Self Care tips for Pregnancy
I teach a weekly prenatal yoga class in San Francisco at The Pad Studios. This week, I asked the pregnant mamas to share what they’re doing to love on themselves during pregnancy - aka the basic b question: What’s your self care routine?
It can be so easy to get caught up in preparing for baby to arrive. From the registry, baby shower, creating a nursery, organizing your entire home (aka nesting), ticking off bucket list items that are more realistic to do solo, baby moon, etc etc. it’s a lot of energy output. But what about the energy input?
My pregnancy experience was pretty typical. The first trimester for me was what I call BMPS: Bagels, Mac & Cheese, Prenatal vitamins and Sleep. At the time, I felt so guilty, like I should be giving this baby better nutrition, but that was really all I could stomach. Once the second trimester hit, I was able to introduce berries. It’s funny how a basket of blueberries can really do so much for your mental health while pregnant. I enjoyed walking, but also experienced round ligament pain that would stop me in my tracks, but yoga felt really good. By the third trimester, I could eat a lot more types of food. Not all of it was healthy though. I think I had uber eats deliver McDonald’s at least three times and cake was big craving. I began attending prenatal yoga classes in the third trimester. As they say, ‘balance.’
If you’re looking for more ways to feel good during this pregnancy, here are a few ideas that the mamas in class shared. Hope you can carve out the time to incorporate these into your pregnancy.
Daily walks: Get the blood flowing and stretch out your legs. Fresh air and vitamin D are both added bonuses to a daily walk. This lower impact workout can also help to center your nervous system.
Naps: Body is tired, permission to nap. Nighttime sleep can become challenging, so if you can nap during the day when you’re tired, do it!
Weekly glow up day: wash hair, shave legs, exfoliate skin, face mask - whatever makes you feel good in your body!
Morning Smoothie: if you can stomach it, starting the day off with great nutrition can be empowering.
Exercise: Of course I love yoga, but really any movement that feels safe and good in your body is great.
Staying hydrated: No advil means you can’t risk getting a dehydration headache. Sip sip!
Nesting: Decluttering and getting your changing table and feeding stations set up can really help to reduce anxiety.
I’ll add one more to the list. Looking back, I wish I would have taken more pregnancy photos. I”m not one to do family photo shoots each year, so I never did a pregnancy photo session. I feel like having a day where you get glammed up and get to capture yourself in your immense goddess power should be considered a major form of self care. Honestly, even reward yourself for getting behind the camera with a prenatal massage afterwards. You very much deserve it.
I remember thinking, oh this isn’t a big deal, women from around the world have been having babies for centuries. It is a big deal. Just because it’s been done before, does not mean your efforts should be discounted. Moms deserve more support, so please shower yourself in all the love possible during your pregnancy. Permission Granted.
