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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Top tips for a happy, energetic and easy pregnancy?

27 replies

Morehastelessspeed · 02/07/2014 06:26

So, I've just found out I'm pregnant with DC3 (arrrrrgh!). All I can remember about pregnancy is tiredness, nausea, discomfort and raging emotions, however, I am determined to enjoy this pregnancy as much as is humanly possible, it being my last.

So, please share any top tips for having a wonderful pregnancy!

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icklekid · 02/07/2014 07:46

My only tip is good luck!

Some people have lovely easy pregnancies and some have horrible sickness filled ones. Not a lot you can do as don't get to choose! Iron supplements help tiredness sometimes, stay active if you can Smile

beccajoh · 02/07/2014 07:48

I don't think you can choose to be honest! I had one horrible pregnancy and one where I kept forgetting I was pregnant.

weebairn · 02/07/2014 07:52

Don't have a job or a toddler Grin

Heatherbell1978 · 02/07/2014 07:56

Hi I'm almost 34 wks and although I'm getting a bit tired and heavy now, I've had a really easy pregnancy (my first) and avoided (so far) most of the common complaints. I think some of it is 'genetic' eg I've got a really large bladder which has meant I've not been peeing anymore than usual! But aside from that the main things I've done is drink LOADS of water and walk a lot. I'm still walking to and from work every day which is 45 mins each way. I also do antenatal yoga once a week. I've eaten very normally; never had any cravings/aversions or been more hungry. Still put on over 2 stone so far mind you but not through eating any more. Oh I also take Pregnacare plus every day. Good luck!

Trondheim · 02/07/2014 07:56

Don't get HG or SPD.

weebairn · 02/07/2014 08:01

Joking aside, I think a careful balance of keeping active but also allowing yourself to rest is very helpful.

I found making myself eat small amounts of healthy things in the early sick days helpful. When I ate what I fancied i just felt like complete shit, so I would put healthy food in front of me and try to eat it, often, and I think that helped. Lots of water.

and congratulations :)

prettywhiteguitar · 02/07/2014 08:04

Don't move house with a 2 1/2 year old....

Definitely keep checking your iron levels, I was anaemic and didn't realise, felt dreadful

prettywhiteguitar · 02/07/2014 08:05

Don't live with your other half....he drove me nuts with his "outside smells" "looking at me funny" and general annoyances

I am horrid pregnant lady

weebairn · 02/07/2014 08:08

Wear bras that fit. They make you feel 10x better about what you look like.

LucyB1 · 02/07/2014 08:26

Pregnancy yoga is my recommendation.

squizita · 02/07/2014 08:29

If you feel up to it, I have found pregnancy yoga quite helpful in minimising cramps, aches etc'.

nyldn · 02/07/2014 08:51

water and walking.

ithoughtofitfirst · 02/07/2014 09:05

prettywhiteguitar that made me LOL

Mrsgrumble · 02/07/2014 09:08

Can't really do much but I batch cook so that some evenings I can rest (I have a small baby and work full time too)

Buy nice clothes that you feel good in.. I think this helps so much.

Swim as much as you can.

Get a nice haircut. I think if you feel good on the outside you won't feel as tired and frumpy (well I am not sure but think that anyway)

Meglet · 02/07/2014 09:15

Luck.

I was at the gym until month 8 of both pregnancies. But that was luck, luck that my severe sickness tailed off after 12 weeks and luck that I'd didn't get SPD.

Resting when you can is probably good. Work, exercise and keep active, just don't bother with too much housework.

ithoughtofitfirst · 02/07/2014 09:33

I like the tip about getting a nice haircut. I'm on pregnancy number 2 and have basically come to the conclusion that no matter how much running, yoga, meditation, socializing I do.... I still feel like crap the vast majority of the time. I have had perfectly manicured hands throughout this time and that has made me feel less frumpy and gross.

DorotheaHomeAlone · 02/07/2014 09:40

I'm 36 weeks into a really easy pregnancy and honestly, I put most of it down to luck and genetics. Good things I've done include buying lots of fruit so it's always there if I need a snack (have only put on 8k which I think prob helps), having a big bottle of water on my desk so I remember to drink, walking as much as possible but slowly, saying no to things even if I want to do them or think I should.

I've had to be really strict with myself about staying ahead of my tiredness as I get towards the end. It's so easy to overdo it and then regret it, especially as I'm still working in central London. Predicting when something will be too much for me and opting out has been a learned skill!

moggle · 02/07/2014 09:45

Yeah I reckon it's luck and genetics too. I am only 20 wks with my first so plenty of time for things to go downhill but so far it has been pretty plain sailing. No morning sickness (my mum was the same), no aversions. We did IVF for this baby and I had no side effects from the hormones for that either, so think it is just how I'm made. Kept up Pilates so far, going for walks in the evenings, taking pregnacare and spatone (just precautionary, my iron levels are fine). and thanking my lucky stars that I'm able to enjoy it all so far!

