Pregnancy is a fascinating journey! It is a beautiful experience coupled with numerous bodily and emotional changes. And, it is a lot of hard work! You would be practically living for you and your baby. This is why you must ensure that your physical, mental, and emotional well-being is in excellent condition during this journey. For this reason, it’s imperative to practise self-care for a smoother pregnancy. The occasional foot rub.s are heavenly and necessary, but what other self-care practices can you adopt during your pregnancy? Here are a few self-care tips to help new and expecting mums during pregnancy.
Move around frequently
It is usual for you to gain heavy legs during pregnancy, and looking at your swollen legs, moving around may not be your ideal way of practising self-care. However, exercising during your pregnancy is beneficial to both you and your unborn baby’s health. Don’t worry, no need to engage in anything strenuous. You can go for a 20-minute walk or follow a prenatal workout video at home. You can also consider joining prenatal yoga classes or go swimming occasionally. It is crucial to consult your doctor for advice on which activities are safe for you based on the stage of your pregnancy.
Visit a prenatal massage therapist
There are kinks and knots you get from a stressful week of work, but those are entirely different from what you experience during your pregnancy. This is why you need a prenatal massage therapist with the right skill set to give you relief. Prenatal massages help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and ease the mental strain. A study showed that women who receive prenatal massages regularly experience several benefits during labour and delivery. These women needed fewer pain relievers during labour and had shorter deliveries. So, if you thought going to the spa for a massage wasn’t a big deal before, you might want to reconsider your decision while you’re pregnant.
Watch what you eat
Another self-care practice you should consider during your pregnancy is nourishing your body. Although this is a self-care habit you should have every day, it is crucial to implement this practice during your pregnancy because it affects your unborn child. Be sure to add more fruits and vegetables to your meals. Foods such as spinach and salmon are also excellent components you should include in your meals. Since you are eating for two, you may be hungrier than you usually are when pregnant. Sustain your hunger levels by eating small portions of healthy foods and snacks throughout the day. If you need a sweet treat, don’t deny yourself some! However, it would be best if you took them in reasonable amounts to prevent any health conditions.
Learn more about your pregnancy
As a new and expecting mum, you would have so many questions about your pregnancy journey. What to do when, how to know what, do’s and don’ts of pregnancy, and so much more. A part of self-care is educating yourself. Learning more about pregnancy and what to expect is reassuring. This prevents you from being in a state of anxiety and confusion anytime you feel a kick or experience something new during your journey.
Therefore, read about pregnancy from reputable websites and authors. It is also a good idea to seek advice from experienced mothers. Be sure to ask your doctor all your questions and concerns to get advice and rest your troubles and worries. Joining a support group is an excellent way of gaining reassuring information. These support groups are made up of expecting mums sharing the challenges and celebrations of their pregnancy journey. Being a part of the group gives you a support system you can rely on and makes your journey more relatable.
Put yourself first
From the moment you become pregnant, most of the attention goes to the baby. Everyone is excited that you have life brewing in you, and it is indeed remarkable. However, there are so many changes you would be going through, which makes the process relatively harder on you. It is important to remember to make time for yourself too. Expecting mums usually feel terrible about putting themselves before their baby. You should think about it this way: if you are not okay physically, mentally, and emotionally, it would adversely affect your pregnancy. Therefore, once in a while, you should do something for yourself. You can go shopping, get a manicure and pedicure, or take a nice hot bath. If your social life seems to have been lost since the pregnancy, you should consider meeting your friends for coffee or a nice lunch.
Go outside
It is easy to have lazy days when you are pregnant- your body is to blame. Being cooped up indoors all the time does have adverse effects, especially mentally and physically. You can practice self-care by going outside to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air with your unborn baby. You can do this by taking a walk or simply taking a day to bask in the beauty of your backyard garden. Being outside is great for your mental and physical health. The time you spend in nature plays a significant role in reducing your cortisol levels and helps you stay calm and relaxed during your pregnancy. While you spend time outside, you can take the opportunity to engage in meditation. This allows you to practice breathing exercises while you benefit from the therapeutic ambience of nature. Spending about 15-20 minutes is all you need. Don’t forget to apply sunblock.
Despite its beautiful and miraculous nature, pregnancy can be challenging, especially when you are new to it. However, these tips would make it easier for you to endure. Be sure to take some time during the week to put some of these points to practice. More importantly, be sure to depend on your partner, family, and friends to help you make the most out of this journey. Oh, and welcome to motherhood! Embrace the beautiful journey ahead.
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