Important Forms of Self-Care for Expecting Mothers

Whether faced with a planned or unplanned pregnancy, expecting mothers should have access to the right pregnancy help and resources to ensure their own well-being alongside that of their baby. While there’s often a significant focus on the baby, such as questions about gender, care, and health, it's essential for mothers to also prioritize their own physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Pregnancy can bring forth a mix of emotions such as fear, excitement, and anxiety that can make it difficult to adjust to this new reality. This is why self-care is vital during this significant life transition. By taking time for themselves, mothers can support a healthy pregnancy and better adapt to the changes ahead. Here are some important self-care tips for expectant mothers to consider:

Visit the Doctor: It is important to regularly receive prenatal care from your OBGYN or health center throughout your pregnancy. Some centers even offer free pregnancy services and other forms of pregnancy help. Even if you are not experiencing problems, doctors are here to evaluate the health of your baby and you!

Healthy eating: During pregnancy, your body needs lots of nutrients to properly function and help your baby grow. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy is ideal for boosting your energy and improving the health of your brain, joints, bones, and more. Specifically, you should eat foods packed with folic acid, calcium, and iron.

Exercise: Although pregnancy can leave you feeling exhausted and worn out, light exercise for just 30 minutes a day can help to increase your overall energy and boost your mood. Ideal forms of exercise for expecting mothers include walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, and pilates.

Water: Drink lots of water! Drinking water helps reduce the risk of UTIs, swelling, and constipation. 

Sleep: sleep is important for helping your child grow and allowing your body to get the proper rest and relaxation it deserves. Try your best to create a nighttime routine that helps you wind down and relax before bed. This can include drinking tea, reading, watching a show, or having a skincare routine. No matter what you choose to do, a bedtime routine can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep!

Stretching: As your belly grows bigger, your body might experience more pain and stiffness. Stretching can be a great way to alleviate this pain as well as prepare your body for labor. Exercises like cat-cow, child's pose, a deep squat, or a butterfly stretch can do just the trick. Taking 5 minutes out of your day to do these exercises can have a huge impact on how your body feels, give it a try!

Listen to Yourself: You are the only person who truly knows yourself and one of the most important things you can do throughout pregnancy is to listen to your mind and body. Rest when you are tired, eat when you are hungry, and do something that makes you happy every day. 

Be kind to yourself: Your body is going through major changes. Be kind to yourself and remember that you are doing the best you can. You’ve got this Mama!

If you take the necessary time to look out for yourself during pregnancy, then you will have all the tools to thrive postpartum. Don’t sweat it, you are going to be an amazing mother!