When you care for yourself during pregnancy, you’re also caring for your little one. When you are nourished, your babe is nourished. So, if you’re truly interested in a healthy pregnancy, start making self care a priority. When it comes to self care when you’re pregnant, it’s not so different from when you aren’t. Much of it is really just about dialing up the self care a notch so that your baby is getting plenty of nourishment and you are able to keep on giving.
I realize that self care is still something so many women neglect for various reasons. Consider pregnancy a great opportunity to start shifting into a daily life that truly fosters wellness on all levels. Prioritizing care for yourself simultaneously prioritizes care for your unborn babe.
Holistic Pregnancy
No matter what you’ve decided or will decide for your birthing plan, taking a holistic approach to your pregnancy can set you both up for success. As humans, we are emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. All four of these aspects come together to create the whole. When one is out of balance, it affects the others which can more easily become imbalanced. We cannot separate out one from the other. These tips are all about encompassing the whole package that is you. They’ll help support you through your pregnancy so that you are giving your babe the best possible environment to develop.
10 Tips for Self Care During Pregnancy
Herbal Teas Lemon balm, peppermint, nettle, rose hips, and raspberry leaf teas can be soothing and comforting during this time. Just be careful not to over do it with herbs. See below for more about herbs while pregnant.
Epsom salt baths The help to relax any tightness in the body. It also works on an energetic level to clear you of energies that aren’t serving you or the little one. Just be sure to buy unscented. Fragrances not from pure essential oils are toxic to use and baby. But, feel free to add in a little pure lavender essential oil.
Pause. Allow yourself time outs if you can. Let your body be in the incubation phase. Find stillness and be ok with moving a little slower sometimes.
Ground Grounding your energy helps to support the entire system. Mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Check out this post for more on grounding techniques and benefits of using them.
Nesting. The desire to do this is already something that will likely come naturally to during your pregnancy. Cleaning, organizing, rearranging, and cozying up helps to bring your system more ease on all levels. The energy of your space greatly impacts your well being. When you have a home that flows energetically, it can be so supportive during big changes or times or stress.
Nature. When we spend more time in nature, we are reconnecting with an inherent aspect inside of us. Nature will remind you of how natural and beautiful the pregnancy process is. It will help to ground your system and nourish your mind and spirit. Spending time around trees or water is especially helpful. If you go to a park, be careful about pesticide application. This can be very harmful to babies (and you). You can call the state or county to see when they spray to find the best time to go.
Hydration. While growing a little human, your body goes through a lot. Hydration with the right kinds of fluids can make an enormous impact on you and your babe’s health. Dehydration alone can contribute greatly to anxiety. Drink plenty of living water, fresh pressed juices, and coconut water regularly. Eating fresh fruits is also extremely hydrating.
Movement. Because hormones are such a big part of pregnancy, it’s important to keep things moving in the blood. Stretching, yoga, and walking are wonderful options. Just be extra gentle towards the
Unplug. Designate a day once a week for no social media, emails, or texting. Bonus if you can stay away from your laptop, phone and TV completely. Take the time to connect inward and be more present with yourself and the little one that’s already here with you.
Nourish. Seems obvious, but what we eat has a major impact on your pregnancy. Of course, your state of health prior to becoming pregnant plays a huge role. But, there is a lot that you can do when it comes to diet that will greatly help you both. See the following sections for more on this.
Foods to Avoid for Healthy Pregnancy
I know it’s super common for women to indulge in unhealthy cravings or to be a little more lax around diet. Unfortunately, this is the opposite of what’s going to help you and your babe the most. That’s not to say you should be hyper vigilant to the point of stressing out. That doesn’t help anyone. But, having care around your diet can help you be the best home possible for your little one.
Abstain from chocolate the best you can. But, chocolate is not supportive of a healthy pregnancy. I realize this can be a total bummer and is totally contrary to popular belief. Chocolate is a stimulant which can further deplete adrenals during an already stressful time for them. Also, the stimulating effects and the alkaloids present in chocolate are toxic to babies.
Other caffeine products should be abstained from as well, including black and green teas, and matcha. Chaga chai and herbal teas like lemon balm, rosehips, and raspberry leaf can be a wonderful, safe alternative.
Avoid conventional produce to the best of your ability. Pesticides can hinder the development of the baby. If you cannot afford to buy all organic produce, buying some conventional is fine. Produce with thick skin that can be removed is ok bought conventional. Bananas, melons, citrus, mangos, and avocados are good examples. But, produce like potatoes, berries, leafy greens, celery, cucumber, and apples are more important to buy organic when you can. Make sure to wash conventional produce extra well!
Be careful about eating tons of eggs, dairy, and gluten. These all feed bugs which tend to wake up when we are in a stressed state.
Herbs are powerful medicine. Small amounts of dried herbs are likely ok. But try avoiding fresh herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, cilantro, rosemary. Think green and leafy. This includes herbal supplements. There is just no way of knowing how this can impact your little one, so it’s best to play it safe.
Foods to Focus on for Healthy Pregnancy
A healthy pregnancy looks like nourishing your body with plenty of vital glucose. Your body is working so hard to help your baby develop, so your reserves can dry up if you aren’t careful. It’s so important to not let the fuel run low. This can tax your adrenals, liver, and nervous system. And, it can compromise the health of your babe. Eating adrenal snacks every 2 hours can be a wonderful way to combat potential burn out and nourish you both. Your adrenals give an enormous push in order for you to give birth. The more fueled up they are, the less taxed the birthing process will be on your entire body.
Eat plenty of healing foods like fruits and veggies like bananas and potatoes. Yes, potatoes! Of course, I’m not referring to french fries. I’m talking steamed, baked or air fried. Add a little avocado, salsa or marinara as toppers (not dairy). Potatoes also help to ground, stabilize blood sugar, and provide critical nutrients along with needed calories. Try using food as medicine to get in plenty of nutrients. This is so much easier on your body that’s already working so hard. It’s critical to get in health carbs to sustain you both.
It’s commonly highly recommended for pregnant women to take a multi vitamin. However, most multis are not high quality and not very effective. Better options are a teaspoon of spirulina powder and barley grass juice powder daily. These are natural multi vitamin foods that offer much more than just about any multi out there and they are much more gentle on the body. If you still feel the need to take a multi, find a whole food based one.
Enjoy the Ride
Pregnancy is a time to nourish. This special time can be enjoyed just as much without the ice cream and indulgences. In fact, even more as you know you’re doing you and your baby good when making truly healthy choices. Taking time out to pamper yourself with baths, teas, nature walks, and other self care practices can really brighten your experience and help prepare your baby for a healthy life.
If you are having a difficult time with emotions or would like holistic, intuitive help on your journey, please feel free to reach out for guidance. We can use The Emotion Code to help release some emotional baggage which could free up some energy and help smooth out the process. Blessings to you and your babe on your journey together!
If you are looking for more self care practices, check out this other post of mine where I speak to why self care is so important.
As always, please check with your doctor before making major changes. But, remember. Your doctor works for you. If something is important to you, ask your doctor how you can make it happen.