pregnancy tips

so, i've been meaning to post about tips that i can pass onto expectant moms.  here it finally is: 

1- stock up on smart sweets like fruit sorbet, yogurt-covered pretzels, trail mix, jam, and smoothies.
2- i use organic belly cream (i have since 9 weeks or so).  it's nice for your guy to rub it on your belly and connect with your pregnancy.  
3- i have a stand up shower.  sometimes it's really difficult to shave since there's no place to put my leg.  so, when i was probably 6 weeks pregnant, i brought a kitchen chair into the shower.  it's brilliant.  now, as i'm much further along, i can take a shower sitting down and not have to strain my legs when i shave.  :)  if you come to my house and we need the fourth chair, then i'll have to go pull it out of my shower for you.  :)  
4- wear dresses, loose clothing.  flowy tops also work.
5- sandals.  enough said.  no high heels- just flat sandals.
6- chiropractor.  i haven't had much lower back/rib/tailbone pain in awhile as i did previously.  it was horrible.  NOW, it's just shocking how well a new chiropractor has helped me out.  i felt no pain release from when i visited my other one for a long time.  each week, i would just be frustrated that my pain wouldn't leave.... YET, i'm not sure if it's also coincidental.  i just don't feel the same pain as i did before... and, i don't think that i've gotten "used" to the pain.
7- insulated lunch bag.  fill it with snacks, your lunch, and ice packs.  
8- camelbak water bottle.  to my gray and royal blue collection, i added pink and purple.  at times, i use them for smoothies or juices.  i leave one at work, one by my bedside, and another i put in my backpack for work.  
9- wear men's cotton shirts to sleep in.  i grab my husband's shirts all of the time as they seem like they are much softer fabric anyway.  that, and nice cotton undies work. :)  
10- with your pills, sip some seltzer/sparkling water or my honest kids juices.  
11- toothpaste pillow... LOL... that's what my cousin's husband calls it.  full body pillow.  LOVE it.  cannot sleep without it!!!
12- take your time to get out of bed... especially as you progress further along.  when you do get out of bed, get into a fetal position and roll out on your side.  otherwise, your body will feel MUCH more worse.  the fetal position puts less strain on your back and it doesn't feel too difficult to get out of bed. :)
13- keep the a/c at a couple of degrees BELOW what is comfortable.  i have ALWAYS gotten too COLD in the middle of the night, wearing full pj's and having the comforter on, but i just get too hot nowadays.... 
14- when you gotta go, you gotta go.  go.  take advantage of every opportunity to use the bathroom, especially in the middle of the night.  it's troublesome and annoying to get up in the middle of your sleep, but you're most likely awoken in the middle of your sleep anyway.  at least, i am.  also, ask your guy to get up and let the dogs out, adjust the temp instead of you.  it's too hard on your body to get up so often.  
15- forget not your pets.  :)  keep the routines.  every weekend, we bathe/blow dry/brush our pups.  it keeps them and us feeling refreshed and clean.  also, give your pets attention.  i've personally found that zuk can detect that something is different; i really think that he senses my pregnancy.  he sometimes acts different.  pets are smart animals, especially doggies. :)
16- same regard- keep your regular routines up.  we switched our electricity plan, and we focus on doing laundry only on the weekends so that we don't find ourselves overwhelmed.  
17- fold your laundry as soon as you pull it out of the dryer.  put it away asap.  i have found that if i don't do that, then it will sit in our papasan for many moons.  :)  this might seem like a simple concept for most people, but it's always been a struggle for us.  regardless, make simple tasks remain simple.
17- skype.  i LOVE it.  my sister was overseas in germany, and she introduced us to it.  because my parents live out-of-state and we cannot see them often, we show each other things on skype, which is awesome!  it's much easier than being on the phone.  
18- if people offer to help, then allow them.
19- ask your guy for help, especially bending over or reaching over for awhile, such as pulling clothes out of the dryer, reaching in the bottom of the pantry.  
20- if you happen to be sitting on the ground or in a lower position, then ask your guy for help to get up- ONLY bending at his legs, picking you up in a chair/hug position.  it's the position that you can really pick up anyone.  when i worked with the assisted living, i could pick up the largest person this way without straining my back.  it's a simple procedure they show you to do.  use your leg power.  
21- be open to donations, offers.  especially since i'm a mom-to-be-of-twins, i'm grateful for anything.  
22- clear out your pre-pregnancy clothes AND clothes you know will NOT fit within the next year (for me, i did this around may), box them up, label "pre-pregnancy clothes," and store them.  you'll feel less frustrated, overwhelmed when you go to your closet to find an outfit.