During your pregnancy it is very important to take care of yourself. These effective tips for pregnancy self care will help you to relax and enjoy being pregnant.
You Need To Take Care Of Yourself During Your Pregnancy
I will be honest, I didn’t enjoy being pregnant all that much. It’s exhausting, your back hurts, your feet are swollen. You can’t see your feet! Pregnancy just isn’t all that fun and it can be pretty stressful which is why it is so important to take care of yourself.
You are growing a human which can take its toll on your body and your mind. Pregnancy self care is so important keeping yourself healthy and stress free will help your baby as it grows and help to prevent complications.
Here are some things you can do to help you relax, keep your stress levels down and keep yourself happy and healthy during your pregnancy.
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You can create a free baby registry at Amazon.com. The registry is universal so you can add items from other sites if you wish.
When you sign up you will receive a free baby gift box filled with items for both mom and baby and you get free returns for 90 days for anything bought from your registry.
As well as giving your friends and family gift ideas, having a registry is a great way to keep track of what you need for baby.
12 Tips For Pregnancy Self Care
Get Plenty Of Sleep
You need as much rest as you can get while you are pregnant so make sleep a priority. I know it can be very difficult to get comfortable at night especially in the third trimester but investing in a good pillow and creating a relaxing bedtime routine will help.
There is no harm in taking a nap during the day if you need to. Pregnancy can be tiring and couple of hours sleep in the afternoon will help to recharge your batteries.
Eat Well
Try to eat a healthy, well balanced diet during your pregnancy. Avoid foods that are high in sugar as they will make you feel more tired and sluggish than you already. You may be craving them but junk foods are not your friend.
Instead, if you feel like you need more energy eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and high protein foods. Healthy snacks will give you a much needed energy boost through the day. Also try to include foods high in fibre as this will help with constipation.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is important during pregnancy so make sure you don’t let yourself get dehydrated. Especially if you live in a hot climate. Dehydration causes fatigue so have regular drinks throughout the day.
Always keep a bottle of cold water with you and take regular sips. You may also find that this helps with nausea.
Follow Safety Guidelines
Following pregnancy guidelines will help keep you and your baby safe and healthy. Give up alcohol and cigarettes and don’t take any drugs other than those prescribed by your doctor.
Make sure you know what is safe for you to eat and drink during your pregnancy and are aware of any toxic materials like kitty litter that you need to stay away from.
Regular Exercise
Engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of complications during pregnancy. It can also help to ease any aches and pains you may have especially in your back. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
Always check with your healthcare professional before undertaking exercise during your pregnancy. Though walking, swimming, yoga, and low impact aerobics are generally considered safe while pregnant.
Reduce Stress
It is important for your blood pressure that you keep your stress levels as low as possible during your pregnancy. I know this isn’t easy, your busy life has to go on and you may also have worries and concerns about your pregnancy and childbirth.
Try to relax as much as possible. Take some time out for yourself. Have a nice long soak in a bubble bath, try to keep things as calm and peaceful at home, and try meditating each night before you go to sleep.
You could also try some prenatal yoga which is great for relaxation, keeping your body supple during pregnancy, and reducing your stress levels.
Keep A Pregnancy Journal
Writing in a journal every day throughout your pregnancy can be so beneficial. Not only will you be able to track your symptoms, weight, and your pregnancy’s progression you will also be able to record how you feel each day.
Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be extremely therapeutic and can help keep your stress levels low. The journal will also be lovely to keep as a record of your pregnancy.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
Taking prenatal vitamins will help cover any gaps in your diet during your pregnancy as well as give you much needed minerals like folic acid, iron, and calcium.
Look for prenatal vitamins that contain 400 micrograms of folic acid and 200 to 300 milligrams of calcium. Your doctor will be able to help you choose the right one for you.
Talk About Your Worries
It’s perfectly natural to be worried during your pregnancy. You will be worried about your pregnancy progressing well and about the labor and delivery of your baby.
It is important that you don’t keep your worries to yourself. Keeping things bottled up will only make things worse and even the smallest concerns will get bigger and bigger in your head.
Don’t be afraid to talk to friends, family, and healthcare professionals about what’s troubling you. Your worries won’t seem so bad once they are out in the open and you will probably find that many people you talk to had those same concerns themselves.
Pamper Yourself
We all love a good pamper session. It will do you the world of good to spend some time indulging yourself. Life is busy and it can be difficult but try to put some time aside each week and really pamper yourself.
Give yourself a manicure, use a face pack, or put a conditioning treatment on your hair. It can be very therapeutic and even the smallest things can make you feel so much better about yourself.
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Take A Vacation
A perfect way to relax, unwind, and to prepare yourself for what’s to come is to take some time away.
Book yourself a week away or even a short break will help. It’s probably going to be the last vacation you will have for a while so make the most of it.
Just remember to follow guidelines for travelling so that you and your baby stay safe. You will come back feeling so refreshed and ready to take on motherhood.
Stay Connected
Although you need to get plenty of rest and relaxation during your pregnancy try not to isolate yourself. Have regular contact with family and friends. Meet up with them as much as possible but even a phone call or a couple of texts will help keep you connected to the outside world.
Socialising will do you so much good and will help to take your mind off your pregnancy symptoms and concerns. Organize a weekly shopping trip with friends, host family dinners, and have regular date nights with your other half.
Once your baby is born your social calendar may be empty for a while so make the most of this time and socialise as much as you can during your pregnancy.
I hope these tips for pregnancy self care help you to relax and enjoy this precious time in your life.
