There is always a good excuse to pamper yourself during pregnancy, no matter how intense your first-trimester nausea may be. It can be stressful. Here are 3 ways to take time for yourself during pregnancy.
It’s essential to take time out of your busy schedule to relax and care for yourself. It can do wonders for both you and your unborn child’s health if you take the time to take care of yourself.
In addition, it’s a skill that you’ll need when you deliver the baby. To care for your baby, you must first take care of yourself.
1. Baths
Herbs and essential oils combined with warm baths are incredibly effective for reducing stress. Choose your favorite scent for your bathing experience. Lavender and Chamomile are known for calming and relaxing effects, making them ideal additions to any evening bath.
In the middle of the day, citrus aromas like lemon, orange, and eucalyptus, are refreshing. While herbs and teas should be steeped and prepared in advance before being added to your bath, you can add essential oils without the need to prepare them first.
The addition of oatmeal and salts to a bath is also very relaxing. If you add Epsom salt to your bathwater, you will be soothed from aches and pains, reduce swelling, and increase circulation.
To soothe dry, itchy skin, you can wrap oatmeal in cheesecloth and add it to the bathwater. As the oatmeal becomes moist, squeeze out the milky substance from the cloth into your bathwater.
2. Teas & Homeopathic Remedies
You’re limited in the use of medications during pregnancy, so it’s an excellent time to take advantage of herbal teas and formulas that are rich in therapeutic and healing properties.
Almost every grocery store or pharmacy selects herbal teas or homeopathic remedies as these natural products become more popular. These products are also available online in even more significant quantities.
Relaxing chamomile tea or a specially formulated nighttime tea can help you sleep well. A peppermint tea, a lemon tea, or an orange tea can open up the sinuses and provide refreshment. Nettles and red raspberry can help you prepare for labor and promote pregnancy health.
Stick with reputable brands and suppliers when purchasing homeopathic products. Over-the-counter medications can usually be found as homeopathic alternatives.
3. Movement
You must move your body moderately, even on your worst day. You shouldn’t tire or overexert yourself if you are pregnant, especially in the late stages. If you wish, you may practice a few yoga positions during this time.
While watching TV, reading a book, or doing other activities, you can sit on a birth ball and move your hips as you watch. Practice labor positions with your partner if you can.
The intimacy and time you spend together will help you feel more connected and in-tune on your wedding day.
Vanessa integrates EMDR, sandtray, and attachment-focused approaches in her work and is completing credentials toward Registered Play Therapist and EMDRIA certification. With a background as a certified birth doula and a passion for making healing accessible, she writes and teaches on the intersection of trauma, neurodevelopment, and story-based therapy.
