Pregnancy is just bizarre. Even if you have it easy, and I certainly think I fall into that category, weird things start to happen to your body and mind as you grow a tiny new human being. Your needs change in ways you would never imagine, and suddenly you find that you’re surrounding yourself with odd new “necessities” that you would never have imagined in your pre-pregnancy self.
Case in point – I now go nowhere with my stash of Tums. 
Before there was a small being compressing my stomach and forcing acid in the wrong direction, I had never felt the incredibly uncomfortable sensation that is heartburn. I always thought folks just needed to suck it up and stop eating so many chili cheese fries, but, for me at least, it doesn’t matter what I eat – just around 5 p.m. my esophagus starts to tingle and soon I’m reaching for those chalky little tablets that offer some relief.
The second surprise “best friend?” Gotta be the body pillow. I hate sleeping with extra pillows – just more stuff to crowd our bed – but man do these things provide some relief from the funky funk I get in my hips and back. Curling up with a body pillow means that I can find a position that passes for comfortable, and thus get some much-needed rest. Thank you, oh creator of the giant pillow.
(I have a friend who recommends you name your pillow, as you will spend more time cuddling with it than your hubby during pregnancy, and a name helps to create a more intimate relationship.)
Personally, my small but adorable scarf collections has been a lifesaver. They not only draw people’s eyes away from my expanding middle, but they also help disguise the fact that I am wearing yet another long sleeve, black maternity shirt. My maternity wardrobe is quite sparse (I’m just not into splurging on clothes that I will only wear for a few months, while I’m not feeling my most attractive), and I have a hard time not looking the same every day. A scarf makes a big difference…and, I can (and will!) wear post-pregnancy. An accessory worth splurging on while pregnant!
Finally, at least for me…cereal. I don’t know what it is about cereal, but when I’m knocked up, I can’t get enough. Even when I’m queasy, cereal sounds, and tastes, oh so good. The cold milk and crunchy carbs just touch me in all the right places. In fact, I’m getting hungry right now, and there may be some kashi go lean calling my name…
