Categories
Motherhood Pregnancy

Your Body Knows

Exercising an average of 20 to 45 minutes three to five days a week can reduce your risk for pregnancy-related health problems. It can also reduce lower back pain by building stronger abdominal and back muscles and improving your postpartum recovery. Most importantly, regular exercise is great for improving your overall psychological well-being and mood, which is essential to pregnancy and the postpartum period. This can be a little difficult for ladies, who are generally more on the un-sporty side and like to move as little as possible. Anyhow, for the sake of a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby and an easier birth, now might be a good time to start moving a little more. But moderately please. It’s crucial to not overdo it.

Every mom is individual. Every pregnancy is different. Every labor is different. We all have different fitness levels. You know how you usually feel so you are the one that can identify when you feel discomfort and want to go easy on you.

Being conscious and acknowledging how you feel during and after an exercise or the workout keeps you connected to yourself and allows you to get the most out of it. If you are experiencing pain, discomfort or severe fatigue post exercise/workout, you may want to recognize it and modify going forward. Doing less does not make you a failure. Remembering that is sometimes a challenge among the over achiever ladies… I know. But sometimes we just have to do less to gain more. No matter the suitability of any exercise, your body needs you to listen to what it’s telling you, take things at your own pace and give yourself some grace. Remember, during pregnancy your aim is to stay active for the benefit of you and your baby rather than exercising to exhaustion or achieving personal bests. 

If you take the attention to listen to your body, your body will tell you what you need. You might need a break to catch your breath and rest sometimes. It’s OK to pass up a hike for a nap. This is not the time to feel like you should begin training for a marathon. With pregnancy, you are in the middle of – or just finishing one of the biggest marathons in your life.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time to focus on yourself and your needs. Addressing those needs through safe exercise will help promote a healthy mental and physical state of being.

Categories
Motherhood Pregnancy

Quality Sperm

Look how happy that future mama looks! 

You might be wondering: how often should you have sex when you’re trying to conceive? Some research has shown that sperm have better quality after a 2-3 day period of abstinence but there are also studies that have shown higher rates of conception in couples who have sex every 1-2 days. So what’s the rule of thumb to go by? 

Of course making love once a day or every other day during your fertile window may increase your odds of getting pregnant but you don’t want to force yourself into a schedule as it could lead to unnecessary stress. Nobody wants to have sex when they must. Everybody wants to have sex if they really feel it tho. The more comfortable you feel about yourself and your relationship, the more comfortable you will feel about making love with all of your heart. 

Remember that the ideal number of times to have sex is not what’s written on some “how to schedule”, but what feels most comfortable to you and your significant other. After all, making a baby is not called an act of stress but an act of love. Something we could do all night long, because we love it so much. 

Categories
Motherhood Pregnancy

Let Me Sleep!

Everyone keeps telling you to “get your sleep now” — but that’s a whole lot harder with pregnancy sleep-stealers like heartburn and leg cramps. Here are some tips for overcoming the most common pregnancy sleep problems.

As difficult as it might be, getting a good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy pregnancy. Sleep helps your brain to reset, your over-taxed blood vessels to replenish, your blood sugar levels to stabilize and your immune system to stay strong. That’s why doctors say you should aim to get at least seven hours of quality sleep a night. Despite all that’s going on in your body and brain, a good night’s sleep during pregnancy is possible. Here are a few of the most common pregnancy sleep problems, along with tips to help you overcome them so you can get the rest you need.

Frequent need to pee:

Higher levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG can mean having to run to the bathroom frequently, day and night. Your kidneys also have to filter up to 50 percent more blood than usual — which also means more urine (in other words, you’re peeing for two). In the third trimester, your growing uterus presses down on your bladder, increasing your urge to go.

Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day. Then cut back when it’s closer to bedtime (in another words, it’s probably best not to guzzle a 16-ounce bottle of water right before you go to sleep). 

When you do need to get up to go, leave a night light on in the bathroom (or install a simple dimmer switch). Flipping on the overhead can be too much of a wake-up call and may make it harder to fall back to sleep.

General discomfort:

Many pregnancy sleep struggles come from just not being able to find a comfortable position to sleep in. In fact, according to one study, almost 80 percent of pregnant women couldn’t find a comfortable sleeping position. 

Sleeping on your side — your left side, if possible — makes things easier on your circulatory system. It also results in less swelling in your feet, ankles and hands, since it enhances kidney function. 

