3 things: reflexology has helped with during pregnancy

I've been having reflexology sessions since I was 23 weeks pregnant. I had had a few sessions previously and really enjoyed it. When I first started a couple of months ago, I had read that it can help with SPD, which I was really struggling with. I admit, I was slightly sceptical that it would too much but thought that if nothing else, it would be nice for the foot massage side of the treatment. I was very pleasantly surprised by the positive results it has had.

1. Eased my SPD. I obviously can't be sure that it was the reflexology alone but after my early sessions I definitely had less pain for a few days.
2. Helped to promote better sleep. With less pain, also came better sleep. But even now when my SPD seems to have eased a little, I find that for a good week after a reflexology session I sleep much more soundly. Has anyone else noticed that they wake at around 4am and can't get back to sleep for ages? I don't know if it's hormones. Anyway, after reflexology, this 4am wake-up is not an issue for a good 4/5 nights. (I do still wake up and turn over a lot, but I fall back to sleep - and a much deeper sleep - a lot quicker.)
3. Reduced swelling in my feet. This is a new one but last week my feet were sooooo swollen. And my ankles - was definitely rocking some cankles!! After my last reflexology session, my feet and ankles have gone right down.

Reflexology is based on the notion that areas of the feet and hands are linked to other areas and organs of the body. It is used to treat symptoms in many parts of the body by using fingertip pressure on specific areas on the feet primarily, and sometimes on the hands as well.

As in the case with prenatal massage, some reflexologists prefer to wait until you are out of your first trimester before they will work on you. There are also some complications for which reflexology is specifically not recommended. You should have a chat with your midwife before going for reflexology.

Reflexologists can also work the area between your ankle and heel to stimulate labour and contractions. Obviously you don't want them doing this before you're full term! I've chatted to my reflexologist about trying this in a few weeks time. Both of us are keen to see if it does speed up the process - I'll report back!

style: summer maternity maxi dresses

I posted earlier in the week about ways to keep cool in the summer and one of those was to dress in loose clothing. I've found the few maxi dresses I've bought to be a godsend, so I thought I would do a round up of some of the best - and most bargainous - ones I've spotted:

Clockwise from top left: Asos halterneck maxi dress; Asos nursing maxi dress; New Look tropical print maxi dress; New Look back bar maxi dress (this is the one I'm wearing in the image above); New Look floral print maxi dress; and Asos bandeau maxi dress.

How do you keep your cool in the summer sun?

top tips: 5 ways to stay cool in the summer when pregnant

Turns out that the summer heat and sunshine can be particularly challenging when you're pregnant. I thought I’d share some tips for staying cool.

Summer definitely arrived this weekend in the UK. What a difference a week makes. Ridiculous to think that I was in huge jumpers and sheepskin boots last weekend and this weekend we were firing up the BBQ!

I love the sunshine and the summer heat – the minute the sun is out I am out in the garden and refusing to leave. Being pregnant in the heat is a totally different matter though. Yesterday I managed a couple of hours outside, before heading in for an epic nap.

With seven weeks still to go, I thought I’d share my tips from the weekend for staying cool in the heat when pregnant:

1. Find shade or head indoors. A parasol will be your new best friend if you’re pregnant in the summer. Usually I’d happily lie out in the sun for hours but this weekend, I hid under the parasol while we ate lunch and then headed inside to try to keep cool.
2. Drink lots. I’ve been drinking loads of water already during my pregnancy but when it’s hot outside, it’s even more important to drink more.
3. Use sunscreen. I always use sunscreen anyway but when you’re pregnancy it’s even more important as your skin is much more sensitive.
4. Wear loose clothing. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find anything tight around your bump is so uncomfortable in the heat. I’d already bought myself a couple of maxi dresses and was so glad of these at the weekend.
5. Stick your feet in cold water. When I was outside for our BBQ at the weekend, I managed to stay a little longer with the help of a washing up bowl filled with cold water!

Anyone else got any tips for staying cool in the heat when you’re pregnant?

pregnancy: a few thoughts

The past week or so I’ve been reflecting on my feelings about being pregnant. The third trimester feels like a particularly emotional time. You’re in the home straight, so to speak, thoughts turn to the birth of your baby and you start to really feel pregnant and uncomfortable.

A lot of people have commented on the size of my bump in recent weeks. What is that all about? Seriously? I realise that I’m pregnant and therefore getting bigger and I was prepared for this but when people look at the bump and are surprised that you have longer left than they thought, it starts to panic you. My bump is measuring slightly on the bigger side but it is still a nice neat bump that I’m happy with. I love the fact that the bump is actually a sign that my baby is healthy and growing well. I love feeling my baby move around, giving me little kicks and jabs to remind me he/she is there – as if I could forget! But I am struggling to find clothes that fit and are comfortable and don’t leave me feeling frumpy and slovenly.

