Pregnancy can be harrowing.

The ass-expanding-
faster-than-the-belly
freak-out. The estrogen-
fueled anxieties. Nine months of craziness
compounded by a dearth of alcohol or meds.

Other coping mechanisms are a must. So, our guide to getting past the bumps in your labor of love.

Bump #1
Good news: You’re supposed to eat. Bad news: Everything makes you want to hurl. To help ease morning, afternoon, and night sickness, try Preggie Pops. Or drown the pain with a cup of Morning Wellness Tea.

Bump #2
The pre-showing complex. Slogan tees may be as tired as you are, but Trimester Tees are actually funny. Bella Bands will discreetly cover your unbuttoned pants. For something you’ll use beyond pregnancy, try the Sweetness Pouch, a trendy sash that turns into a newborn sling.

Bump #3
There’s no stopping those stretch marks. Or, wait, is there some hope in a bottle of Clarins Tonic body treatment oil? Might as well try it. Of course, there’s always yoga.

Bump #4
The idea of shopping sucks. But these finds make more tempting: Chip & Pepper jeans, an Isabella Oliver wrap cardigan, a DVF wrap dress, and a Cadeau smocked frock.

Flaunt those sexy curves in Belabumbum lingerie, tame the derriere, and keep those monster nipples out of view.

Bump #5
Your belly feels like a petting zoo. Add a little wow factor with temporary tummy tattoos.

Bump #6
The big belly discomforts. A belly bed will let you sleep on your tummy again. Still having trouble? Work on your belly cast late at night.

Bump #7
Okay, no one’s gonna talk you out of your anxieties, but perhaps listening to your baby’s heartbeat, kicks, and hiccups will put you at ease. Minimize the mounting stress with a baby briefcase to keep everything from birth certificates to doctors’ numbers organized.

Bump #8
An obsessive nesting instinct has taken over. Read The Peaceful Nursery: Preparing a Home for Your Baby with Feng Shui  for some inspiration.

Bump #9
All this and now what? Get the birth announcements and thank-you notes out of the way while you still have time. The last thing? Prep dear old dad for taking over a load or two with a Diaper Dootie belt.

After all, necessity is the mother of invention.