If you’re not used to the position, it can make falling asleep harder. In that case, pregnancy pillows can help you get comfortable. Pile them up between your knees, under your stomach and behind your back — whatever works!

Heartburn:

While you can experience heartburn at any time of day, it’s often worse at night when you’re lying down. You can thank pregnancy hormones for this painful sensation, as they relax the muscle that normally keeps stomach acid inside the stomach.

Avoiding spicy, greasy and acidic foods and try eating smaller meals and having dinner at least two hours before bedtime

Leg cramps:

One theory attributes leg cramps to low calcium and magnesium levels. Upping your intake of those minerals in your diet may help. Yogurt and soy are good sources of calcium, while beans are a great source of magnesium. 

A few tips to banish leg cramps during the day include drinking plenty of water, stretching your legs and wearing a support hose. When you get a cramp, try straightening your leg, then gently flexing your foot and ankle toward your nose (without pointing your toes). 

Categories
Inspirational Story Motherhood Pregnancy

Massaged, Relaxed, and Happy Mama

While every pregnancy is unique, the changes to the body as a baby grows often cause discomfort. A pregnancy massage can help relieve some of these symptoms along with other benefits for the parent-to-be. Prenatal massages are generally considered safe after the first trimester, as long as you get the green light from your practitioner and you let your massage therapist know you’re pregnant. Just make sure your massage therapist actually knows what parts of a pregnant body can be massaged and which can’t. 

Research shows that massage can reduce stress hormones in your body and relax and loosen your muscles. It can also increase blood flow, which is very important when you’re pregnant, and keep your lymphatic system working at peak efficiency. It reconnects your mind with your body, a connection that’s comforting if you sometimes feel disconnected from your body and your baby. Being disconnected from one’s body generally brings about the feeling of disconnection and anxiety. Reconnecting helps to feel rooted, safe and calm again. 

Would you like to give yourself a little massage? Check out my short online class on DIY acupressure for pregnancy here.

Categories
Motherhood Pregnancy

The Love Hormone

Oxytocin has been best known for its role in female reproduction. In female bodies, it is released in large amounts during labor and at the climax. It is a facilitator for childbirth and breastfeeding. In the last trimester of pregnancy, changes are already underway to prepare for labor. The more naturally occurring oxytocin rushes through your body during pregnancy, the better will your birth experience later be. 

Here are some ways you can boost oxytocin production while you’re pregnant:

  1. Physical Touch – Cuddling your children. Snuggling your pet. Make love with your partner. Getting a massage. Asking a loved one to rub your back or your feet. 
  2. Increasing Positivity – Tuning in to your partner and family, and really listening to them. It’s a great way to increase oxytocin. When you’re really present for others, you are making connections. This involves eye-to-eye contact and putting your phone or other distractions aside.
  3. Creating – Your body is busy creating another human being, but what about your mind? It can be too easy to focus on the stresses of life when you have nothing to do. Making your creative juices flow, and creating something focuses your mind, as well as brings a sense of satisfaction. 
  4. Breathing – When was the last time you paid attention to your breath? Most people take shallow breaths, particularly when they’re feeling stressed. Deep breathing brings peace into your life. Taking some deep, cleansing breaths down to your belly will slow you down, connect you with your body, and release tension.
Categories
Inspirational Story Motherhood Pregnancy

Cloud Nine Diet

Eating well is always important, but during pregnancy, it can not only support your health – also the health of your baby. Despite the common myth, you don’t need to “eat for two” (eating twice as much), since you’re pregnant. It is more important to eat satisfying portions of nutrient-dense foods instead of a lot of “empty” foods. Avoid eating packaged ultra-processed foods that have a lot of sugar and salt added instead, choosing foods that are packed with minerals and vitamins, ideally ripened under the sun, will make you feel satisfied, even if you haven’t eaten a huge portion. Fast food is empty of nutrients, that’s why we can’t stop eating them once we start until we faint into our “noodle coma”. 

