The announcement of my impending motherhood was met with much excitement and joy from friends and family, it was also met with varying degrees of pregnancy advice, most (from my various super-mum best girls) was extremely helpful, however as I’m sure you’ve experienced, sometimes folks just want to tell you all about worst case scenarios, frightening labour stories and anything and everything that will make you anxious, nervous and very very confused.
I’m sure they mean well and all. But as with any life-changing adventure, there’s enough to consider without a constant flurry of tales that could make you envisage your mind and body transforming into some kind of scary mary alien and never returning to their former glory.
My experience has been no where near as difficult to deal with as I had prepared for. Of course I appreciate everyone is different, and at just shy of 37 weeks my calves resemble giant hams by 3pm and I have difficulty remembering my own name due to the continuous discomfort of carrying around a seemingly huge bump, the associated lack of sleep and the long working hours that inevitably come from running your own business. None of which I can do anything about.
There are however plenty of other pregnancy related irritations that I have found some respite from, I’m by no means offering a miracle cure, I’m just sharing and reviewing what products have worked for me and have made these last 9 months a whole lot easier to deal with. I would love it (as I’m sure would everyone else) if you could add your thoughts, views and survival (!) tips in the comments section below.
Expecting Better by Emily Oster
So far this is the only book I’ve really bothered to make the time to read, it’s written by award-winning economist Emily Oster and essentially takes you through the many aspects of pregnancy and gives you the actual research behind “standard” recommendations so you can make an informed choice. Basically it cuts through the bullish*t and the often over simplified information that you find is thrown at you left, right and centre.
If you don’t fancy reading the 280 odd pages at the end of each section there is a handy “bottom line” summary.
Expecting Better is available via Amazon
Bobbi Brown Corrector
Pregnancy increases blood flow which often makes your veins more apparent, for me this means the tiny blueish veins around my eyes which make my dark circles look ten times bloody worse. I’ve decided that concealing this area is a whole feature in itself so I’ll just say that adding Bobbi Brown corrector to my beauty routine has helped significantly.
I use the shade light peach. You can purchase your very own pot from John Lewis.
Trilogy Rosehip Oil
At the moment I don’t have stretch marks (there’s still time people, still time.) I’ve applied lots of my usual body lotion after a shower and most evenings before bed (well the ones I remember) I also rub in some Trilogy rosehip oil. There are lots of specific stretch-mark prevention claiming potions on the market and this isn’t one of them. Rosehip oil is however renowned for it’s healing and moisturising properties and I find this one isn’t too sticky.
A little goes a long way and I also like to use it on my cuticles which are generally dry and scraggy – more so these past few months. This oil makes them softer and easier to manage.
Trilogy Rosehip oil is available at John Lewis.
Bump Band
Most ladies I know have used these, they allow you to wear your standard tops without flashing your ever-petruding midriff. For me personally they seem to help with back pain…A LOT. I only wished I had discovered the benefits earlier than at 24 weeks. I now wear one all day every day and hand on heart my ribs no longer feel like they are being pulled apart.
On the occasions I have forgotten to put one on I have suffered the consequences.
I wear mine as tight as I can manage and have found Topshop are as good as any other brand – for the princely sum of 7 quid.
Bright Lipstick
I’ve mentioned this tube of (almost) magic before in my previous post about suits-all make-up. Some girls report a pregnancy glow, others suffer from a grey-cast caused by morning sickness and tired-ness, I on the other hand have just got… yellower. Honestly – I look positively sallow. And the only thing I find that works to make me look more human is a pop of pink blush and a bright lip.
This formula is muchos moisturising but lasts a lot longer than most other “balm” consistency type items.
I use shade 355 and you can find it at Space NK.
Tracy Anderson The Pregnancy Project
It is a running joke at Rock My HQ just how much I love this woman. I swear to God this set of 9 DVDS (one for every month) has saved my sanity as well as for the most part, my body. I like exercise, I like to look and feel fit and healthy and I’m not going to apologise for it.
Each workout is about 40 minutes long, I found this was manageable for 4-5 days a week until month 9 where I’m starting to find most day-to-day activities difficult – let alone swinging my legs in the air. I just do as much as I can when I can.
Tracy is at a similar stage to “you” throughout the 9 month period which I think is genius, I would say the workouts are a mixture of basic dance, adult barre and pilates (I’m no expert – I just see similarities from my own personal tried-everything experience) and I enjoy the variety.
For those of you that don’t know, Tracy Anderson is the creator of “The Method” and sculptor and transformation maker of many a celebrity physique, including Gwyneth Paltrow.
