Incompetent Cervix: Helpful Prenatal Products

Becoming a mother is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially for first-time moms who have been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix or have been placed on a form of bedrest. The market is flooded with baby products claiming to be essential for you and your little one. As a mother who has been through a high risk pregnancy, I want to share with you a list of products that I believe made all the difference in my pregnancy journey.

1. Prenatal Vitamins: I chose to start prenatal vitamins early when we started trying to conceive. Your OBGYN will discuss vitamins that are right for you. If you need a recommendation to show your doctor, I would recommend Smarty Gummies Parental Vitamins. I tried a variety of pills, powders, and gummies and found these to work best for me. Be sure the amount of sugar in any vitamin is appropriate for you and based on your doctors recommendations. These vitamins did not cause nausea and they felt like a little treat in the morning. Something to look forward to.

2. Pregnancy Cookbook: I felt lost when trying to plan balanced meals during my trimesters. I knew I may deliver early and I wanted to make sure my baby was as strong and healthy as possible. I felt like the only thing I could do to help was to eat correctly and be mindful of the products I was exposed to. This cookbook was great because it made recommendation based on the baby's developmental stages. The slow cooker mango chicken was my absolute favorite!

3. Probiotics: It is possible for UTIs and yeast infections to cause complications and potentially preterm labor. I choose to take a Nature's Way Women's Probiotic Pearls to help reduce my risk. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting a probiotic.

4. Recliner: After being placed on bedrest, I lived in my living room recliner. We already had our Blake Swivel set from American Leather prior to my pregnancy. It is a manual push back style, but I think having an auto-recliner like this one from Babyletto, would be most helpful if it falls within your budget. The automation helps reduce upper body strain and unnecessary movements.

5. Rolling Desk: If you are working while on bedrest, it may be helpful for you to use a rolling desk similar to the ones used at hospitals. I used one similar to TigerDad Rolling Laptop Table with Wheels. It is helpful to find one that is not only on wheels, but also tilts both the laptop and the mouse surface. Grab a simple mouse pad to prevent mouse drops while you're at it. If your doctor approves you to use a regular desk chair and table, it may be helpful to use cushions for support. I used C Cushion lab's pillows before moving to the recliner fulltime.

6. Blood Pressure Monitor: Your blood pressure will be checked regularly during your prenatal checkups with your doctor. It may be helpful or provide peace of mind for you to do so also at home. iHealth Track Smarter Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor is a great option that we've used even after giving birth, to monitor our health.

7. Non-Slip Socks: Let's be honest, slippers fall off our feet especially when we are up and down off a recliner all day. Save yourself time and stress and grab a pair of no slip socks. These will also come in handy at the hospital and during night feedings post birth. I chose washable merino wool non slip socks for temperature regulation and durability.

8. Heating Pad: This was a life saver and is my number one product recommendation during my pregnancy. It helped me get through back pain and muscle atrophy issues. I was also a huge comfort post C-section at the hospital when my body temperatures were regulating post anesthesia. Pure Enrichment PureRadiance Luxury Heating Pad is an excellent investment you wont regret. Bonus, it's washable!

9. Assistance at home: Consider using a folding grabber to reach items in your pantry and around the home and a buggy for deliveries so you're not lifting heavy items.

10. Help with Pets: Let's not forget about our furry friends. Late in my pregnancy, I was unable to safely bend over to lift our dog's water bowl or deliver kibble to her bowl. I found the following products helpful in solving this daily challenge. Houndsy Kibble Dispenser is semi-auto/gravity fed dog kibble dispenser. You will need to have someone help you pour the food into the storage bin initially. Once loaded, you push a manual lever back to reveal a custom size dog bowl with the kibble already in place. We loved Houndsy because the sound didn't scare our dog away like other automated feeders did. You may also want to use an auto waterer like Rissari.

11. Portable Fan: Your body temperature will fluctuate throughout your pregnancy. I found Jisulife handheld portable fan option fit in my purse and hospital bag nicely. It also helps ease nausea.

12. Sleep: I was not able to find a pregnancy pillow that provided comfort or relief. I ended up using a basic king size pillow between my legs or on either side of me. If it's within your budget, consider investing in an adjustable bed. It's a godsend during bedrest orders and it will come in handy post delivery for night feedings and later when infant/toddler is sick and needs to sit up while sleeping, to relive congestion. Room and Board offers a version that will sit on existing bed slats, making it more accommodating to a variety of bedframes.

    
    

    Remember, every mom's journey is unique, so feel free to tailor these recommendations to suit your individual needs and preferences. Being a mom is a remarkable journey, and having the right products by your side can make all the difference, especially in high-risk pregnancies.