10 tips for a healthier and easier pregnancy

Morning sickness (which can actually occur any time of the day) is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. Many celebrity mamas have been open about their struggles with morning sickness — some of them more serious than others. During her first pregnancy, Kate Middleton was actually hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe morning sickness. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate the feeling of nausea. Ginger candies are known to help, and Tia Mowry actually wore motion sickness bands to help with hers!

To get the most out of your current wardrobe before shelling out for maternity clothes, try using a hair tie to extend your pant zippers and buttons. Loop a hair tie through the buttonhole and hook the other end onto the actual button. This will give you a few more inches of room before you have to swap for maternity clothing, and save you some money too.

Your kitchen utensils can be useful in other rooms too! If you drop something in the shower like a loofah or bottle of shampoo, it can be difficult to lean down and pick it up with your gorgeous growing belly in the way. Keeping a pair of tongs in the shower (or any type of grabbing device) can help you pick up those items without worrying about falling over.

There are many do’s and don’ts to keep track of during your pregnancy. One of the most common concerns for women is what they are able to eat, and what they should avoid. Deli meats is one type of food that doctors typically recommend avoiding due to concerns of the bacteria listeria potentially being present. Kristin Cavallari shared a great hack so pregnant women can still eat deli meats — if you microwave it for about 30 seconds, it will kill any bacteria so you can safely enjoy a sandwich.

Over the course of your pregnancy, your doctor will surely recommend a variety of supplements and vitamins to help keep you in the best possible health. Two minerals that you should consider taking are calcium and magnesium, which you can find together in one dietary supplement Cal-Mag. Some have said that it helps reduce leg cramps, aids with sleeplessness, and can also help your babies bones grow stronger.

We all know that cravings can strike at any moment while you’re pregnant. Similar to how you may prepare a hospital bag before you go into labor, creating a pregnancy survival kit ensures you’re prepared at any time. In a small toiletry bag, pack snacks (and lots of chocolate), tissues, panty liners, antacid tablets — anything you may need at a moment’s notice. Keep the kit in your car or purse so it’s always nearby!

While health practitioners may advise to avoid or limit your caffeine intake, some data actually shows that caffeine can be beneficial. When Katherine Heigl was pregnant, she was suffering from sinus issues, headaches and the common swollen feet. Because caffeine can reduce inflammation and help with water retention, her OB/GYN recommended a cup of coffee in the morning to alleviate the symptoms she was experiencing. It worked, and her baby boy was born perfectly healthy.

Gwyneth Paltrow was one of the first celebrities to popularize prenatal yoga during her pregnancy with her first child. Many models also opt for yoga throughout their pregnancy, including Gisele and Miranda Kerr. Eva Longoria was candid throughout her pregnancy about how uncomfortable she felt at times, but continued her yoga practice to help alleviate some of that discomfort. However, it is important to check with your doctor how much physical activity is safe for your during pregnancy, as it varies for everyone.

Kinesiology tape is an elastic therapeutic tape that athletes commonly use to treat, recover and prevent injuries. It also promotes better blood circulation, and can even help train your body into posture correction. With the discomfort and pain that often occurs with pregnancy, sports tape can help alleviate those symptoms for some much-needed relief. It’s recommended that a trainer or physical therapist helps you with the tape the first time.

Celebrities swear by the benefits of various oils throughout pregnancy to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks — coconut oil is especially effective. However, oils can help alleviate other pregnancy symptoms and discomfort. Jessica Alba would rely on lavender oils to help with stress, and Miranda Kerr used rosehip oil from her KORA beauty line to prevent stretch marks. Plus, rosehip oil is full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids to keep your skin healthier overall.