Pregnancy can have you feeling like there’s a glow about you. Thanks to those prenatal vitamins, your hair is shiny, your nails are long, and you can forgo the makeup. Unfortunately, your changing body may also be painful. Here are some tips on how to enjoy your pregnancy and relax:
Don’t get a Back Massage
Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints among pregnant women due to the increased weight on the front of their body. However, avoid the urge to get a massage or rub out the “knots.” During pregnancy, this becomes a blood rich area of the body, and massaging it will only irritate the area more. Instead, release the tension by getting your buttocks and hips massaged. The muscles are connected to your lower back and can help ease the pain without putting direct pressure on a sensitive area.
Keep Swimming
Exercise is a great way to keep your body healthy and pain free during pregnancy, but in those final months or weeks, it can be hard to make it happen. Instead, go for a leisurely dip in the pool. The weightlessness that your body will feel when you are submerged will take the pressure off of your back and your joints. If you feel up to it, you could even do a few laps.
Talk to your OBGYN
While discomfort and some pain is unavoidable while pregnant, if you are experiencing pain that seems above and beyond what is typical for your body, do not suffer in silence. Your OBGYN may be able to provide you with answers. It is possible that you have developed a pregnancy-related condition that causes pain, but can be treated with therapy or medicinal options. Check out Vitals to find a physician like Dr. Gilbert Webb.
Watch Your Diet
Pregnancy is not a time to try out the latest fad diet. In fact, you need an extra couple hundred calories per day to accommodate the growth going on inside of you. However, that does not mean you should throw caution to the wind and eat whatever sounds good in the moment. Focus on foods that will keep your digestive system happy and pain free. Focus on foods that are high in fiber in order to escape the hemorrhoids and constipation that are all too common in pregnant women. You should also avoid foods that cause inflammation, such as processed sugars and fatty meats. These can cause inflammation in your joints, creating greater pressure on your body. However, they also contribute to heartburn, another common complaint in pregnant women.
Keep the Stress Low
Pregnancy can be a stressful time. While much of the stress is “good” stress related to the joys of parenthood, it can still take a toll on your health. Stress can cause mental pain in the form of anxiety and sleeplessness, but it can also manifest physically in the form of headaches, stomach issues and body pains. Keep the stress level to a minimum by taking time to relax each day. This could take the form of a warm bubble bath, a casual date night with your significant other, or shutting off your phone for an hour while you curl up with a good book. If these self-care methods are not sufficient to keep your stress at bay, bring up the situation with your OBGYN. There are medical and therapeutic options that are safe for mothers-to-be.
Above all, try to enjoy your pregnancy. It is over so quickly, and believe it or not, there will come a day when you miss the special time you had carrying your child. The pains will certainly disappear, but the memories you will make will last a lifetime.
