Do you know that pregnancy self care is the best gift you can give to yourself and to your baby? Pregnancy is one of the most unique and experiences in a woman’s life. It will be all about the baby-our thoughts, dreams, decisions, and conversations. But still, it is also a time to celebrate and care for the mother.
Self-care should be included throughout the pregnancy from day one to emphasize the importance of the mother’s physical, mental, and emotional health during pregnancy and for the entire motherhood phase.
Self care for Pregnant moms :25 Ideas
- Eat for Yourself as Well: A habit every woman needs to develop from pregnancy onwards is taking care of her own health and understanding its importance. Eat nourishing food, plenty of vegetables, and fruits ;not just for the baby, but for yourself so that you continue prioritizing your nutrition even after delivery. Many moms neglect their own well-being once the baby arrives, but a healthy habit started now can benefit you for life.
- Stay Active, Not Just for the Birth Process: Do exercises regularly, not just a routine for preparing your body for the birth process. Keep in mind the benefits of staying active for your mental health and for an easier postpartum recovery.
- Avoid Obsession: It’s important to listen to your body, especially during pregnancy. However, allow yourself to enjoy this phase and avoid going after every minute detail or worrying too much about things that are beyond your control.
- Pregnancy Journal : If you haven’t thought of starting one, begin now. Expecting a baby and waiting for the big day can be mentally and emotionally draining. While pregnancy may feel like a long journey, it’s actually too short to miss out on all the experiences. Start a Pregnancy journal to stay mindful of each phase, celebrate milestones, practice gratitude, cherish memories, process your feelings, and improve your mental health.
- Friends Meetup: Plan a simple gathering with your close friends and family. You can even consider hosting a Nesting Party instead of the usual baby shower. Read more : How to make your nesting party more special, Supportive and emotionally connected?
- Take Photos: Candids, Perfect Shots, Planned Photoshoots, and More! Take some time and effort now, and thank yourself later. When life gets chaotic and busy, you’ll be grateful for the memories captured in those photos, allowing you to look back and cherish the beautiful moments and the “old you” in those frames.
- Learn: Take this time to learn about parenting, how to care for a newborn, what to focus on during your postpartum phase for your health, breastfeeding, and more. This will help you prepare for the new phase and, more importantly, boost your confidence, happiness, and mindfulness.
- Stay Hydrated: Set yourself a water goal and achieve it. This will help you stay healthy, energized, and feel your best throughout your pregnancy.
- Pregnancy Massages: You can opt for Ayurvedic oil massages, head massages, leg massages, or simply a massage to relieve stressed and aching muscles, or for overall relaxation.
- Mindful Bathing: Give yourself a calming, soothing experience through mindful bathing. Set the vibe, enjoy the scent, temperature, and feel of the water, and relax. Just be sure to maintain safe water temperatures and take necessary safety precautions.
- Pregnancy Keepsake: Plan for a pregnancy keepsake. It can be anything from your pregnancy test kit, ultrasound reports, scanned images, journals, or printed photographs. This will be a precious memento for both you and your baby.
- Keep an Eye on Your Online Searches: It’s normal for pregnant women to excessively research health concerns online, which can lead to anxiety, often referred to as cyberchondria. Take control of your search habit. If you feel you’re overdoing it, engage in other relaxing activities or focus on the self-care tips we’ve shared. Divert your attention from these tendencies and seek guidance from your family, close friends, or gynecologist for any health concerns, instead of relying solely on online information.
- Rest and Sleep: Your body needs both during this phase. If you feel the need to sit and do nothing for a while, go ahead. If a nap is what you need to refresh, that’s perfectly fine too. Just make sure you’re getting enough sleep and rest to restore your energy.
- Plan Your Future: Take some time to sit down, process your feelings, and talk to yourself. Your life is about to change, and things will get busier. Use this time to reflect on what you want in your life, your dreams, and how you can preserve your identity beyond motherhood. It’s okay if you weren’t able to accomplish everything, but it’s still a path to self-discovery, helping you understand who you were and where you wanted to see yourself.
- Find a Netflix Series or Movie List You Want to Enjoy: Choose movies with a lot of emotion, ones that are perfect for pregnancy. These films will help you relax, enjoy yourself, and make beautiful memories during this time.
- Get Outside: Make outdoor time a regular part of your routine. Go for a walk, breathe in plenty of fresh air, and enjoy a calming experience.
- Make a Playlist: Yes, create a playlist of songs that tell a story, evoke your feelings, and connect you to this special time. Let these songs remind you later of the baby kicks, morning sickness, and all the memorable moments during your pregnancy.
- Read a Book: Choose a book that takes you to another world, not full of information, but one that allows you to escape and experience something new during this pregnancy time.
- Shopping: Enjoy your shopping experience, buy some maternity wear that you really like, along with comfortable pieces. Experience and feel the excitement and joy of shopping for the first time for your baby and for your postpartum phase.
- Start a New Mindful Hobby: Pick up a hobby that’s suitable during pregnancy and use it as a relaxation technique. Engaging in a mindful hobby can promote personal growth and improve your mental well-being. Read more :30 mindful hobby ideas to try for mindfulness and relaxation
- Pregnancy Pedicure: A self-care idea that helps improve circulation, relieve foot pain, and calm your mind. Just make sure to follow proper hygiene practices and enjoy the experience.
- Set Boundaries: Pregnancy is a time when you need to start learning to say no and set healthy boundaries. It’s a period where you’ll have to adjust to unsolicited advice, boundary-crossing, uncomfortable situations, and more. But this is also a time to train yourself, as setting boundaries is essential throughout motherhood. You also need to speak up for yourself and express what you want, instead of pleasing or following others
- Accept Help: Don’t be ashamed to ask for help and accept it. You don’t have to push yourself to the point of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion.
- Make a Postpartum Self-Care Journal: Stick to some “me-time” activities that you can enjoy even during the busy schedules of postpartum and motherhood. Create a self-care journal with prompts now, so you can fill it in on those hectic days.
- Partner Time: Enjoy and make the most of your time with your partner while it’s still just the two of you, or with your older children while waiting for the new family member. Plan some activities and do them mindfully. If approved by your gynecologist, you could even plan some travel.
Reflections from Mindful Portrait
Having a pregnancy self-care routine will indeed benefit both your mental health and your baby’s health. A happy mother is the foundation for a happy baby. Pick the self-care tips that feel ideal for you and incorporate them into your routine. Don’t overwhelm yourself with information, rules, routines, advice, and everything else. Just make sure to avoid unhealthy practices like alcohol, smoking, or self-medication. Take care of yourself and enjoy this time as much as you can.
