5 Things You Miss Most During Pregnancy
There are so many joyful aspects of pregnancy: glowing skin and thick, silky hair, an excuse to take lots of naps, the opportunity to bond with another person like you never have before.
But, there are also some things you probably miss from the days before baby — and since commiseration often leads to comradery, we’ve decided to list some things we at Tummy Cradle personally miss. But don’t worry: we’ve also come up with some alternatives to make us all feel better. Plus, you’re only 9 months away from reuniting with your favorite activities — only this time, you’ll have the cute and cuddly company of a baby, too.
Eating Sushi
Who would have thought that eating something as small as your favorite tuna roll could be so dangerous? Because raw fish sometimes contains parasites and bacteria, the FDA warns pregnant woman to stay away from sushi. An unfortunate encounter with yucky fish can lead to infections and/or food poisoning that could potentially harm the baby.
This doesn’t mean you need cut fish out of your diet all together, however. Fish contains healthy fatty acids that are great for both mom and baby — just stick to the cooked stuff for now, Momma.
Painting your Toenails
Most of us can’t even see our toes at the moment — let alone reach them with a tiny brush — making pedicures near impossible for an expectant mom. Plus, many some brands of nail polish contain nasty chemicals (namely, the big 3: dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde) that can harm the baby.
Luckily, there is an easy solution to this problem: take a spa day! Treat yourself to a mani-pedi while relaxing in the comfort of a massage chair, or relax in the comfort of your home in a nice long bath with soft music playing in the background. There’s also nothing wrong with asking your significant other to paint your toes for you — most popular nail polish brands, like OPI and Essie, are free of the toxic stuff. Self-care is particularly important during your pregnancy because when you’re happy, the baby is too!
Having a Drink with Friends
We’re sure you already know, but drinking alcohol while pregnant is a big no-no. Alcohol passes directly to the baby through the umbilical cord, prompting serious health concerns for the baby during development and also for mom during delivery. There are some doctors that say a small glass of red wine is safe to drink while pregnant, but you should talk to your healthcare provider before consuming any more than a sip.
But don’t let everyone else have all the fun! Shirley Temples, soda, water or fun mocktails are all safe alternatives to make sure you never feel left out.
Sleeping on Your Stomach
You’ve waved goodbye to sleeping on your stomach sometime around Month 3 — but not so fast. Tummy Cradle is an adjustable pregnancy pillow that allows expecting mothers to feel comfortable, painless sleep, while also taking stress off of an achy back. It’s extremely important that you get as much sleep as possible so you and baby are well rested and ready to take on the day.
Putting on Shoes
Turns out painting your toes isn’t the only thing that’s tough with your belly bump in the way. As you head into your final trimester, little things like tying your shoes may start to become a constant challenge. That kind of independence is definitely something you didn’t think about missing!
But don’t worry, you can easily find solace in a pair of slip-on shoes. Pick a pair of shoes that are both comfortable on your feet and easy to put on — maybe it’s ballet flats or flip flops for summer babies, or little booties for the winter. As your due date approaches, comfort truly does become key.
Enjoy the Moment
Just remember that pregnancy only lasts 9 months, making it an incredibly special and fleeting experience. We’re sure there are things you can only do while you’re pregnant that you’ll miss someday too!
