Self Care During Pregnancy
Self-care is usually one of the last things that is thought about for a busy person. Between kids, your partner, your career, and your social life, sometimes taking time just for yourself seems like luxury that you just cannot afford. We have made a list of mental shifts that be a form of self care and you can think about while you are driving to your medical providers office, or waiting in the carpool line.
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
We all know those pregnant people who didn’t gain weight, didn’t have any morning sickness, and had a Disney Princess pregnancy in general. And while that is wonderful for them, there is no reason to compare your pregnancy to theirs. Hey, yours might be Disney QUEENS pregnancy, or it could be less than good. But that’s okay. No two people are the same, and no two births are the same.
Different Baby, Different Pregnancy
If you have already been pregnant, it can be pretty easy to compare it to your last pregnancy. But this baby is completely different. They have their own likes, dislikes, and personality. All of that can be translated to mean you are having a completely different pregnancy
Don’t Beat Yourself Up About What You Are or Are Not Doing
While it might not be recommended to eat brownies for breakfast, if it helps you not feel sick for the rest of the day, go for it. If you are an avid coffee drinker, don’t beat yourself up for not being able to go caffeine free. Doing or not doing something is not going to drastically change your pregnancy. (Please note: we are not medical providers, so if your medical provider gives you advice, you should follow it.)
Find a Way You Can Feel Like Your Pre-Pregnancy Self
Yes, your body is doing an amazing thing right now, and everything about you, your body, and even your mind are changing. But that does not mean that is all that you are. You are also a person, an individual, and you are allowed to take care of yourself. If your friends are going out, go with them and flaunt your new found curves.
Trust Your Instincts, But Don’t Google Everything
Sometimes something might come up during your pregnancy that doesn’t feel right, and while you should honor your instinct to learn more about it, don’t stay up late at night reading articles on Google or posts on Facebook. Those stories aren’t always fact based, and usually do more harm to your stress level than necessary. Call your medical provider in the morning if you feel safe doing so, and put down your phone for now.
Don’t Ignore Your Mental Health
Prenatal depression and prenatal anxiety can happen and you are not abnormal or wrong for asking for help. Furthermore, those with a history of depression and anxiety are more prone to experience postpartum depression and anxiety. Finding a therapist now can help your pregnancy and postpartum mental health be more stable and will allow you to understand how to cope with your needs as your pregnancy progresses.
Take Care of Your Body
You are making a tiny person, and you need to make sure you are caring for your body in the best way you can. Eat good quality food, drink enough water, and get enough sleep. If you feel better, the changes that you are experiencing will be easier as well.
If you are looking for a guide for some easy at-home self care routines, check out this great site from our friends at The Higher Dose.
Our birth doulas offer 24/7 support to clients, and can help you learn more about how to incorporate some self-care into your routine. We would love to talk to you more about how we can support you during this exciting, but sometimes stressful time of your life!
