But if you need some tips on how to pamper yourself during this precious \u201cme time,\u201d we\u2019ve got you covered. We put together this post with all of the different things we did during our pregnancies to help us feel better and get through all of pregnancy\u2019s not-so-fun side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ll even talk about our favorite products for pregnancy symptoms<\/a> so you can easily shop for skincare and other goodies to pamper yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be more specific, we\u2019ll cover…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re pregnant, all the advice you get from parents, friends, and siblings are about the baby. You\u2019re prepping for the baby, buying things for the baby, eating for the baby, listening to classical music for the baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So the first thing that needs to happen is to remind yourself that you<\/em> matter for the baby. The baby is growing inside your body, so having a healthy body, keeping stress hormones low, eating well, being relaxed, all do<\/em> help the baby, by helping you first. So make space for \u201cme time\u201d. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n But one mistake some newly pregnant moms make is to try to change everything<\/em> about their self-care routine. Trying to incorporate a whole new self-care routine usually doesn\u2019t work out well and ends up creating stress. There\u2019s really no need to change your routine too much during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, you might want to do things like swap your skincare for pregnancy-safe products<\/a> and start looking into preparing for a baby<\/a>, but going as far as uprooting your entire routine isn\u2019t productive. Your body is already going through a million and one changes during pregnancy, switching up your whole routine might just be enough to throw you into total shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So instead, stick to doing what you normally enjoy, and make sure you\u2019re making space for \u201cme time.\u201d Commit to the obligation of taking care of yourself, using the ideas we\u2019re going to discuss throughout this post \u2014 organized by trimester of pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s start with the first trimester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first trimester of pregnancy can be really overwhelming; just the fact of finding out you’re pregnant can be a lot to take in \u2014 life\u2019s about to majorly change! For many first time mamas, pregnancy can seem scary or confusing at first. But it doesn\u2019t have to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the main things you can do to ease your stress and focus on celebrating this happy time include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any doc will tell you you need a prenatal vitamin<\/a> to support a healthy pregnancy. Without one, mama can suffer nutritional deficiencies causing baby to become more susceptible to birth defects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend our Bump Boxes prenatal vitamins<\/a> since they\u2019re specially formulated with the right levels of all of the necessary vitamins and minerals that mama needs during her pregnancy \u2014 like folic acid, calcium, and zinc. Our prenatal vitamins are made without<\/em> any of the fillers or additives found in other vitamin options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It might come as a surprise, but the normal soaps, skincare, and spa products we use contain chemicals that aren\u2019t safe for pregnant mamas or babies. Researching all of these chemicals and reading product labels can become exhausting, though. So we created our skincare line containing nothing but clean, organic products to totally pamper mom from head to toe without putting her or her baby at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We made sure to include products in our Glow Organics line that would help mom get through some of pregnancy\u2019s challenges, like hormonal acne and back pains, too. Some of our go-to\u2019s from the Glow Organics line are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The general rule of thumb is to wait until you\u2019re out of the first trimester to announce pregnancy<\/a>; however, a lot of moms need a support system during these early weeks, and we aren\u2019t ones to discourage mama from relying on family and friends to help her through this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of holding yourself to some \u201cpregnancy announcing rule,\u201d we suggest doing things on your<\/em> terms by announcing to who<\/strong> you feel comfortable with, when<\/strong> you feel comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following a balanced diet and drinking a good amount of water each day can make you feel better, in general, but eating healthier and increasing your water intake during pregnancy can give you peace of mind knowing you\u2019re doing better for your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if changes are slight, taking small steps to lead a healthier lifestyle should help you feel good mentally and physically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most expecting mamas feel the need to stock up on a bunch of different pregnancy products in anticipation of symptoms that don\u2019t even exist yet \u2014 like buying 12 different morning sickness remedies before they feel a hint of nausea. While, yes, you should certainly prepare yourself for these possible side effects, you\u2019re better off shopping as symptoms develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you wake up queasy in the morning, you\u2019ll want to find a few good products to fight off morning sickness. We recommend anti-nausea lozenges like Preggie Pop Drops<\/a> and acupressure wristbands including No Mo Nausea\u2019s Natural Morning Sickness Relief Band<\/a>, but you can also check out our other guide on getting rid of morning sickness for more product options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, if you suffer from pregnancy migraines, are sensitive to smells, or notice you\u2019re breaking out, you\u2019ll want to shop for natural headache remedies, avoid scented pregnancy goodies, and look into OB\/GYN-approved anti-acne products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the second trimester, some of the initial pregnancy side effects subside and moms begin to feel more comfortable in their (still-changing) bodies. For the most part, all moms have to work around is their growing baby belly and the potential for stretch marks and back pains during these weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mom may also feel sluggish and tired as baby does some serious growing inside her belly, so doing things to keep energy levels up can help mama not feel so \u201cblah\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of our tips for coping with second trimester pregnancy symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pampering yourself during pregnancy<\/a> is a must. Even if you can only squeeze in a spa night every other week, it\u2019s good to take time for yourself every now and then. Maybe treat yourself to a mani and pedicure. Or, run a warm bath, grab a good book (or squeeze in a few minutes of peace and quiet), and just destress. Most expecting moms make more time for relaxing when aches and pains arise, but you can sometimes prevent discomfort by using muscle soaks preemptively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we mentioned above, we sell a variety of pamper products and muscle soaks on our site, but for quick reference, we suggest our Glow Organics Relax Body Soak<\/a> and Balance Foot Soak<\/a> to relieve pregnancy back pains<\/a> and other aches, and our other ultra-good-smelling Glow Organics products<\/a> to upgrade mom\u2019s soaking experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prenatal massages are an excellent way to target hard-to-get-rid-of back pains and help mom-to-be feel better and more relaxed. You can book these through specialized prenatal massage therapists, but many chiropractors and wellness centers offer these massages, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re unsure of who to visit in your local area, we suggest talking with your healthcare provider or obstetrician, as they\u2019ll be able to point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mamas are prone to stretch marks while their bellies grow, and while these lines don\u2019t actually pose any health risk, they can be itchy and bothersome to a lot of women. Keeping the skin hydrated with belly butter, oil, and cream can reverse the appearance of these lines and mitigate some of the burning and itchiness that come along with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which is best for stretch marks: butter, oil, or cream? The answer differs for different people. They all have nourishing ingredients and can effectively get rid of lines. Butters and oils usually have a greasier formula, but some creams can feel too thick. To strike a good balance, we suggest moms try a mix of a few products instead of limiting themselves to just one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Personally, we recommend our Glow Organics Belly Butter<\/a>, Love Lines Stretch Mark & Scar Balm<\/a>, and Promise Defense + Repair Bump Oil<\/a>\u00a0because they\u2019re made with safe ingredients, and actually work to get rid of pregnancy stretch marks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exercising isn\u2019t usually on the top of mom\u2019s to-do list when she\u2019s battling aches and pains, but exercising releases feel-good hormones that can improve mom\u2019s mood and help her feel better inside and out. If a full-on aerobics class seems like too much, a prenatal yoga class is a good place to start. Yoga is low-impact, stress-reducing, and most importantly, gets mom\u2019s body moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, moms can also benefit from taking a few minutes to do gentle stretches in the morning or before bed. Since many gyms and workout studios are closed due to COVID, at-home workouts have become more and more popular, and many apps have guided exercises mama can try right in the comfort of her home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This may seem corny, but nothing beats some good old fashioned sunlight and fresh air when you\u2019re feeling crappy. And there\u2019s real science behind that<\/a> \u2014 a healthy dose of sunlight can kickstart serotonin production, improve your mood, and diminish daytime fatigue. Take 15 minutes to go walk outside, or if it\u2019s cold, a quick walk to the mailbox can suffice. Getting up and out of the house gives you a change of scenery and lets you enjoy a little bit of nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many mamas find it difficult to get comfortable sleep with a growing belly and aching body, but maternity pillows can help! When Mariah was pregnant, she used her body pillow every night to fall asleep easier and wake up without discomforts. Pregnancy body pillows come in all different shapes and sizes, including J-, C-, and U-shaped options, but are all designed to support the baby bump and promote better sleeping postures. With a little reinforcement for the belly and back, moms can better battle the aches and pains of pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When shopping for maternity pillows, we suggest PharMeDoc\u2019s Pregnancy Pillow<\/a> because it wraps around the entire body and is super soft and cushioning. (Plus, it\u2019s Amazon\u2019s best selling maternity pillow, so it\u2019s an easy choice.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belly bands will be mama-to-be\u2019s best friend while her baby bump continues to grow. These elastic waistbands offer heavy-duty support to keep mom\u2019s belly lifted so her back muscles don\u2019t have to do all the work. Not only do belly bands alleviate back pains, but they also help to relieve pelvic floor pains and other discomforts that come with a growing belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When shopping for belly bands, we suggest choosing the KeaBabies Maternity Support Belt<\/a>. It offers really strong support and is made with breathable mesh fabric so it doesn\u2019t get hot, itchy, or uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to buying a good maternity support belt, we also recommend moms buy a belly belt so they can continue wearing their normal clothes for longer. Belly belts are different from belly bands \u2014 belly belts, like this one on our website from Love Your Bump<\/a>, are just pieces of fabric that connect to mom\u2019s jeans (or skirts or other pants) to work as another button. These let mama\u2019s bottoms stretch around her baby bump comfortably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re into the third trimester, the final countdown to baby begins! At this point, mama\u2019s due date is right around the corner, so naturally, anxiety about labor can kick in. The best way to ease mom\u2019s worries about the big day is to prepare her way ahead of time and focus on cherishing this exciting part of pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And of course, mama\u2019s should continue with regular pamper nights, muscle soaks, and other relaxing things she\u2019s been doing thus far to manage stress and take care of herself during pregnancy. Don\u2019t drop good habits!