When you’re deep into your pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, that’s when things can really start to get frustrating. As your belly gets bigger and you get used to dealing with more weight, it’s only natural that your body is going to be hit with aches and pains that can, at times, add a good deal of stress to your life. However, there are several tips that can help you ease that pain, not to mention soothe the stress that often comes with it.
Be mindful of how you eat
If you’re still experiencing morning sickness, then there’s a good chance that it’s down to the still-changing hormones in the body. Some people react differently to morning sickness, and there might be different trigger foods, so be mindful of any pungent foods, and try to stay away from them. Instead, you can make sure that you have a few crackers or dry cereal by you if you’re feeling nauseous. Try to split your meals into smaller portions, as well. You don’t want to go an extended time without food but eating full-sized adult portions can trigger nausea for a lot of women experiencing morning sickness. Some women find that ginger and ginger-flavoured things, like ginger nut biscuits, can really help, as well.
Take time for yourself
It might sound like a cliche, but sometimes taking a little moment to be by yourself can really be a huge help. If you’re able to get some time from the family, even if you have to ask politely, find some time every week to invest in a little self-care. Take a warm bath, put on some relaxing music, and consider adding essential oils like geranium oil to the bath. Some essential oils are excellent for helping the body to relax, which doesn’t only feel good, but might release some of the tension in your muscles that can reduce pain in certain areas of the body. If there’s anything else that helps you feel at peace, make it part of your self-care ritual.
Get up and get active
You might feel like there’s nothing in the world that you want to do less than get some exercise when you’re pregnant, and that’s entirely understandable. However, prenatal pilates, yoga, or even just going for a regular walk can do a world of good for helping your body adjust to the extra weight that you’re carrying. Furthermore, decent exercise can release endorphins which, aside from working much like a real painkiller, can also boost your mood, making it doubly effective when the aches of pregnancy are causing you some pain. If you’re uncertain about what exercise you might be fit to take part in, you should always consult with your doctor for your peace of mind.
Invest in better sleep
“Improve your sleep quality” might sound easy to say, but particularly hard to achieve when you’ve got a quickly-growing baby in your belly. However, there are tips for sleeping when pregnant that can help you find the right sleeping positions and offers other tips to ensure that you get can head off to the land of not a little more easily. Making use of a pregnancy pillow that can better support your body under the changing nature of weight and pressure on you when you’re lying down is always a good idea. There’s also the recommendation that you cut out screen time close to bedtime, as the blue light from digital screens is well known to keep your mind active and alert for longer, which can make it difficult to fall asleep.
Ensure that you stay hydrated
It might sound like simple, even needlessly basic advice, but the truth is that it’s very easy to accidentally dehydrate yourself, especially when you’re pregnant. Keeping a large water bottle by your side throughout the day, refilling it when you need it, and taking little sips can make sure that you’re able to keep your body hydrated. It can also help fight fatigue and reduce the chance of constipation, a problem that a lot of pregnant women find themselves facing quite regularly. You should also void drinking caffeine or sugary drinks, which can actually make the body more hydrated. If you find yourself experiencing heartburn, then you should consider drinking water between your meals, rather than with them, too.
Make use of heating pads
It’s one of the tools most widely used by athletes and gym bunnies to combat joint pain, so it only makes sense that might help a pregnant woman, right? Heating pads are not overly hot and don’t increase the core temperature of the body like, say, a sauna, would, so they are safe for pregnant women. What they are particularly good at is heating up individual parts of the body, which can help to open up the blood vessels, allowing better circulation. This can help get oxygen to parts of the body afflicted by inflammation, such as your knees or lower back, reducing the pain and swelling, and leading to some much-needed relief.
Kick your feet up
When you’re in the later stages of pregnancy, you’re going to find your legs, hands, and feet swelling much more than they usually do. This can do everything from cause discomfort to making it extra annoying when you try to put on a pair of shoes that you’ve been able to wear for months without issue. Changes to your circulation and blood flow can lead to these changes, which can last til the end of pregnancy. However, you can get some relief from the discomfort caused by changing your seating position. Elevating your feet and legs when you sit down, using cushions of the like, can help to make sure that blood doesn’t rush to your extremities. On the other hand, sitting with your legs crossed can slow down circulation even more.
Get yourself a little pampering
One of the ways to get away from some of the stresses of pregnancy while offering your body another level of relief is to get away to a spa that offers pregnancy massage. With the help of a real massage therapist, the goal of a massage isn’t just to feel excellent after (though it certainly does help), but rather they are trained to help relieve the common causes of aches and pains in the body, so if you have been feeling back pain, for instance, they can help work it away right there on the massage table. The right setting adds a little extra pampering touch, with gorgeous toiletries and welcoming service.
Be careful with your skin
Changes to your hormones during pregnancy can reflect in a lot of changes to your body, as well. As mentioned, morning sickness is usually related to your hormones but so, too, are the changes to your skin. In particular, you might experience dry skin and itchiness a lot more. You don’t want to go too heavy on the skincare side of things, as your skin is going to be a lot more sensitive. Instead, look for mild, soap-free cleansers that can gently clean your skin and avoid scrubbing it, as this will only agitate it and cause more dryness. If the itching continues to spread, you should talk to your doctor as sometimes it can be a symptom of liver issues.
The tips above do not promise that your pregnancy is going to be stress-free or pain-free by any stretch of the imagination. However, taking them all into account should see some real differences in the level of discomfort you might feel, providing some much-needed relief.
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