Unfortunately, there’s nothing sexy about how I’m feeling right now in this Paris heat wave: hot and yes, very heavy. Everyone says the last few weeks of pregnancy are the worst and I can’t disagree.
However, as D-Day approaches, I figured I’d give a shout-out to all the things that got me through these nine months (for all you future mamas and papas):
1) Tummy Honey. My friend Alicia advised me to start using this at six weeks of pregnancy (even though I didn’t start showing ’til about six months.) But whether it was the Tummy Honey or just my OCD nightly application of it, I can happily say I don’t have a single stretch mark, which was a GIGANTIC fear of mine. (Anyone can tell you I’m obsessed with the state of my skin.) It also smells nice.
Look Ma, no stretch marks!
2) Topshop maternity jeans. These are the only “maternity” clothes I bought. What’s great about them is that the stretchy bit is designed into the pockets, not in the belly area, so they don’t even look like maternity jeans. They’re also skintight like Cheap Mondays and cost $80, which seems like a bargain since I wore them almost daily for months.
Sexy, stretchy, maternity?!
3) Leggings. Or “stretchy pants” as Dman calls them. Actually, stretchy anything is a godsend when it comes down to it. In between your big boobs, big belly and big ass, stretch (especially black stretch) is a pregnant woman’s best friend.
4) New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Vitamins. They’re organic and a whole food vitamin so you can take them on an empty stomach at any time of the day or night. I actually started taking these before I got pregnant because they’re supposed to help your body get ready for pregnancy, too.
5) Reading List: Harry Potter, Twilight, Something Borrowed (and its sequels), Memoirs of a Geisha, Love in the Time of Cholera, What to Expect When You’re Expecting. To be honest, my shrinking pregnancy brain (your gray matter actually does shrink) could not wrap itself around anything too serious or heavy; hence the adolescent and/or romantic stories I devoured like ice cream. (Except for Love in the Time of Cholera, which I read early in the pregnancy, when my brain was less shrunken, I suppose.)
6) A good chiropractor. Unfortunately, I haven’t found anyone in France to take the place of the amazing Dr. Stephen Oswald in NYC. Fortunately, I was able to see him for a few sessions while I was touring in May. I’m still trying out different osteopaths here. Will post when I find someone great. Fingers crossed.
7) The Hypnobirth relaxation CD. Follow the link to learn all about hypnobirthing, which is how I plan to give birth. That’s right, ladies, no epidurals, no other pain meds, totally natural birth. The French think I’m crazy. Actually, a lot of Americans do, too. I’ll let you know how it goes… if and when this baby ever arrives!
So there you go. I hope this helps all the other expectant moms out there! Congrats to you!!
4 Comments
Monday, August 24, 2009 at 5:37 am
Maggie! Congrats to you and Dman on your lovely new bundle of joy, Dae. I saw the link to your Twitter post where you announce her arrival (9 lbs..yikes!). I am so happy that you, dad, and baby are doing well. I wish you always the best in this wonderful new journey…remember that there is nothing like a new life to make you value the one you have to share even more. A big hug from the (humid) West Coast…Cali keeps rockin’, West Coast V
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 12:52 pm
V, thanks so much for your sweet wishes! Sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you!! Hope you’re doing well. XO, M
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 7:03 am
I can’t wait to hear how the birth went without an epidural. I actually don’t want to have an epidural in the event I have children…so let us know when you can!!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Oh Anna, have I got a story about labor… not pretty! But, I think I’m willing to try once again w/o epidural… we’ll see!