Products for Mamas To Be

At 39 weeks, already resting at home, I decided it is time to share some of my little secrets that have made a huge difference for me throughout my pregnancy and some other discoveries that I am hoping to help during labour and the very first weeks after birth. All the products are a personal choice of course and I am only sharing my experience with you, hoping to help other mums-to-be.

I choose to take Solgar vitamins from beginning of my pregnancy and they have proven to be really great, especially if you have issues with iron in other vitamins. The iron in these is a unique form, formulated for maximum absorption without gastrointestinal irritation or the constipating effects that often accompany iron supplementation. 

At 39 weeks I haven't got any stretch marks and have been using Weleda Stretch Mark Oil since I was about 16 weeks pregnant. This oil is absolutely great, it doesn't stain your clothes, absorbs really nicely and leaves your skin soft and elastic. I would strongly recommend this product, it is totally worth the price and you can find it cheaper on Amazon. 

From about 34 weeks it is advisable that you start to practice your perineum massage to avoid any tearing during labour. Although I have started a lot later, it is still worth it to do it as it definitely helps your skin to stretch and prepare for the big day. You can buy any Almond or other vegetable pure oil, I have been using Neal's Yard Almond Oil and been really happy with it. 

The Weleda Nursing Oil can be used from 38 weeks of your pregnancy to gently nourish and soothe your breasts in preparation for nursing. It supports healthy lactation and stimulates free milk flow.
All these products are natural and safe for you and your baby.

 

From left to right: 

* Solgar Prenatal Nutrients (Multivitamin and Mineral Formula for Pregnant and Lactating Women) throughout your pregnancy and while breastfeeding;

* Neal's Yard Almond Oil - use for perineal massage from 34 weeks of your pregnancy;

* Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil - throughout your pregnancy;

* Weleda Nursing Oil - massage gently on your breasts from 38 weeks and while breastfeeding

I have been reading 'The Gentle Birth Method' by Dr Gowri Motha and trying to follow her advice on most of the aspects of pregnancy and labour. Here are three safe products that would help you during the contractions and stages of labour. I have also been drinking raspberry leaf tea from around 34 weeks of my pregnancy to tone the muscles of my uterus (womb) to help it work better during labour. The idea is not so much to speed up labour, but to help it to progress at a nice, steady pace. Please, consult your doctor or midwife before taking raspberry leaf tea as it is not recommended to everyone.

From left to right: 

* Bach Rescue Remedy - extract from five flowers to comfort and reassure you. Take a few drops under the tongue every 15 minutes once contractions become regular;

* Lemon Glucose tablets for energy (lemon also tends to reduce any nausea)

* Tens Machine - you can rent out one of these and use when your contractions start. If you are planning on giving a water birth like me, you will be able to use the machine until going into the birthing pool, but not before that).

The last set of products are supposed to help you during the first hours and days of breastfeeding and soothe any pain you may have after episiotomy and perineal bruising. 

From left to right: 

* Lansinoh Soothing Gel Pads; 

* Lansinoh Lanolin for sore nipples and cracked skin; 

* Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics Postpartum Bath Herbs (100% Organic Herbal Pads for Postpartum Bottom Problems) 

* Neuner's Nursing Tea - Organic Herbal Blend for breastfeeding mums