Finding out that you’re pregnant is one of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever have. There are so many emotions: Excitement. Nerves. Shock. Joy. And, more likely than not, a little bit of fear. Becoming a mother is intimidating, and that’s the facts — feeling a little bit scared of this next stage of your life is totally normal.
One of the things that makes pregnancy so intimidating is how much your life is about to change. Not only is your body going to go through major physical changes, but your lifestyle will, too.
You’ll be taking leave from work, maybe indefinitely. You might have to upsize your home or renovate a nursery. You’ll probably get a new water bottle since your awesome bod will need more water.
One thing that’s DEFINITELY an option during pregnancy is getting enough electrolytes in your diet. Electrolytes play a major role in health and are super important to keeping you (and your little one) feeling your best during this pregnancy.
Maybe you’re already familiar with electrolytes, or maybe you have no clue what we’re talking about — either way, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive in.
What Are Electrolytes?
Many sports drinks and energy drinks claim they’re chock-full of electrolytes, but what exactly does that mean? And why do they matter?
When it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, electrolytes are the coolest kids in school. They’re electrically charged minerals that help regulate various bodily functions, keeping your systems in harmony and ensuring things run smoothly.
These minerals include potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, all of which work together to keep your body’s electrical balance in check, which is essential for your body’s overall functioning.
Getting enough electrolytes to support your health is always important. But during pregnancy, when you’re essentially eating and drinking for two, this is even more true.
Electrolytes and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a rollercoaster ride during which your body goes through a ton of different changes. Because of these changes, your need for electrolytes can skyrocket.
One of the main changes occurring involves your blood. Experts say that during pregnancy, your body produces a whopping 50% more blood, meaning you can get dehydrated a lot quicker. Other pregnancy demands, such as morning sickness, can compound to rapidly deplete your stores of electrolytes and further dehydrate you.
With all of this in mind, staying on top of your hydration and consumption of key minerals is more important than ever. Dehydration is not a joke, especially during the hot summer.
Plus, electrolytes aren’t only beneficial for your overall health. Research shows that they may also help ease some of your pesky pregnancy symptoms, including cramps and morning sickness. Pregnancy symptoms may be unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to help manage them (liquid IV, anyone?).
Other Pregnancy Tips
Staying on top of your electrolytes and hydration aren’t the only ways to take care of yourself during pregnancy. Let’s chat about the other tips and tricks to have the best pregnancy possible.
Self-Care
We’ll be real with you: Pregnancy can be TOUGH. One of the best ways you can take care of yourself during this time is by investing in your self-care routine – finding rituals and practices that ground you during the day and relax you at night.
One of our favorite nighttime self-care practices is soaking in a warm tub with some soothing bath salts, such as our mineral-rich Mama Calm Bath Soak. This milky and moisturizing blend is made with Himalayan sea salt, organic coconut milk, and acacia fiber for allllll the skin-soothing and detoxifying you need right about now.
Or, get a little pampering in with a DIY spa by way of a belly mask. Yes, that’s a thing, and we’re kind of obsessed with it. Our hydrating and stretch mark-minimizing Belly Sheet Mask is infused with aloe vera and propolis for the targeted self-care moment every mom-to-be deserves. Free of parabens, dyes, and fragrances, and dermatologist tested. We’re proud of this one.
Another pregnancy self-care product we can’t live without: this Down, Girl Swell Relief. Restless legs and swollen ankles are no joke during pregnancy, and the aloe vera, chamomile, and ginger in this gel-based cream provide the instant relief you need. We also love applying it to the lower back during the second and third trimesters when things really get bumpin’.
A Maternity Wardrobe: Because You Deserve To Look AND Feel Good
Another one of our biggest pieces of advice for new mamas is to invest in that maternity wardrobe. Long gone are the days of your mother’s maternity clothes – these days, maternity wear and style go hand-in-hand.
One of our favorite maternity shirts at the moment is the Boyfriend Shirt, an adorable blue and white gingham number perfect for doing errands, heading to your Kegel class, or just lounging around the house. Cut from a super breathable cotton blend and made to be both slightly oversized and structured, this is the shirt that we can’t live without.
One maternity wardrobe staple absolutely everyone should have in their closet: the Ultra Soft Ultimate Before, During, and After Legging. Super stretchy and high rise in a luxe modal blend fabric, these leggings feature a non-elastic waistband for c-section friendliness and can sit below, on top of, or above your bump, whatever you feel most comfortable with.
Leggings are meant to be versatile, and these are our most versatile yet: wearable before, during, and after your pregnancy, anywhere and everywhere.
The Light of Your Life
Pregnancy comes with a lot of questions — from Googling about weird cravings to the most popular baby names, you have a lot to cross off your to-do list. Take a sec, relax, breathe in and out, and know when to reach out for help. Text your bestie about your newest idea for your baby’s middle name. Call your OB-GYN for medical questions.
And call on us, Babe and HATCH, for everything else and in-between. We’ve got your back and your bump.
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