Having a baby is one of the most exciting times in your life, but it can also bring up a lot of feelings of anxiety. Pregnancy is filled with doctor’s visits, changes in your body, prenatal classes, hospital tours, clothing shopping (for you and the baby), and baby registry and shower excitement.
All of these to-dos are accompanied by timelines and checklists to look for during each trimester of fetal development. It is exhausting trying to keep up with it all while still juggling your regular life! It can also be frustrating that you can’t do some things and are limited more physically. Instead of dwelling on the stress of the necessary to-do items and frustrations about what you can’t do, try making your own pregnancy bucket list and focus on all the amazing things you can do!
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Pampering
It is important to take care of your mental health and your body while they are both working so hard. Taking a little time to pamper yourself is so important during pregnancy. When you are thinking about what to do to pamper yourself, it will be different for anyone, but here are some ideas to get you started.
Going to get a prenatal massage is a great way to relax. This is especially a good idea if you are feeling sore or aches and pains associated with pregnancy. It can really help to offer some relief to your muscles and relieve some stress you are holding in your body. Just be sure that the massage therapist you go to see is licensed to do a safe prenatal massage.
You can also treat yourself to a manicure and/or pedicure. A pedicure is a particularly good idea if your feet are feeling sore and swollen lately. Be sure to bring a good book if you go alone or take a girlfriend to make it even more fun.
Another great way to treat yourself to a little pampering is to plan a date with yourself. Grab a decaf coffee and a pastry and browse around a bookstore. Or take yourself out to lunch at your favorite place. Find something you like to do that you don’t get to do very often and treat yourself because you deserve it!
Take the best nap of your life. Sleeping can be difficult while pregnant if you are uncomfortable, and it won’t get easier when caring for an infant. Planning a nap is a great way to treat yourself while pregnant. Take a hot shower, listen to some calming music, put on your comfiest pajamas, and curl up in bed for a while. Buy a massage chair such as the Human Touch® chair to help with all those aches and pains.
Take some time and shop from home. You will need a continual upgrade to your wardrobe as you continue to grow, but being up on your feet to walk around and try on outfit after outfit is not ideal if you are feeling less than your best. Instead of hunting for things at the store, do your maternity shopping online. Some places will deliver in two days, and if you use Prime Wardrobe, you can even try them on at home before you buy them.
Reducing Stress
Causes of stress abound when you are pregnant. There are worries about your changing body, worries about the upcoming childbirth, and worries about being a parent. While there is no way to completely avoid the stress of it all, there are some things you can do to help alleviate some of the stress.
You can help get rid of some of that stress by feeling prepared for labor and delivery. Taking an amazing prenatal class can go a long way towards helping you feel in control and informed about what might happen. You can even find some of these prenatal classes offered online, which makes it even more convenient for you to finish when you can.
Taking some time to reconnect to yourself and find some quiet time is a great way to destress. You can meditate, pray, go on a walk outside, listen to relaxing music, or do some pregnancy stretches. It can also be a good idea to make going to bed early instead of staying up late a habit. Prioritizing your rest can help you deal more effectively with stress when it does come up.
In addition to being prepared for labor and delivery, you should also be prepared for postpartum recovery. Researching and being informed about what recovery will likely look like and finding things that can help ease recovery will be a lifesaver later.
Take time to exercise, even if it can no longer be as intense as before you were pregnant. Keeping your body active helps to relieve stress and can also help relieve some of the physical symptoms of pregnancy as well. You can even sign up for a prenatal exercise class to stay motivated and connect with others as well.
You should also take some time to go over your monthly budget and make adjustments after the baby comes. Understanding the financial side of having a baby and preparing for the changes before they happen will help you not stress about it while trying to take care of a newborn.
Fun, Fun, Fun
It is also important to spend some time having fun during your pregnancy. Prioritizing important relationships in your life, especially the one with your partner, can help you have fun, deepen your relationships, and create a solid support system for after the baby comes.
Being a little adventurous and going to a new restaurant can be a fun way to discover some new favorites. If the weather is nice, you may also want to pack up that meal to go and have a picnic. Going to a park at night and using a star finding app to locate constellations and planets is a fun and romantic way to spend an evening.
Spending a night in to play games or snuggle and watch a movie can be just as fun as heading out on days when you are not feeling up to par. Doing a couples massage is a great way to help relax and connect as a couple.
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