Nurturing Healthy Habits During Pregnancy

Having a good nutrition, getting regular prenatal care, and not drinking alcohol are just a few ways to have a healthy pregnancy. 

Maintaining healthy habits during your pregnancy is essential for both the mother and the baby. The transformative journey of pregnancy is the opportunity for expecting mothers to prioritize self-care and well-being.

The importance of a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients is crucial during pregnancy for several reasons including healthy fetal development, supporting maternal health, energy and vitality or prevention of deficiencies. As soon as you find out about your pregnancy, you will probably have a visit at your gynecologist, who will recommend folic acid and iron as supplements. These play a very important role in early developmental stages of your fetus. It is also recommended to supplement your diet with calcium & protein which play an important role in baby’s development of brain, bones and overall growth.

While supplements are fantastic, they are just one part of the equation. Your overall diet should still remain rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins to support healthy pregnancy and development of the baby.

One of the most common food that is not recommended during pregnancy, and please check with your own doctor if you are unsure, is to avoid raw meat and fish. These are high in mercury, and it’s consumtpion increase the risk of foodborne illnesses that can cause potential harm to the developing baby.

On a funnier note, some of the most common food cravings you hear are pickled cucumber, nutella with pickles, pizza with peanut butter and what not. To be honest I had no specific cravings during any of my pregnancies and I felt almost weird when people where asking, “So what are your cravings?” 

Regular exercise during pregnancy not only boosts your mood, it also induces better sleep and reduces stress. Many pregnant women ask what exercises can they do during pregnancy, and depending on who you ask you can walk, and do yoga until 20^th week of pregnancy, but people like Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer also known from Soul Surfer was riding the waves probably until few weeks before giving birth.

Obviously the level of activities will depend on your current activity level, your confidence, your nauseaousness state (if that’s even a word) and several other factors. Some of the most common activities would include, walking, swimming, prenatal yoga or low impact aerobics.

• Tip: try to research a pregnant mother exercise groups in your neighbourhood and join them

I have been following Kayla Itsiness training programs, since just about her first PDF launched, and over the years she developed a great training program for pregnant women. You can sign up for a free trial and check it out. 

Pregnancy comes in many shapes in forms. From women who never felt even a sign of fatigue to those who vomit and feel nauseaous several times a day. I have been lucky enough to never feel a single sign of nausea during any of my pregnancies, but I know very close friends who take a “puke bag” everywhere they go.

This is very tiring for your body & soul, and prioritising your well-being in a form of relaxation, no-rush(iness) and just giving yourself a break, nap and a good sleep should not be understated. Trust me mama, there is nothing more important during your pregnancy than feeling at ease and peace. I am not going to lie. You will probably have nights, especially during later stages of pregnancy, where you are just rolling from left to right, trying to find the right position or you might wake up due to muscle spasms.

 Here are some of the tips of improving your sleep quality

• establish a bedtime routine
• create a comfortable sleep environment, use a sleeping pillow if you need one
• practise relaxation and meditation technique before laying yourself to bed using apps like Calm or Hedspace

Pregnancy is often accompanied by mood swings, anxiety, stress and emotional ups & downs. Please remember that this is absolutely acceptable and normal. You have a whole new life growing inside you and you already care so much about the little one. Any worry will ripple through your emotions and that’s why it’s important to check on yourself. Some of the strategies that promote mental well-being include mindfulness, journaling, seeking support from loved ones or attending prenatal classes & support groups. 

Mothers, and yes you are already a mother, prioritize your self-care and pampering activities to nurture your emotional and physical health. Grab a friend to the spa, treat yourself with a cream you so long wished for (I personally go nuts just about every product from Rituals and particularly the Sakura Body Cream), treat yourself with a good evening routine have a warm bath or a comfortables stretch and don’t be shy to ask your partner for a massage or foot bath.

Pregnancy is one of my most cherished journeys and I wish for you the same. For you heart to be full and pregnancy to be unforgettable. It is not just a status. It really is a unique journey of life creation and providing home to a little one. Your body is a wonderland, so go treat yourself.