Gorgeous and active!
In great shape
Radiant beauty
Much like other times in life, some days will be better than others in pregnancy. One day you will feel at your best as a woman, and other days you may feel a little down.
The beauty and radiance of a future mum depend on the quality of her sleep, on feeling fulfilled, and on her ability to relieve stress and totally relax.
The joy of becoming a mum will show on your face: when you are well rested, you will have a fresh, healthy glow and your eyes will sparkle. Take care of yourself: use quality moisturisers for your face and body.
Our answers to your questions
These dark spots on white skin or light spots on darker skin generally appear in the 4th to 6th month of pregnancy. They disappear provided you don’t expose yourself to the sun. This hyperpigmentation is caused by hormonal changes: the spots mostly appear on the forehead and upper lip, creating that mask effect. Top tip! Apply day cream with a high sun protector factor daily, and sunblock if you will be going in the sun. Protect your eyes with sunglasses; wear a hat and t-shirt.
Don’t worry about staying active!
It’s important to stay fit throughout the 9‑month period. You will carry on working and living normally. Why deprive yourself of physical activity? Simply practise moderation.
If you were already athletic, there are no contraindications to continuing your favourite sport.
Sports to prioritise:
- Focus on walking; if you are not very sporty, at least 1/2 an hour daily.
- Swimming is the ideal sport during pregnancy; it’s one of the few you can keep up until your due date.
- Yoga or soft gym are recommended; they increase flexibility, gently build muscle and teach optimal breathing techniques.
- Take childbirth preparation classes.
Sports that are not recommended:
- Martial arts, judo, karate, boxing, contact sports.
- Sports with a risk of falling: riding, skating, skiing, etc.
- Sports with a risk of hypoxia: deep‑sea diving, sprinting, mountain climbing or trekking.
Moderate, regular physical activity helps you become aware of your body again.
By breathing slowly, you learn to manage your effort and longer breaths to go the distance.
You strengthen your abdominal area and improve blood flow, especially in the legs.
You maintain heart and lung capacity and help prepare for birth.
If you have a risk of premature birth, follow your doctor’s advice for all physical activity.
If you feel pain or unusual discomfort, stop the activity and speak to your doctor.
Travelling, another way of moving!
Safely tucked in her bubble of amniotic fluid, your baby goes everywhere you go.
Unless you have a high-risk pregnancy, and up to the 7th month of pregnancy, you may continue travelling as long as you take a few precautions:
- Avoid overly long trips
- Remember to hydrate
- Sit comfortably. Tuck a cushion behind your back to reduce lower back pain and fatigue.
- Get up and walk often to stretch your legs and activate your circulation.