I’ve been asked lately about my top tips for a healthier pregnancy and thought I’d write a blog post about it in addition to answering emails about this;)

This is my fourth time going through pregnancy and I’m pretty sure I’m more health conscious than ever this time around!

During my first 2 pregnancies I was naive, I ate whatever I wanted and I didn’t think much about my diet, exercise, or the toxins I was exposing myself to.  I was young, I was invincible and I didn’t know much…

Fast  forward 8 years and I’m now pregnant with my fourth child and feeling a little older.  Managing a home, 3 kids, 2 part time jobs, building a business from home, supporting a husband who’s in school and all other things in life can really wear on you.  Since I’m not as young as I used to be, I’ve had to really put a lot of effort into taking care of myself during this pregnancy.  It hasn’t come as naturally as it did with my first!

I have 5 tips that I recommend for making any pregnancy, whether it is your first or tenth MORE healthy.

1. Drink LOTS Of Water: Yes, I know, you’ve heard this before.  But it’s worth repeating again.  Just water alone can increase your energy, circulation, excretion of toxins and so much more.  When you’re pregnant you need even more.  8 cups may not cut it, go for 10!
2. Sip Smoothies & Juices: Drinking green smoothies and fresh pressed juices are an excellent way to not only stay hydrated but also consume tons of vitamins and minerals so your body can digest them easily.  I haven’t been a huge fan of prenatal vitamins this time around because I haven’t been able to find one that agrees with my stomach, but we can do a lot for our body by providing nutrient dense foods.  When we eat junk we are robbing our body of important nutrients that you and your growing baby desperately need.  Smoothies are easy to make, and easy to bring with you in a nice portable cup with a screw on lid and straw.  Smoothies and juices are perfect for all types of diets too and a wonderful way to use up wilted greens, and fruits and veggies from your fridge.
3. Exercise: Exercise always used to be a priority for me until I became a mom.   I talked to my doctor at a recent appointment about starting an exercise routine in the middle of pregnancy and he said, “go for it!”  Your body uses all sorts of muscles during labor and when you exercise and tone your body through pregnancy you’re not only going to improve your mood during pregnancy but also tone muscles and make labor and recovery much easier.  It’s a win win!  I’ve recently purchased a few pregnancy DVD’s that I LOVE, pilates mostly, and I also ride a stationary bike a couple times a week. I’ll do a video soon and show you the videos and talk more about them.
4. Be In Bed 30 Minutes Earlier: Sleep is SO important, especially when you’re growing a baby inside of you!  Sometimes it’s difficult to fall or stay asleep, especially when you’re going through a particularly stressful period.  Make an effort to get to bed just 30 minutes earlier every night.  By the end of the week you’ll have an extra 3.5 hours of sleep and by the end of the month you’ll have an extra 15 hours of sleep!  Try to establish a routine before getting to bed, preferably one that doesn’t include electronics.  Instead you could read, which is my personal favorite, or take a shower, soak your feet in epsom salt and lavender oil or journal.  When you get more sleep you have much more energy to tackle all that a mom needs to get done in a day, as well as be able to do it with a more positive attitude:)
5. Eliminate Toxic Products: This has been a big focus for me this pregnancy.  During the end of my last pregnancy I remember standing in my shower, barefoot, scrubbing the walls to get everything clean before the new baby arrived and I was overwhelmed by the fumes.  I turned the label over to see that it said, “use in well-ventilated area,” and “do NOT use while pregnant!”  WHAT!?!  I couldn’t believe products like this were even allowed on the market.  Well, now I know better and have chosen better products that you can learn all about here.  Did you know that over 200 different chemicals have been found in a babies cord blood?  It’s crazy!  It’s true though, that what we put on our bodies seeps into our skin and can affect any part of our body, as well as a fetus.  Be mindful and read labels!

I hope these tips help you during your pregnancy.  Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with a lot of changes.  Support your body and take care of it with these simple tips!

What do you do to support your health during pregnancy, please share your awesome tips in the comments below.

To Healthier Living Inside & Out!

~Hannah