Things for Mom that people don't tell you during pregnancy...

Pregnancy as awesome as can be does come with its own uniqueness and extra bit of changes that your body goes through.

The morning sickness and nausea for starters is not easy to cope with and it does not just happen in the morning! Any time of the day it can surface and you feel like sitting over a toilet for the whole day. One of the ways to help cope with it is to make sure you eat small meals every 2-3 hours. Gingerbons ( can get it from Dischem) also help alot as well as ginger tea- rooibos or plain.

You also get these darkened areas of skin under your arms and sometimes behind your neck and it looks so unappealing, don't worry it does go away a few months after pregnancy. I used to just cover it up with thin scarves or certain tops that do not expose these areas.

My shoe size used to be a 3 or 4, depending on the cut but after my 2nd pregnancy, I went up a size. I am now a size 5! Yes, that can happen during or after pregnancy.

I never had eczema but after my 1st pregnancy I had it on both my knees. I use Epimax and it seems to help but it also comes and goes depending on the weather.

You also can get swelling of your feet, usually in your last trimester. Try to use the most supportive shoes that you have, that does not make your feet feel tight.

Bedroom slippers are usually not a good option - not much support at all.

Try sneakers / cross trainers if you have or shoes that support your feet from the front through to the back. Taking rest periods during the day if possible will help. Keep your feet up and move your ankle up and down quickly for 5-8 minutes with your legs elevated, you should not sleep on your back so you have to do it while lying on your side with pillows under your legs to keep the ankles elevated.

Back pain can be really uncomfortable. In my first pregnancy it was not bad at all. At the second pregnancy the pain increased alot as there was more stretching of the muscles and ligaments. You can use a hot water bottle or bean bag but not directly over your skin( put a towel or another shirt on your skin first) and not too much of heat most 5-8 minutes at a time, it raises your temperature of your whole body and it is not great for baby. Try to always keep an upright posture. Use a rolled towel or small pillow when you sit or drive. The most you can use for massage is your Bio Oil and gentle pressure on your lower back. A pregnancy band may also help to give you support when moving- You can get this from Dischem or Babies r Us. Try to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees, all the way from your knees to the feet.

Indigestion can also be something that you experience and you can use Gaviscon or just try having some ginger tea or hot water after meals. Try to sit upright after meals and wait at least 30- 45 minutes before lying down.

Stretch Marks- Yes, some women have none at all but some like me, have way too many... I used Bio oil over my tummy as well as upper thighs and buttocks. I even used it over my scar once my wound was completely healed twice daily for a few months and it has helped me alot, definitely lightened the scar.

That's all I can remember for now for the most troublesome common pregnancy issues... I hope this info helps!