There are few times in a woman’s life when she experiences as much physical and emotional challenges as during pregnancy. Not only does being pregnant cause major changes in her body, but the hormonal changes can make her pregnancy feel like a 9-month roller coaster ride. Why not take some time to get away from the stress and really pamper yourself both physically and emotionally during your pregnancy? Here are some creative ways to do just that!

Take a Prenatal Yoga Class

Not only is prenatal exercise great to reduce the discomforts of pregnancy, but prenatal yoga also provides a number of other benefits. The deep abdominal breathing exercises used during prenatal yoga are perfect to also use during labor. Not to mention prenatal yoga provides effective stretching and toning of muscle groups that are needed during labor and birth. It is best to look for a prenatal yoga class that is taught by someone who is certified in prenatal yoga.

Spend the Day at the Salon

If you are looking for one of the best ways to pamper yourself during pregnancy, one of the top ways to do that is to enjoy a day at the salon. Many full service salons today offer gift packages where you can select from a number of spa treatments for a half-day or a full day. Treatments include facials, manicures, pedicures, massages, laser hair removal and the like. This is also a great suggestion for friends and family if they are interested in giving you a unique baby shower gift.

Pamper Yourself in Pregnancy with a Pedicure!

It is a good idea to be cautious about getting hair treatments during pregnancy. As it turns out, there are still questions about the safety of hair highlights and dyes used on expectant moms. While testing has been done for many years on various hair products, what we do know is that temporary hair dyes cause the most risk. However, it is nearly impossible to test every ingredient in every hair treatment product used in salons today. Therefore, expectant moms should try to avoid hair treatments that include the use of highlights and dyes during pregnancy.

Meet a Friend for Lunch Once a Week

Most women enjoy connecting with other close female friends on a regular basis, whether they are expecting a baby or not. But often the activities during pregnancy such as preparations for baby’s arrival, taking classes, going to prenatal appointments and shopping for baby items can sometimes take priority over spending time with friends.

The truth is that once your baby does arrive, connecting with close friends will be a rare luxury at least for the first few months. Why not pamper yourself now during pregnancy by meeting one or several friends for lunch every week? Or, if finances are tight, a cup of tea or coffee with a good friend works just as well.

Take Advantage of Travel Deals

Taking a vacation or even planning a weekend getaway is also nearly impossible for the first several months after your baby is born. So you might consider using the time in the middle of your pregnancy between months 4 and 6 (when you are likely feeling the best!) to take advantage of some great online travel deals to plan an escape for a few days with your husband.

Plan a Vacation to Pamper Yourself in Pregnancy

You can find great travel deals online on websites such as Travelocity.com and Expedia.com. Not to mention if you join various online discount clubs such as Groupon.com and LivingSocialEscapes.com, special travel deals can be sent directly to your email. It is not unusual to find that these sites offer travel deals that will save you 50% or more on hotel and resort costs. Many of these discounted member clubs also offer discounts from local businesses that can save you money during pregnancy such as salons, restaurants, athletic clubs and even furniture stores. Be sure to check the expiration dates so that you don’t miss out on booking your vacation or saving money on other services within the time allowed on the  coupons!

Pampering Yourself Baby Shower Gift Ideas

If you want to really pamper yourself during pregnancy, why not ask for some fun and unique baby shower gifts instead of getting more diaper bags and receiving blankets? Here are a few fun baby shower gift ideas that are sure to pamper the expectant mom:

Choose Your Best Relaxation Techniques

Not everyone relaxes in the same way. For some moms, relaxation means curling up with a good book. A few moms-to-be might need daily quiet time or prayer in order to let go of their stress and start their day more relaxed. Some women relax best when they are busy doing something like baking or taking a walk. Still others find window shopping to be relaxing. Relaxation definitely does not always mean you are sitting still or not moving your body!

During pregnancy, why not explore what YOU like to do that helps you relax? Once you discover one or more of those relaxing activities, then definitely make time to do at least one activity just for relaxation every day of your pregnancy.

Swim During Pregnancy

Swimming is one of the hands-down best forms of physical activity during pregnancy. Swimming can help cool mom’s tired muscles, it lifts the weight of the baby off her back and pelvic floor and it reduces the stress on her joints and ligaments. Research even shows that swimming during pregnancy can reduce the amount of pain medication needed during labor!

So if you don’t have a pool, find a friend or join a gym that has one. If you have not tried swimming during your pregnancy, you owe it to yourself to discover how wonderful it really is!

Find or Build a Support Group

Having a baby can create a sense of isolation for new moms. You are stuck in the house with little sleep and your baby needs you 24-7 for many weeks at a time. While daily outings might be hard at first, it will be important for new mothers to have “people to see and places to go” several times a week to maintain sanity.

It might not seem like an amazing way to pamper yourself during pregnancy, but building a support network can make all the difference to you once your baby comes. Community centers, organizations that offer MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers), La Leche League can be a godsend for new mommies. If you have few options in your area, use the months during pregnancy to start a support group for new mothers!

Start Journaling to Your Baby

Many times we think of pampering ourselves in terms of physical comforts. Yet we seldom realize that women also need to pamper ourselves emotionally. Pregnancy is often a time of deep reflection. What will your baby grow up to become? What will he/she look like? What kind of mother do you want to be? Journaling, whether you use it just for personal thoughts, dreams and ideas or whether you share your ideas with another is a great way to pamper your emotions during pregnancy. Best yet, hardcover journals are available for about $5 at just about every bookstore or office supply store!

Connect with Your Mother

It doesn’t take long for expectant mothers to have a desire to either connect or re-connect with their own mothers when they are expecting a baby. Getting answers to questions like “What was childbirth like?” or “How did you get through the postpartum period?” seem important to a woman expecting her first baby. If it is a second or later baby, it can be helpful to have perspective from a woman who has juggled the demands of taking care of her home as well as multiple little ones all at once. Why not take advantage of the knowledge and wisdom from your own mother about her mothering experiences?

Connect with Your Mother During Pregnancy

If your own mother is no longer living or you are estranged from her, often times you could find an older woman to serve as a mother figure such as an aunt, neighbor or a woman from your church.  You will need support from these older women in your life to help mentor you through the challenges of motherhood ahead.

Preparing for motherhood is full of emotional and physical highs and lows. Being healthy during pregnancy is not just about eating the right foods and getting regular exercise. As it turns out, our desire to connect with close family and friends and find ways to relax physically and emotionally may be just as crucial for all women preparing for motherhood.