Prenatal Pampering

...Pregnancy - The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Lasts for about nine months, measured from the date of the woman's last menstrual period (LMP). It is conventionally divided into three trimesters, each roughly three months long. Simple !

It is in the first trimester that some women experience "morning sickness," a form of nausea on awaking that usually passes within an hour. The breasts also begin to prepare for nursing, and painful soreness from hardening milk glands may result. As the pregnancy progresses, the mother may experience many physical and emotional changes, ranging from increased moodiness to darkening of the skin in various areas. During the second trimester, the fetus undergoes a remarkable series of developments. Its physical parts become fully distinct and at least somewhat operational. As the fetus grows in size, the mother's pregnant state will begin to be obvious. In the third trimester, the fetus enters the final stage of preparation for birth. It increases rapidly in weight, as does the mother. As the end of the pregnancy nears, there may be discomfort as the fetus moves into position in the woman's lower abdomen. Edema (swelling of the ankles), back pain, and balance problems are sometimes experienced during this time period. Most women are able to go about their usual activities until the very last days or weeks of pregnancy, including non-impact exercise and work. During the final days, some feel too much discomfort to continue at a full pace, although others report greatly increased energy just before the birth. Pregnancy ends when the birth process begins.

Every mother-to-be wants to feel as pampered as possible in the months leading up to her big day. And nine months can feel pretty long if you don't take the time to pamper your changing self. Here are some tips to make your life as stress-free and comfortable as possible.

Just a few of the oils that are ‘emmenagogues’ (also spelled emmenagogs) are herbs which stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus; some stimulate menstruation. Women use emmenagogues to stimulate menstrual flow when menstruation is absent for reasons other than pregnancy, such as hormonal disorders or conditions like oligomenorrhea (light menses).

This list is not exhaustive, so be careful to research the properties of any essential oil you may come into contact with. Don’t panic!

This advice is purely precautionary – most essential oils are perfectly safe in the right proportion, and aromatherapy, if practiced safely, has many beneficial effects. With regards to the products you are already using, most scented natural creams will contain minimal amounts of essential oil (typically less than 0.5-1%).

Ingredient quantities are not easily deduced from the label though, so it is often advised to avoid all essential oils for the first trimester, and then continue to avoid ‘emmenagogues’ after that.

I recommend booking an aromatherapy massage with these kind of herbs, after giving birth.

Here are a few ways to pamper yourself while pregnant:

1. Do Yoga

Give prenatal yoga a try. Even if you don't know a Downward-facing Dog from a German shepherd, it's still a great way to bond with other expectant moms -- and make instant friends for your baby!

2. Show your feet some love

Your tootsies are taking a lot of abuse these days — for one thing, they're supporting your increasing poundage and there's a good chance they're swollen from an increase in fluids. To the (temporary) rescue: a warm soak, either in the tub (keep water below 100 degrees) or in a foot bath (a layer of smooth stones on the bottom feels amazing on sore soles). Then anoint those puppies with a rich slather of lotion and prop them up for a well-earned rest. Ahh.

3. Hoist a glass

Whether your drink of choice these days is cranberry juice or pomegranate seltzer, any drink tastes better served in an elegant glass. So on a particularly rough day, take the extra minute to dust off a wine, champagne, or martini glass and fill it with ice and your favorite quencher. Garnish with a couple of raspberries or slice of lime, then toast to the fact that you're treating yourself right.

4. Eat something truly decadent

A cheesy slice of pizza with extra anchovies? A fried Oreo? A plate piled high with fries? Dig in. As long as you're maintaining a healthy diet most of the time, it's okay to indulge a craving every once in a while. But do so without guilt or don't do it at all.

5. Spa yourself silly

With your body somewhat out of control during pregnancy, it'll do your psyche a world of good to get a grip on grooming. Grab a mani-pedi when you can, especially during the last few months when you can't touch (or even see) your toes. A scalp treatment might be just the thing to tame your frizzies and soothe your frazzles, or try a massage(just make sure the therapist is trained in prenatal rubdowns). Fan of waxing? Book a bikini wax a week before your due date so there's one less detail to think about when it's time to meet your baby.

6. Read for fun, not facts

Like any good mommy-to-be, you want all the info you can get: But don't overdo it by spending every free moment boning up on pregnancy books and blogs. Take a break. Instead, pick up a novel or magazine that's just plain fun. Spy caper, romantic saga, or Us Weekly, the point is to truly relax and escape for a while.

