Wednesday, February 15, 2012

14 Pregnancy Sanity-Savers

BY Nancy Janiola IN , No comments

It’s the tough truth: the world doesn’t stop for you when you’re expecting, but you can make it an easier place to live in.  Here are some tips to help reduce your stress during this time:

1. Do your research. Read a reputable pregnancy book or check out recommended pregnancy websites that will answer all your questions.

2. Treat yourself to some ginger tea.  Dr. Ben Kim, a practitioner of chiropractic medicine based in Ontario, Canada, promotes the benefits of ginger on his natural health website. According to Dr. Kim, Ginger can effectively decrease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

3. Grab some me-time. Once your baby is born, you will be wishing you had taken this piece of advice! Catch up on movies or your favorite TV series, read books that have nothing to do with babies and lunch with your girlfriends.

4. Meditate. This is the best time to learn soothing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and mental imagery exercises. This skill will help see you through labor, delivery and post-partum.

5. Don’t splurge. If your friends and relatives offer to lend you pregnancy and baby clothes, don’t refuse. You’ll need all the money you can save for the diapers alone!

6. Work smart. Try to maximize your free time during the day. Use lunch breaks to run errands. Enroll for an online bank account to make quicker and hassle-free payment and transactions.

7. Exercise! Not only does light to moderate exercise help increase your energy, it prepares you for easier labor. Pregnancy yoga is very healing. Just make sure you consult your doctor beforehand.

8. Catch some Z’s. Take catnaps during lunch break at the office to help decrease pregnancy-related fatigue.

9. Talk to your boss. Make sure that your boss is aware of any difficulty you may be having due to your pregnancy. Know your rights as a pregnant woman, and plan ahead for a worry-free maternity leave.

10 Pamper yourself. A pre-natal massage or a mani-pedi session at your favorite salon is a great pick-me-up when you’re feeling blah.

11. Take a “babymoon”. Spend some quality time with your spouse during the second trimester when it’s safe to travel. It may be a while before you can both get away again.

12. Prepare for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is one of the best things you could do to your baby. Get ready by reading up on it, attending breastfeeding classes and joining breastfeeding support groups.

13. Talk about it. If you can’t shake the stress on your own, there are other ways: share your feelings with your spouse, family members of close friends; seek out a group of moms who can give you support; or join online pregnancy support groups or communities.

14. Say a little prayer. Few things are more comforting than thanking God for the blessing of motherhood and asking him for a baby who’s healthy in mind, body and spirit.


Source: Working Mom, Dec. 2011 issue

0 comments: