Precious Pregnancy Tips

Kate Schelter has been a contributor to Romy and the Bunnies from the very beginning and in many different ways. She started as one of our illustrators (Mustela, Tata Harper , Bonpoint and many more), until we found out she was pregnant and interviewed her about her pregnancy pilates classes and styling tips!

Now a mother herself to little Charlotte, almost 6 months old already, she steps back in time and shares some of her most important pregnancy tips.

I’m a believer in less is more, or as I like to say “buy better, buy less”, especially with pregnancy and babies. There is so much on the market and it can be overwhelming and intimidating. I’m a very organized person but I didn’t worry about pregnancy and baby stuff mostly because you really don’t need that much. There is so much “over marketing” out there. I got everything I needed from family, friends and my shower– everything fell into place. Babies have been born for a millennia without all the “stuff”. Of course there are modern conveniences that are really helpful. I’m here to share mine. Enjoy!

P.S. A word or advice: hand-me-downs are a baby blessing since you are recycling the “tried and true” from friend to friend, passing the stuff that is USEFUL instead of the extra “stuff” that accumulates too quickly. Pay the favor forward: give it to your next pregnant friend, thereby creating more space. That goes for support and advice as well! It’s good karma!

OBGYN / MIDWIFE / DOULA

Whether you chose an OBGYN, or midwife in a hospital, a birthing center or home birth, I highly recommend researching all your options as early as possible in pregnancy. I wish I had done more research. There are many decisions to learn about.

DOCUMENTARY FILMS ON CHILD BIRTH

I watched two excellent documentaries, The Business of Being Born (on Netflix) and Birth Story Movie (on iTunes) on midwifery and hospitals and was deeply moved and informed.  

BOOKS

Reading about pregnancy is so fun when you are pregnant. I read little installments as I grew and when I felt like putting my feet up. Books were a nice, quiet companion. Among my favorites are Spiritual Midwivery by Ina May Gaskin, Birth Stories by Ina May Gaskin, What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel, and The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin.

UNDERPINNINGS

I’m a big believer in non maternity wear while dressing for pregnancy, but here are a few tips to help you “behind the scenes”, aka your undergarments.

• • Victoria’s Secret non under-wire bra– Protect those sore boobies!
• • Hanky Panky thongs fit nicely as my body grew, especially with stretchy, tight clothing.
• • Gap Body slip was a must under all my dresses. I was pregnant in the summer and this provided clingy support that was light and comfortable so I could still wear my normal dresses
• • Bella Band – perfect for the 1st trimester when my jeans still fit, but wouldn’t button anymore. Also essential for the 4th trimester.
• • J Crew tank tops – I ordered a few sizes up since I’m tall, and wore them under everything as they gave me an extra 6 inches of coverage in length so I could wear normal tops and not have a gap between my pants

SELF CARE

• • Burts Bees lip balm
• • La Mer face cream
• • New Chapter or Vitafol-One Prenatal vitamin
• • Olio Lusso Body Oil but any brand will do. Apply after a shower to readily absorb into skin.
• • Pedicures/foot massage helped tremendously to be nice to my feet since they carried me and the extra weight every day.
• • Niseema Massage– my amazing masseuse who specializes in pre and post natal massage (and could also help nudge you into labor if needed) helped heal my whole body of aches and encouraged circulation

CLOTHES

• • American Apparel black leggings – Legs are great to feature as your belly grows!
• • Vince stretchy black pencil skirt (I bought a few sizes up, and wore it high, like an empire waist). Sexy, comfy
• • Top Shop body con dress – for extra length, I bought a few sizes up
• • No 6 Clogs – support, comfort and height! Slip-on shoes were convenient when I couldn’t touch my toes and these are extremely comfortable and keep my body’s alignment and my spine in order. I never had any back pain my entire pregnancy
• • Hatch Collection jumpsuit – super chic and also great for breastfeeding
• • Brooks Brothers pajamas – Great for nursing

FITNESS

I got as much exercise as I could, while I could, which meant during my second trimester and beginning of my third since I was too sick during the first to do anything! Core strengthening at Power Pilates and stretching with Prenatal Yoga are great. Walking is the best for circulation and exercise. The bigger my belly became (when all I could do was lie on the sofa), is when I needed it the most. Even short walks– then I would put my feet up. I forced myself to take a few flights of stairs– when I could– to keep my hips loose and open.

By Kate Schelter.

 Photos: Ethan James Green