Touch Up Your Pregnancy Skincare Regimen

This is one topic I don’t do research on because I had both my boys in the 90s and things were different back then. I took my prenatal supplements regularly. While I can’t recall the names of these supplements, I do remember I applied ‘Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lotion’ to prevent stretch marks, and thankfully, it worked! I ate everything except for raw meat like sushi etc. Raw meats should be strictly avoided. This time, a special guest and my dear friend shares her beautiful pregnancy journey. Read on as she opens up about some interesting experiences that would resonate with most women in the pre-natal phase.

Now a mommy-to-be, I started off as a fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger. I’m all of 30, and well, I feel a lot younger! I’ve always been passionate about fashion and so, looking and feeling my best is of utmost importance.

What I want to say out loud is that pregnancy mustn’t change any of that. Gone are the days when you let go of yourself during those nine months. There’s a lot out there for pregnant women now and there isn’t an excuse to be shabby.

During pregnancy, our hormones play havoc with all aspects of the body, especially the skin. Some women experience severe acne, pigmentation, and dryness, but luckily for me, the odd bout of breakout is all I’ve experienced so far. Having said that, I do pay attention to my skincare regime, diet and exercise, all of which play a major role in skin appearance.

My MUST-HAVE pregnancy skincare kit includes:

• Q10 Collagen Cleansing Milk
• Innisfree White Pore Facial Cleanser
• Dior Hydra Life Serum
• Dior Hydra Life Moisturiser

All these products are safe and are suited for acne-pone skin. These help maintain my skin’s condition, but what works for me, may not necessarily work for you. It’s only after a lot of research and testing that I have zeroed in on these products.

Aside from these store products, I generously apply Sandalwood and Rose Water face packs, fresh Aloe Vera gel and drink at least three litres of water daily. This is great for your skin and your baby as all the nutrients you ingest reach your child through water.

As any doctor would tell you, prenatal supplements are the holy grail of pregnancy and provide nutrients that may otherwise not get absorbed through your diet. My gynaecologist has recommended taking calcium tablets, omega 3 (with DHA), iron supplements, folic acid and vitamin D sachets twice a month. Please don’t take any of these without supervision and consultation.

A lot of pregnant women talk about sleeplessness, all thanks to pregnancy hormones yet again. Then there are vivid dreams and the constant tossing and turning. But there’s not much you can do about it. Something that has definitely helped me is cutting out liquid intake after 7pm. This way I don’t wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, which is a huge plus.

No pregnancy post is complete without the mention of a pregnancy diet. Pregnancy is no excuse to binge eat or limitlessly indulge in desserts, carbs or gigantic meals. A balanced diet with the right amounts of carbs, fresh fruits and vegetables and protein is what you should aim for. You don’t need to consume full fat milk or refined sugars, or anything of the sort. Eat like you normally would. Just up your intake of nutritious and fresh food.

Here’s how my typical day’s meals look like:

Breakfast- oats/porridge with skimmed milk or sprouts and a cup of tea

Mid Morning – a fruit

Lunch – Two sabzis, a bowl of daal, and one chapatti

Evening snack – Any form of protein and a fruit

Dinner – Soup, sautéed veggies and a salad

While I didn’t get the opportunity to work out during my pregnancy due to prescribed bed rest, prenatal yoga, light walks and minimal weight training are highly recommended. Keep moving is the mantra. This helps during your delivery too – prevents both mother and child from a multitude of health problems during and after pregnancy.

Finally, my biggest piece of advice – inner happiness is what’s MOST important at this time. Find time for yourself, de-stress and don’t sweat out on petty stuff. Don’t let your hormones get to you as you’ll end up only hurting yourself and your baby.

Feel good to look good!