Pregnancy is without a doubt one of the most hormone-fuelled, emotional journeys in life, and comes with a whole lot of ups and downs. No matter how easy you find it, I’m sure there will be days when you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or simply over it. For when you need it, here are five simple tips to help you survive pregnancy with a smile on your face.
1. Get organised... or pretend to
If you’re anything like us, the thought of staying organised during pregnancy is enough to make you break out in a sweat. So, just fake it till you make it! Write everything down in a fancy planner and show it off to your partner. You might surprise yourself with how much better it actually made you feel and how organised you actually are!
2. Exercise, but with a twist:
Regular exercise is important during pregnancy, but who says it has to be boring? Take a prenatal yoga class, try belly dancing, or sign up for prenatal water aerobics. The more fun you have, the more likely you are to stick with it. Bonus points if you can find something that your partner enjoys as well, and something you can do together. Pre-baby bonding and exercise at the same time? Win win!
3. Put your feet up: literally and figuratively!
With all the exercising, organising, planning and doctors appointments in the leadup to the baby’s arrival, sometimes it can feel like you’re running around non-stop. Setting aside some time each day for you to sit down and rest gives you a chance to re-centre yourself and gather your energy ready for the next item on your to-do list and will give your poor feet a break from carrying the extra baggage. If you can get yourself a cheeky foot massage from a willing partner at the same time, all the better!
4. Surround yourself with support
Whether it’s your partner, friends, family, or even a prenatal support group, surrounding yourself with a supportive network can make a huge difference during pregnancy.
Being part of a prenatal support group is a great way to be reminded that you’re not alone, and share the same questions that everyone else has! Aside from the general support, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and when someone offers, take them up on it. Too often we feel ashamed to ask for help, or feel like we have to manage everything on our own. However, we can’t always do it on our own, and pregnancy is hard enough, so remember to let your friends and family help whenever they ask. So many of our clients at Mums Village are pregnant mama’s who can’t see their toes and can’t imagine bending down to pick up lego let alone push a vacuum. We help them prepare their home for the coming beautiful baby and focus on what’s important, themselves. We also love to help new mamas forget about housework with no guilt and settle into parenthood in a calm and tidy home while they think only of growing and nourishing their child.
5. Give yourself a break
Pregnancy can be tough, and constantly thinking about the arrival of little one can make you forget that it’s just as important to remember to take care of yourself! This can be as simple as treating yourself to a massage or spa day, catching a nap, or just binge-watching your favourite show. This also goes for sleep. Everyone tells you to sleep as much as you can before the baby comes, but this is more than just “making the most of it while you can”. A good night’s rest does wonders for your energy and mental health, and the better and stronger you feel (both physically and mentally!), the better you’ll be able to handle the ups and downs of pregnancy. Also, remember not to beat yourself up for eating an extra cookie, not being as organised as you’d like, or feeling negative and unmotivated some days. Pregnancy is tough and you are doing an epic job, so don’t forget to give yourself a break!
So mama, don’t worry. Pregnancy can be a rollercoaster of emotions, but with a little humour and a lot of self-care, you can make it to the finish line with a smile on your face. So, get organised…or pretend to, exercise with a twist, eat for two…and then some, surround yourself with support, and give yourself a break.
And remember, Mums Village Coast to Coast and our signature Home Reset offering is here for you if you need us! Happy pregnancy!
