My Tips for Preggies

* Stop eating crap. You will thank yourself later when you don't have to push out a 10 lb baby. Also, it will be much easier for you to lose the baby weight.

*Exercise. Being pregnant should not be an excuse to sit on your butt. It will make labor and your postpartum recovery much easier.

*Educate yourself. Take the time to read about the miracle growing inside your belly. Read about how you want your labor and delivery to go.

*Waddle. It feels better if you are having a lot of hip pain or pelvic pressure.

*Each a protein filled snack before bed. It will help you sleep better.

*Smile at other pregnant women as you pass them.

*Don't feel guilty for changing your doctor/midwife 5 or 6 times. You need to make sure you are comfortable with him/her and agree with the way they practice medicine.

*Don't waste your time comparing your belly to other pregnant women. All women are built differently, therefor we all carry the belly differently.

*Don't feel guilty when asking the hubby for a back or foot massage. You deserve it.

*Not everyone is blessed with being able to conceive. Be thankful and excited God has blessed you with this gift.

*Buy extra pillows. Eventually you are going to want one between your legs, for your head, behind your back, and one to put wherever you may need/want it by the time you hit your second trimester.

*Don't waste all your money on maternity clothes. Buying larger shirts or dresses works just as well, and they are half the price.

*Do however, buy a couple pairs of the more expensive maternity jeans, and make sure they make your butt look great.

*Don't dwell on the stretch marks you may get. Look at them as battle wounds. Just accept the fact that you will probably get some, somewhere.

*It is normal to worry if you don't feel the baby move every hour. Pregnancy and worrying go hand in hand.

*Never ignore the urge to pee. UTIs will attack your bladder with a vengeance.

*Sleep! Don't force yourself to stay up late when your body is telling you it's tired. You are growing a life inside you, and you need all the rest you can get.

*Get a pedicure at least once during your pregnancy. Your toes and cankles will thank you.

*Look into someone giving you a penny every time you think, hear, say or read the word, "pregnant."

*No matter how annoying it may get, when someone asks you how you're feeling, smile and simply say how you feel. Fight the urge to be a smart ass.

*Get used to being stared at. Everybody loves somebody pregnant.

*Don't feel stupid for asking silly questions during a doctor's appointment.

*Smile at all the baby kicks you feel.

*Give into your cravings. If you don't you will be a basket case by the end of the day and it will drive you bananas.