Today we’d like to share 6 tips and strategies to support your body and mind during pregnancy. Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but it can also be a stressful one. Pregnancy can bring about significant physical changes, such as weight gain, back pain, morning sickness, and fatigue. The body undergoes significant hormonal changes during pregnancy, which can lead to mood swings, stress, and sadness. Many women worry about the discomfort of labor and delivery, too, and the potential for complications during childbirth.
These changes can be overwhelming for some women, particularly those who are already prone to stress or mental health conditions. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to help with some of these physical and mental uncomfortable feelings. It’s important to take care of mind, body, and baby as the due date arrives.
Check out our six tips and strategies to support your mind and body during pregnancy.
1. Add Some Bling From Daniel’s Jewelers
It’s an open secret that many women feel unattractive during their pregnancies. The transformations you see in the mirror day after day and week after week can make you feel like you’re a ghost of your previous self. Weight gain, stretch marks, and changes in breast size can make some women feel self-conscious. Society often places great emphasis on women’s appearance, even during pregnancy. Women may feel pressure to maintain a certain weight or look a certain way, which can add to feelings of insecurity. You may be comparing yourself to pregnant celebrities and feel you don’t measure up.
This is the perfect time to add some dazzling jewelry to your look, as jewelry can be a massive boost to your self-esteem. Maybe you’d rather draw peoples’ eyes to something other than your baby bump or talk about something that isn’t baby-related. Even if it’s just to see that sparkle in the mirror and put a smile on your face, it’s well worth investing in yourself and your confidence at a time when it may feel fragile. Daniel’s Jewelers has a wide selection of eye-catching spring jewelry to make your pregnancy shine and remind you of how you sparkle.
2. Staying Healthy One Drop at a Time With The IV Doc
There’s no doubt that pregnancy takes a huge toll on your body. It’s easy to see changes on the outside, but what’s happening inside your body may not be so obvious. Your body is undergoing many changes that can affect nutrient and fluid balance. Your body requires additional nutrients during pregnancy to support your baby’s growth and development. This increased demand for nutrients can deplete stores of vitamins and minerals, particularly if your diet isn’t keeping up.
Pregnancy can cause fluid to shift from your bloodstream to your baby, leading to dehydration if you’re not consuming enough fluids. Many women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, which can lead to fluid and nutrient loss. This can be particularly problematic during the first trimester when your baby grows the fastest.
Additionally, the body produces more urine to remove waste products and support your baby’s growth. This increased urinary output can lead to fluid and electrolyte loss. Pregnancy can also increase the risk of anemia, a condition in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells. Anemia can deplete stores of iron, folate, and vitamin B12. These are problems that go beyond simple thirst and hunger and affect the development of your growing baby. That’s where IV drip therapy comes in. Intravenous (IV) drip therapy is a method of delivering fluids, vitamins, and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream via an IV line.
IV drip therapy can help replace fluids and electrolytes lost due to vomiting and help boost energy levels by providing vitamins and minerals that support energy metabolism. IV drip therapy is the most efficient way to get vitamins and minerals into your system, and you can experience IV therapy in the comfort of your own home with a company like The IV Doc.
3. Prenatal Care With Folate From Ritual
Folate is an essential nutrient for prenatal care. Folate is a B vitamin that is necessary for proper cell growth and development, including the development of the neural tube, which forms your baby’s brain and spinal cord. Taking adequate amounts of folate before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of your baby’s brain and spine, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the appropriate amount of folate for you. Still, it’s generally recommended that all women in the early stages of pregnancy take at least 400-800 micrograms of folic acid daily. While scrolling through sites like Ritual, many mothers-to-be are faced with the question, “Is folate the same as folic acid?” Folate and folic acid are both forms of vitamin B9, which is essential for many bodily functions, including cell growth and development.
Folate is the naturally occurring form of vitamin B9 found in food, while folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9 that is added to fortified foods and dietary supplements. Folic acid is considered easier for the body to absorb and use than natural folate, although that’s not the case for everyone. One-third of the population has a genetic variation that makes folic acid more difficult to absorb, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Folate supplements from Ritual are compatible with all pregnant people, not just some.
4. Staying in Step With Kizik’s Pregnancy Shoes
It’s easy to take mobility for granted when you’ve been in good health all your life. Pregnancy can create challenges that may come as a surprise to some. It’s one thing to read or hear about what pregnancy is like but another entirely to experience it yourself. As your baby grows and the uterus expands, it can strain your lower back muscles. The ligaments that support the pelvis and hips can become more relaxed and stretchy during pregnancy, which can cause discomfort and pain in the pelvic area.
