Pregnancy is an exciting, yet stressful time filled with overwhelming hormones, unusual sleep patterns and often some questionable cravings.
Best sleeping positions
For those of us who love falling asleep on our tummy, the growing belly makes it evermore inconvenient to find the perfect sleeping position. When the other factors come into play such as back pain, heartburn, shortness of breath, and insomnia it becomes increasingly more difficult to find a comfortable resting position.
Sleeping positions to avoid, is on your back
This can cause problems with backaches, breathing, the digestive system, haemorrhoids, low blood pressure and cause a decrease in circulation to your heart and your baby.
Sleeping on your stomach
When you are farther along in your pregnancy, your abdomen undergoes physical changes and makes it more difficult for you to lay on your stomach. The perfect sleeping position for your growing baby is sleeping on your left side as this will increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby.
When experiencing heartburn or shortness of breath you should pile up the pillows beneath your upper body, while back pain problems can be solved by placing a pillow beneath your abdomen.
Alternatively, your new best friend might be the pregnancy pillow, created specifically to provide the extra support your body needs and can be used as a feeding cushion after your baby has arrived!
Stress solutions
Your ankles are swollen, you’re running to the bathroom every five minutes, and you can’t find a comfortable position in which to sleep. Yep, you’re pregnant, and most likely, you’re also feeling, well, just a tad stressed out.
This is not simply an inconvenience, but it is also unhealthy for both you and the baby. The most important thing is to have support from friends and family during this time, focus on yourself and make sure that you are taking care of yourself with the correct prenatal vitamins your body requires.
Don’t stress out about stress
It’s normal to feel stressed, especially during these turbulent times. But look at what’s causing your stress and take whatever practical steps you can to address those things that you can control.
Avoid negative responses to stress
Some of the things we do to deal with stress only compound the problem. Unhealthy ways of coping with stress include withdrawing from people, sleeping to escape problems, skipping meals, or eating junk food.
Schedule time for yourself
Many women have a difficult time saying no to everyone else’s requests. This is the time to be selfish. Schedule regular leisure time for yourself to do those things that help you relax. Exercise, meditation, massage therapy, deep breathing exercises, even reading a book or listening to soothing music can be relaxing.
Apps for pregnant moms
The phrase that comes to mind is “There’s an app for that” and it’s true. There is an app for almost anything you can think of. Technology is amazing and we should be taking full advantage of it.
The other benefit of using these apps is that most of them are completely free and give a ton of useful information. Simply go to your app store and browse the selection of pregnancy apps available. (Always look at reviews before downloading an app).
The most important thing to remember during your pregnancy is that you’re a superhero! You’re growing a whole human inside of your belly. When the time comes to deliver your beautiful little bundle of joy it will all be worth it.
