My Recommendations for an Enjoyable Pregnancy

The little black dress in my closet has been replaced by the not-so-little black dress for my middle. And you know what? I love it just as much.

I got this super cute Black Cold Shoulder Ruffle Hem Maternity Mermaid Dress from the Maternity Dresses section on  Pink Blush Maternity, and goodness…it’s gotten so much wear! The best thing about this cutie is that it’s meant to be worn before, during and AFTER pregnancy! That made me very excited, because so many maternity items can only be worn for a short time and saved for the next baby or given to friends. Not so with this dress. It’s been my go-to for work, church, and social parties. In fact, I just wore it to my dear friend’s bridal shower recently, which you can see here on my Instagram. It was super comfortable and I think was very pretty!

So, here’s my advice….even at NINE months pregnant and looking like a bomb waiting to explode, you can still look and feel lovely. Yes, it takes a little more effort that usual to do the full face of makeup, wear the heels, and put on a mermaid dress. But you’ll feel so much better about yourself when you look in the mirror!

Here are a few other tips that I feel have served me well all the way through 40 weeks:

1. Drink so much water that you feel like you will float away. I think the excessive amount of water I’ve been drinking this pregnancy is what kept me from swollen feet, ankles, and hands. I kept a Swell bottle with me at all times so I could drink ice cold water non-stop.
2. Dress the bump. Tight clothes are your friend, I promise. People like to see the belly, ask questions, and wish you well. Show it off!
3. Walk for 20 minutes a day towards the end if you aren’t able to do any other form of exercise (if allowed by your doctor, of course). I stopped doing my regular arm weights, cycling and squats, etc., but I have kept walking for 20 minutes a day. I’m close to 41 weeks pregnant, and I’ve maintained a weight gain between 25-30 pounds, even with minimal exercise this entire last trimester.
4. A warm bath with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils and epsom salts (again, check with your doc,) will take some pressure off your body when you start to feel ridiculously heavy. Feeling weightless in water is such a relief!
5. Push presents are a nice gesture. A “push present” is a relatively new tradition, where the dad-to-be gives the mother a token of love and appreciation for the gift of their child. Though this isn’t required, it definitely gives the mom something fun to look forward to and enjoy. My husband knew I’d been wanting a tennis bracelet for the past year, and he got me a beautiful yellow gold tennis bracelet as my push present that is a keepsake I will always treasure. It’s a sweet reminder of this time in my life and how well he has supported me through all the ups and downs of pregnancy. He planned an entire date day and evening, took me to a favorite restaurant of mine from college, and presented it to me with an incredibly thoughtful card. Some men wait until the hospital, and some give the gift beforehand. Either way, it can’t hurt to drop some hints or ask a friend to let your significant other know that there is something special you’d enjoy receiving. (By the way, I planned a special gift for my husband, too. I wanted him to know how important he’s been to me!)

I give birth on Monday, so I will be back next week with some updates!

Photography: S. Jackson 

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