Ok, so there are many pregnancy discomforts to get through in the next nine months - if you're lucky enough not to experience morning sickness you might find your nose starts to feel blocked or stuffy, or you'll be rolling out of bed in the morning with back ache or cramps, or sitting up each evening with swollen ankles… But hey, let's look on the bright side!
You're going to have a baby!
In the early weeks don't focus too much on the birth and worrying about what it will be like. Nearer the time there will be plenty of opportunity to explore birthing options and, as someone pointed out to me in the weeks before my first baby was born, any pain you go through is finite - you know it's going to end sooner rather than later! Plus, if you're lucky enough to manage active birthing methods, which are increasingly supported in hospitals, your body will naturally start repair itself soon after the birth.
reason to take stock of your life
For once in your probably very busy life, you do have the next couple years pretty much mapped out even if each day will be a new experience in itself. This can be a wonderful opportunity to address things you want to get done before the baby arrives.
Focus on the great opportunities you will have to get to know this new person when he or she is born. Life really won't ever been the same again, but your voyage of discovery through parenthood need not be a lonely one.
Take time during your pregnancy to evaluate those relationships you have with friends and family, and most importantly your partner, so that you feel you have your 'team' around you when motherhood arrives.
Time to give your body a break
Whilst tiredness can seem like a curse, it's hardly surprising really, given the changes your body is going through.
Make the most of what your body is telling you and allow some nap time on days when you are not working. You'll be amazed how 'being pregnant' is your VIP pass to rest up when everyone else is running around. (And if that's not the case, make sure those around you understand you need breaks in no uncertain terms, rather than you carrying on as normal.)
Even if you are not a good daytime sleeper, create some downtime in your schedule. Building in an ante-natal yoga session or a daily stroll is a good way of leaving other adults to get on with what needs doing, if you find it hard to switch off at home or work. Check out our 10 Ways to De-Stress in Pregnancy.
Because you need to cut back on alcohol and cut out things like cigarettes, don't see this as a punishment but a unique opportunity to flush out your body with the kind of added incentive that having a even a really bad hangover rarely achieves. If you know you have a baby growing inside you, it's amazing how naturally determined you can become. Whilst trying out drinks with less caffeine or no alcohol in, you will hopefully find some that you will continue to enjoy after pregnancy, making your normal life just a touch more healthy.
By cutting out alcohol and things like paté and unpasteurised cheeses which aren't good to eat in pregnancy, you might even find you lose some weight!
An excuse to pamper yourself
Stretch marks, dry skin, and an aching back - none of them are any fun, but spending some me-time with a regular pregnancy skincare regime can help rehydrate your skin, relax muscle tension and ensure you get some rest without boredom!
If you are having trouble sleeping, pregnancy is a good time to get in touch with natural remedies because just popping a pill from the chemist or doctor isn't a good idea. Not all essential oils or herbal remedies are suitable in pregnancy either, so check out our tips on aromatherapy for sleep.
See the world through new eyes
It is worth spending time together with your partner now by taking a break. Depending on how pregnant you are might determine how exotic your travel plans are. You can find out more by reading our articles: when is a good time to travel in pregnancy and, if you are going further afield than the UK, travel vaccinations in pregnancy.
Some people go on luxury weekends away to make the most of quiet dinners before those opportunities disappear after the birth. Many hotels in the UK have spas and you can book pregnancy-friendly treatments before you stay.
There are residential ante-natal courses which come packaged as a nice weekend break with classes about labour and birth, and parenting. These range from the top luxury of companies like www.baby-moon.eu to the posh but not quite so Posh n Becks (!) Good Birth Getaway.
|
