn't working out. 

I will be drinking more red raspberry tea in the third trimester for sure. 3 cups a day and then 4 cups a day at the end I think was what is recommended. And I think I want to try the labor-aid style red raspberry tea thing once labor starts. It can't hurt. LOL

[shanna-cat]

i just wanted to add to this thread... now that I am getting bigger and really don't fit into any of my pre-prego shirts I remembered that i need to PUT AWAY ALL MY NON MATERNITY SHIRTS. I'm sure this is different for everyone, but i tend to wear my clothes more fitted and during my first pregnancy thought i would save $$ and be smart by wearing a lot of my non maternity clothes, especially shirts and dresses, while prego. while this did work, I was very sad to realize after the pregnancy that i had seriously stretched out and ruined many of my favorite clothes- and while they looked super cute with a belly for a few months I had to get rid of them afterwards. BUMMER.

I know that there are some things that work, especially tie skirts or big t-shirts (mens tank's worked great for me!), but I just wanted to warn people to consider how their super cute pre-prego outfit will look AFTER the belly is gone and youre just left with a big pooch of fabric.

[veggieviola]

Originally Posted by shanna-cat 

i just wanted to add to this thread... now that I am getting bigger and really don't fit into any of my pre-prego shirts I remembered that i need to PUT AWAY ALL MY NON MATERNITY SHIRTS. I'm sure this is different for everyone, but i tend to wear my clothes more fitted and during my first pregnancy thought i would save $$ and be smart by wearing a lot of my non maternity clothes, especially shirts and dresses, while prego. while this did work, I was very sad to realize after the pregnancy that i had seriously stretched out and ruined many of my favorite clothes- and while they looked super cute with a belly for a few months I had to get rid of them afterwards. BUMMER.

I know that there are some things that work, especially tie skirts or big t-shirts (mens tank's worked great for me!), but I just wanted to warn people to consider how their super cute pre-prego outfit will look AFTER the belly is gone and youre just left with a big pooch of fabric.

I just did this...along with all of my non-fitting pants.  I have a very empty closet and several very large shipments of maternity pants (to try on/find correct sizes/return excess) coming my way this week!  

[Sweet Huck]

Great and HILARIOUS article on how to have the best pregnancy ever:

http://jezebel.com/5960255/how-to-have-the-best-pregnancy-ever

[ulybka312]

Originally Posted by shanna-cat 

i just wanted to add to this thread... now that I am getting bigger and really don't fit into any of my pre-prego shirts I remembered that i need to PUT AWAY ALL MY NON MATERNITY SHIRTS. I'm sure this is different for everyone, but i tend to wear my clothes more fitted and during my first pregnancy thought i would save $$ and be smart by wearing a lot of my non maternity clothes, especially shirts and dresses, while prego. while this did work, I was very sad to realize after the pregnancy that i had seriously stretched out and ruined many of my favorite clothes- and while they looked super cute with a belly for a few months I had to get rid of them afterwards. BUMMER.

I know that there are some things that work, especially tie skirts or big t-shirts (mens tank's worked great for me!), but I just wanted to warn people to consider how their super cute pre-prego outfit will look AFTER the belly is gone and youre just left with a big pooch of fabric.

well, you can keep the clothes ruined by the belly for an another pregnacy ( who plans to have an another pregnancy ) :)

[pokeyAC]

Originally Posted by Sweet Huck 

Great and HILARIOUS article on how to have the best pregnancy ever:

http://jezebel.com/5960255/how-to-have-the-best-pregnancy-ever

That was perfect!

[kitteh]

Are you pregnant? Do you hope to be? Are you not pregnant, don't hope to be, but are reading this because you're bored? If you answered yes or no to any or all of these questions, then you're probably confused—which is understandable, since pregnancy can be a very confusing time. After all, every single thing you put in, on, or even near your body can affect the outcome of your pregnancy—i.e. the baby—in terrible, horrible, no good, very bad ways. Freaked out yet? Well, you should be. This is really serious! God, what don't you get about that?

Hilarious and pretty much spot on.

[here we are]

My tip on constipation is eating a salad everyday and another serving of greens at another meal, large amounts.
And I am loving the raspberry leaf tea. I started out slowly too & let my midwife know I wanted to drink more she said it's fine as long as I don't feel funny in my heart, like pounding or something from too much calcium and magnesium. So now I drink as much as I want .

[kitteh]

I got a free sample of some tea with rrl in it and really liked it, so I think I'm going to pick up a box and start drinking it regularly.