You’re pregnant - congratulations! Here begins an incredibly exciting time in your life. Of course it’s not all going to be easy, or even exactly what you expect (what in life is?) but one thing’s for sure, during your pregnancy you will experience unique changes in both your body and mind.

Carrying a baby is the most natural thing in the world and while your body seems to know what to do instinctively, your mind sometimes needs to catch up. So, try and make the time to relax and be still every day, even if it’s just for a few moments.

Look out for our suggestions under ‘something just for mum’ throughout this site. Each one is designed to make the most of whatever time you might have. A simple stretch with your eyes closed, a soak in the bath or a short walk can all give you a much-needed boost. Remember you’re doing the most important job in the world so don’t forget to pay attention to you.

With so many changes taking place inside you at this time, it’s normal to feel a storm of changing emotions, questions and anxieties. When to tell friends and family? How to cope with common problems? Will it hurt? Will life ever be the same again? Luckily there’s usually something to be found in the natural world that can offer some kind of comfort and relief. Lavender, Calendula, Chamomile, Almond and Sesame Oil may prove loyal friends in the coming months plus we’ll be here to help care for you and your baby naturally as we’ve done for generations.

1st Trimester (0-3 months)

Back to Baby & You >

1st Trimester (0-3 months)

Early days

It’s all so new. Thinking about a new arrival is exciting and distracting, but the first 3 months often come with tiredness and nausea - particularly hard to deal with if you’re still trying to keep it a secret until after the 12 week period.

Your sense of self and your priorities are changing too as you make space in your body for someone else.

• Diet and exercise during pregnancy (as recommended by Sharon Trotter).

Diet during pregnancy: eat a balanced diet that is rich in folates (folic acid or vitamin B should be taken three months before and three months into your pregnancy), fresh fruit and vegetables (these will contain vitamins and minerals plus a natural source of fibre) and avoid processed foods which are more likely to contain higher levels of salt, pesticides and preservatives. Do not smoke or take any drugs unless prescribed by your GP. Avoid alcohol, high caffeine drinks (tea, coffee and certain fizzy sodas) and care must be taken when eating soft cheeses and shell fish.

For more detailed information on what to eat during pregnancy go to the Food Standards Agency website.

Exercise during pregnancy: there is no reason why you should not continue to exercise during pregnancy as long as you don’t take up a sport or exercise routine that is completely new to you. Yoga, if you practiced this before pregnancy, is perfectly safe but you may wish to take things easy in the early months of pregnancy. Listen to your instincts and if you are tired or your body is telling you to rest then do exactly that. Inform your instructor that you are pregnant in order that the exercise routine is made appropriate for your needs. Sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe. If you have a history of miscarriage then you may wish to seek advice, especially in the early months.

• You may be feeling sick

Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal and won’t stop your baby developing nicely. It’s more unpleasant for you. Try dry crackers with honey in the mornings, to help line your stomach. And have them ready by your bed so that you don’t even have to get up for them. Ginger tea can also help ease nausea.

• You may be feeling tired and/or dreamy

As your baby takes up position inside you and your body adjusts, it’s only natural that you will feel tired and less able to concentrate. Life goes on, of course, but try to rest when you can. And don’t worry, most women feel their energy levels go up again in the 2nd trimester.

Products that may help:

Blackthorn Elixir – stimulating, refreshing and fortifying during this demanding phase

Sea Buckthorn Reviving Bodycare – nourishing and naturally rich in Vitamin C

back to top

• You may have noticed changes to your skin.

It’s the hormones. This is a vulnerable time for your skin, reflecting just how much your body is going through. Take comfort from the thought that, as with the sickness, things usually calm down after 3 months or so.

Products that may help:

For stretchmarks, try:

Stretch Mark Massage Oil has been specially developed, in conjunction with doctors and midwives, to help prevent and reduce the appearance of stretchmarks. It can be used throughout pregnancy and recommended for up to 3 months after birth. Read more >

Calendula Oil where a rich combination of almond, jojoba and wheatgerm oils, plus an extract of arnica improve the firmness of the skin.

For sensitive skin, try:

Almond Range – unperfumed, naturally mild and hydrating, for your everyday facial routine

Baby Skincare Range – soothing treats for your body

Calendula and Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner – a kind and gentle natural double-act for sensitive scalps.