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s talk about the best things to do before mom\u2019s due date to help her unwind and prepare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Set yourself up a month or so ahead of time<\/strong> with a \u201cdelivery day\u201d bag containing all the essentials for labor \u2014 waiting until the last minute to do this creates unneeded stress and isn\u2019t the best idea since babies and due dates can be unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside mom\u2019s \u201cdelivery day\u201d bag, she should have a labor gown, non-slip socks, comfy lounge clothes, goodies for baby, and breastfeeding supplies. It also doesn\u2019t hurt to buy and pack a postpartum kit with things like postpartum underwear and perineal pads to help mom start feeling better ASAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our favorite goodies for mom\u2019s \u201cdelivery day\u201d bag include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For new mamas, these are the last few weeks it\u2019s just her and partner; and for parents with kiddos already, this is the time to dote on your children before a new baby comes into the mix. Take time during the third trimester to plan family activities together, like a Sunday dinner or a movie night, to chill out and relax as normal before the big day. Not only will these promote family bonding, but they\u2019ll also help to distract mama from worrying too much about her and baby\u2019s big day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pampering and pregnancy self care can get put on the back burner when mamas have other things to juggle, such as booking prenatal doctor visits, meeting their day-to-day responsibilities with work, maintaining a household, eating healthy and preparing meals, being a loving partner and parent, and so on \u2014 when so many other things demand mom\u2019s attention, it can be hard to enjoy \u201cme time\u201d. And that\u2019s exactly why we developed our pregnancy subscription box, so we can treat mama and make sure she has that extra dose of feel-good support!<\/p>\n\n\n\n With our pregnancy pamper kit, we set mom up with all of the goods she needs to feel better each and every month, so shopping for pamper goods is one less thing she has to worry about. We even ship our pregnancy gift boxes right to mom\u2019s front door so she doesn\u2019t have to leave the house to shop for pregnancy products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pregnancy Self-Care Starts with Making Space for \u201cMe Time\u201d, but Don\u2019t Change Your Whole Routine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Early Pregnancy Self Care Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Starting on a Good Prenatal Vitamin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Bump](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Prenatal-Vitamins-for-Pregnancy.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nInvesting in Pregnancy-Safe Skincare<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pregnancy](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pregnancy-Safe-Skincare.jpeg\")
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Confiding in Your Pregnancy Support System and Announcing Your Pregnancy as You Feel Appropriate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pregnancy](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pregnancy-Announcement-Sign-scaled-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nChanging up Diet (If You\u2019re Not Already Eating Healthy and Drinking a Lot of Water)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Healthy](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Healthy-Pregnancy-Diet-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nListening to Your Body When Combating Early Pregnancy Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/pregnancy-self-care-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSecond Trimester Self Care Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Treat Yourself to Regular Spa Nights and Muscle Soaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/pregnancy-self-care-2.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBook a Prenatal Massage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/pregnancy-self-care-3.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nUse Stretch Mark Creams Religiously<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Stretch](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Stretch-Mark-Creams-for-Pregnancy.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDo Gentle Stretches before Bed or Try Prenatal Yoga Classes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/pregnancy-self-care-4.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nGet Some Fresh Air<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/pregnancy-self-care-5.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBuy a Comfy Pregnancy Pillow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pregnancy-Pillow-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nInvest in a Good Belly Band<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belly-Bands-for-Pregnancy.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSelf Care Tips for the Third Trimester and Preparing for Labor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pack a Delivery Day Bag<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Delivery](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Delivery-Day-Bag.jpeg\")
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Schedule Family Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/pregnancy-self-care-6.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDon\u2019t Worry! Bump Boxes Specializes in Pregnancy Self Care from First Trimester to Delivery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pregnancy-self-care.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/When-to-announce-pregnancy-min.png\")
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