As a mom-to-be, you can't walk down the street without fielding questions about your sweet baby. Everyone wants to know their gender, their name, and their birth position. It can make many new moms feel like walking incubators.
When was the last time someone stopped and asked about you?
You were a unique, wonderful person before getting pregnant with your baby, and you'll remain a complex, fascinating individual after that little one is born. One way to ensure you hold onto your sense of self during this transition is to practice pregnancy self-care. In other words, prioritize your well-being and role in bringing a new life into the world.
You may feel tired and achy, but there are plenty of ways to care for yourself throughout your pregnancy. We've created this guide to share a few of our favorite ways new moms can embrace their growing, changing bodies.
Read on to discover your new favorite self-care practice.
Practice #1: Try Mindfulness Exercises
Moms-to-be tend to focus on the future. They become so caught up in what life will be like when the baby arrives that they fail to appreciate the wonder of now. Are you missing out on enjoying the final blissful weeks as a family without children?
Mindfulness is the act of being present, often incorporating the senses. Many people approach mindfulness through the lens of meditation. Others simply pay focused attention to moment-by-moment sensations.
If you've made it to your second or third trimester, food has probably started tasting good again. On your next date night, make a concerted effort to really enjoy it. What does each forkful taste and feel like?
If you're new to mindfulness, you might consider keeping a journal. Even busy people have success using quick techniques such as bullet journaling. Perhaps you can write a haiku each day about what it feels like to live in your skin.
In essence, mindfulness is the active acknowledgment that living is more than the act of waiting for things to end. Practice gratitude as you notice and participate in your life. Your baby will arrive either way.
Practice #2: Sign Up for Pregnancy Yoga
It's hard to imagine attending your regular afternoon yoga class with a baby bump in the way. In fact, the part of yoga involving poses is only one aspect of this practice. Dedicated practitioners understand that meditative and spiritual components are equally essential.
With that said, a high-quality prenatal yoga class will likely involve some stretching and strengthening. These exercises can help prepare your body for the demands of labor. Your instructor will help you build up the muscles in your pelvic floor, which will come in handy when it's time to push.
The mental benefits of yoga are equally useful in the delivery room. Giving birth takes focus, fortitude, and patience. You'll learn natural stress-reduction techniques you can apply when your baby is on its way.
If nothing else, attending a class is a way to ensure that you're taking time each week that's just for you. If you aren't into yoga, consider replacing it with a prenatal massage or acupuncture appointment to reap many of the same benefits.
Practice #3: Make Time for Regular Walks
Nature is a natural healer. Studies suggest that time spent outdoors benefits mental health and can even make you smarter. Fresh air and sunshine can work wonders for anyone, pregnant or not.
With that said, many women notice that their world begins to feel a little smaller once their baby arrives. You'll be able to go to fewer places when you have a newborn at home. Many moms relish their stroller walks, but it isn't the same as hitting a local hiking trail, visiting a botanical garden, or enjoying a picnic on the beach.
When you make time to get out and explore, you'll ensure you have plenty of experiences to fall back on and look forward to once your baby arrives. Plus, it's downright healthy. Even twenty minutes of gentle movement daily can boost endorphins, leading to better sleep and reduced aches and pains.
If you need extra motivation to get up and at 'em, invest in a new pair of cute, comfortable, supportive sneakers. You'll be so eager to wear them that you'll convince yourself to get moving. Remember, spending money on yourself is okay, even while building a nursery.
Practice #4: Take a Bath
You don't need to break the bank to enjoy a moment to yourself. Instead of a quick shower, allow yourself to luxuriate in the bathtub. If you're getting big, enlist your partner to help you get in and out of the tub.
Preparing your environment for relaxation can be another act of mindfulness. Choose your favorite candles and music for the experience. You can even find pregnancy-safe, essential oil-based bath bombs to add an additional sensory element to the occasion.
Doctors recommend warm (not hot) baths during pregnancy. The warm water can help ease sore muscles and rid your body of extra tension. Bring a good book, magazine, or podcast, and prioritize your interests outside of motherhood.
Embracing Pregnancy Self-Care Means Embracing Yourself
Newborns are needy creatures, and you'll become a full-time caregiver once your baby arrives. Now is the perfect time to extend some extra care to yourself. Prioritizing pregnancy self-care is the simplest way to celebrate the person you are now and the mother you will become.
Part of self-care is kindness toward your future self. Give that overwhelmed future mom a break by putting the Pixsee smart baby monitor on your Amazon baby registry.
Visit our Amazon online store and Pixsee Shop to find out why choosing peace of mind with Pixsee is a compassionate act of self-care.
