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This is the ULTIMATE pregnancy survival guide!
I did a poll on Instagram a few weeks ago after I had some reader questions. I asked everyone if they wanted a post on all my pregnancy tips and items that have really helped. The answer was 100% yes!
So, today I want to share with you a chemist’s pregnancy survival guide. All of the items and tips I am sharing were things I researched for a long time.
I just love how chemistry makes live so much easier, even when it comes to pregnancy! Whether it’s stretch mark prevention, nausea, aches/pains, or nutrition, chemistry allows us to know the best items that work!
I am excited to share this with you today!
PIN THIS: A Chemist’s Pregnancy Survival Guide
Nausea
Any pregnancy survival guide needs tips on nausea! And after dealing with it for months, I have all the best tips for you!
This is probably the worst part of pregnancy in the beginning. I was very sick and wanted relief so I could at least eat.
The doctor prescribed me Diglegis which is a more natural form of anti-nausea for pregnant women. It helped for the most part, but I still had waves of really upset stomach and throwing up.
Anti-Nausea Pills
My husband picked these up for me. They contain natural vitamin B and magnesium which combats an stomach upset. I used these all the time and it helped A LOT!
Lemon/Ginger Nausea Candies
Ginger actually made me feel worse, so I couldn’t do ginger based items. But these had more of a lemon base with just a little ginger. They soothed my stomach at night when I was really sick. I tried other brands, but this was the only one that didn’t make me more sick.
Chemist Note: Many people asked me why I didn’t use peppermint…peppermint made me feel TERRIBLE lol. I couldn’t stand the smell or taste at all. Lemon was my go-to.
Lemon Water
Lemon is one of the best anti-nausea natural items. I couldn’t even drink water without getting sick. I made ice water each day with as much lemon as I could put in it. I was able to drink it like that and it helped!
I would also just smell fresh lemon and it was amazing.
Rubbing Alcohol
I love isopropyl alcohol for so many things, it is one of the best chemist inventions of all time. Not only do I use it to clean all the things (more on that later in this post), but the smell of it can also combat nausea!
One of my best friends has had three girls now, and she always got super sick. One of her doctors told her to keep alcohol pads with her and sniff when she was feeling sick. She told me about it, and I started doing it. It was incredibly helpful when my husband was cooking in the kitchen, and I was in my bedroom with the door shut TRYING not to smell anything lol. I just popped an alcohol wipe near my nose and smelled that until the food smell went away.
Ice packs
The cold is also an amazing go-to for nausea. I used ice packs for my head and stomach to soothe and numb the stomach pain. I also got extreme headaches, and the ice really helped.
You can buy these really neat ice packs that work great.
Stretch Marks
There are some pretty awesome scientific ways to prevent stretch marks, and I am prone to them due to my skin type. So, around the second month, I start lathering up daily.
I add almond oil to all my lotions now especially around my stomach area. This is my favorite brand. You can read all about almond oil here.
This is a really great product I have been using too. It has an interesting, almost citrus scent which is great for morning sickness. It is all natural and has so many elements that fight stretch marks.
Plus, it is affordable.
Chemist Note: You don’t need to spend a bunch of money on stretch mark solutions. Vitamin E is one of the number one chemicals that fights stretch marks which almond oil contains a high amount of vitamin E. Many high dollar treatments contain unnecessary chemicals or you are just paying for the brand name. Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Shea Butter, and cocoa butter are important components.
Prenatal Vitamins
I have been taking these for a few years since they are really great for all women, not just those expecting.
This is one of my favorites, and is really hard to find. It is helpful for those that get sick with pills.
I love these ones too. I have them in the chewable form. I couldn’t use them while I was sick, but I am back on them now. They are organic, non-gmo and contain all the necessary vitamins/minerals.
Cleaning
A pregnancy survival guide doesn’t always talk about cleaning, but it is so important!
I loved the smell of clean things. Anything else like food, candles, or even flowers made me feel sick. You have to be very careful about cleaning though! So many items you purchase at the store are toxic, so keeping it natural is even more important when you are pregnant.
All these items in our eBook I use constantly for cleaning. It has been so helpful just to make my own products that I know are safe.
I also use lemon infused rubbing alcohol to clean everything. And I loved the scent, especially being pregnant!
Joint Pain
I get so many questions about this too. Since I have rheumatoid arthritis, it has been tricky dealing with joint pain. Mine hasn’t gone away completely, so I try to take care of it naturally.
This post on dealing with an arthritic flare has all the tips I use. Hot baths, honey, and heating pads have been my best friends!
Even if you don’t have arthritis, this post can help with any joint pain you experience while pregnant. Especially the details on hot baths!
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
This is awesome! I know so many people that need this right now, thank you!
I hope it can help them!!
All great tips girl! I love that you have so many natural things listed!
Thank you! It is amazing how many natural things help and make life so much easier!
Hi Alexis… How are you and your family doing? What a listing of helpful products! I’m soooo sorry that you had to go through such extensive discomfort during the first trimester of your pregnancy, but I am SO GLAD you’re feeling better! I think your recommendations would be good for general discomfort from cold/flu/whatever ailments come along. I do like the smell of isopropyl alcohol, but one of my friends gets “nauseous” from it!
Thanks Laurie! I am so glad to be feeling better now too, it sure was a LONNNNG few months! And these tips are definitely useful for any type of sickness especially flu symptoms too!
Shared to Facebook as this post made me think of my niece who is expecting her second child
Wonderful! Hope she will enjoy it!
Thankfully I didn’t experience so much of the lingering feeling of nausea…I just suddenly threw up most of what I ate until about 16 weeks but other than almost-instant-vomiting at mealtimes I felt fine. 😛 Let’s just say I didn’t go to any restaurants for a few months.
lol, my mom had the same thing. She felt fine, but would throw up right after eating without batting an eye! I threw up a lot too, but also just felt so awful from morning to night.