Countdown to delivery'Pamper me' health & beauty tips to help you enjoy each trimester. Pregnancy can be very tiring as your baby grows and gains weight, your body may start telling you to slow down, relax and spoil yourself. So here are some simple health and beauty tips to help soothe you during the countdown to D-Day!
First trimesterAccept help for tirednessNothing beats plenty of rest to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul but during the first trimester you may feel particularly tired. Extra help from your partner, relatives or friends should not be dismissed! Don't put on a brave face, it's your turn to be looked after and focus all your energy on growing a healthy baby. Aromatherapy for headachesHeadaches can be difficult to manage during pregnancy and many mothers may chose not to take paracetamol but look for an alternative way to relieve the pain. At the first hint of a headache or migraine, Aromatherapist Nicky Sadler recommends 'adding one drop of Peppermint and one drop of Lavender essential oil to a teaspoon of carrier oil. Put a little on your fingers and bring them to your temples. Drop your elbows, relax your shoulders and gently massage your temples, using small circular movements being careful to avoid the eye area. You can also massage the nape of your neck. Manage morning sicknessSea-Band® is a simple device consisting of an elasticated wristband with a plastic button on the inside. Worn on the wrist, the band exerts pressure on the acupressure point known as Pericardium 6 (P6), which controls nausea. Stimulation of this point can relieve morning sickness during pregnancy. Sea-Band has been approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration, US) as an effective device for the relief of nausea. Sea-Band® is an entirely drug-free, safe alternative to an over-the-counter remedy. Available from Boots and Lloyds pharmacy priced around £7.99. For more ways to manage morning sickness click here. Second trimesterFoot reliefGetting in to work and back can be tiring and as your bump begins to grow and weight gain progresses, you may find your feet baring the brunt of that extra weight, becoming tired and sore. Try Finders Foot Care Cream a soothing treatment for feet, which reduces soreness and prevents excessive perspiration. £18.60 for 100mls. For further information visit www.findershealth.com Soothe stretch marks
Exercise for energySwimming can be one of the most relaxing and comfortable forms of exercise during pregnancy. If tiredness getting you down, a little exercise may also help boost energy levels. Always consult your doctor before taking up a new exercise plan, especially when pregnant. To find out more about exercising in pregnancy click here. Third trimesterTime outYou will have little time to yourself after your baby arrives so why not book a pre-pregnancy pampering day at a spa? There are lots of spas now offering mums-to-be a great day out - read our reviews in So spa so good. For instance the Pamper Me Pre-Natal Treatment package at Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa (Northamptonshire) is a great place to relax and invite some girlfriends to join you in a day of pampering combined with a baby shower. The Pamper Me Pre-Natal day package includes an E'Spa pre-natal treatment which has been designed to aid relaxation and tonicity of the skin during this special time using calendula-infused oil, various muds and creams and advanced massage techniques to safe areas leaving skin tones and you totally relaxed. Also included is a luxurious Jessica manicure and pedicure. £150 per person. Refresh tired eyesDisturbed night's sleep can be a problem before delivery as your little one grows stronger, and kicks harder throughout the night leaving you with tired, puffy eyes. Time to invest in Natura Bissé Stimul-Eye Active Gel - a seaweed treatment to revitalise the eyes whilst smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, erasing signs of fatigue, and diminishing puffiness and dark circles. Available from Harrods, Fenwick of Bond Street and Harvey Nichols (Manchester) priced £40.00 for 30ml tube. Perfect pins and bikini bareEither book a professional treatment or buy a DIY leg, underarm and ... bikini wax 2 to 3 weeks before your due date, to ensure you look your best even if your baby makes an early appearance! Try Veet's range of cold wax hair removal products available from Boots. Where to next?
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Your
bump will be quite noticeable, and as it increases in size you may want
to moisturise to help minimise stretch marks. Try Finders Mineralising
Body Lotion, a mineral rich lotion which instantly penetrates the skin
and works quickly to moisturize large areas of skin. Priced £11.99 for
200mls, recommended for use after bathing or showering. For further information
visit 
Or
try the Avent Indulgent Body Creme, made from shea butter, papaya oil
and marine extracts, harvested off the Breton coast to help improve your
skin’s ‘stretchability’ and combat stretch marks.This non-greasy,
massage cream is available for around £6 from Boots, John Lewis,
Safeway and independent chemists.
