Pregnancy is a magical time that can also bring many physical challenges. Pregnancy discomfort can range from back and hip pain during pregnancy to trouble sleeping and many things in between! The great news is that you can create your own pregnancy pamper kit for the ultimate in self-care during pregnancy. If you’re wondering how to feel better during pregnancy or want to put together a ‘mum to be’ pamper set for a friend, check out these top ideas.
Before we do, if you’re pregnant at the moment, make sure you grab my FREE pregnancy yoga postures pdf. It’s a great way to honor and nurture your body throughout pregnancy. Add it to your pregnancy pamper kit!
(This post includes affiliate links for which I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase)
Products to ease pregnancy pains
It has been estimated that around 50% of women will experience lower back pain during the pre or post-natal period. This is quite a staggering statistic – if you have experienced pre or post-natal back pain, then you are not alone! As the center of gravity shifts, postural changes in the body can significantly contribute to increased pain and discomfort. It’s also common to experience pain in the hip area and other muscles and joints in the body. Achy tired feet may also be a regular complaint.
You can reduce the severity of your pregnancy aches and pains in several ways. Some ideas include:
- Regular, appropriate exercise such as walking, swimming, stretching, and modified Pilates and Yoga
- Working with a qualified therapist who has experience working with pregnant women. Examples include an osteopath, physiotherapist, massage therapist, or acupuncturist
- Avoiding lifting heavy loads and using appropriate posture and technique for lifting, sitting, and changing position
- Ensuring a gradual and appropriate level of weight gain throughout pregnancy
- Using specific products to help keep pregnancy pains at bay
Here are some top ideas for your pregnancy pamper kit if you want to keep aches and pains at bay.
Pregnancy support belt
A maternity support belt can help provide pregnancy back support. When worn during activities, it may help decrease lower back and pelvic floor pain in pregnant women. Note that it won’t fix the underlying dysfunction. However, it can be very useful to allow you to participate in a wider variety of physical activities and activities of daily living.
It can help encourage correct posture and assist in preventing over-extension of the spine. Pregnancy support belts may also be known as pregnancy “belly bands,” and they work best if used in conjunction with the ideas outlined in the previous section (e.g., appropriate exercises and techniques for daily living).
Invest in a maternity pillow
Sleep can be disruptive at various stages during pregnancy. As you head closer to the later stages of pregnancy, you may find it impossible to get a decent night’s sleep. Hip and back pain can cause many women to wake frequently throughout the night and need to change position. This is not to mention the regular bathroom breaks that often frequent the night hours during pregnancy!
A maternity pillow is one that has been designed specifically to help a pregnant woman rest and sleep more comfortably. They can be a worthwhile investment beyond the prenatal period as many women continue to use theirs into the post natal period and beyond.
There are many different maternity pillow shapes to choose from. If you’re looking for the best pregnancy body pillow it’s probably a matter of personal preference as to what will be the best addition to your pregnancy pamper kit. Maternity pillows can come in many different shapes ranging from a wedge to a U, C, or J shape or a straight full-length pillow.
A popular choice is the Boppy pregnancy pillow, which is available in various shapes.
At-home oil massage
You may not always have the luxury of seeing a massage therapist specializing in pregnancy. But you can try your own relaxation massage at home using a nourishing oil. Even better, see if your partner is up for the task! An oil massage during pregnancy can help to ease tight muscles and backaches. It can also help you to feel relaxed and less anxious.
You mustn’t assume you can add essential oils to your pregnancy massage oil. Some may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Therefore, a qualified aromatherapist should blend any essential oils for pregnancy. You also need to understand when massage is best avoided during pregnancy.
The best oils for massage during pregnancy include base oils such as jojoba, almond, coconut, and olive oil. You can add essential oils, if desired, under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
Use a heating pad
It’s a simple and cheap product, but its effects can go a long way. For muscle aches and pains, and lower back pain, a heating pad can be an excellent option for relief.
The Top Prenatal vitamins for your pregnancy pamper kit
Pregnancy is an important time to consider taking a multivitamin, and you should always choose one specific to a pregnant woman’s needs. Growing a baby is a big deal; the baby will happily take what he or she needs from mom’s supplies! This can result in lower-than-optimal nutrient levels in a mom’s body when she needs it most.
If you have any pregnancy complications or health issues, it’s best to check with your primary healthcare practitioner regarding the best natural prenatal vitamins for your specific needs. Similarly, if you’re taking any medication, the potential interaction with the medication and any vitamins you choose to take must be considered.
There are many options on the market. Choose certified organic prenatal vitamins if you can so that you know synthetic chemicals have been avoided. If you’re looking for the best organic prenatal vitamins, Garden of Life does a great raw, organic prenatal blend.
Before we move onto products for your own pregnancy pamper day at home, understand that appropriate, safe exercise is also a great way to look after your body and stay fit and healthy during pregnancy. If you’ll after a safe pregnancy workout you can do at home, grab my FREE pregnancy workout pdf. (It’s just four exercises – add it to your pregnancy pamper kit now!).
Have your own pregnancy spa day at home
As is the case for pregnancy massages, it’s not always possible to head out to the spa to pamper yourself while pregnant! Anyway, you might feel like staying closer to home in the later stages of your pregnancy. Therefore, you can pamper yourself by adding these home spa essentials to your pregnancy pamper kit. By the way, you can enjoy these for a long time after your pregnancy!
A foot spa at home is a fantastic way to pamper yourself without leaving home. And I don’t know about you, but I find that my skin gets quite dry in the later stages of pregnancy. So, a couple of great products that will help lock in moisture will go a long way. Here are a few of my favorite home spa pamper products…
Postpartum pampering?
Ok, so you probably know that life is about to get just that little bit fuller! You may think you’ll have little time to look after your own needs after the baby is born. However, there are several things you can do to feel better that don’t take up a lot of time. Consider purchasing a Bellefit postpartum girdle to help with diastasis recti recovery, posture, and confidence after the birth.
Get it while you’re pregnant so you’re all set to go after the birth. I wore mine every day for six weeks, from two weeks postpartum. You can read about my experience of wearing a postnatal girdle and also get a sneak peek into these self-care tips for new moms.
What items are you adding to your ‘mum-to-be’ gifts pamper kit? How does your pregnancy self-care pamper kit look? What have you found to be the most useful items for pregnancy self-care? I’d love to know, so please feel free to leave a comment in the box below:-)
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