Our body keeps craving the nutrients until we give our body what it is asking for. The best place to get all those nutrient-packed foods is usually the farmers’ market. The ripest ones are the best. But what if there is no farmers’ market around you? Growing some greens yourself may be an option if you can bring up the time and space. Otherwise, store-bought veg and fruit are still better than no veg and fruit. Treating yourself like the queen during pregnancy just makes you feel like life is delicious – and why not make it delicious while you’re pregnant anyways? Imagine how your baby must feel, growing in the womb of a queen… Like on cloud 9. Here are some inspirations that you may want to add to your diet: 

  • Apples are high in fiber and are a good source of vitamin C. Lemons are also high in vitamin C. They help stimulate the digestive system to relieve constipation.
  • Oranges help you stay hydrated. They’re also a great source of folate or folic acid. Folate is a B vitamin that’s very important in helping prevent brain and spinal cord defects, also known as neural tube defects.
  • Mangoes are high in vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency at birth is associated with lower immunity and a higher risk of complications, like diarrhea and respiratory infections.
  • Avocados help relieve nausea, possibly because of the potassium and magnesium in the fruit.
  • Bananas are another good source of potassium. They also contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, and fiber.

For more information on pregnancy and nutrition, check out:

Categories
Inspirational Story Motherhood Pregnancy

Healthier Pregnancy and Birth

Many people stress that sex or climax might hurt their baby or harm their pregnancy. Also, their partner may feel worried about hurting their pregnant partner or unborn child. Still, for many people, making love is not only safe during pregnancy, but reliable ways of lessening anxiety and increasing emotional welfare. 

Can penetration harm the baby?
No. Your baby is fully protected by the amniotic sac (a thin-walled bag that holds the fetus and surrounding fluid) and the strong muscles of the uterus. There’s also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps guard against infection. 


Keep in mind that during pregnancy, it’s normal for sexual desire to come and go as your body changes. You may feel self-conscious as your belly grows. Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause some women to experience an increased sex drive, while others may show little interest in sex. Just tell your partner what you’re feeling and what works. You may need to play with positions, especially later in pregnancy, to find one that’s both comfortable and stimulating for you. Plus, staying connected with your partner is more important than ever, since your baby will depend on your united front for love and stability. Strong, healthy relationships lead to healthier behaviors during pregnancy and better birth outcomes.

Categories
Fertility Inspirational Story Motherhood Pregnancy Questions

101 Pregnancy Questions

This book is packed with unusual pregnancy questions and is very easy to read. You don’t have to be a novel lover to have fun reading this. If you like magazines, you’ll very likely like this book too. All questions are comfortably listed in the index and so you can pick one and go directly to the specific question, read from start to finish or simply “zap” through the book. Those…

“Will sex poke my baby?”
“Is it dangerous to be around smokers?”
“Will wearing heels hurt my unborn baby?”
“I drank alcohol before I knew I was pregnant. Is my baby ok?”
“Can I start contraception when pregnant?”

… are just a few of the interesting and fun questions you will find. Did you know that in some very rare cases, women actually can get pregnant while pregnant and have more than one baby? Amazing! I’ve learned something new from this book!

You’d also like to learn something new? Click here to order and enjoy the book.

If you like this content, you’ll love my book too! Click here to check it out!

Categories
Motherhood Pregnancy

Your Nutritional Needs

Loss of appetite often comes with morning sickness, and nausea and vomiting affect an estimated 75% of pregnant women. When you’re bent over a toilet often, it’s no wonder your appetite is a bit shy.

How can you still meet your nutritional needs if you’ve lost your appetite?

  • Drink up. Warm water with lemon or ginger, ginger ale (if necessary), or ginger tea can be good substitutes for plain water if you’re nauseous. 
  • Eat six small meals a day (your body will probably let off hunger signals every two hours), which will satisfy your small appetite — instead of force-feeding yourself big meals.
  • Avoid strong-smelling foods or strong smells in general that you don’t feel so good around. 
  • Take your vitamins.
  • Put some drops of Young Living Bergamot oil into a diffuser. The smell of Bergamot oil can support your healthy appetite. 

Click here to find out how to order Young Living essential oils.

Categories
Motherhood Pregnancy

Stress Away

If worrying about your pregnancy seems to be taking up all of your time, don’t worry, you’re not alone. All moms-to-be experience stress during pregnancy—it’s normal. But if your stress becomes constant and overwhelming, get some help not just for you, but for your baby too. There are many ways to de-stress yourself like simply walking at the park or having quality time with your loved ones. 

Stress Away Young Living Essential oil was designed to help pregnant moms leave all the stress and anxiety behind. You can use it to feel relaxed and calm. This oil allows you to find your center again. It brings awareness to what your sources of stress are as it is important to navigate through these situations and choose a healthy response rather than pushing through.

How to use?

– Roll to neck, wrists or temples

– Apply to chakras

– Place in a carrier oil for relaxing massage

Want to order? Check here for more details.