3 Simple Steps to Prenatal Care

Hello pregnancy! A stage of life that brings more of everything in 9 (ahem, 10) months than at any other point in our lives.

Are-we-right?

Well, Thank goodness, all pregnancies are not created equal. A Snuggle Mama on their second pregnancy initially had a hard time brushing off the nightmares that surrounded their first experience but, thankfully, reports that it has been nothing like her first!

Staying very active this time around (working out 5 days a week with a mix of mid-high intensity cardio 3 times a week, and weight training the other 2), she acknowledges some body aches, but none of which compare to her first. Midwives attributed all this to an active lifestyle and the support system that surrounds it: good nutrition, body posture throughout the pregnancy, and a positive attitude.

Lets talk about the pregnancy Support System we hold partially accountable for this smooth pregnancy thus far, and actionable steps you can take to feeling better during this time.

Good Nutrition

During pregnancy, we're setting not only our own selves up when we eat healthily, but our babies too. It's important to consider the food we're putting in our bellies for the little baby that's growing in there too. Our Snuggle Mama shares what her daily meals often look like:

• 8:30am - Chocolate almond milk oatmeal with vanilla yogurt, peanut butter and chia seed. It’s like dessert for breakfast, we swear! Followed by Prenatal Ease (Vitamin 1 of 2). 
• 9:00am – COFFEE! First pregnancy we wouldn’t dare, this pregnancy we wouldn’t dare not. 
• 10:30am – Veggie & fruit smoothie, with kefir, almond milk, flax seed and veggie protein powder. 
• 12:30pm – A hearty salad accompanied by spelt or whole wheat toast, a protein (meat or egg), and dairy (either a yellow or cottage cheese). We’ll sometimes throw the protein on the toast as well as the yellow cheese, with a couple of slices of tomato, mushrooms and onion and toast it to all in its glory. Healthy pizza toast. Nom nom. 
• 2:45pm – Fresh veggies or fruit.
• 4:45pm – Nutty snack (cashews, almonds, whatever we're craving) 
• 6:00pm – Homemade dinner. This obviously ranges daily, but always consists of veggies, a protein and a carb. Followed by Prenatal Ease (Vitamin 2 of 2) 
• 8:30pm – Cereal (our cereal cravings are at an all-time high), or chocolate (Halloween really had this out of control), or sometimes ice cream or chips, fruits, or really, whatever we're craving at that hour (because life is all about balance)

Although you may have mostly checked off all of your vitamin boxes through nutrition, sticking to our favourite prenatals, Prenatal Ease, ensures both baby and you are getting 100% of every vitamin needed daily.

What’s really cool about them is that they’re segregated per trimester (as well as offer preconception and post pregnancy options as well) – One size does not fit all with these prenatals. You take two daily, so they don’t overwhelm your digestive system with a one-time daily hit. 

What we love about Prenatal Ease is that they’re made in Richmond, BC (yay for local!), and they truly do use the best quality ingredients in their vitamins (even their fish oils are derived from the lowest contaminant fish on the market). They are also recognized by The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure superior quality, and are fully licensed by Canada’s Natural Health Product Directorate (NHPD).

All in all, if you want something super reputable in the prenatal market that is easy to swallow, free of gluten, lactose and artificial colours, and is vegetarian friendly, Prenatal Ease is a clear winner.

Body Posture

Our Snuggle Mama developed Diastasis Recti with her first pregnancy, and was still on the road to recovery when she got pregnant this time around. Diastasis Recti is abdominal separation of the rectus abdominis muscle, and it’s no fun. Many women suffer from it without even knowing so as it’s not always talked about with physicians. 

Do you look 6 months pregnant a year post birth? If so, do the Diastasis Recti test. If you have a 2+ finger separation, book a Physiotherapist appointment now! They can set up exercises and breathing techniques designed just for you. As recommended by midwives, she worked with a Physiotherapist that specializes in Pelvic Floor and Diastasis Recti her entire pregnancy. She highly recommended wearing a belly band, not only to alleviate extra weight on her already damaged abs, but to ease back pain and help me with my posture. 

We love the Upsie Belly support by Belly Bandit. A market staple, this belly band company has been around and earned it’s ranking in the pregnancy world. The soft fabric is luxury and so gentle on your growing tummy – made of bamboo from viscose. The band is very stretchy and adjusts perfectly as you grow, and to top it off, the band includes a hot/cold pack (for those achy back days).

Other perks that we love on the Upsie Belly are that it minimizes stretch marks, helps relieve bladder discomfort (as baby grows, the struggle gets real), and offers hip support. The icing on the cake with the Upsie Belly is that it also transitions into a post birth belly band, to help your tummy recover quicker post-birth, aids in better posture when carrying around baby, and offers backache relief for when baby needs to be held 24 hours a day.

Check out our conversation with Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Aliya Dhalla, on Episode 03 - Pushing, Poop & Your Postpartum Body of our podcast, 40 Weeks to Forever!

Positive Attitude

Last but not least, a positive attitude ‘never hurt nobody’. Really focusing on being mindful of our bodies, listening to it at all times of day, pushing it when we know it’s asking to be challenged, and nourishing it with the best of the best. Being mindful of YOU is just as important as minding for your baby.

If you’re pregnant and find yourself in a bit of a funk, may we suggest taking some time for yourself, meditating, or going on a walk and clearing your head.