I am going to continue with Tracy’s post-pregnancy workout as soon as I am released by my doctor to exercise following my daughter’s imminent arrival.
I could talk a lot more about this DVD but for fear of a) writing an essay and b) boring you all to tears I’ll stop here. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section though.
You can purchase Tracy Anderson “The Pregnancy Project” via Amazon
Embroylisse Lait Creme Concentrate
I’ve mentioned how dry my skin is right? Well now it’s drier than ever. To the point where cleansing my face with even the most gentle make-up remover can leave my epidermis red and sore. This concentrated cream by Embroylisse has been around for ages and is used so often backstage at fancy fashion shows to maintain a model’s radiant complexion that is has apparently achieved cult status. (Not entirely sure what this means exactly but it works so I’m going with it.)
On severe flaky days I use this as a cleanser and a moisturiser and put an extra layer on for good luck. I don’t use it around the eye area but I do slather it on my elbows which actually peel as though I have sunburn. I know – how pleasant.
Embroylisse used to only be available at those incredibly sophisticated French pharmacies but we mere UK mortals can now purchase it from Cult Beauty…..result.
Anything amazing you would care to share?
I may not be pregnant but I definitely suffer from the curse of dark circles, so may I just say YES PLEASE to the feature about concealing those bad boys 🙂 xx
I’m on it! – honestly, they are such a pain in the arse! 🙂
I’m not sure I’ve quite figured out how to survive pregnancy yet, one day into my third trimester, but I have been using a few things to get by.
I use palmers cocoa butter on my tummy and thighs in the morning and then bio oil at night (it’s a bit greasy though)
I’ve been using mama mio’s boob tube cream too which I LOVE! It really plumps the skin and can be used whilst breast feeding apparently.
I’ve also got a Dreamgenii lite pregnancy pillow which really helps my poor sore hips from sleeping on my side. It supports your bump and stops you rolling onto your back.
I also discovered Bourjois cc cream which I really like too, it helps too fake that pregnancy glow a bit and is nice and light too.
I am definitely getting a bump band now too! Xxx
Hi Tabitha! I tried a pillow but it just didn’t work for me, not sure why, I do have dodgy hip ache though, it makes me feel 100 years old!
Definitely going to try out the CC cream (I’m still yet to try a BB cream…) as I need some glow!
Absolutely get a band – they are a must x
No me neither…I’m not even sure I know what a bb or cc cream is! But someone recommended it to me and seen as I def don’t have ‘the glow’ naturally, my only option is to fake it with this and highlighter.
I’m so excited for baby o’shea! Xxx
Tracy Anderson you say? I’m interested! I run a lot and try to get to the gym as much as poss but do love a good DVD for at home! I had a long love fest with Jillian Michaels and really felt it worked me hard but fancy a change up! Which one do you recommend to start with and for toning/sculpting? Fat burning is taken care of by running so it’s the tone and definition I would like a la Gwynth please! Thanks pet! Cannot believe how far on you are it has flown! Well perhaps not for you ha but for me it has lol! Can’t wait to hear all about the new arrival! Xx
This is the first Tracy I’ve done (!) although I have heard her new method for beginners is a good place to start. If there is one area you want to concentrate on she also does “metamorphosis” for abs, legs or bum etc – I’ve read lots of glowing reports.
It has gone quite quickly for me really, although these last few weeks are taking their toll! just want to meet her now, it’s all very surreal x
Thanks flower I will check it out! Can’t hurt! She will be a beauty I’m sure!! On a side note I have bought 3 of the natural collection mascara, the curl the length and the build up one! I am in love with the non gloop texture! Thanks for that it will save me a bomb in that area allowing for splurges on nude lippies! Hoorah! Xx
Charlotte it might be worth reading up on SPD (symphis pubis disorder) as if your hips and back are giving you pain you could be suffering from a mild form of it – particularly as you say the support of the bump band gives you some relief. I had it from 20 weeks and it was agony, I saw a physio and was given a special support to wear. It can have an impact on delivery, as certain positions increase the risk of injury. It’s caused by the ligaments becoming too loose and your pelvis becoming unstable as a result.
Thanks to SPD my essential pregnancy survival kit included a husband willing to help me in and out of the shower, put my socks on, and do all the housework as I could no longer stand!
Kathryn thanks so much for the tip, I have to say no-one has mentioned this to me (I have obviously reported my hip and back ache to my midwife and GP) but it sounds as though I am not suffering anywhere near as much as you pet, I’m glad your husband is helping you out so much! Mine is too I’m glad to report, he is doing the majority of the house hold jobs, shopping and cooking, certainly in these last few weeks. x
Bump bands are brilliant, I do believe some of it’s a psychological thing about making sure bump is safe and protected as well as helping your back. I also invested in pregnancy leggings and tights from H&M and wore them to death.
