Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman’s life. However, it’s not always the easiest. Your body is changing and growing another tiny person. There is not only the physical changes but the emotional issues during pregnancy that can be hard. Everyone has their own stories and tips for making it through. Here are mine.

My pregnancy with Monster wasn’t fabulous but it wasn’t terrible. It was long…he was two weeks late. I only had a little morning sickness in the beginning but nothing terrible. I even lucked out with no stretch marks! It was pretty uneventful minus the anxiety of being a first time mom. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t experience that during their first pregnancy!

Lovebug was different. I had severe morning sickness the entire time. Like all forty-two weeks (yes she was two weeks late two). Our twenty week ultrasound let us know that she was a girl and gave us the news that there was a good chance there was something wrong with her brain. That was an emotional roller coaster I never want to repeat. We elected to skip the advance tests due to the risk of losing her. We were going to love her no matter what so it didn’t matter. Well, she was born and there was nothing wrong. So anxiety for a very long time.

Through it all, I will always feel blessed because I have two healthy children. Not everyone is that lucky. Here are some of the things I learned that helped me through both pregnancies!

1) Take It Easy! Your life is never going to be this easy again so take the time now to relax whenever possible. I know that when I was pregnant I tried to do too much. I was juggling life with a toddler and a business. I never got enough rest and that just made all the physical and emotional symptoms of pregnancy so much harder. So RELAX! Dishes and laundry will still be there if you take a small break and put your feet up!

2)Drink Plenty of Water. I know you’ve heard this for just about everything. It stinks because as your belly grows the pressure on your bladder does too. You’re going to have to run to the bathroom repeatedly anyway so you might as well stay hydrated. Drinking enough water really is a must especially if you have morning sickness.

3)Buy Stock in Saltines! Seriously though. Crackers actually helped my morning sickness. I bought the whole grain version to try and make the massive carb consumption a little healthier. I also opted for unsalted to help with the swelling towards the end! Mint also helped a lot if I was on the go! (Think gum, mints or fresh mint in tea) Don’t waste money on the gimmicks. They never really worked for me or anyone I know. Stay with the tried and true!

4)Enjoy it! Now this may sound crazy but in the long run, it goes by too fast. Before you know it your baby will be turning five and you’ll miss having him safely growing in side of you. There is nothing like feeling your baby kicking and flipping on the inside. Enjoy every second of it!!!

My Monster before he was a monster

Lovebug Baby!