Pregnancy Beauty Tips

Your delighted that your pregnant but are you really ready for the body changes that come with it? 

I know I certainly wasn't, despite the obvious you put on weight, your boobs become huge, your back, hips and skin have a mind of their own too. I have been lucky to escape the pregnancy acne and additional facial hair that comes with some pregnancies. But I definitely got the short straw on the sickness front (6 -20 weeks) and hip pain (22 weeks onwards). 

So what are my top tips for pregnancy pampering and relaxation?

1. Sleep when you can and make sure you get your eight hours of sleep:

I've been awful at following my own advice here so learn from my mistakes. In the early days of pregnancy you will feel really tired and fall asleep at any given opportunity. Go with it your body is busy making a baby after all, rest when you can and definitely go to bed early to get at least eight hours sleep. 

At sixteen weeks of pregnancy you will have developed a love hate relationship with sleep. You will frequently need the loo, you can develop sinus pain, leg cramps and if your baby is anything like Yaya, night time means party time. Yes this is the time when Yaya becomes most active, just when I'm settling down to go to sleep (or try at least). 

Top tips for this stage of pregnancy are make sure you wind down to bed and try having a warm bath. I have been loving the Verbena Foaming Bath from L'Occitane £20. It has a wonderfully soothing lemony smell and is absolutely divine. 

When in bed sleep on your left side, you will find this most comfortable, use a pillow behind your back to try and stop you rolling on your back. Having a pillow between your knees will also help your hips and pelvis. Consider investing in a pregnancy pillow this was the best thing that I did, I just wish that I had done it sooner. 

2. Your pregnant not ill: 

This was what my midwife said to me at my first appointment and at the time I thought what a stupid thing to say. But it is true. It is very easy to stop doing all the things that you love and that make you happy. 

Just because you are pregnant does not mean you get to eat for two, be weighted on hand and foot and stop doing any exercise. Exercise not only makes you feel better but it is great for baby too, pregnancy yoga is a brilliant way to relax too. 

3. Stretch marks: 

Most women dread this and will do anything to not develop them. To be honest I was quite relaxed about this, I see them as a sign that you've had a baby, almost a badge of honour. 

But that said from day one I did use body oil. The following two are ones I have been loving.

Elemis Spa at Home - Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend (£34)

This was the first oil that I used in early pregnancy, as it has such a light fragrance it was perfect for not setting off the sickness when rubbing it in. 

It's the perfect oil for keeping my skin moisturised and is very easily absorbed in my skin. My only negative is that the dispensing applicator is really slow. 

As my pregnancy has developed and the sickness has eased, I have used the Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil £40.

The first thing to share about this oil is the smell which is divine, like a botanical garden, rich with hazelnut oil. I have been applying once a day at night after a bath and so far I have no stretch marks. It is easily absorbed, has evened out my skin tone and improved the texture of my skin. 

Both oils are also perfect to add a few drops to your nails in later pregnancy to perk them up. 

4.Pamper yourself:

Take some extra time for yourself. The Sanctuary Spa has a wonderful ultimate retreat hat box for mums to be £18. 

The box is filled with wonderful luxurious relaxing bath and body goodies. Perfect pampering for the mum to be.  

The cooling leg and foot gel has been wonderful when I have been on my feet all day.

The tips shared above are perfect for mums to be but also great pampering and relaxation tips for anyone. It is important however when pregnant that you look at the ingredients of any products to check that they are suitable for your skin and that you can use them. For more information have a look here.  

What are your perfect beauty tips to relax and unwind? Do you have any mum to be pearls of wisdom to share with me?