YOU AND BUMP: TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF THROUGH PREGNANCY

From the joy of pregnancy to the eventual exploration of the three stages of weaning, we know that becoming a new parent is a magical thing! 

Before a little one arrives, pregnant mums are bound to be full of all the best emotions; pride, contentment and barely-contained excitement. While some will glide through pregnancy with ease, others may face new challenges.

No matter what kind of pregnancy you have, there are a few things you can do to help you make the most of every month and achieve that healthy pregnancy glow! 

Listen to Your Body 

Your body goes through some phenomenal changes as it prepares to bring a new life into the world. Soon-to-be mums don’t need us to tell them about the morning sickness or lack of energy in the early months! 

As everyone’s experience of morning sickness may be different, it is important to listen to your body as it changes. Don’t force yourself to eat something that’s making you queasy and, on the other hand, embrace your strange food cravings. 

Often, your body will know what it needs, so follow its lead. Pregnant mums are famous for craving weird and wacky foods or combinations; if you’re hankering after something a little strange or unexpected, it is often a sign that your body just needs a boost in something specific. Indulge it, and enjoy that one specific thing you can’t get enough of! 

Babease Top Tip 

Queasiness and an unsettled stomach can often be soothed by a drink of hot water infused with fresh ginger and lemon. 

Eating little and often can be another good way to stave off queasiness. Avoiding rich foods and sticking to plain carbohydrates like crackers or toast will help keep energy levels up and settle your stomach to ensure you can enjoy other foods later in the day. 

Pregnancy Foods

If you are ever worried about not getting the correct nutrients during pregnancy, you should talk to your healthcare professional to get catered advice. 

Aside from indulging your cravings, eating a varied diet, full of good, wholesome foods is one of the best things you can do when it comes to the food you eat during pregnancy. 

Here at Babease, we are passionate about promoting a love of veggies in all members of the family! Some great vegetables to eat during pregnancy to ensure you and your baby stay healthy and glowing include:

• Dark leafy greens like broccoli, spinach and kale - Full of fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, iron, folate, and potassium.
• Avocados - Packed with vitamins, especially folate. 
• Legumes like lentils, chickpeas and beans - Great sources of fibre, protein, iron, folate, and calcium. 
• Sweet potatoes - Rich in vitamin A.

What you eat during pregnancy is the very beginning of your little one’s exciting adventure with food as they will experience what you eat through your bloodstream, so it is important to top up on nutrient and mineral-rich foods!

Eating healthily is all about eating with variety; however, there are some foods that are best avoided during pregnancy. These include unpasteurised dairy products, game meats and certain fish. 

Babease Top Tip

You may not always feel up to lots of eating. It can be worth taking a pregnancy supplement as an easy way to make sure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals your body and baby needs, especially when you are feeling nauseous.

Meal Planning

Try out some recipes designed especially for expectant mums. Planning meals ahead of time can help ensure you’re getting everything you need out of each meal. 

If you can find the time before your due date, it can often be a good idea to plan and prepare some healthy meals to stock the freezer with. This way, you’ll have a couple of easy meals to dip into in the coming weeks as you enter the whirlwind of parenthood, giving you one less thing to think about! 

Yoga and Other Exercise

Aside from diet, there are plenty of other things you can try to get that glowing feeling!

Yoga can be a great way to improve your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing - all contributing to a more enjoyable pregnancy. 

Pregnancy yoga will help you stretch the muscles that need stretching, making room for your baby and helping them move into the right positions throughout the later stages of pregnancy. When taking a pregnancy yoga class, your instructor will be able to guide you through the movements and postures that are best for your stage of pregnancy. 

Yoga is also a great way to practice breathing and relaxation exercises, teaching you to calm your body and mind when everything becomes too overwhelming. 

If you’ve always exercised, stick to it! Listen to your body and avoid high impact sports. Walking, swimming, and gentle cardio will help keep your body strong and active while also giving you an extra boost of endorphins, making you feel great. 

You’ll naturally slow down in the later stages of pregnancy, but even the gentlest of activities will help give you an energy boost and help your baby move into the right position.

Reading

Fueling the mind is just as important as fueling the body! Reading pregnancy books and blogs is a great way to learn more about making the most of your pregnancy and alleviating any worries you may have. 

Learning about what to expect can help new parents feel empowered and even more excited about the arrival of their firstborn.

There are plenty of pregnancy books to choose from that cover the different stages of your pregnancy, how your baby is developing, and the journey into new parenthood. Dip into the subjects relevant to you throughout your pregnancy to get inspired by other parents and prepare for the arrival of your little one. 

Babease Top Tip

Some dads may find it hard to feel as involved during the pregnancy journey. However, there are some great books out there for expectant dads specifically as well. 

Some parents also like to read to their bump. This too can help dads feel more involved and connected to their little one. 

Make Time For Yourself

Although all of your thoughts might be consumed by your little one’s arrival, it is still important to make time for yourself, your friends and your partner. 

You are still an individual that needs to spend time with your favourite people doing the things you love!

Make concrete plans to catch up with friends and pencil in a bit of self-care. Doing something that’s just for you can be another great way to boost emotional wellness.

Appreciate the Journey

Everyone’s journey with pregnancy will be different. Try not to compare yourself to others; enjoy your unique adventure into parenthood. Taking maternity pictures can provide a nice keepsake to look back on.

It’s important to remember that some days in your pregnancy will be wonderful while others may feel like more of a struggle, but by the end of it all you will have brought a new life into the world!

For more advice on the journey into parenthood and everything you’ll need to know about weaning, check out our blog or join our online community of parents on Facebook.