Home Remedies for Expecting Women
Home remedies for some of the less enjoyable experiances of pregnancy.
For Morning Sickness-Calcium-fortified antacids
-Mouthwash, breath fresheners or flavored dental floss
-Motion sickness wrist bands (also known as “sea bands”)
-Cool, unscented wet wipes for freshening up
For Sensitive, Swollen Breasts
-Cool gel compresses (NOT frozen, as this might add to the pain and sensitivity)
-Heating pads on a warm (not hot) setting
-Non-restricting sports bras or shelf-bra lined undershirts OR
-Bras without underwire (sewn-in seaming under busts)
For Upper and Lower Back Pain
-Long body pillow to fold/bunch along back where needed
-Abdominal support bands (also called “Belly Bras”) to reduce stress on the lower back
-Contoured chair pad for home and/or office
-Deep heating rub (have your spouse/partner use liberally on affected areas)
For Swollen Legs and Feet
-Padded footrest to prop feet up with
-Support socks or hosiery (look for in department stores or medical supply catalogs)
-Gel inserts for shoes (added comfort and support for lower back as well)
-Epsom salt for nightly foot soaks (have spouse/partner use leftover deep heating rub on legs as well)
For Nasal Stuffiness
-Saline nasal spray (use under doctor’s direction)
-Vaporizer at night/humidifier at day
-Mentholated cough drops
-Herbal nasal inhalants (sold at health and natural foods stores)
For Mental Fuzziness (also known as “Pregnancy Brain”)
-A nap, if possible
-A to-do list (have only 3 to 4 main things per day that MUST be done by you only; get your spouse/partner, friends or family to do the rest)
-Special places for your most needed items (keys, shoes, purse, remote)
-Lots of grace and humor, especially when you lock your keys in the car for the fifth time in one week
For Blue Moods and Fat Feelings
-Pictures of adorable, drooling babies to admire
-The entire collection of The Three Stooges on video
-Weekly manicures and pedicures; regularly scheduled facials and hair appointments
-Mental reminders that in a number of weeks, you will have a beautiful baby to hold and love for years to come, and that any discomforts you feel now are definitely worth it!
