Pregnancy is supposed to be such a joyous and magical time, but sometimes, it’s hard and can be quite rough on our bodies. Stretch marks, swollen feet, nausea, heartburn and feeling tired, are just a few of the wonderful gifts that come along with pregnancy. This article will give you some tips for coping with the darker side of pregnancy.

Don’t be afraid to contact your doctor if you suffer any unusual symptoms during your pregnancy. These symptoms include stomach pain, cramping, vaginal bleeding, and especially a decreased level of fetal activity. It’s difficult to tell if everything is okay from the outside, and you’re better off asking your physician to check if something seems strange.

Talk to your friends and family, especially those that have been pregnant, or are currently pregnant. They will be able to support you and help you if you have any questions or if you need anything. Those who have been through it before can be some of the best resources you have.

Ask for help with some of your daily tasks. Things that involve heavy lifting, climbing and using chemicals should be avoided when you are pregnant. They can have a negative impact on both you and your unborn baby, so do not be shy about asking your partner or other family members for assistance.

Sleeping can become increasingly difficult as you get towards the end of your pregnancy. Find a great body pillow or maternity pillow that works for you. These are designed to give you the full body support that you need as you sleep. You will wake up less often and have less pain in the morning.

Exercising in pregnancy is good for mom and baby. The benefits include decreased risk for gestational diabetes, less complaints of constipation and back pain and a quicker recovery from birth for mom. Stop exercising and see your doctor if you have signs, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fluid leaking, uterine contractions or vaginal bleeding.

Expecting mothers would be wise if they took the advice of taking a daily prenatal vitamin. In fact, most doctors prescribe them for expecting mothers! This is because your child has nutritional needs that often times due to the nature of pregnancy cravings are not met. This makes sure they get the nutrition they need.

If you are suffering from severe insomnia, consider asking your doctor about it. Your doctor will be able to offer you great advice that could help you rest more soundly. During your pregnancy, it is extremely important to be able to get a full night of sleep and your doctor may be able to recommend some helpful things to make it easier.

When pregnant, you should exercise regularly. Exercising regularly throughout your pregnancy will help you avoid gaining excessive weight. Exercising can also increase your circulation which will help you prevent leg cramps at night. Try to avoid exercising in the evening as it will make it difficult for you to go to sleep.

Do not let stretch marks stress you out, as they are completely unavoidable for many women. While applying cocoa butter and other creams may help to lessen the itching and irritation that comes along with rapid stretching of the skin, they cannot do much to prevent the marks themselves.

Pregnancy can make a woman’s sense of smell more sensitive than normal, so ordinary smells may be unbearable. Try taking a scented handkerchief with lavender or lemon oil anywhere you go. You can pull out the handkerchief and whiff the oil when passing stinky garbage cans, or other odors that bother you.

During your last trimester of pregnancy, your body will go through many changes. That’s no surprise, but one thing that even your doctor might forget to mention is that, as your baby grows, your belly button can be pushed outwards so that it protrudes like a miniature bumper guard on your stomach.

If you are working on your nursery, be sure to avoid fumes and smells that may be associated with wallpaper or paint. While the risk of problems to your baby may be small, don’t take the chance, just keep the windows open or avoid working with paint and wallpaper at all.

If you are pregnant with your first child, you should babysit for a friend with a young baby; this will give you an idea of what it is like to care for a newborn. Also, this will help to make you feel a little more comfortable once your baby is born.

As stated in the beginning of this article, even though pregnancy is supposed to be a magical time, it also has its dark side. Coping with all the terrible side effects can be tough. Hopefully, this article has given you some helpful ideas for battling the “bad side” of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Tips And Ideas To Make The Road Smoother was originally published on Spring