Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. But we’d be the biggest liars on the planet if we said that bearing a child for nine months doesn’t come with its fair share of aches, pains and not-so-pretty moments (hello, heartburn and zits … at the same time). Read on for some genius (and fast!) fixes to your most embarrassing pregnancy woes.
#1 Mood swings.
If biting someone’s head off feels like the right thing to do, a chill pill may be in order. And since a huge glass of red is out of the question, turn to tea to put your attitude in its place. Birds & Bees Peaceful Pregnancy Tea is made with Raspberry Leaf, Nettle Leaf, Alfalfa Leaf, Rosehips, rose petals, Hawthorne Berry and orange peel — a combo that instantly imparts a sense of peace and calm. Bonus: You can sip a cup a day.
#2 “The Waddle.”
Nip the postpartum duck walk in the bud with Mama Strut‘s Pelv-Ice, a comfy biker shorts/girdle get-up that comes with pockets for ice packs or heating pads and adjustable Velcro for a super secure fit that helps brand new moms walk with less pain in the groin and tummy area.
#3 Mask of pregnancy.
Sprouting spots? Disguise melasma — the official term for dark spots and patches that pop up during pregnancy — with full coverage cover-up (like Illuminare) during pregnancy. Simply apply it where you need it, blend out the edges completely and continue with your regular makeup routine.
#4 Swollen schnoz.
Pregnancy can cause the vessels in your nose to swell, giving your sniffer a larger-than-life look. Until it shrinks back to its original size, you can fake a slimmer nose with contouring. Using a cream or powder concealer three to four shades darker than your natural skin color, draw two straight parallel lines down the sides of your nose (the closer they are the thinner your nose will look). Next, use your finger or a brush to blend the lines until they look like a shadow. Voilà!
#5 Itchy boobies.
Bellies aren’t the only thing that gets bigger with pregnancy. Breasts grow too, and as the grow they itch. It’s never to early to start using Lansinoh Lanolin (what breastfeeding mamas use for chaffing) to relieve the itch. Or, slather on moisturizer infused with cocoa butter or Vitamin E like Palmer’s Coca Butter Formula.
#6 Heartburn + man burps.
Popping Tums like it’s going out of style? Try taming a fiery chest with an apple (or banana) a day — they both act as a buffer for acid reflux.
#7 Another headache.
For some women, first trimester headaches are as common as chocolate-dipped pickle cravings. Whether you blame it on the hormonal free-for-all or the increased blood and circulation, the bottom line is that pregnancy headaches are annoying. One easy self massage technique: Place the pads of your thumbs under your brow bone, facing upwards. Press and hold for 10 seconds and wait for the migraine to melt away.
#8 Pregancy brain.
It’s not a myth. According to a 2010 study, during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, women perform significantly worse on spatial memory tests than men. One proven way to boost memory is to turn random words into images. Say, you leave your cell phone on the kitchen table; imagine your phone eating all the food on the table. Later, when you’re wondering where your cell went, you’ll have an image stamped into your brain.
#9 Acne like a teenager.
The rush of hormones is to blame for all of those extra blemishes. Experts warn against using acne products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Instead regularly slather on a pore-clearing clay mask, let it dry a little and rinse it off. The clay draws out dirt and oil from pores so you have few breakouts in the long run. One to try: Freeman Feeling Beautiful Avocado and Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask.
#10 An overzealous bladder.
Darting to the potty every half hour may feel like a workout in itself. To slow the stream, so to speak, try another kind of exercise. Kegels are one of the most effective ways to strengthen pelvic muscles and control the need to pee. Start by pretending you are trying to stop the flow of urine by pulling in and squeezing those muscles. Hold the squeeze for 10 seconds and then release for 10 seconds. Do the kegel 10 times for three sets.
Did we forget any embarrassing pregnancy situations? Tell us about it in the Comments section below.
—Ayren Jackson-Cannady
Photos courtesy of Illuminare via Facebook, Stephanie Lange, Birds & Bees via Facebook, Mama Strut via Facebook, Palmer’s via Facebook, Gummy Piglet via Flickr, eilidh_wag via Flickr, Pierre Pattipeilohy via Flickr
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