When I found out for the first time that I was pregnant, it was a truly amazing yet overwhelming experience. Every woman’s body reacts differently and it is only natural to have worries and concerns about what is going to happen over the next nine months.
From morning sickness to swollen body parts, heartburn, and weight gain, each and everybody will react differently to the process that is creating a new life. But how can you as a mum-to-be look after your body and make sure you are staying as healthy as possible?
There are some things that will be common to all expectant mothers, but smart expectant mothers will remember to budget well for all the eventualities.
Exercise
Many women who are active before pregnancy will find they can continue with their workout regimen with reasonable care during their pregnancy. Others will need to make changes to their workouts depending on mum and baby health and on the advice of their doctors. How much and the type of exercise you do is all dependent on your pregnancy and your overall health.
There is no reason why you need to stop working out, in fact, workouts or exercise, in general, can help you when it comes to remaining mobile and even reducing any pregnancy swelling in feet or other areas of the body. If you can’t manage a full workout, then trying to stay as active by taking regular walks or going swimming can benefit your body in so many ways during pregnancy and your body will thank you for it. And exercise shouldn’t cost any extra spending either as so much can be done at home.
Relax
You will no doubt hear about how you should make the most of the peace and quiet and get as much sleep in as possible before the baby arrives from many well-meaning family members and friends. And this is true to an extent. While pregnancy isn’t an excuse to reduce your commitments or how you live your life – indeed though there will be some cases when this is true, you should take the time to rest.
Listen to your body, especially if you have a hectic work and home life. Stop frequently and relax and allow your body some breathing space to look after you and the baby you are growing inside you. Many women experience higher fatigue levels during pregnancy – it is tiring work growing a new human being! But even if you don’t fall into this category, put your feet up often and watch that film, turn your phone off or take a long relaxing bath. Whatever helps you relax.
Eat Well
While the phrase ‘eating for two‘ is bandied about during pregnancy you mustn’t forget about the vital nutrients both you and baby will need. Baby will get whatever nutrients you put into your body so make sure you are eating a well-balanced and varied diet and drinking plenty of water will afford you well during pregnancy. That is, if morning sickness allows, not to mention extreme food cravings and those foods you used to love but now make you queasy just thinking about it!
Try to come up with a meal plan that works and also try to cut down on the unnecessary food shopping that tends to lead to food waste.
Accept Help
We all need a little bit of help now and again and admitting you you are struggling – even if it is running simple errands or reaching down to the floor to pick something up, will help take some of the pressure off you. Know your limits and get used to taking and accepting help when it is offered as well as asking for it too.
Skincare
Indulge your body in some pampering during your pregnancy. Your skin especially will go through a lot of changes as your body accommodates the life growing inside of you. Keep your skin well moisturized, especially if you notice dry patches appearing or you are suffering from itchy skin – another side effect of pregnancy many women experience.
Using special oils on your tummy to help keep your skin soft and supple and to help ward off unwanted stretch marks is something many women do especially when they look to track pregnant belly by trimester to know what is happening and when during the 40 week period.
Be Prepared
Ask any pregnant woman or mums and they will tell you how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected. Always know where your hospital notes are and have them easily accessible should you need them in an emergency. This will help you should you require treatment for anything pregnancy related outside of your allotted appointments or for other medical care, especially if you are traveling outside of your home area. This will help medical professionals treating you to know exactly where you are in your pregnancy and be able to treat you more efficiently.
Enjoy this stage of life but always keep in the back of your mind all these frugal living tips you will need for looking after your body during pregnancy.
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