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Pamper yourself

A week of ways to indulge your pregnant body

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Originally published in Today's Parent April 2001

Some women absolutely love pregnancy, and pregnancy loves them right back. Their skin glows, they're full of energy, they're the picture of health. Others feel nauseated and exhausted right up to the day they deliver. The rest of us fall somewhere in between, sometimes feeling full of wonder and energy, other times feeling the very real demands of the new life growing inside us. But no matter how you experience pregnancy, pampering yourself is a must: It lifts your spirits and restores your energy, and there's no question that those benefits are passed right on to your growing baby. Here are a week of ways to do just that.

Monday: Have a massage
If you need a reason to have a massage, here's one: It feels great. "Massage fits well with pregnancy," comments Edith Dellandrea, a Toronto registered massage therapist (RMT) who works with pregnant women. "It helps to optimize the blood and lymphatic circulation, and it relieves muscle spasms caused by postural stress. It also helps us relax, which is 'a key tool for labour,'" comments Langley, BC doula and childbirth educator Jalana Grant. If you can't visit an RMT, ask your partner to lend a hand. Get an aromatherapeutic massage lotion (Body Shop has a few), a quiet room and a loving pair of hands. And then relax.

Tuesday: Get a haircut
Pregnancy doesn't have to be an endless bad hair day. If your mass of curly locks has suddenly gone straight, or vice versa, a good cut can be a great pick-me-up. "I love getting my hair cut, even when I'm not pregnant," remarks Diana Wilhelm, a Waterloo, Ontario mother of three who was expecting her fourth child any day at the time of writing. She likes to have her hair cut in the last month of pregnancy and has changed the style three out of four times. "It reminds me that even at 40-something pounds heavier, I can still feel pretty." But, resist that spur of the moment flight into the discount cutters; make an appointment with your tried-and-true stylist who knows what works for you.

Wednesday: Take a nap
If a nap seems like an indulgence to you, think again. During pregnancy, your body is working hard to sustain and nourish a new life, so plenty of rest is as important as good nutrition. "Consider napping a gift to your growing baby," says Grant. Napping now, says Toronto midwife, Kathi Duncan, can also help form a habit you'll need later. "You need to sleep when that baby's sleeping for those first few weeks," she counsels. "Even though you may think that it's a good idea, it can be hard to learn if you're not used to it." If you just can't drift off, she suggests a warm bath and a snack. "Even lying down to relax can rejuvenate you."

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