and also vanilla milkshakes

There are some really negative trains of thought out there surrounding pregnancy and birth. When I interact with a worldview that articulates pregnancy as something to be "gotten through," and when I'm told birth horror stories as if they are the norm- it makes me sad. I don't see pregnancy and childbirth as a curse and I don't think they are things to be sedated and survived. Pregnancy is part of our training for parenthood! Childbirth is also the birth of a mama! And women have been doing this for how many years? We can do this ladies. We are powerful, gentle, incredible stock.

All that to say, this is not a "pregnancy survival kit" as in- "pregnancy sucks! here are some ways to get through it!" I am in awe of what making a baby does to a body, but it is hard work and it can be hard on a body. These are three things that have made my pregnancy a bit more comfortable on the day to day: 

EXTRA soft, sensitive gums, toothbrush: I went with Colgate because its packaging was the most adamant about the gentility of it's bristles. And that packaging came through for me. I was worried my teeth would feel grimy, as if I'd be brushing with wet noodles or something. No, no- this is still a legitimate toothbrush. I can't really tell a difference, other than that it is no longer a massacre every time I brush my teeth. And it was a bad, bad scene prior to this toothbrush: toothbrush stained with blood, spitting blood for several minutes after each brushing, losing all hope in my dental hygiene. Now, my gums haven't bled in weeks. Praises be.

Ayr Saline Nasal Gel: To preface, I'm have a history of bloody noses that goes back to elementary school. As soon as I read that bloody noses are a common pregnancy symptom, I knew they'd be part of the package for me. Still, I underestimated the constant discomfort a nose could cause. How can it be simultaneously dry, cracking, and bleeding? How can it be bleeding all the time? Ayr is what my ENT recommended in high school and it didn't fail me now. It's not a problem solver, but its soothing as all get out.

Earth Mama Heartburn Tea: Tums are a joke to a FIRE BREATHING DRAGON. A mean, chalky, joke. They were sufficient for first trimester heartburn, but come the third trimester they just made my mouth taste gross while the heartburn persisted. Then, late one night, Jake went online and found me this. I love every Earth Mama product I've used and this was no exception. Heartburn be gone! I've also found it to work cumulatively. When I drink it regularly, my heartburn happens much less frequently. When I don't drink it as much, it'll pop up more. I try to have a cup a day and that has really helped. It has also lessened the intensity of the heartburn so that a Tums tablet or two can take off the edge when I'm on the go. [My other heartburn recommendation? VANILLA MILKSHAKES. The thicker the better. They are my cold, soothing, calcium rich go-to.]

There are other things that have been helpful, of course, but these were three things that completely took me off guard. I didn't expect a gum massacre, endless bloody noses, and a burning esophagus. Totally didn't see them coming.

How about you? Anything that made your beautiful pregnancy a little more comfy?