How To Stay Comfortable During Pregnancy
For any woman, pregnancy can be very uncomfortable. Because your body is changing in shape and size, your muscles and joints are handling more weight, with less energy. In addition, you may be getting horrible sleep. By following these simple tips, you can stay comfortable-- even up into your third trimester.
Wear loose fitting clothes. Sweatpants, elastic-waist jeans or skirts, and dresses are all great options during pregnancy. Wear your partner's shirts, jackets, or other tops if they are larger than you, as it will prevent you from stretching your own and allow you to be comfortable. Buy and wear maternity clothes that can be sold, donated or reused later, if you plan on having more children.
Wear a supportive-- but not too tight, bra. You may need to buy a new bra as your breasts change size to accommodate the needs of your child. Buy a maternity bra, or get a bra fitting, to help you find the right size.
Wear shoes that have good support and are comfortable. Though some pregnant celebrities can be seen strutting in heels while pregnant, sneakers, running shoes, supportive slippers or other similar articles of footwear are a better option. If you are pregnant, it is unlikely people will be judging you based on your choice of footwear. In fact, if you wear impractical shoes including high heels, you may be judged more severely than if you had worn the shoes that you thought were 'too casual'.
Try to stay warm in the winter by wearing multiple layers, and cool in the summer by wearing fewer layers and shorts. Having layers to remove can be beneficial as the temperature of your environment changes.
Use a body pillow to support your body and add comfort to your bed, couch, or chair, as needed.
Stretch regularly to help keep your muscles ready-to-go and limber. This will help alleviate the stresses you may feel during pregnancy, and alleviate the stresses on your muscles as a result of your pregnancy.
Stay hydrated. Drink eight ounce glasses a day or up to a gallon. This will help keep your joints from hurting, as well as being beneficial to you and your baby.
Sleep on your side, as opposed to your back (or, obviously, your stomach). This helps relieve the stress placed on your back. Use a pillow top mattress or other kind of material that molds to the shape of your body.
Don't sit or stand for to long in one position. Get up, walk around, and stretch your muscles.
Maintain a healthy weight. Though this is important both during and outside of pregnancy, it can help lessen the impact of being pregnant on your joints and muscles, because you have less weight to carry around.
Staying comfortable during pregnancy may initially seem like an impossible and lofty goal. However, by following these simple tips and making slight lifestyle changes, you can make yourself more comfortable and help to eliminate the stresses on your body that come as a result of pregnancy.
