How do you encourage yourself during pregnancy?
Do you cheer yourself on when you’re feeling tired? How do you reward yourself?
Pregnancy can be physically and emotionally exhausting, so it’s important to be gentle with yourself. Your body is working hard to grow a new life, and that deserves recognition.
Use positive self-talk to lift your mood:
- I’m doing my best today.
- My baby is growing because of my care.
- Just a few days and it will pass
- Reward yourself with small moments of comfort. A warm bath, a quiet walk, reading a few pages of a good book, or just enjoying favorite snack can go a long way. Taking care of your mental and emotional health is a big part of taking care of your baby.
Body changes at week 25
Your uterus is now about the size of a soccer ball, and you can feel the top of it halfway between your belly button and your sternum.
As your breasts and belly stretch, it’s common to experience itching, so try these measures:
- Use oatmeal baths
- Moisturize your skin constantly
- Wear loose, soft clothing to relieve it
But if the itching becomes severe or appears with a rash, contact your doctor; it could be a sign of cholestasis, a liver condition that needs attention.
Indigestion is also common during pregnancy. It happens partly because progesterone relaxes the valve between the stomach and esophagus, allowing acid to move upward, causing heartburn. To manage it:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoid spicy, fatty, or acidic foods
- Don’t lie down immediately after eating
If you haven’t felt your baby move in a while and need reassurance:
- Drink a glass of juice
- Play music
- Ask your partner to give you a gentle foot or belly rub
These may wake your baby, and you might feel a few reassuring kicks
If you feel like your heart is racing or fluttering, let your doctor know. It’s often harmless and caused by pregnancy-related changes in blood volume and hormones, but it’s still worth mentioning at your next appointment.
Some pregnant women may also develop restless leg syndrome, a tingling or crawling sensation in the legs, especially at night, with an irresistible urge to move them. Moving often helps relieve it.
Possible causes include:
- Iron or folate deficiency
- Hormonal changes
- Changes in blood circulation
Talk to your doctor about checking your iron levels. You can also try:
- Avoid caffeine and smoking.
- Taking iron, calcium, or magnesium supplements (only if prescribed).
- Walking or light exercise.
- Using massage or warm baths.
- Avoid staying in bed until you’re ready to sleep.
- Doing gentle stretching or yoga.
- Eating bananas.
- Relaxing with music.
- Some women even find that orgasms help them relax and fall asleep more easily.
Improve your sleep quality through:
- Getting enough rest is essential.
- Try gentle stretching or prenatal yoga.
- Drink most of your water earlier in the day to reduce nighttime bathroom visits.
- Wear comfortable pajamas.
- Creating a consistent, soothing bedtime routine can help you fall asleep. faster and sleep more deeply.
- Read or listen to calming music in a quiet space.
- Take a warm shower or bath before bed.
Antibiotics During Pregnancy
If you become ill and your doctor prescribes antibiotics, rest assured that some are safe to use, such as:
- Penicillin
- Cephalosporins
- Clindamycin
Never take leftover antibiotics or medication from previous illnesses without checking with your doctor first.