7. Spare no expense for exercise

Part of your birth plan should include staying fit. Running, prennatal gimnastics, yoga classes, etc. Splurging on group exercise classes and purchasing new prenatal exercise DVDs to do at home can help keep you motivated. Pamper yourself by keeping your health a priority.

8. Get a pregnancy massage

Massages may not be part of your regular pampering routine, but the aches, pains and stresses of pregnancy make it easy to justify the occasional prenatal massage.

When you book your appointment, tell the masseuse that you're pregnant so she can give you an appropriate -- and ultra relaxing massage.

About prenatal massage : The Power of Touch Your muscles will certainly appreciate a massage when they've been carrying around an extra load. Plus, the weight of your growing baby can cause leg muscles to tense and swell. This inflames nearby nerves and can lead to sciatic nerve pain. Applying mild pressure to your muscle groups helps reduce swelling by stimulating blood flow throughout your body. Beyond relieving tight muscles, there are other advantages of prenatal massage: Studies from the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami suggest that moms-to-be who get a weekly massage have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and higher levels of the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine. Researchers have linked these hormonal changes to fewer childbirth complications, including a 75 percent reduction in premature births among depressed women. Though you don't need to be depressed to reap the benefits of massage, another Touch Research Institute study found that pregnant women suffering from depression had significant improvement in mood, as well as decreased anxiety, after receiving a 20-minute massage twice a week. Ask your beautician to use an unscented vegetable oil in place of a fragrance one. A prenatal massage differs from a traditional one: For starters, you'll likely be either lying on your side or sitting in a semi-reclining position. Lying on your back puts too much pressure on your abdomen and can restrict blood flow. To keep your spine in alignment and alleviate lower-back pressure, your therapist may use specially designed pillows or bolsters to support your knees and feet. You may have the option to lie face-down on a massage table that has a hole for your belly. However, many women find this position uncomfortable, especially as their pregnancy progresses. Prenatal massages may also be shorter -- 30 to 45 minutes versus the usual 60 to 90 minutes. No parts of the body are completely off-limits, even feet. While some people fear that massaging certain areas of the foot can bring on labor, "If this were true, every woman who was overdue would just get a foot massage instead of being induced in the hospital, Why does that unfounded belief persist? Most likely it stems from the fact that reflexology associates pressure points on the sides of the ankles with the ovaries and uterus, But pushing on these areas isn't going to start contractions. Prenatal massage is generally considered safe, but talk to your gynecologist first; she may advise against massage if your pregnancy is high risk or if you have a condition like preeclampsia or high blood pressure. Requirements for massage-therapy training vary and not every massage therapist will have prenatal experience. Look for someone who's certified in prenatal massage, whether you go to a spa that offers prenatal massage or work with an independent therapist. Certification ensures that the therapist has special training in treating common pregnancy discomforts and that she knows which body areas to treat differently during pregnancy. Ask your health-care provider for a recommendation. Once you have a good referral, relax and get comfy on the table.

9. Go to bed early

It's hard to resist the temptation to stay up past your bedtime to tackle your to-do list, especially if you have other kids at home who keep you from nursery decor or other projects. With this pregnancy, however, I have taken a more kind approach to what my body needs. Tucking myself in at promptly 9:00 every night feels a bit like pampering, even if my projects need to wait a bit longer.

10. Buy a pretty maternity nightgown

With all of this sleep that you'll (hopefully) be getting, you'll need something pretty and comfortable. Search for something adjustable that can take you into those late-night feeding sessions, too.

Tips for summmer :

Sip a cold "mocktail," like this Pina Colada Smoothie: Combine 6 ounces frozen coconut yogurt, 1/2 a frozen banana, 1/2 of a 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple, and 1 cup milk; blend until smooth.Carry a spray bottle of water with you at all times.Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher 20 minutes before going into sun. Reapply throughout the day.Take quick showers frequently to keep cool.Put feet up to alleviate swelling.Minimize salt intake, which will combat water retention.Take frequent naps.Ask for help if you're too tired to cook, clean, or run errands.Beware of typical barbecue foods, such as potato salad and coleslaw that, when left out in the sun, can sour and cause stomach upset. Clear your calendar and relax!

Until next time, take care of yourself and make sure you talk to your baby every time you get a chance.

Happy Easter!

Motus Therapies