An everyday guide to surviving pregnancy

Bump box

What to wear can be a constant challenge as your body continues to change throughout pregnancy, but shop wisely and a few well-chosen items could see you through the whole nine months without breaking the bank.

Invest in a ‘bump box’ - a cleverly designed capsule wardrobe - which should easily last you from first to third trimester. 

Based on four or five co-ordinated pieces, they normally contain something like a wrap dress, bump band, stretchy top and panelled trousers – all of which can be worn either together or with your existing wardrobe.

Read a pregnancy book

When it comes to pregnancy you’ll have more questions than answers, but while there’s a huge body of information available online it’s nice to have the facts to hand in one easy-to-reach volume. 

A good book will explain how your baby is developing, what to expect from your antenatal care, and how to prepare for labour and birth – plus you’ll have a handy reference guide for all those weird and wonderful pregnancy ailments.

Maternity pillow

As your bump gets bigger getting a good night’s sleep becomes ever more challenging as you shuffle from side to side in a vain attempt to get some rest.  

A specially designed maternity pillow will help you to get comfortable and support you in all the right places to combat backache and pelvic pain. 

Position it under your bump to take the weight of the baby, or between your legs to relieve pressure on the hips and knees.  And once baby comes along it can be used to bring them up to the right level for breast or bottle feeding.

Join an online forum

Pregnancy is an all-consuming journey and you’ll want to talk about it a lot. Happily, while your friends may tire of daily updates on your cravings and swollen ankles, there are thousands of women out there who will find your constipation and expanding girth just as fascinating as you do. 

Online there’s always someone going through the same thing as you or has been there and lived to tell the tale, but remember that their support and reassurance is no substitute for professional advice – if you have any concerns always speak to your doctor or midwife.

iVillage.co.uk's pregnancy and baby message boards remain the most respected, welcoming and informative forums available on the web, so do visit to share and seek advice from women like you, in complete confidence.

Carry concealer

If you were expecting to ‘glow’ throughout your pregnancy it may come as a shock when your skin takes on a whole new life of its own. 

Hormonal changes can lead to skin being more dry or oily than usual, and you may find you need to adapt your normal regime to combat dark circles, redness, blotches or breakouts. 

Keep things simple and avoid using heavy foundations – a good concealer and light dusting of powder should be all you need to help smooth out uneven tones and keep you looking good until that glow finally appears.

Try a wheat bag

Weight gain, hormonal changes and the pressure of your growing baby can all lead to back pain during pregnancy. 

Applying heat to the affected area can improve blood flow to the muscles, relieve tension and ease pain, so if you’re suffering keep a microwavable wheat bag to hand at home or work.  If that’s not enough, try alternating with an ice pack, which will help numb pain and reduce swelling. 

Bear in mind you should avoid raising your body temperature during pregnancy and that the pad should feel warm rather than hot against your skin.

Get a maternity bra

For many women sore or expanding breasts are the first sign of pregnancy, and as the weeks go by they’ll continue to grow, so it’s important they’re properly supported.

Get measured at around 12 weeks and again for a nursing bra towards the end of the last trimester.  A good maternity bra will have wide straps with no wiring and cups that cover most of the breast. 

Go for cotton to let your skin breathe and choose one which fits on the tightest clasps so you’ll have room to let it out as your pregnancy progresses.

Wear an acupressure band

If you don’t have a cup of ginger tea to hand, acupressure bands are a natural – and portable – way to combat the misery of morning sickness. 

Based on the same principles as acupuncture they apply pressure to the P6 (or Nei-Kuan) point located above the wrist which is said to control nausea and vomiting - place three fingers between the hand and wrist and you’ll find it just between the two tendons. 

With no drugs or side effects they can be used in conjunction with other remedies – and can be used again after pregnancy for travel or motion sickness.

Drink more water

You may be more thirsty than normal during pregnancy, but staying hydrated will also help regulate your temperature, ward off constipation, flush out bladder infections and reduce the risk of preterm labour. 

Drinking plenty of water will also keep your appetite in check, and help your body get rid of excess fluid to combat swollen feet and ankles – all good reasons to carry a bottle with you for whenever the urge takes you.