I didn’t find a pregnancy pillow helped with bump but I had to have a normal pillow between my legs, which meant much better sleep. Also a husband willing to spend the last four weeks in the spare bed to give the space to heave myself around! It’s all worth it, and once they arrive it’s a whole other survival kit to work out!
Hi Mairi – I think I will try a normal pillow then in that case, and I agree on the band – it makes you feel more secure definitely.
And I know what you mean ref the arrival kit, honestly – so many things to consider! x
Fab recommendations! I found a nice luke warm bath towards the end was a life saver. ..making me weightless and easing back and pelvic pain.
I found this book so so helpful…
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0091910552
It essentially breaks down what to expect in the first 6 months if being a new mum. I didn’t have a CLUE about how babies worked but it turns put my bubs was pretty much text book… according to this. I read the first couple of weeks in my last month of pregnancy and it really helped me to understand this very delicate and confusing bundle of new human that had just landed on my lap!
Good luck everyone 🙂
Thanks for the book recommendation peach, I plan on investing in the next week or so, as I really need to get a move on with feeling knowledgeable! I found NCT provided us with a lot of the basics – there is so much to remember though! x
I’m with Becky on this book. It got me through the first three months without feeling like a neurotic mother. It really helps when you’re in the thick of it and gives you the stuff that NCT doesn’t tell you like how many wet or dirty nappies is normal, how much milk you should be giving and what stage of development you can expect to see each week. Each chapter is a week and I read it the week before whilst feeding so I’d know what to look out for. It was the only post birth book I read.
I also swore by Mamma Mio stretch mark oil and doubled with their cream in the later stages. I didn’t get one mark and I swear it was down to this. Afterwards I used their toning gel and found this was equally as good. You can get this from John Lewis or Mamma Mio have their own website.
Good luck ladies xxx
Thanks for the comment Jane, I am sold on getting this book!
I loved taking baths in Apricot Kernel Oil when I was pregnant with a few drops of lavendar oil, very soothing and great for tum. Both of these oils are also really great for massaging bub with later on as well. I drank loads of raspberry leaf tea towards the end of my pregnancies and also lactation tea for after. Now I am going to sound like a full blown hippie here BUT I swear by clary sage oil whilst in labour it is beyond magic.
Teilah you don’t sound like a hippie at all! – whatever works for you and appreciate the tips, I have never heard of lactation tea?! I haven’t had a single bath you know (that’s not to say I am un-washed – I just shower instead!) as I find I just get too hot. However I am very much liking the sound of apricot kernel oil, I bet it smells amazing. x
Your survival kit is much more glamorous than mine was! I found that Palmers cooco butter was the best thing ever. Luckily I didn’t get stretch marks and don’t know if it was this or just luck but either way I slathered it on and made my skin lovely. So much better than the expensive creams and lotions in my opinion. Another good option is Olive Oil (although you do smell a bit odd!) as its the best thing for skin. One to remember for once baby is born as often they have dry skin to start with so just rub olive oil on them and it works better than anything else. A midwife told me this trick so I’m not going mad! I also had a lovely Elemis lavender face spray which was great for relaxing at night and also brilliant during labour (as was a nice Evian water spray thingy). Not beauty related but my survival kit also included a packet of yummy ginger oat cakes as they were great to keep in my handbag in case of sugar slumps whilst out and about and are relatively healthy. Still addicted to them now! xxx
I’m pretty sure stretch marks are genetic, you can do all you can to prevent them but there is only so much you can control the skin you were born with I guess.
I do actually have Cocoa Butter stretch mark cream, I’ve always used it on and off as I too find it makes your skin look better as a whole, it just takes so long to sink in for me – and I’m quite impatient!
I’m worried about the babies skin, I suffered terribly with eczema as a baby myself, James did too – and you are right, it’s the very plain simple things that you should use rather than all these random creams with God knows what in them.
I am addicted to some really awful things at the moment (those jelly strawberry sweets for example…) think I better invest in some oatcakes! x
Wow i am definitely going to look into TA dvd sounds fab as i just cant bring myself to go to the gym.i’m 14 weeks so in that really in between phase.applying palmers stretch mark butter every day.i a will also be purchasing a topshop band……not that i feel i need it just yet but sounds like it will cone in handy.any tips for clothes….i just feel loathe to buy maternity at the moment but have succombed to asos maternity jeans! Some of the maternity clothes seem so ‘mumsey’! Thanks for the advice and i wish you all the best x
Hi Becky, I gave up the gym ages ago, I much prefer being able to do the home DVD as and when I feel like it.
