Many pregnant women suffer through nine months of serious aches and pains, including sore lower backs, and aching, painful feet and joints. While some minor discomfort is to be expected during pregnancy as a result of all the dramatic changes your body is going through, you also don't have to accept severe aches and pains as an unavoidable part of pregnancy. By following these tips, you will be able to ease the most common aches and pains of pregnancy and feel much more comfortable:
Create a Diet and Exercise Plan
While rapid and dramatic weight gain is a natural and expected part of pregnancy, it's also the main contributor to many aches and pains during pregnancy. Your joints, muscles, and feet aren't used to accommodating so much weight and the results can be painful. Creating a diet and exercise plan with the help of your OB-GYN will ensure you get the nutrients you need, and maintain a safe exercise plan that will keep your weight gain to a healthy level.
Eating a diet rich in veggies, fruit, whole grains, and protein, and engaging in frequent exercise such as walking or swimming will give you more energy and help reduce inflammation and joint pain.
Try Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal yoga is great exercise, but it's also gentle enough to be safe throughout pregnancy and designed to specifically address the physical needs of expectant mothers. During a prenatal yoga class, you can expect to do plenty of stretches that are focused on easing pain and tension in the lower back, legs, and pelvis, leaving you feeling amazing and pain-free by the end of your class. Take note of some of your favorite prenatal yoga movements and incorporate them into a morning or evening relaxation routine to keep the benefits going after class is over.
Get Regular Massages
Like prenatal yoga, prenatal massages are designed with a pregnant woman's unique needs and discomforts in mind. A good massage will not only help relieve tension, stiffness, and soreness throughout your body, but will also trigger the release of endorphins. Since these hormones act as natural pain relievers and mood boosters, getting as much of them as possible during your pregnancy is a great idea.
Soak Your Feet
Ending each day with a warm foot bath will make your feet and lower legs feel much better. Follow your soak with some relaxation while elevating your feet, to further reduce pain and prevent swelling.
Pregnancy doesn't have to be painful. By following these tips, you will be able to get through the rest of your pregnancy as comfortably as possible.
Share