Looking at that little plus sign (or the unambiguous “PREGNANT,” if you chose that kind of pregnancy test) can trigger a mix of feelings: excitement, nerves, stress, and shock.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your sudden change in status — one moment you’re you, the next you’re a mom-to-be! — you aren’t alone. Pregnancy can be nerve-wracking and intimidating, and we’re here to help.
Keep reading for our best pregnancy tips for new moms right here.
Tip One: Build Your Self-Care Routine
It’s a classic story: You find out you’re pregnant, and literally the next morning, you’re hurling your guts out in the toilet. Pregnancy symptoms are no joke, especially during the first trimester when you’re dealing with morning sickness and nausea, fatigue, heartburn, and more. Buckle up, babe!
These symptoms might be par for the course during pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have any options to handle them. One of the best ways you can help yourself (and thereby help your growing little one) is by building a self-care routine to help manage symptoms and get the R&R you absolutely deserve right now.
Exercising While Pregnant
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, exercise is one of the best ways to relieve the stress, aches, and pains associated with early pregnancy. A great first step to building a self-care routine that works for you is finding a gentle form of physical activity you enjoy — maybe it’s going for walks or attending a prenatal yoga class.
In fact, pregnancy exercise classes can be a great way to meet other moms-to-be and develop a support network. You’ll be working out your stress and socializing at the same time — that’s a win-win in our book.
Just be sure you’ve got some workout sets to fit over your growing tummy, like our favorite FP Movement X Hatch-Good Karma Maternity Legging and matching maternity crop top. This ultra-flattering set provides medium compression and ribbed detailing for the perfect fit allllll pregnancy long.
Stay Hydrated
Fun fact: During pregnancy, your body produces up to 50% more blood to deliver nutrients and oxygen to your growing babe. You can thank this blood volume increase for a lot of pregnancy symptoms, including swollen feet and ankles.
It also means you’ll need to drink more water to stay hydrated, especially during a summer pregnancy. Drinking enough water is always a good idea, but now that you’re preggo, it’s even more important to help you feel your best. PS: If you plan on pumping or breastfeeding, drink extra water then, too — about 16 cups a day.
(As for your swollen feet and ankles, we have a suggestion for that, too — check out our Cooling Leg + Foot Cream, a gel-based cream with ginger and mint for all the relief you’re looking for.)
Go Grocery Shopping
After you raise a glass of cool, fresh H2O, it’s time for a bite to eat. Yes, healthy eating is important for all of us, not just pregnant people, but we also want to say that you are pregnant. You’re doing a lot of work, so if you feel inclined to polish off the ice cream tub followed by a few pickles or whatever else you’re craving, count us in.
That being said, here are some healthy foods to add to your shopping list:
- Whole grain cereals (source of iron and folic acid)
- High-fiber foods like bran, apples, oranges, and berries (help prevent constipation)
- Veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers, and tomatoes (vitamin A and potassium)
- Fat/low-fat yogurt (calcium, potassium, vitamin A)
- Proteins: nuts, seeds, beans, lean meats
- Drink water (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves!)
Some foods of the sea to be wary of include tilefish, swordfish, and king mackerel. This list also includes anything undercooked. Although to be honest, undercooked chicken NEVER sounds good. Send that back to the kitchen, girl.
Ask About Prenatal Vitamins
Next up, we can’t talk about prenatal care without talking about vitamins. Chat with your women’s health doctor about prenatal vitamins. The CDC recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic acid a day, starting before you conceive. Ask your healthcare provider which over-the-counter supplement might be right for you. Beyond that, fortified foods with 100% next to “folate” on the ingredients list can help give you that boost you’re looking for.
Create a Relaxing Sleep Routine
A good night’s sleep is both essential and elusive during pregnancy. Restless legs, having to pee every 30 minutes, and generally being stressed out can all make sleep feel impossible, even though you may feel tired and fatigued during the day.
If this sounds all too familiar, try building a consistent sleep routine that helps you relax and unwind before bed. Rituals like soaking in the tub with some mineral-rich bath salts, meditating, or reading can all be helpful to clear your head and catch all the ZZZs that you need.
Naps are your friend! Experts recommend that pregnant women try to nap earlier in the day for less than 45 minutes. Moms-to-be might need to supplement nighttime sleep with a daytime snooze, but over-napping might disrupt sleep quality at night.
Tip Two: Create a Birth Plan
Once you hit the second trimester and your due date approaches, it might be time to start thinking about your birth plan, AKA how you want to deliver your little one. Is an epidural a non-negotiable for you? Or are you set on giving birth in a birth center rather than the hospital?
Write down your wishes and talk to your obstetrician and loved ones to figure out a plan that works for you. Some things to consider include:
- Where you want to give birth — the hospital, a freestanding birth center, or even at home
- Who do you want to be present
- What type of pain medications and pain management do you want
- What labor and birthing positions do you want to try
- Backup plans in the event of complications
Spend some time figuring out what your priorities are, and take advantage of your regular checkups to talk over your plan with your Ob-GYN or another healthcare provider. You’ll likely also want your partner or any key loved ones filled in as well to ensure that your whole support system knows what you want for your delivery experience as your due date approaches.
Tip Three: Invest in Maternity Clothes
Maybe you think you can get away with wearing oversized sweats and XXL dresses all maternity, but we’re here to tell you: You can’t. (Well, maybe you can, but it sounds miserable.)
Pregnancy changes your proportions in all kinds of ways. Your tummy and boobs are getting bigger, but maybe your arms and legs are staying the same, except for your feet, which have also gone up a size. Trying to stay comfortable and cool during the third trimester without good quality maternity clothes is like sleeping in jeans — not comfy, not worth it, and also maybe impossible.
We recommend investing in a few dresses or jumpsuits you can dress up or down, like the James Dress. This midi-length dress features a flattering A-line silhouette and 100% viscose fabric for the perfect combo of comfortable and chic. Dress it up with a pair of heels and statement earrings, or throw on a pair of sneakers and wear it to the supermarket — either way, this dress makes maternity style a breeze.
A few comfy maternity tees are essential for every pregnancy. Check out the Everyday Linen Tee for an ultra-soft no-nonsense shirt that goes with basically everything. Or add a bit of fun to your look with the Perfect Vee in the black/white stripe colorway.
Bonus Tip: Believe That You Can Do This
If you’re a first-time mom, you might be freaking out right now — we’ve been there! But the truth is that your body already knows exactly what to do to prepare for baby, and with the help of your doctor and loved ones, so will you.
Take a deep breath, put on that maternity outfit that makes you feel like a total boss, and remember: You can do this.
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