The Natural Way

Nausea! Backache! Insomnia! We have all experience them, but when you're pregnant, it get's worse - much worse. As many moms, I've lost countless nights of sleep, tossing and turning. The worry, the curiosity, the fear, and all the excitement that comes with becoming a new mom. And of course, the second you get comfortable and start drifting off to sleep, the baby maneuvers, punches your bladder and up again you go on your seventh trip to the bathroom- in the last 2 hours. I was always uncomfortable! And with carrying around extra weight in my belly (and everywhere else), my back constantly hurt, constantly. I gained 45 pounds in my pregnancy so my body wasn't used to all that extra baggage clinging around.

The beauty of it all, right?

During my pregnancy journey, I tried to take a natural approach to everything that was happening to my body. I researched all alternatives that I can take to avoid any medication for my discomfort. I was lucky to have an amazing doctor that supported me and guided me through my experiments.

I felt wonderful, I was glowing, and I ate everything in sight. No nausea, no heartburn. What was everyone warning me about? I felt great.. Until week 6. I woke up with the most dreadful nausea. The first moment I wasn't hugging the toilet, I started my research on what prevents nausea during pregnancy, and how to ease it. Of course, there weren't any natural approaches to completely get rid of it, but there were certain remedies that help ease it and make it manageable:

- Preggie Pop ( they have lozenges and lollipops, you can get them at Target)

- Zinc Supplements, 25 mg per day

- Ginger, anything

- Sipping on Apple Juice ( this helps keep blood sugar stable)

- Chewing on fennel seeds

- Vitamin B supplement

- Eating small meals, dry foods and avoiding anything spicy also helps keep the stomach calm

When it comes to body aches, especially back and stomach pain, there isn't MUCH that can be done. The pain you feel is ligament pain. The stretching of your body, the growth of your baby, all pulling in it's own direction. Our bodies make a hormone called relaxin that allows ligament pain in the pelvic area to relax and prepare the body for labor. BUT, there are ways to help manage the discomfort. During my pregnancy, my back pain was ridiculous. Here are some approaches that helped me ease the pain:

- Sleeping on the side, with a pillow between your legs (even in the first couple weeks of pregnancy)

- Hot baths (but not longer than 20 minutes)

- Stretching and practicing good posture

- Magnesium Supplements (It helps eliminate night leg cramps, It can also help with Insomnia(read below to find out how))

- A maternity belt (This will save your life. A little support to help carry around the weight and take the pressure off your back means the world)

As many expecting mamas, I lost many nights of sleep. Not sure if it had to do with the discomfort, the anxiety, the fear, or all of it combined. My lack of sleep got so uncontrollable that I had to bring it up to my OBGYN. Knowing that I was highly against any medication, she recommended a few things to me that helped enormously:

- Tart Cherry Juice ( this has natural melatonin and helps you sleep-1 cup a day)

- Magnesium Supplements (Reduces anxiety which helps you relax before bedtime)

- Bach Flower remedies (Rescue Remedy is my favorite)

With all of these changes happening to our bodies while pregnant, we also have a higher risk of catching a cold due to our immune system being much weaker. (yay) My go-to syrup is Zarbee's Natural Adult Daytime Cough and Throat relief. (avoid the Night-time one due to the Melatonin added in it)

These are some of the approaches I took while pregnant that helped with the process of my growing journey. Please keep in mind that every woman and every pregnancy is different, so these tips might help one person more than the next. Please make sure you speak with your doctor, obgyn or midwife before trying any of these tips and trying any supplements while pregnant.

With Love,

a mama + her mini