I am currently wearing my Mama’s and Papa’s maternity jeans, you can’t really tell the difference between normal jeans apart from the fact they have a band at the top and they are really comfortable. Hope everything goes well over the next 6 months x
Just read some of the comments here and I too can vouch for that book. A friend bought mine for me and it was the best present ever. Really easy to manage and extremely helpful. I couldn’t use the pregnancy pillows as I found them annoying when you need to turn over, so used a regular pillow between knees and just under bump, it made a real difference to me. I also got achy hips towards the end, I had a bit of physio but unfortunately nothing helped as it was just the extra pressure. It did go imeadiately after the birth. So just keep in mind that there is not too long to go. I feel your pain though.
If you like Tracy you should try her Mat workout DVD, post birth. I am just trying to do mine, in between feeds!! Also buggy fit is great they do it all over the country, it is outdoors and quiet gentle but a great way to ease yourself back into it and meet some other lovely mummy’s.
Good luck. Xx
Hi Louise! I think some of the girls from my NCT have already mentioned buggy fit – sounds good! and gets you out of the house….
Everyone says how interrupted sleep is after the baby arrives but I swear it can’t be any worse than now, I’m up at least 5/6 times with various cramps, aches etc! x
Yes I really enjoy it.
I know the feeling well. My physio told me to sleep on a folded quilt and it made quite a big difference. The sleep is defiantly lacking when they arrive but it does get better. The best advise I was given was by another mum when I was frazzled on day 5 was simply that it gets easier and it really does.
Yes I really enjoy it.
I looove reading all about this. I just hope to become pregnant this year 🙁 Makes it even harder to work in obstetrics, but I absolutely love my job 🙂
Hi Anja! fingers crossed for you, must be such an interesting place to work, I never thought I would find this journey so fascinating from a biological/scientific perspective but I have – so much to learn!
Great blog thankyou! I am 23 weeks and have invested in a couple maternity pieces (Seraphine skinny jeans and New Look / H&M being my surprise finds…) but just hit a wall for ideas now spring is on its way, & feeling bigger than ever (and I know I’ve got a way to go yet!) so feeling a bit depressed about how I’ll stay comfortable for the next few months but I’m going to go and raid my wardrobe and see what I can put together instead of spending more money!
I’m in beauty and just for info… BB creams are like tinted moisturisers but which have more concealer type content to smooth out blemishes. I found Garnier BB cream is the original and best (and in my job I’ve tried them all!) but it is heavier than many so only if like extra coverage. CC creams are like BB creams but with lasting corrective benefits, eg reducing dark spots and evening out skin tone. I like the L’Oreal Touche Magique ones as they adjust to the tone of your skin (build it up slowly so you dont look too orange) and they have different types including a redness corrector and radiance version. I dont’ work for the company BTW so not plugging their products!
I’m also using the whole range of Palmer’s for stretch marks/bust cream but was given the Mum & Me Bump stretch mark cream and Sanctuary collagen boosting body butter and they both smell so lovely they’re great as a break from Palmer’s when you get sick of the smell!
now gonna try this book and DVD… top tips!!
Great article. I’m 16 weeks and have really struggled with being myself while pregnant! Why does no one mention that you will feel ugly and horrible and miss your old life of drinking so much!? Haha! I have however come out the other side! I’ve found some new highlights, good asos maternity jeans and fashionable tops have done wonders. I have a bump but am getting away with bigger sized tops so I still get to wear fashion stuff, maternity clothes suck! Bit of fake tan also has helped and I’ve just started the Tracy Anderson DVDs and yoga so I’m feeling pretty good! Good luck with everything Charlotte can’t wait to see some rockmybaby awesomeness 🙂 H xxx
Really useful to read this and some of the comments! I’m 20 weeks and getting back / hip pain so thinking of getting a support belt…. Baby band may look slightly prettier & do the same thing tho!
I’m living in red herring maternity dresses and maternity tights- I find them them soo comfortable around bump! Know what you mean about eyes, I have the worst dry skin and circles, I’ve got through more touché éclat than I would in a year! Enjoy your last few weeks & don’t listen to bad stories! 🙂
I love your blog post. I’m 27 weeks pregnant and am also really enjoying the benefits of Tracy Anderson’s The Pregnancy Project DVD. I’ve found that attending a good pregnancy Yoga class has been an effective way of reducing back pain too.
Warmest regards 🙂
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