I finally hit the second trimester milestone a few weeks ago and let me just tell you. I’m starting to feel a bit more human!

I have to admit my first trimester was not NEARLY as difficult for me as I know it is for some expecting moms. I was lucky enough to dodge the morning sickness almost entirely. (I know, I know – eye-roll, but I truly feel for those of you that are suffering).

With that being said – I can’t really speak to any cures for this. I did however come away with a few tricks for some of those other not so pleasant symptoms!

Itchy, dry, skin.

Research says there is nothing you can do for stretch marks, you either get them or you dont but I cant help but feel a little better if I at least TRY to help my skin out. Not to mention it’s just uncomfortable without.

I hate the feeling of lotion, always have. It’s cold and takes way too long to absorb, so all through my first trimester I used Dr. Teals Body oil. I use this right after a shower and some nights before bed if my skin feels extra dry.

Prenatal’s

Every momma to be has to take their prenatal vitamins. Im forgetful by nature and also believe the cause of what little morning sickness I had was caused by my prenatals.

The fix to both was keeping them by my bed at night. Before I went to sleep I’d eat a few grapes or saltines and take my vitamin. This routine just works for me. I found if I took them directly before sleep (with a little food if you can stand it) the queasiness didn’t affect me as much.

This brings me to my next trick.

Sleep

I was lucky if I slept a solid 3 hours without waking up, and for a while falling asleep was a two hour event. Even before I was expecting I would wake in the night to pee but pregnant – it’s like 4-5 times a night. Then I found the stress of bringing a new person into the world, worrying about labor, or miscarriage, or the 6,000 other random thoughts that pop into your irrational, hormonal, sleepy head in the night, makes it nearly impossible to rest.

Enters the Calm app.

So it sounds crazy, and I was skeptical at first but desperation prevailed. I’m sure you’ve heard of the calm app and sleep stories. I finally tried it one night and I didn’t even make it 15 minutes into the story before falling asleep. It was also such a deep sleep that I had no trouble getting back to bed after each trip to the bathroom. (they also have a “back to sleep” story if you need it in the night).

Why I think it works:

These sleep stories are engaging but not engaging enough to where you feel the need to hear the end. My favorite author is Tamara Levitt. I love her voice, she sounds like she’s smiling and she talks slowly and its just very soothing. Weird, yes. But…for sleep, I will do anything.

I think another reason this worked for me is it forced my mind to rest on something other than fear driven thoughts and anxiety about the future. It’s just a sweet story before bed as if you’re a child being tucked in. I cannot recommend enough.

Another sleep trick:

If you can stomach it, try a coffee mug of warm milk before going to bed. I would heat mine for 1.5 minutes drop in a sleepy-time vanilla tea bag and sip it in bed before I laid down to start my sleep story. Probably contributed to the amount of times I visited the bathroom! I used this time to just unwind and practice gratitude. I’d think of all the gifts in my life and pray, and whatever else I needed to clear my head. NO SCREENS. If you can’t handle the milk just sleepy time tea in water may work as well. I never tried it without milk.

The Expectant moms duck tape?

Buttery Leggings and a hair tie.

Let’s start with the leggings. These I will wear for the rest of my life. They’re better than pajamas and PERFECT for a growing belly. I am still wearing these well into my second trimester! These feel like soft, worn in flannel, mixed with cashmere – but not hot. Thin but not too thin or cheap feeling. The waistline is high so it goes over your tummy for extra coverage and support but isn’t tight in the slightest, and stretches with ease. I sized up to account for a growing belly and they fit fine. I just cant rave enough for these leggings. They’re under $15 dollars and worth every penny. Just get you a pair – pregnant or not.

The hair tie trick. You probably already know this one but it’s just too good not to include. Take a hair tie and loop it through the button hole of any pants you cant quite squeeze into. Then you simply slide the open loop over the button and ta-da. Another month of wear for your favorite pair of jeans.