Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

Exercise

For a pregnant woman, walking and swimming each week is a wonderful way to go! Joining a ‘pregnancy’ yoga class will encourage a strong and supple body, ready for the challenges of birth and motherhood. If there is not a suitable class in your area, the book Natural Pregnancy by Janet Balaskas1 has a good daily yoga routine to follow each morning, including easy- to-read diagrams. Pregnancy yoga DVDs are also available for home use, see the resource section at www.skiptomylouparenting.com

The importance of exercise during pregnancy is confirmed by Pinky McKay in her book Parenting by Heart:

Walking and swimming regularly in the last stages of pregnancy encourage your body to produce more of the hormone relaxin, which helps ligaments stretch during pre-labour.[1]

Exercise is an important factor in achieving a natural, active birth.

Pelvic floor exercises

Exercising your pelvic floor muscles is an important work out too. This can prevent incontinence and a prolapsed womb in very severe cases. The pelvic floor exercise is simple: as you urinate, stop the flow mid-stream and then let go again. At the end, tighten all the muscle in one long squeeze. Do this once to understand the process and then only off the toilet – it is not good to do this long term. Now you know how it works, try pelvic floor exercises at the traffic lights and other times of the day (not on the toilet). Repeat five squeezes, around three times a day that should do the trick!

Emotional responsibility

Dr Bruce H Lipton’s DVD Nature, Nurture and the Power of Love[2], includes a ground breaking scene that has been set up between two parents, whilst their baby is growing in the womb. The fetus’s response is being recorded by an ultra sound machine. The scene unfolds: the mother and father have an argument and shout at each other. The fetus is seen to physically jump and jolt, without a doubt, responding and feeling the negative outburst in the mother’s physical and emotional body.

This is a clear scientific example of how a pregnant woman’s emotions affect her growing fetus. It indicates that the mother’s feelings are shared with her baby. This is a very positive and empowering finding. It explains the necessity to take the time to really relax, connect to and love your ‘womb’ baby. Your baby will definitely sense the love! Practice ‘positive thinking’ in life.

Create time each day for loving communication with your baby. Try taking a bath, rubbing and talking to your baby in your belly; let other loved ones talk to and stroke the baby inside your womb. In quiet, undisturbed moments mediate on your baby. Before sleeping and after waking, greet your baby with love in your heart. Connect to your pregnant body with joy and wonder (it is a marvel!). Be creative with this; essentially just remember to connect to your growing baby in the womb and enjoy your pregnant life-giving body.

Rhythm

Are you honouring this sacred time by getting enough rest and sleep? If this is your first child, a restful nap after work and a sleep in on the weekend will greatly benefit your restful rhythm. If this is your second or so child, can you take a nap in the afternoon, when your children rest, and get to bed early? A slower rhythm to your life will help to sustain your energy for the adventures ahead. Pregnant women are not helpless, but it would be nice if society honoured them a little more. Honour and spoil yourself during this sacred time.

Food choices

Look up ‘Healthy Eating During Pregnancy’.

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[1] McKay, Pinky; Parenting by heart. Lothian Books, Melbourne, 2001, pg.15

[2] Lipton, Dr. Bruce; Nature, Nurture and the Power of Love: The Biology of Conscious Parenting, DVD. 2002, Mountain of Love Productions, USA. www.brucelipton.com