Can you live your best life Pregnant?
Yes!
It is true, pregnancy will challenge you, it will fatigue you, and it will transform you. Pregnancy is one of the most miraculous events you can experience, but that’s not to say its easy. Truthfully, it can be a hard journey. Studies have shown that if a mother is depressed , anxious, or stressed while pregnant, it can increase the risk of affecting the child later in life ( Glover,2014).
That’s why my goal, hope and passion is that everyone who is expecting a child experience peace and joy. No matter what way you are expecting a baby; through pregnancy, adoption, or surrogacy-
I want you to experience a stress free, happy, joyful, peaceful season as you wait on your little one.
Understandably, each person is different and experience ‘joy’ in their own ways. I hope I can help you embrace this season of your life.
Listed below are 10 helpful ways to Embrace your Pregnancy and “Live your Best Pregnant Life”
1.Breathe
Simple Enough , right? However, with pregnancy there is a lot of information coming at you: ways to be healthy, family and friends input, internet , instagram, celebrity pregnancies. There are so many opportunities to feel like you are not “doing it right”.
Who’s to say what’s right. The main goal: is always Healthy Mom/Healthy Baby. As long as you and your doctor/midwife are in agreement. Tune out the extra noise and
Just Breathe
Breathe in the positivity that a new baby is coming into your life
Breathe in the knowledge that you are Strong Enough to bring forth life and nurture life once it arrives
Breathe in dreams and hopes of what’s to come
Breathe out doubts and insecurities and know
you are More than Enough
Just Breathe
2. Celebrate
This does not have to be a big party- but then again it can be. Thei this is your story. If you want to celebrate with a ‘Pregnancy Announcement’ party , Gender Reveal or Baby Shower.
Designs by Denise (Detroit, MI) (Find on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mommie_and_me
You can also celebrate in small ways. Taking joy in the thought of your son and daughter joining your family. You can celebrate by saving the first “official” photo (Ultrasound). Keep a pregnancy journal.
Celebrate sharing the news with family and friends- Make this a special moment you will remember always.
3. I think I Can! Be Positive
Pregnancy is definitely as season of transition. Be it your first pregnancy or second/third pregnancy; it can be scary, nervous, exciting. It can even be fearful at times as you strive you do everything ‘just right’ . Try to focus your mind on the end goal: healthy baby/healthy mom. Think of the positive things about pregnancy. The things that make you happy while you are pregnant.
(Of course if you have concerns – talk to your doctor or midwife right away).
This doesn’t mean if you are nervous, scared , depressed etc to not talk about it. It is always okay and encourage to discuss with your provider how you are feeling. You can experience signs and symptoms of depression during pregnancy. It is very important you speak with someone if you experience any symptoms.
Another thing to remember, surround yourself with positive people that uplift you and the life you are carrying within. You want family and friends near by who add to your experience in a positive way. Remember its okay to set boundaries during this time. The focus is healthy mom/healthy baby.
Which leads me to ….
3. Embrace the Season you are In (Acceptance)
Pregnancy : the time in your life where you will gain between 25-35 pounds and be encouraged to do so .
picture source: https://pixabay.com/photo-1149265/
(Always talk to your doctor and/or Midwife about what is a healthy weight gain for you).
Embrace your baby bump, your curves, the life you are carrying.
Embrace this season in your life.
It can easy to get into your ‘To Do ‘ list, working, caring for your family. This pregnancy may be your 3rd or even 10th pregnancy, and you are pretty use to the ‘whole pregnancy thing’.
However, remember, this is the only time you will be pregnant with this baby. The only time you will walk nurturing your child from within. This is the time to bond with your baby even before its born.
While its challenging at times to carry a baby, its also a pretty miraculously time.
Take a moment to just embrace and appreciate the strength, wonder and amazing job your body can do.
Bliss picture source: https://pixabay.com/photo-1246318/
4. Be Healthy!
Focus on a healthy lifestyle while you are pregnant.
The Mayo Clinic , 2017 states eating a healthy diet during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. After all, the food you eat is your baby’s main source of nutrition.
picture source: https://pixabay.com/phot-2002083/
Get Physical
picture source: https://pixabay.com/photo-2568395/
(WITH DOCTOR/MIDWIFE APPROVAL)
If you are healthy with a normal pregnancy- Get physical. If your health care professional gives you the OK to exercise, you can decide together on an exercise routine that fits your needs and is safe during pregnancy (The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologist (ACOG), 2017).
