You’ve only got 9 months to relish in that curvy figure, delightfully full breasts, and heavenly glow that only Mother Nature can instill, so why waste a single minute?
While your hormones are having a field day with your sanity, they’re also creating a ripe environment for lush sexual experiences and self-exploration. This is your moment to take extra me-time and spoil your gorgeous, pregnant self silly.
We know it’s tough to feel like a Goddess when you’ve got morning sickness or killer muscle cramps, so we’ve put together a to-do list to bring out the blissful beauty of becoming a mother.
Turn The Little Things Into A Sensual Ritual
The most basic daily routines, like simply slathering on lotion, can become tiresome when your body is working overtime. Try putting a sensual, ritualistic spin on seemingly small tasks that help connect you with your changing shape.
Incorporate some mindfulness into regular routines, such as putting on lotion or body oils. Set aside time to really focus on your senses during this time: the smell of the products you’re using, the way it feels on your skin, how your skin shines after applying it, and how it feels before and after. Taking the time to really focus on your senses can help make you feel more sensual in your new, pregnant skin.
Explore The Healing Power Of Orgasms
The secret is officially out: pregnancy can make for some truly incredible sex. Though sometimes you’ll feel too bloated to be in the mood, pounce on every waking minute of lusty daydreams. We hear they’ll happen way more often than you think!
Many women are surprised to find out just how intense their sexual and erotic feelings can be when they’re pregnant. Due to changes in levels of hormones like estrogens and progesterone and an increase in blood flow to various parts of the body – particularly the external and internal genitals – orgasms are often experienced as much stronger and more sensitive.
The ultimate remedy for riding out every pregnancy peeve is with sexual pleasure. If you’re not up for penetration, some coconut oil and a giving partner, limber hand, or trusty vibrator are every bit as ecstatically good (or better).
Get Buoyant
Who wouldn’t be exhausted from lugging around a front-heavy few extra pounds that cropped up mere months ago? Water holds the key to sweet, weightless relief.
One of the side effects of pregnancy is the fatigue from the fetus’s development, but also the extra weight a woman is carrying around doing her daily routine. A nice pregnancy hack is literally taking a load off by getting into some water and floating around, giving your body a break from the extra weight strain.
You can also try taking an exercise class, like water aerobics, if you’re an exercise enthusiast. Water-based exercise brings oxygen to the whole body, causing endorphins to kick in, increasing mood, stamina, and libido.
If you’re too drained to work-out, now’s a great time to indulge in the calm silence of a float tank.
Another sensual, relaxing water experience involves a float tank. Also referred to as isolation or sensory deprivation tanks, these large individual tanks contain loads of magnesium, which allows for easy, stress-free floating.
You can find spas and medical facilitates that allow you to book sessions in a float tank online, as you probably don’t have the extra space for a giant bathtub next to the crib.
Celebrate Your Shape With A Sexy Shopping Spree
Your gorgeous, glowing form deserves to be decked out in the most divine lingerie. Even if you’ll only fit into those lush, lacy numbers for a few months, we think it’s all worth it because you look absolutely fantastic, and that deserves a celebration (and your partner will enthusiastically agree).
Some women, unfortunately, feel less attractive as their bodies grow larger and their bellies fill out. We suggest celebrating that beautiful growing tummy, larger breasts, and round hips by fully embracing and flaunting these changes – for yourself and your partner, who undoubtedly finds you insanely hot in your Goddess form.
There is no reason why you shouldn’t feel beautiful, attractive, sensual, and sexy during this incredibly special time in your life. We’ve found a great list of gorgeous maternity lingerie to get you started on the road to loving those new curves.
Immortalize Your Goddess Form In A Photoshoot
Want to really get your money’s worth on all that lingerie? Book a photoshoot with a boudoir theme. These days, there are tons of photographers – many of whom are women – who know just how to make your pregnant curves pop.
One of our favorite pregnancy hacks is getting professional pregnancy shots taken, particularly boudoir shots, during the late second or early third trimesters. We know this takes courage to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the vulnerability of becoming a new mom, but the feeling of sensuality and empowerment it facilitates is beyond worth it.
A little bit of Googling will lead you in the right direction for a great photographer, especially if you’d prefer to shoot in a women-only environment or want a make-up artist to create a va-va-voom look.
There are many photographers who specialize in this type of work, providing hair and makeup, props and sets in a studio, and lots of encouragement and comfort so you’ll feel your best before, during, and after the shoot.
If you already feel sexy in your curvy body, a photo session will allow you to appreciate and memorialize the beauty of pregnancy for a lifetime. However, we think a photoshoot is especially great for women who don’t feel particularly sexy (yet!). Having your make-up and hair done, being styled on set, and then lit up like a movie star will prove that your pregnant self is quite possibly the most gorgeous version you’ve ever seen.
More tips:
*Keep moving! You may feel tired, nauseous, low energy throughout your pregnancy; but I promise moving even just in small amounts helps beat fatigue, combats nausea, and boosts your energy.
*Get some fresh air and go for a walk….this always helps me.
*Do some yoga! I’ve continued my practice and I swear it’s helped me not only feel better physically but also mentally. It’s also helped me really bond with my body as it changes and my baby as he grows inside of me.
*Drink lots and lots of water…this one is hard since the trips to the bathroom become more and more frequent, but it’s super important to stay hydrated. Get some naturally flavored waters like HINT or make a big pitcher and add lemons, oranges, cucumbers, berries, etc. to it. I drink a lot of caffeine-free teas that are safe during pregnancy and put them on ice as well. Also, coconut water is very hydrating and helpful.
*Wear cute clothes–flaunt your bump and be proud. I wore a curve-hugging dress recently to a charity function and I felt great!
*Put your feet up when you need to, and ask your sweetheart for a massage. If you have the extra $ invest in a few really good prenatal massages.
*Pamper your skin–I’ve been using indie lee all-natural skincare oils on my face and my bump and my skin glow! I also love Bethenny’s skinny mom conditioning belly butter and soothing body oil.
*Tone with therabands…these are lightweight yet add resistance. You can sit on the floor legs straight out in front of you and loop the band around your feet. Hold each end in your hands and do some low rows, high rows, bicep curls, etc.
*Breathe deeply–give yourself a few moments each day to connect with your breath and tune in to your body.
*Take lots of warm baths–it feels so nurturing to sit in the bathtub and chill out. Warm baths are also good for circulation and relaxation. I like to add some oil to the water to soak into my skin while I lay there for 15 to 20 minutes. Just make sure the water isn’t too hot!
*Have sex–what more can I say?
*Rub your Belly–the more the better, just keep reminding yourself you are growing an incredible little life inside of you. Honor your belly and your body and your baby daily.