Guest Post by Becky Goddard-Hill

Kindness Costs Nothing – Taking care of yourself in your pregnancy

Pampering isn’t essential to a healthy pregnancy; millions of women around the world don’t ever pamper their pregnancies. But living in the West exposes us to ever more sophisticated marketing campaigns and products that you’re made to feel you must buy. Don’t buy into it! Keep your cash to extend your play times with your baby, and instead of buying ‘specially designed for mums-to-be’ products and luxurious lotions and potions, just be very kind to yourself. Do you need to spend £40 on anti-stretch mark oil (it exists I assure you)? What you do need to do is take good care of yourself in simple and in-expensive ways.

• Relax every day for 20 minutes (whether that’s during a long bath or listening to music)
• Moisturise well Drink plenty of fluids
• Eat a varied and  healthy diet
• Keep active for fitness and flexibility
• Laugh and sing whenever you can
• Put your feet up, whenever you get the chance, to rest your legs
• Get out in the fresh air
• Have early nights if you need to
• Talk out your stresses and strains with your nearest and dearest
• Get a lovely massage from someone close
• Let someone you love wash or brush your hair for you
• Place cucumber slices or cold teabags on tired eyes
• Chill out and take a nap if you have a headache or are just shattered
• See your doctor if you feel worn out

No amount of expensive lotions and potions can beat the above for a healthy, glowing pregnancy. Find out what works for you. It can be relaxing just to have your feet rubbed to to stroke your cat, your don’t need to buy ‘stuff’ to bring you peace.

Taking care of yourself costs more in terms of effort than money but it really can change how you feel – and tell yourself ‘you’re worth it.’

The above is an extract from How to Afford Time off with Your Baby 101 Ways to Ease the Financial Strain by Becky Goddard-Hill (Vermillion, 2009)

Becky blogs regularly about all aspects of budgeting with 0 – 5′s at www.babybudgeting.co.uk

You can also buy Becky’s book ‘How to afford time off with your baby” at Amazon, Tesco , Waterstones and lots of other reputable book shops. I’ve just purchased the book and look forward to reading it.With a new addition to the family pending (September) we’re very keen to learn how budget without missing out. I’ll let you know how I get on! Don’t forget to subscribe to Becky’s blog as well!

Tags:   101 Ways to Ease the financial strain · Baby Budgeting · Becky Goddard-Hill · Pregnancy on a Budget · www.babybudgeting.co.uk2 Comments