Pregnancy is a source of great joy and celebration for parents, but it comes with its share of challenges. Be it your first Pregnancy or your fourth, some things remain the same. Pregnancy is a lot of work and being an expecting mother can be overwhelming.r However, they can get more manageable if you know what to anticipate. And there is much to anticipate. From foot cramps, pinched nerves and weird cravings to bouts of nausea that last well past the first few weeks, pregnancy definitely has some moments that are far from pleasant. Although it will all be worth it at the end, you don’t have to suffer for the duration. Nine months is a long time and making sure you are healthy and rested is of great importance. After all, everything you do or don’t do directly affects the wellbeing of your baby.

So here are a few tips and hacks to make Pregnant life manageable:

1. Keep Snacks On Hand

As much as we wish morning sickness magically disappeared when the clock strikes 12, this simply isn’t the case. Morning sickness or nausea can hit you at any time of the day or night and may last well past the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Some women suffer throughout the duration of their pregnancy. The reason it’s called morning sickness is because nausea occurs on an empty stomach. One good way to deal with it is to keep a small snack on hand. Keep a couple of saltines on your nightstand if you experience nausea during the night and crackers in your bag when you step outside. This will ensure that you have something to stave off the symptoms no matter where you are.

2. Milk And Honey For Heartburn

That’s right this isn’t just the name of a good poetry book. Milk and honey is known to soothe heartburns. This is a burning sensation you may feel after eating a large meal but during pregnancy it is amplified and it tends to occur more often and out of the blue. This is due to the several changes your body is constantly going through, throughout your pregnancy. The shift in hormones and weight gain can cause severe heartburns. But don’t worry, there is an easy way to alleviate these symptoms. Simply mix a spoonful of honey with warm milk and enjoy. This quick drink will soothe the pain!

3. Use A Sports Bra Instead Of Maternity Bras

Your body shape and size is constantly changing when you are pregnant and so finding comfortable bras for your slightly engorged breasts is going to be a challenge. Finding a comfortable bra is like going on a treasure hunt even when you’re not pregnant so you can imagine how hard it is to find the right fit when you are. And by the time you’ve found the perfect size, you’ll need to hunt for a new one. Buying maternity bras every other week is expensive. Not to mention that you’ll probably never use them after delivery anyway. So what’s the solution? Sports bras! Shop for a sports bra that is elastic and is stretchable. Make sure it is comfortable and soft and you are good to go. This is a great investment as you’re more likely to wear them after delivery as well. Besides sports bras are usually made out of sweat-wicking fabric which will hide any leakage you might experience.

4. Eat A Banana For Leg Cramps

Pregnant women are prone to experiencing sharp stinging sensations on the foot, especially during night. This is usually due to vitamin deficiency or changes in your metabolism. To get rid of this painful sensation, eat a banana. They are packed with magnesium, potassium and calcium which are all essential ingredients to help with leg and foot cramps. Besides, they are the perfect health snack to keep you and your baby happy.

5. Keep A Bottle Of Water With You Always

Staying hydrated is crucial for your overall well being regardless of if you are pregnant or not. Your body needs water in order to function well. However, it is even more essential when you are pregnant. Water aids in digestion and also forms the amniotic fluid around the fetus. This is why doctors usually recommend that you drink at leasts 8 to 12 cups of water per day (1). But let’s be honest, it’s hard to keep track of how much water we’ve consumed and on most days, we tend to forget to drink any water at all. If this sounds like you, it’s time to invest in a sturdy water bottle you can carry around. Not one of those gigantic ones that make consuming water seem intimidating, a reusable one that stores around 10 glasses of water is all you need to motivate you to take a couple of sips throughout the day.

Pregnancy is a magical phase in your life but it can also have its drawbacks. It’s okay to feel tired and lousy at times. You and your body are going through a lot. Use these simple hacks to make life easier. Let us know if these tricks worked for you in the comments section!