Pregnant but already wondering how your pre-baby body will ever return? A bit of effort during pregnancy can prepare your body for the changes ahead and help you get back into shape after birth.
Minimise stretch marks
Stretch marks are a form of scarring on the lower layer of the skin, which can get torn as your skin stretches during pregnancy.
What you can do
Genes and hormones influence whether you get stretch marks but regular moisturising gives you the best chance of avoiding them. Also eat sunflower seeds for zinc, silica and vitamin E to reinforce your skin’s collagen.
“Pregnancy stretches your skin, so you must keep it as supple as possible,” says anti-ageing expert Dr Daniel Sister.
Sian Sutherland, co-founder of pregnancy skincare company Mama Mio, agrees and advocates products containing the essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega 3, 6 and 9, which are vital for skin health. “If your diet isn’t rich in EFAs from foods such as oily fish, your levels can drop during pregnancy, as you’re sharing nutrients with your baby,” says Sian.
Prevent saggy boobs
Your pregnancy cleavage can come at a price, as the reduction in volume (which, sadly, nearly always happens) can leave your boobs looking saggy.
What you can do
Regular moisturising can help prevent sagging but for extra boob-boosting potential, it’s suggested using products that contain CoQ10 helps. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant helps prevent collagen degradation, and collagen is the ‘net’ that holds skin up and keeps it firm.
Expert Tip
After you’ve had a baby, things don’t go back to how they were, but the stronger your pelvic floor muscles are before birth, the better the chances of recovery.
Rosemary Lillie, physiotherapist and director of the West Wimbledon Physiotherapy Clinic
You should also wear a well-fitting bra to support your breasts and stop the skin and ligaments from stretching. It’s important to switch to a maternity bra
as soon as your usual bra feels uncomfortable and you should get measured every trimester. Also, opt for wide straps, deep sides and an under-bust band for the best support, and avoid underwired bras as they may restrict your milk ducts.
Strengthen your pelvic floor
Your pelvic floor muscles are the ones you’d use to stop your pee mid flow (but don’t actually do this, it’s bad for your bladder). While helping to hold everything in place (including your growing baby), your pelvic floor muscles are also under increased strain thanks to the hormone relaxin, which softens your ligaments and muscles ready for birth.
Worrying that you’re going to lose control of your bladder and wet yourself if you laugh is no joke – incontinence isn’t much fun!
What you can do
Try small pelvic floor exercises every day in the run up to the birth. They’re good for anyone to try so they won’t do you any harm even early on in pregnancy. If you are unsure you are getting them right, as your midwife for guidance.
Mums’ stories
“I slept in a bra”
“The best item I bought was a night-time maternity bra. It gave me lots of support and made me feel much more comfortable in bed. Two pregnancies later, I’ve no stretch marks and escaped droopy boobs!”
Wendy, 35, mum to Lila, 3, and Danny, 1
“I made sure my skin felt good”
“I used Avent Moisturising Light Oil, which smelt lovely. Looking after my skin helped get it ready to stretch.”
Mia, 29, mum to Sian, 9, Will, 2
“I love my pelvic floor exerciser”
“Since Ethan was born I’ve been using a pelvic floor exerciser every day – it’s made a big difference.”
Nina Harris, mum to Megan, 10, Mia, 5 and Ethan, 8 months