For tired skin, try:

Wild Rose Range – supports the natural regeneration of the skin and provides extra vitality.

The Wild Rose Intensive Facial Oil is particularly effective as it combines Musk Rose oil with Evening Primrose oil, gentle Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil and protective Peach Oil – just try it every evening for two weeks.

For pigment changes:

Don’t worry if you’re one of the many women to develop little patches of darker skin on your face. Keep up a gentle skin care routine, and try to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun. The patches will gradually fade away after the birth as your hormones return to normal.

• You may also have noticed your sense of taste and smell becoming more acute, a feeling of restlessness in your legs, or changes to your hair and how emotional you may feel.

Rest, routine, healthy food and gentle exercise will all help you through and help you to stay focused on all the positives.

back to top

2nd Trimester (3-6 months)

Your growing bump

Soon you may be loving your little bump and finding that the worst symptoms of tiredness and nausea have gone away. You’re no longer carrying an embryo, but a perfectly formed baby.

Now’s the time to take good care of both of you. Keep active and enjoy preparing for the demands of the final few months and the birth itself.

• You may be feeling energetic – great if you’ve got a nursery to get ready, but don’t overdo it.

• You may be feeling a different shape – your tummy is likely to be noticeably bigger now which might be putting a strain on your skin (and your back!) so take care.

Products that may help:

For stretchmarks, try: Stretch Mark Massage Oil where a combination of the rich natural oils and gentle massage improves the elasticity of your skin. Pay attention to your breasts, tummy, hips, thighs and buttocks.

For itchy skin, try: Weleda Baby Calendula Lotion to soothe skin and keep it supple.

• Your legs and feet may feel tired

They might be protesting at the extra weight you’re asking them to carry. Increased circulation to your growing baby can mean that your legs and feet suffer but there’s a lot you can do to look after them.

Products that may help:

Foot Balm – cooling, refreshing and revitalising with lavender and sweet orange oil. Spend a bit of time massaging it in if you can to help boost circulation too.

back to top

3rd Trimester (6-9 months)

The final stretch

Nearly there. If you’re feeling big, clumsy and just want to fast forward to birth, remember that your body still has a lot of adjustments to make.

Your big bump may feel quite inconvenient – particularly trying to get comfortable at night especially as the ligaments in your joints, particularly your pelvis, become looser in preparation for the birth. Invest in a few more pillows of different sizes to prop yourself in a comfortable position, they’ll be useful after the birth when feeding too.

And as your baby takes up more and more space inside, your lungs and stomach may feel the pinch with indigestion, feeling very full and breathlessness the unwelcome yet temporary result.

• Your legs, ankles and feet may be troubling you

As blood struggles to defy gravity on its upward journey, your legs may certainly feel the pressure. Aching feet, swollen ankles, varicose veins, cramping calves and restless legs are something you may experience in the last few months.

If you can, lie down with your feet up – preferably with them raised higher than your heart - for a little while each day.

• You may have indigestion or heartburn

Your stomach has been well and truly sidelined by your baby. There’s not much room for a hearty meal so eating little and often is usually the best solution. You may also find that your diaphragm is forcing stomach acid upwards, which can be really irritating and uncomfortable.

A few raw hazelnuts or raw oat flakes can help to control the acidic taste, and it helps to sit up as straight as possible. At night, try an extra pillow to raise you up a little.

• You may be restless at night

Body and mind can gang up on you at night. It’s hard to get comfortable and stay that way, and you may lie awake with your thoughts racing.

If worries keep you awake, try writing them down to stop you mulling over the same things the following night.

Less coffee makes sense too - herbal teas are a good alternative but avoid peppermint, as it can act as a stimulant.

A relaxing soak helps too, but avoid very hot baths or showers that are also stimulating. 37 degrees, or lukewarm, is what the midwives recommend.

• Your gums may be bleeding

Yes, it’s the hormones again - causing inflammation and sensitivity. Continue to clean your teeth thoroughly but avoid sugary drinks and snacks, which encourage more build up of plaque.

Products that may help:

Naturally astringent Ratanhia Toothpaste and Medicinal Gargle is excellent for strengthening for gums, with refreshing spearmint and peppermint.

• You may have greasy hair

As most women have heard about thick, glossy pregnancy hair, this can be a hugely disappointing side effect. Blame progesterone for sending your scalp’s natural oils into overdrive.