I feel as though I’ve been pretty negative about my pregnancy: I spent the first trimester (and beyond) feeling and being sick, I’ve had hip and pelvic pain from the end of my first trimester and generally felt exhausted throughout. I was having a good old moan with a colleague that people who say they enjoy being pregnant are liars! But afterwards as I reflected I realised that I was maybe being a little over dramatic. I have loved being pregnant. I have loved the feeling of growing a little person, of feeling those first flutterings and now the bigger kicks. I have loved the excited and anticipation of what the future holds. Being pregnant feels like such a special time and I feel very very lucky to be able to have this experience and to carry a child. But, my goodness, the constant tiredness and surge of hormones make it difficult to fully appreciate it sometimes.

How have you felt - or did you feel - during your pregnancy?

style: third trimester style

We're now just over three quarters of the way there! (Yesterday was 31 weeks.)

These photos were taken during week 30. My bump is feeling humongous! A feeling that has been confirmed at my antenatal appointment this morning. Apparently I am measuring quite a bit big and so may have to go for a growth scan. It sometimes seems to feel like each appointment brings up something else I hadn't thought of but I'm keeping an open mind as everything else has been unfounded. I'm really keen to give birth at our local midwife-led unit which is in our town (5 minutes from home!) but with each issue I keep being told, it might be that I have to go to the consultant led unit at the hospital a bit further away.

I am wearing: my new Dorothy Perkins maternity blouse (only £10 in the sale right now!), Next faux leather leggings and Clarks ankle boots.

During my second trimester I certainly preferred maternity trousers with an over the bump band but as my bump gets bigger and bigger I'm finding them more restrictive. These leggings from Next are under the bump and much more comfortable now.

I am wearing: Marks & Spencer breton tee, Next leggings and Clarks ankle boots.

style: maternity wedding guest outfit

Following on from my post last week about the difficulties of finding stylish and affordable maternity wear, this week I’m tackling the tricky topic of what to wear to a wedding when you’re seven and a half months pregnant! Yep, in five weeks time (at 35 weeks pregnant) hubby and I will be attending a wedding and I have nothing to wear!

I say nothing. That is not strictly true as I have now bought four different options. And I think I have narrowed it down to two. I had a few criteria for the dress:

1. Reasonably cheap as it’s fairly close to the end of my pregnancy and I might only wear it a few times.
2. A maxi dress that will be comfortable and (hopefully) dressy.
3. Something that isn’t so dressy I can’t wear it again.

My first stop was Asos. To be fair, on my rant about a lack of maternity wear, Asos do have a large selection but they are only online so any purchases involve buying various sizes to try and different styles. I did find quite a few options in the sale – some in my size, others not, some that looked nice, others that really didn’t.

I have actually found a dress (not featured here) so I will post a photo after the wedding in May. I will say though that it can be worn again, is a nice breathable fabric so will be cool and was pretty cheap!

food: pregnancy recipes

When I was told that I needed to be tested for gestational diabetes a few weeks ago (it was negative) I decided to make a few changes to my diet straight away. I knew that I had been using my pregnancy as an excuse to eat anything and realised that this wasn’t going to help, particularly when the time came to loose the weight post-pregnancy.

I’ve tried to cut back on my sweet treats (really difficult when you’re a complete chocoholic).

I’ve swapped (some) white carbs for wholemeal versions. We eat a lot of pasta so I grabbed a bag of wholemeal pasta and tried that out – turns out it’s as nice (if not nicer) than white pasta. Who knew?! Even the hubby was happy with the change which has now been made permanent. I’ve been craving all things carb related since I got pregnant, so didn’t want to forgo them altogether. For sandwiches and toast, I’ve been using wholemeal and granary bread which actually is nicer anyway. Rice is where I fall down. I just don’t like brown rice. And it takes an age to cook too.

This simple tomato and mushroom pasta by Deliciously Ella is delicious and oh-so easy. It can be thrown together in 10 minutes so it's ideal for a work night dinner.

I’ve swapped some of my fruit portions for veggies. I’ve been craving water-based fruits, like melon and mango, a lot. So I’ve swapped them for water-based veggie sticks, like cucumber and celery. I’ve been snacking on these either on their own or with homemade hummus.

I’ve also tried to find more veggie based meals for evenings. My hubby is a carnivore (show me a man who isn’t?!) so I have to find ways to add in some meat for him but mainly he’s been pretty happy with my new menu choices. All of the recipes from the Deliciously Ella cookbooks are vegan and plant-based so they are ideal for introducing more vegetables into your diet. Another favourite is the butternut squash and lentil dahl which is a great winter warmer (or for days like today when it should be springlike but is actually horrid!).