WhoMovedMyVuvuzela · 02/07/2014 11:32

Ocardo/shopping delivery

Don't do any jobs that you don't have to (like ironing!)

Take every offer of help given

Book a hair appointment for 30 weeks - the time at which you start to feel really huge and grumpy

Buy comfortable maternity clothes in a size a bit bigger than you need, looking after DC's makes being pg harder and you need lots of room to move

See if you can get the grandparents to take one or both for your DC's for a weekend so you can get some rest

Don't feel guilty about going out for a DC free lunch/coffee with a friend when you get the chance

Get all the baby stuff ready earlier than you think you need to as you probably won't have the energy later on

Feed your DC's a daily dose of vitamins as the last thing you want when pg is sick DC's

If you have small DC's in nursery have funds ready for an extra session here and there for days when you are completely exhausted, I've been lucky to get the odd extra day when the nursery has had space due to sickness/holiday. I did feel a bit guilty about palming them off but I was so much nicer to be around after a day of rest.

Original poster
Morehastelessspeed · 02/07/2014 12:20

These are brilliant tips, thanks so much everyone! I love the ones about nice clothes and hair, was planning to muddle through with existing mat stuff but it's old and been through a few friends so will buy some new clothes to feel good. Will try harder with water too.

Did you all exercise in first trimester? I'd been told not to as body should use all it's energy for growing the baby but sure that made me feel more grumpy last time.

OP posts:
squizita · 02/07/2014 12:29

Morehaste who told you that? My consultant told me to walk, cycle (safely), swim, dance gently and do yoga to keep strong! I felt like crap and could only do these things in 2nd trimester though,when I wasn't "head down the loo".
I would slightly reverse the "don't do things to preserve energy" thing as I found making myself do SOME fun/social things made me psychologically a lot better than resting (in which case my life was work/cook/eat/shower/sleep - depressing).

mssleepyhead · 02/07/2014 18:03

I think my daily exercise has what's kept me feeling good. 32 weeks and I still cycle to and from work every day, slowly but steadily! Takes me about 20 minutes each way.

Life also changed for the better when I gave up trying to sit normally on the sofa and found a way to drape myself our small two seater so I could support my back and elevate my feet!

Oh - plan ahead and always try to be one step ahead of what you need to be doing eg. Start using a pregnancy support pillow before you get hip pain, decorate and shop before you're too big and uncomfortable to do so...

And I would say build a good support network that you can speak to openly and honestly about how you're feeling without feeling bad about complaining, because even if the pregnancy is smooth, you need to complain sometimes and not bottling it up has stopped me feeling alone and meant I've got help from people when I really needed it.

Missingcaffeine · 02/07/2014 20:43

Congratulations!

I decorated a room when I first found out I was pregnant, and so glad I did, as a week later the nausea started and energy plummeted.

Exercise as much as you feel able to. I think this is so important, not that I've been able to do much (due to work and lack of energy) but I've done antenatal yoga which I've really enjoyed, and walk a lot. I think it's good for mental health and also physically coping with pregnancy.

Accept that some things may not get done - I have accepted my house is not going to be quite so clean, the ironing has piled up. I'm normally a tidy freak!

If you do feel knackered, don't overdo it. I desperately tried to keep up with physical stuff like gardening at weekends and just made myself suffer for days afterwards where I'd be ultra exhausted. I've learnt to only do a little at a time.

If you find any nice maternity clothes, buy them, as I have struggled to find things I like and I definitely feel better in nicer clothes.

If you feel you are loosing your sanity - log onto MN and rant.

happylittlevegemites · 03/07/2014 07:21

Prescription drugs for nausea.

Prescription for gaviscon.

Getting a sick note for SPD after crap employers ignore risk assessment and occupational health advice (bitter, moi??)

Sorry, not helpful I know. I hate hate hate being pregnant, what's made the second pregnancy "easier" is just accepting that, for me, pregnancy IS an illness.

Gennz · 03/07/2014 07:39

Second gaviscon!!

I've started feeling better in the last few weeks at 18 weeks (though still vomiting most mornings) but realised I was still continuing the bad habits I'd developed while feeling hideous in the first 14 weeks (eating loads of shit, doing no exercise) so in the past few days I've made a conscious effort to eat better, stop stuffing my face with ice cream, and go to the gym or for a decent walk - it seems to be making a difference (to my mood at least if not the size of my arse).