Benefits of Exercise (ACOG, 2017)
Reduces back pain
Eases constipation
May decrease your risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery
Promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy
Improves your overall general fitness and strengthens your heart and blood vessels
Helps you to lose the baby weight after your baby is born
5.Expect the Unexpected
I say pregnancy is a journey and you are traveling on a road with signs pointing int eh right direction- but there is always detours.
It is nice to have a plan and the way you expect or hope your pregnancy to go. However, this is one time in your life- you cannot totally control. Relax and follow your path. You may not have an easy smooth pregnancy (although, I hope you do!). Your pregnancy journey may take you on a high risk path. Your pregnancy journey may detour with twins, preterm labor or bedrest. Remember , even with these ‘detours’ you can still have a stress-free, joyful pregnancy.
Take each moment, each second as they come. Focus on each small progress and declare It is well!
6.Preparation
Growing a whole human. Birthing a whole human. Raising a human. The thought of what is happening and to come can be intimidating. While you cannot prepare for every scenario in life. Having an understanding of possibilities and how to address each situation helps.
Use this time in your pregnancy to take a Childbirth Education Class, Infant CPR class, Breastfeeding Education Class and or Parenting Class. This is a great opportunity to meet other parents who are experiencing the same things you are. These classes can help you learn new skills and lessen your anxiety about this new role you are about to embark on !
Check with your Provider who can provide information if your health system offer classes and where. Most times insurance will cover all or most of the cost of the classes.
7. Say No!
Live your best life by saying No! If you are too tired to meet friends for dinner. Say No. If you do not want to pick up extra hours at work. Say No. If you just want to sit and relax- Say Yes. This is the time in your life to be at your best. If that means you do not feel like doing what you use to or going places you normally would. It is okay to say No. Remember don’t feel guilty or embarrassed. This is the time you are to live your best pregnant life. If that means you need to be focused on your needs to help you do that. Then it is okay to do it!
Just say No!
8. Say Yes!
This is your time and your story. It is the time to Say Yes! to the things that make you and your family happy during this pregnancy. If you want to have that extra nap- Say Yes! If you want to do a glamour pregnancy photo shoot- Say Yes! If you want to just relax and enjoy ‘me time’- Say Yes! Keep the pregnancy between you and your husband in the beginning- Say Yes! Tell only close family /friends-Say Yes!
What makes you happy this pregnancy? What makes you feel relaxed and at peace?
Choose those things and invite them into your world- and
Say Yes!
9. Wear the Gorgeous Maternity Clothes
Today’s Maternity Clothes are cute, chic and classy. They really celebrate your bump! Take advantage and try the different styles until you find the one that’s you.
Embrace ‘Rocking the Bump’. Walk in Confidence, Walk in Style. Walk knowing not only are you healthy and well growing a human. You also look fabulous doing it!
picture source: https://pixabay.com/photo-3303526/
10. Be You
The most important thing to remember when ‘Living Your Life during Pregnancy’ is to make it uniquely yours. What works for someone else,may not work for you. Just having the opportunity to grow a human is Amazing on its own- even without doing anything else.
Find what brings you peace, joy , and eliminates stress and do it!
Happy Best Pregnant Life to you moms-to-be and moms-to-be-again
By :
Mary E., RN,BSN, MSN
I’m a Wife ,Mother, Registered Nurse
“Advocate for All Pregnant Women”
I would love to hear from you: What helps you have a stress free pregnancy? What makes your parenting life the best?. Any questions or concerns, Or just to chat.
I look forward to hearing from you. Be sure to like and share this post! 🙂
Find me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theadventuresofpregnancy
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E-mail: theamazingadventuresofpregnancy@yahoo.com
Sources:
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologist. (2017). Exercise During Pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Exercise-During-Pregnancy
Glover V. (2015) Prenatal Stress and Its Effects on the Fetus and the Child: Possible Underlying Biological Mechanisms. In: Antonelli M. (eds) Perinatal Programming of Neurodevelopment. Advances in Neurobiology, vol 10. Springer, New York, NY
Mayo Clinic Staff ( 2017). Pregnancy nutrition: Healthy-eating basics Smart food choices are the cornerstone of pregnancy nutrition. Find out what — and how much — to eat.