Thriving during pregnancy
Being pregnant for me was like doing an egg and spoon race in an obstacle course, in the dark, for nine, long, exciting and terrifying months. So many things to definitely include and absolutely exclude in your daily life to have a healthy pregnancy. It’s really hard to get your head around it all but understanding what’s happening and how to navigate the twists and turns can really help a Mom and baby to thrive. Here are some tips for your nine months carrying the new love of your life.
Helpful pregnancy books and apps:
I found that these were brilliant sources of information on managing all the important food and general health and well being aspects. I read all three and found them mostly consistent.
Pregnancy Books:
Expecting Better, The Modern Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond
Pregnancy Apps:
What to Expect and Ovia were my favourites. I absolutely loved to read about the fascinating, and sometimes totally incredible, developments that were happening week by week in my womb and in my body. It was incredible.
What to Expect also have a chat forum which you can subscribe to. I found myself down many a rabbit hole when I was meant to be doing something else e.g. sleeping.
Clothes to be comfortable and feel beautiful in
In the beginning, it was a bit of a panic not having any clothes to wear to work or to an event as I got exponentially bigger and hadn’t sorted out a new wardrobe yet. I didn’t like the idea of buying a whole load of new clothes that would last me such a short time.
A very simple and cheap elastic button extender helped me to get extra weeks and months out of the jeans and trousers I already owned and liked – especially if I wore a longer top over them.
Seraphine make lovely clothes for pregnancy. They’re pricey but actually very stylish. If you’re planning on having multiple babies, maybe it’s well worth the splurge.
For lounging around
When I’m not working or at a social event, I live in Lululemon clothes pretty much top to toe (their socks are amazing too). The Align leggings were unbelievably comfy right from pre-pregnancy, to 9 months pregnant when I was a full 12kg heavier, and now again that I’m back to lower than pre-pregnancy weight. I don’t know how they do it, but I take my hat off to them.
The same goes for the Run Swiftly long and short-sleeved versions. They grew and shrank with me and felt oh-so comfortable every single step of the way. The same goes for my Pack it Down coat and Align jackets.
I loved and still love the Lindex button-down, nursing pajama tops I got. So comfy.
Personal care
Exercise
Moderate exercise even though you might not always feel like it pays off. It will help you keep the baby weight down, improve circulation and generally help to keep you healthy.
Prenatal Yoga
I loved prenatal yoga. It wasn’t strenuous at all and it was a lovely way to meet expectant Moms and talk about all the incredible developments in our lives. Being pregnant opens the door to a set of an infinite amount of irrevocable changes to every aspect of our lives. The anticipation of that, while very exciting, can also be quite daunting.
Yoga helps to massage all that out – mentally and physically. I always thought that even a really deep massage when you’re laying still can’t be nearly as deep-tissue as a yoga class where you’re ‘really’ twisting, squishing and stretching muscles. Of course, they both have their place. But if you haven’t yet gone along to a prenatal yoga class, I say ‘do it’.
Getting out for walks
Walking was another hugely helpful thing for me as I find it so soothing and energising. It helps me iron out anything I’m worrying about and even if I just go a short distance, I’m always glad I went. After many’s the meditation class, I have learned the power of visualisation.
Rather than letting my mind ruminate over the day to day stuff, for half the journey I force myself to consider and really feel the gratitude I have about certain things in my life (family members, people I love, choices, freedoms, things). On the way back I make a conscious effort to visualise the things I want to welcome into my life.
I try not to just think about them but I try to feel how I’d feel if that circumstance I was dreaming of were actually happening right now. I tell you … no matter how I feel when I leave home, by the time I come back I may as well have taken a major upper. I always feel on cloud nine. Good clean fun. And it gets your nose out of the trough you’ve been sitting in all day up to that point. Try it!
Water
We all know you’re meant to drink lots of water when you’re pregnant. To keep track of how much you’ve had, I’d recommend getting a nice, large reusable water bottle. Bottles that are narrower at the top are harder to clean (and often don’t get cleaned properly). Investing in a good BPA-free one will stand to you every day, long after you’re pregnant.
This Kambukka 750ml water bottle uses Snapclean means you can throw it safely in a bag and because of its shape, and the fact that all the bits come apart, the dishwasher has a really good chance of cleaning it hygienically.
Missing coffee?
If you’re missing coffee, try to enjoy some low/no caffeine teas such as peppermint or green tea. Not all herbal teas are safe though for pregnancy though so please check your app or book. When out and about, I always take my travel mug with me and I sip away for hours.
This Contigo 470ml travel mug is stylish, is leak-proof and keeps drinks hot for five hours and cold for 12!
Reducing / preventing stretch marks
Some people get massive stretch marks and some none at all. I have heard that it could be hereditary. However, a friend told me to use Bio oil every day during pregnancy on my emerging bump to help avoid stretch marks. I did, and I don’t have a single one, thankfully. I’m still using it every day now on the C-section scar – which has faded massively.
Social engagements, dining out and drinking
There’s no reason why you can’t still go along to meet friends for dinner and even drinks and really enjoy yourself. Most restaurants should help you to check whether meal ingredients are safe for you and baby to consume. If dining with people who don’t know you are pregnant, you can always phone and check with the restaurant and even pick your meal before you arrive.
There’s a non-alcoholic Prosecco I’d recommend. It’s very cheap at €4 in Dunnes Stores called Carl Jung. I got loads of bottles of that and when I felt like indulging in a celebratory drink in a nice glass, that’s what I had. If you really wanted to, you could ask a restaurant or bar if you could bring a bottle with you, letting them know you’d be happy to pay a corkage fee.
Pregnancy is a unique, life-changing experience and it’s important to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Investing in comfort and systems that will set you and baby up for success are well worth it. Also, taking care of your physical and mental health through exercise, yoga, walking, drinking plenty of water, meditation and visualisation techniques pay massive dividends. Enjoy the ride!