The extra fluid in your body during pregnancy can cause swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs, which can make it difficult to move around. Changes in weight distribution and hormones can affect balance, making it harder to walk or stand for long periods. As your baby grows, the size of your belly can make it difficult to move around comfortably or complete certain tasks.
Fortunately, you can try a few things to make life a little easier as your pregnancy progresses.
Practice Good Posture
This can help alleviate back pain and improve balance. Try to stand up straight, keep your shoulders back, and distribute your weight evenly between your feet.
Take Breaks
Rest frequently and avoid standing or sitting in the same position for extended periods. Take short walks or stretch breaks to improve circulation and reduce swelling.
Modify Your Environment
Make modifications to your home or workspace to make it easier to move around, such as adding handrails or non-slip mats.
Use Assistive Devices
Consider using assistive devices such as a maternity belt or support pillow to help alleviate back or pelvic pain.
Stay Active
Engage in regular low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga, as this can help improve mobility and alleviate discomfort. If you seek comfortable and supportive activewear while pregnant, there are several excellent choices, including the maternity and postnatal activewear collection offered by dk active.
Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance with tasks that may be difficult or uncomfortable, such as carrying heavy objects or climbing stairs. One of the ways in which pregnancy can be a surprise is how difficult it can be to simply put on your shoes. As your baby bump grows, being able to reach down and pull on a shoe or tie a lace becomes almost impossible. Pregnancy shoes by Kizik are comfortable, provide arch support, have a low heel to help prevent falls, and are available in the latest fashions. Best of all, you can put them on hands-free.
5. A Hospital at Home With Transfer Master
A difficult pregnancy can vary in severity and may be different for every person. While only about eight percent of pregnancies encounter complications, that’s no comfort when you find yourself in that number. Some of the common challenges of a difficult pregnancy include:
Severe Nausea and Vomiting
This can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and malnutrition.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
This is a severe form of morning sickness that causes excessive vomiting, weight loss, and dehydration.
Gestational Diabetes
High blood sugar levels can develop during pregnancy and require close monitoring and management.
Pre-Eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition that can develop after the 20th week of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the kidneys or liver.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta covers the cervix, which can cause heavy bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.
Premature Labor
Contractions are considered premature if they begin before the 37th week of pregnancy, which can result in premature birth.
Multiple Gestations
A pregnancy with twins, triplets, or more can increase the risk of complications such as preterm labor, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia.
Fetal Abnormalities
Some pregnancies may have fetal abnormalities or congenital defects, which can lead to complications during pregnancy or delivery. No matter the reason, facing a difficult pregnancy can be a huge stress. It can also be expensive if repeated or lengthy hospital stays are involved. Having a Transfer Master hospital bed in your own home can provide you with many of the same benefits without the expense and hassle of going to the hospital. Transfer Master has a range of adjustable home hospital beds to make your difficult pregnancy a bit easier.
6. BabyBuddha Makes Breastfeeding Easier
Breastfeeding can provide many benefits for both you and your baby. Breastfeeding can promote a close bond between mother and child. It helps the uterus contract and return to its pre-pregnancy size. Breast milk contains antibodies and other immune-boosting substances that can help protect infants from infections and illnesses. Breast milk is a complete source of nutrition for infants, providing all the nutrients they need for growth and development. Perhaps best of all, breastfeeding is free and always available, making it a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly option for feeding infants.
There are downsides to breastfeeding as well. Breastfeeding can be physically uncomfortable for some mothers, especially while they are adjusting to the process. It also requires a significant time commitment, as she must be available to feed her baby whenever they are hungry. Breast pumping can help with many of those problems, allowing you to store milk for later use and return to work or other activities. Plus, the more milk you pump, the more milk your body will produce, ensuring a steady supply. Breast pumping can be more comfortable than breastfeeding for some mothers who experience nipple discomfort or other breastfeeding difficulties.
Both breastfeeding and breast pumping can be challenging to manage. While some of these issues are unavoidable, it’s possible to make others a bit less of a hassle. BabyBuddha is a battery-powered portable breastfeeding system that is quiet, enables hands-free use, and offers a variety of comfort settings. It’s important to note that not all mothers are able to breastfeed, and there are circumstances where formula feeding may be necessary. However, for those who are able to breastfeed, It’s recommended to discuss feeding options with a healthcare provider to determine the best choice for individual needs.
Make Way for Baby
Having a baby can be a transforming, life-affirming experience, but, like all journeys, it has its ups and downs. While all pregnancies will have their challenges, being health-conscious for you and your baby can make all the difference in your and your baby’s well-being. We hope these tips and tricks will help you on your baby journey from start to finish and beyond.
Read more lifestyle and self care articles at ClichéMag.com
Images provided by Flickr, Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay, Creative Commons, TheIVDoc, Ritual, Kizik, and Baby Buddha
