Home Remedies for Mom-to-Be

For Morning Sickness

• Calcium-fortified antacids
• Mouthwash, breath fresheners or flavored dental floss
• Motion sickness wrist bands (also known as "sea bands")
• Cool, unscented wet wipes for freshening up

For Sensitive, Swollen Breasts

• Cool gel compresses (NOT frozen, as this might add to the pain and sensitivity)
• Heating pads on a warm (not hot) setting
• Non-restricting sports bras or shelf-bra lined undershirts OR
• Bras without underwire (sewn-in seaming under busts)

For Upper and Lower Back Pain

• Long body pillow to fold/bunch along back where needed
• Abdominal support bands (also called "Belly Bras") to reduce stress on the lower back
• Contoured chair pad for home and/or office
• Deep heating rub (have your spouse/partner use liberally on affected areas)

For Swollen Legs and Feet

• Padded footrest to prop feet up with
• Support socks or hosiery (look for in department stores or medical supply catalogs)
• Gel inserts for shoes (added comfort and support for lower back as well)
• Epsom salt for nightly foot soaks (have spouse/partner use leftover deep heating rub on legs as well)

For Nasal Stuffiness

• Saline nasal spray (use under doctor's direction)
• Vaporizer at night/humidifier at day
• Mentholated cough drops
• Herbal nasal inhalants (sold at health and natural foods stores)

For Mental Fuzziness (also known as "Pregnancy Brain")

• A nap, if possible
• A to-do list (have only 3 to 4 main things per day that MUST be done by you only; get your spouse/partner, friends or family to do the rest)
• Special places for your most needed items (keys, shoes, purse, remote)
• Lots of grace and humor, especially when you lock your keys in the car for the fifth time in one week

For Blue Moods and Fat Feelings

• Pictures of adorable, drooling babies to admire
• The entire collection of The Three Stooges on video
• Weekly manicures and pedicures; regularly scheduled facials and hair appointments
• Mental reminders that in a number of weeks, you will have a beautiful baby to hold and love for years to come, and that any discomforts you feel now are definitely worth it!