It’s almost hard to believe that just a couple of generations ago, pregnancy was considered a condition and a delicate one at that. Women were thought of as wilting flowers during this time, secreted away and ‘handled’ as if made of porcelain and while that might sound romantic, we think we much prefer the modern-day equivalent.
Today’s pregnant women go jogging along the beach, take yoga and work all while juggling the challenges of pregnancy and day-to-day life.
Now, we love that women are taking control of their own lives and choosing how to navigate the avenues of pregnancy and childbirth, but there are a few things that want you to be aware of and to remember while undertaking this most precious of journeys.
DIET AND NUTRITION
As with everything else in life, the foundation of a good diet is essential and none more so than during your pregnancy. It’s a good idea to follow the advice of your healthcare team, but also pay attention to the cravings that you’re going to experience, as these could offer vital bits of information about what you may be missing, nutrition-wise.
STAYING FIT AND EXERCISING
This is a bit of a double-edged sword in that if you are already a fitness buff, then there is no reason why you can’t continue with your exercise regimes during your pregnancy, but take care to adjust the intensity of your workouts accordingly. If you’re a bit of a couch potato, it’s still a good idea to exercise and stay fit during your pregnancy, but it’s not a good idea to start a new fitness program that is challenging beyond what you’re used to. Discuss any new programs or changes to your fitness regime with your doctor.
SLEEP MATTERS
If ever you’ve been given a get out of jail free card for random naps and long, lazy mornings in bed – it’s now. Sleep is a marvelous tool that repairs your body, regenerates systems, and resets your brain. If you’re someone that experiences high levels of anxiety, depression, or stress then it’s an even better idea to get your foot off the pedal and take as much rest and sleep as you can.
STAY AS NATURAL AS POSSIBLE
Along with maintaining a decent diet comes the added requirement of knowing what you’re eating. We mean that in the literal sense. Pregnancy is as good a time as any to rediscover your relationship with food and the type of ingredients you’re consuming. You want to keep them as organic and fresh as possible and stay away from sugars and artificial flavoring as much as possible.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY
Your body will tell you exactly what it needs when it needs it – so take the time to get to know yourself. How does your body feel at different times of the day? When are you at your most tired or energized? What feels right and what doesn’t? If you’re feeling a little misaligned or you know that you have alignment issues already, you may want to consider a pregnancy chiropractor.
Pregnancy is an exciting and thrilling time for a woman, so enjoy every moment and stay as healthy, fit, and strong as you can so that you can get the best out of and offer the best in return to your body during pregnancy.
