Like most first time expecting moms, when I was pregnant with my first child I had no idea what to expect. I did tons of research and tried to make the best decisions I possibly could. Now that I’ve experienced pregnancy and childbirth twice, I decided to share what I’ve learned along the way. Here are some pregnancy do’s and don’ts according to my personal experience.

Take a food-based prenatal vitamin.

During my pregnancy, I read The Mama Natural Week by Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth by Genevieve Howland. I learned so much from this book and I highly recommend it to all expecting mamas. One of the first things I learned was the importance of food-based prenatals.
According to studies, food-based prenatals are more absorbable and gentler on the stomach than synthetic prenatals, because they are derived from food instead of isolated vitamins. Because they are derived from food, these prenatal blends contain the enzymes, phytonutrients, and other co-factors that make the vitamin most absorbable and add to the spectrum of nutrition.

I personally took Actif Organics prenatal vitamin and I honestly loved them. Later in my pregnancy I also took MegaFood Baby & Me 2 prenatals and alternated between the two.

Eat healthy.

This one is pretty obvious but too important to leave out of this blog post. Eating healthy during pregnancy can actually be tricky, since there are things you should avoid that you probably didn’t think were unsafe. Healthy foods like papaya, pineapple and even eggplant are not recommended to eat during pregnancy as they might increase the risk of miscarriage. Definitely do your research, even with foods like fruits and vegetables. It’s important to stay informed and keep yourself and baby safe.

Invest in a juicer.

Common pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness and food aversions can make it hard to eat a balanced diet, especially in the first trimester. To make your life easier, invest in a high quality juicer and you’ll be able to get all the nutrients you need right in a glass. I opted for the Breville BJE430SIL Juice Fountain Cold. I absolutely love this juicer! It features Cold Spin Technology which prevents damage to vitamins and minerals from heat and processing. It’s easy to clean and fits nicely right on my counter top.

Exercise.

It’s so important to exercise during pregnancy to keep your body in shape. Exercise can also help relieve stress, and build more stamina needed for labor and delivery. It can even help prevent gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

One very essential exercise to do during pregnancy are pelvic floor exercises a.k.a. kegels! These are key to preventing incontinence and can ultimately lead to a shorter labor and a faster post-birth recovery!

How to do kegels:

• Make sure your bladder is empty, then sit or lie down.
• Tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Hold tight and count 3 to 5 seconds.
• Relax the muscles and count 3 to 5 seconds.
• Repeat 10 times, 3 times a day (morning, afternoon, and night)

If you’re unsure of how to tighten your pelvic floor muscles try stopping your urine midstream. That’s exactly how you do a kegel!

Rub essential oils (everywhere)!

While doing research about labor and delivery, I came across a YouTube video where a woman recommended rubbing essential oil (olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, etc.) around and inside your vagina and perineum. She raved about how this helped her vaginal tissue become more elastic and soft which actually prevented her from tearing during labor. This made perfect sense to me so I decided to do the same. I massaged extra virgin olive oil (down there) every night (or at least 3-4 times a week) and when I gave birth to my daughter AND son I also didn’t tear or require an episiotomy or stitches!

Collaborate with maternity brands.

If you are an influencer, this is a great opportunity to collaborate with maternity brands! Reach out to brands you’re interested in and offer to promote their brand in exchange for free products. It’s a great way to stock up on free maternity clothes and baby products while cross promoting your brand and the brands you’re collaborating with. Win/Win!

Have a diaper raffle at your baby shower.

Diapers are the one baby necessity you’ll be using the most for about the next two to three years. It’s smart to have a diaper raffle at your baby shower because you’ll need to rack up as many packages of diapers you can get. Ask groups of guests to bring specific sizes so you have an even amount of each size. This will help so much as your baby grows.

I asked for mostly size 2 and 3 because I knew babies outgrow newborn and size 1 diapers extremely fast. I received so many diapers at my baby shower they literally lasted one whole year!

Prepare for birth mentally.

During my pregnancy I found that listening to pregnancy books on audible and free meditation apps helped keep me in a relaxed state of mind. Learning breathing techniques for pain management during labor is also very important. Preparing mentally for birth will help you feel more ready and confident during labor.

Prep meals for after delivery.

Preparing meals in advance for the weeks after birth is a great idea. The last thing you want to do when you’re recovering from labor and caring for a newborn is cook. Freezing easy to reheat meals like homemade lasagna and meatloaf are going to be a lifesaver!

Things you should NOT do:

Don’t stress.

Pregnancy can bring a lot of stress and anxiety. Not knowing what to expect and thinking of the future can be very overwhelming. But stressing about things that have not happened yet will not benefit you or your baby. Focus on the blessing you are carrying inside and put all your energy into growing a healthy and happy baby by thinking healthy and happy thoughts!

Don’t buy a diaper changing table.

Many mamas will agree, a diaper changing table is most likely the last place you’ll change your baby’s diaper. I had mine for a year before I ended up selling it. I never used it once. Don’t get me wrong, some moms may find their diaper changing table useful but for the most part I think it’s not really necessary.

Don’t procrastinate.

Once you reach your third trimester, you’ll want to start organizing and preparing for your bundle of joy to come soon. This period is called “nesting.” Among the most important things to get done are finishing the nursery, installing the car seat, completing your hospital registration and packing up your hospital bag.

Don’t overpack your hospital bag.

Speaking of hospital bags, make sure you don’t overpack yours. Most hospitals will provide you with everything you need during your stay. This will include a hospital robe, underwear, oversized maxi pads, ice maxi pads, Tucks medicated wipes, etc. Basically everything you will need during recovery. They will even bathe and clothe your baby and wrap in a hospital baby blanket. So pack the bare minimum since you probably won’t even need to use anything of your own.

Don’t eat pineapple!

Last but not least, do NOT eat pineapple during your pregnancy. I am speaking from personal experience and I felt the need to share my story so I could warn other expecting moms.

Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain, which is thought to soften your cervix and bring on labor. Studies show you would have to eat very large amounts for this to happen but that wasn’t the case with my experience.

At 38 weeks pregnant, like most women, I was desperate to go into labor. I read pineapple could help naturally induce labor so I gave it a shot. One evening after dinner I ate a big bowl of freshly diced pineapple. The very next morning my water broke and my doctor advised me to go to the hospital. However, my body wasn’t yet ready for labor so I had to be induced and was given pitocin to help me start contracting and dilating. I was in labor for almost 24 hours!
I was blessed to be able to give birth naturally to a healthy baby girl. But I advise pregnant women to avoid pineapple or any other foods that may induce labor.

My best advice would be to let your body go into labor naturally, when it’s ready, and you’ll have a much quicker and smoother labor and delivery!

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