Self Care before baby

A new life will be joining your house soon. You are currently its home-its everything. Somehow, even though this life could not exist with out you, you forget to care for you. You prepare a nursery, wash, fold, and hang clothes, you make purchases and prepare all the rooms. But do you take time to care for you? It is important to do some self care. 1) You are important, really you are! 2) You will have a lot of people visiting, be taking a lot of pictures you deserve to look back and like the way you look. 3) The time out of the house (or in if that is better suited for you–but maybe its alone time) will allow you to relax, reflect, and reboot.

Hair

I try to schedule a hair appointment (for me this is a cut, color, and highlight) 4 weeks before the due date. This is right before maternity photos, will not be too grown out for hospital/newborn photos, should be before you actually have the baby so you aren’t cutting it too close, and is 2.5 hours of chatting and laughing with my amazing hair dresser.

Feet

I try to schedule a pedicure for before labor. Your feet are up in stirrups, you have weekly appointments and then have labor and delivery. It is time alone, and it can really help sore swollen feet. Careful of the ankles if you are not ready to go into labor–there are two locations in the ankles that can induce labor. If you are ready and its safe, have them go crazy on your ankles!

Hands

I am not personally a manicure person. I am a nail biter so I never feel that my hand are worth spending the money on. That being said, I do take the time to paint (or in this case I just discovered ColorStreet nails). Taking some time alone to do my nails was nice change of pace. They also looked great in my maternity photos. I will need to do them again for Labor and delivery most likely.

Massage

During pregnancy muscles move where they never were before. Joints are loosening. Muscles are bearing more weight and changing the angle you used to use. A massage can be nice, quiet time away to soothe those aches and pains. Be sure to get someone who knows what they are doing and the pressure points to avoid. I didn’t fit in one this time, but I do have a certificate for a massage I plan on using postpartum!

Mom Date

If you can arrange it, go on a mom date! Find a friend to dress up and go out with. Even better, go do one of these above mentioned with a mom friend. The time away, the talking, the friendship will do good for your soul.

Significant Other Date

Even if you are not first time parents, your world is still about to turn upside down. You are getting a new life, a whole new person in your home. Talk names, talk nursery, arrange schedules. Daydream, be practical, just be together. Intimacy is hard after baby comes because of the lack of sleep, a child always touching you, and more. Take the time when you can to enjoy each other.

Maternity Photos

If photos are your thing, take maternity photos. You get to dress up, you get to feel pretty in this foreign body. You get to remember this time in your life and the time when the baby was on the inside. You can remember those last moments your life was this way, because when baby is here the dynamic will change. You will feel beautiful highlighting how awesome YOU are for being you and for being the vessel for this amazing new child coming soon!

You may not be into all of these. You may not be able to get them done professionally, do them at home or with a friend. The point is to take time to make you special because you are! You are growing life and that alone is something that should be celebrated and rewarded.