Products that may help:

Lemon Balm and Orange Blossom Shampoo – contains soothing organic lemon balm for its relaxing and cleansing effects, which calms and soothes the scalp, helping the supply of nutrients to the hair follicles leaving hair more manageable and with more body, perfect for normal to oily hair.

back to top

• You may have swollen hands and feet

Quite often, cutting down on your salt intake can solve this problem but see your midwife as it can be a symptom of pre-eclampsia which is more serious.

• You may have haemorrhoids

Poor you. This can be such an uncomfortable problem but it affects 1 in 10 pregnant women, so you are not alone. Avoiding constipation is helpful so that you don’t strain to go to the loo - plenty of water, raw fruits and wholegrains, plus regular light exercise can do the trick.

• You will almost certainly be preparing for the birth itself

Giving birth is an amazing, individual experience: but there’s a good reason for calling it labour! Preparing your body for what lies ahead gives you more chance to focus on the wonderful aspects of what is happening.

Products to pack, ready for birth and immediately afterwards:

Calendula Oil – a sweet almond oil base with essential oils of chamomile, lavender, orange and rosemary, this lovely product is great to help improve the elasticity of your skin

Blackthorn Elixir – fruity, refreshing, sloe berries help revive you after the tiring effort of giving birth.

Your newborn baby’s skin will be incredibly soft with a delicate balance of natural oils. To avoid disrupting this inner harmony it’s best to clean his or hers skin with tepid water in the first month of life. Find out more by clicking on the Back to Basics book image >

Mrs Frost from Kent said “I can't recommend Weleda enough for natural baby products. After my first daughter was diagnosed with eczema, I was determined that with the second child, the only thing going on their skin was natural products. As soon as I started using the Weleda baby care products my eldest daughter's eczema cleared and my second daughter never had any problems. I particularly love the Calendula Lotion, even on myself. No mother should be without the Calendula Nappy Change Cream, its a miracle cream for those times of soreness. I for one, would use nothing else on babies or myself”.

Calendula Nappy Change Cream – if your newborn does develop a slightly sore bottom a small amount of this cream will gently soothe. It will immediately get to work calming sensitive skin with healing calendula extract and soothing chamomile as well as sesame oil, beeswax and zinc oxide that form a natural protective layer on the skin.

back to top

THE BIRTH – a new life: you & your baby

Every baby is individual, and so it follows that every birth is individual too. Only you can accurately describe how you are feeling now.

Even if you are well-prepared with a good idea of what you want to happen, you can’t predict how the adventure will unfold. This can lead to apprehension and even fear about what’s about to happen.

It’s NORMAL. Try to relax in the best way you know and take comfort from your partner or close friends and family. Some women write birth plans, others don’t. Just do what feels right for you.

Products you can pack in your hospital bag:

Products containing strong perfumes, especially if they are synthetic in origin, should be avoided by mothers and babies during the early weeks after birth. Mothers should be advised to use products that are natural and organic (all Weleda Mother & Baby products fulfil this criteria) which are less likely to affect the skin or senses of a new baby.

Lavender Relaxing Bath Milk – added to a bath after the birth can promote healing if you’re unlucky enough to have torn your skin.

Wild Rose Body Oil or Lavender Body Oil – lower back and tummy massage can be a very useful, beautifully fragrant distraction from contractions and promote feelings of being able to let go during the birth.

Avena Sativa Comp – Avena Sativa drops help de-stress and promote restful sleep – usually much needed after labour, no matter what time of day your baby is born.

Calendula Shampoo & Bodywash – your first wash after giving birth will need to feel gentle and loving. This is just what you need.

Stretch Mark Massage Oil - don’t forget those stretch marks, this can be used throughout your pregnancy and for up to 3 months after birth. Read more >

	Your baby		Baby Massage Video
	Your toddler		Sleep
	Childhood Ailments		Meet the Experts
	Weleda Baby & Awards

If you have a question that cannot be answered within Baby & You please contact us, either by email: sales@weleda.co.uk, or telephone 0115 944 8200.

Free booklets to download:

Weleda Baby Booklet 2011

Free TIPS Publications - Written by Midwife, Mother and Founder of TIPS Ltd. Sharon Trotter.

Back to Basics

Breastfeeding Tips

No part of the Weleda UK website may be reproduced without the express permission in writing from Weleda UK.

© Weleda 2011