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Pregnancy is one of the most unique and rewarding experiences you will go through. Your body is housing and helping your little baby to grow and develop well, which is a great honor. But, one can’t negate the fact that pregnancy can also be difficult. As time goes by your body goes through several changes, some of which alter you physically. Besides having a larger stomach, you may also have stretch marks, skin hyperpigmentation, random bumps, flare ups and saggy breasts. It can be hard to look in the mirror and realize that this new body is yours. But, there are ways in which you can celebrate all the new changes coming your way. After all, you should be proud of your body for all the amazing things it undergoes with ease. So, if you’re wondering how you can feel more confident and beautiful in your pregnancy body, this is the article for you. Read on to know more.
1. Stay Active
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It’s easy to feel bloated, fat and a little groggy if you haven’t gotten off the couch for a while. And although rest is important, so is moving about giving your body a bit of exercise. Growing a baby can weigh you down and make you feel heavier and bigger than you really are. One way to make yourself feel lighter and learn how to function in your growing body is to walk around for a few minutes or do some light exercise to feel like yourself again. You could try pregnancy yoga or continue jogging if that’s what you did before you were pregnant. This will leave you feeling energized and bring your awareness back to the way your body moves. And this way you are less likely to feel like a stranger in your own body. Exercising is also a good way to ease various unpleasant pregnancy symptoms you may be facing, like back pain or constipation. So it’s a win-win situation!
2. Update Your Wardrobe With A Few Pregnancy Friendly Pieces
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Most of the time, it’s not being able to fit into your favorite pair of jeans or a cute dress that can be a bumper when you’re pregnant. But hey, why not see it as a new shopping opportunity. Not all pregnancy clothes are frilly and girly, nowadays there’s a wide range of maternity wear for you to choose from, no matter your aesthetic. Besides, you don’t have to shop in the maternity section. You can size up on clothes you’d usually pick up for yourself or just buy something stretchy. Being pregnant doesn’t mean that you need to give up on your sense of style.
If you’re looking for more comfortable options to help support your growing body, then you can always get yourself a few staples. A maternity bra is soft but firm enough to support your enlarged breasts without hurting them. You can also get yourself a wrap dress for a formal occasion as it won’t squeeze your belly. Try to get your hands on some maternity jeans or pants as you can build several outfits around them. These jeans come with elastic side panels and supportive tummy panels to help you feel confident and comfy every day.
3. Pamper Your Skin
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The effect of pregnancy hormones are unpredictable to say the least. Sometimes it can leave a woman with glowing skin and other times it can bring on the worst case of acne or blemishes they’ve ever seen. This is why it’s important to give extra care to your skin throughout your pregnancy. Thankfully nowadays many skincare products are safe for the use of pregnant women. So, you can invest in serums and creams to help your skin feel and look better. However, it is always better to consult a dermatologist before starting any treatment on your skin. Your skin may also be more sensitive to sunlight and discoloration at this time. So be sure to use a good sunscreen before you step out. Also invest in a good moisturizer for your face and your body. Well hydrated skin is less likely to crack and bleed. You can even find sheet marks for your growing belly if you want to pay closer attention to the constantly stretching skin in that area. You can also try oils in order to minimize stretch marks.
4. Prioritize Sleep
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They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing. With the exhaustion and aches and pains you will deal with, it’s important to nap often and rest up. This may very well be your last chance to catch up on some sleep before your baby arrives and keeps you up all night long. So, enjoy it while it lasts!
Pregnancy can be hard on the body, and for a while you may find it hard to recognize yourself. But there are ways that you can feel beautiful and strong in your changing body. Be kind and patient with yourself, growing a baby is a huge undertaking!
