Congratulations on your pregnancy, and welcome to a whole new ball game of taking care of yourself!
Pregnancy brings with it a multitude of things you are required (and not required!) to do, to keep yourself and your unborn baby healthy:
Eat well
Your prenatal diet is important to look after yourself and to promote a healthy pregnancy.
Regular checkups
You will have regular appointments with your midwife, as well as several scans during your pregnancy to ensure everything is progressing well.
Rest
It’s so important to ‘rest when you need to’, before it becomes a case of ‘resting when you can’
Relax
Ditto on relaxing!
Stress isn’t conducive to a happy pregnancy. So, take time to put yourself first as often as you can!
No… bubbles
Stop drinking. Ugh!
We don’t like this one much. But giving up the after-work glass of wine or weekend cocktail is essential to your baby’s wellbeing and growth.
On top of all these, there are things that probably never even occurred to you, one of which is skincare.
Now, most of us are aware of the importance of keeping your skin well moisturised, paying particular attention to your bump to avoid stretch marks, however, did you know, that it is especially important to look after your skin in the sun?
SUN, SUNSCREENS AND PREGNANCY
During pregnancy, your skin is thinner, there is increased blood flow, and you are at more risk of burning.
This might not be as simple as slathering on your usual sunscreen though!
SUNSCREENS FOR PREGNANCY: PAY ATTENTION TO…
There are some ingredients of sunscreens that are not safe for use in pregnancy.
Look out for these four main ingredients and avoid at all costs:
Oxybenzone
Octocrylene
Avobenzone
Octinoxate
These are not only bad for you, but they are also harmful to your unborn baby and the environment.
When choosing your sunscreens for pregnancy, make sure it has none of the above ingredients.
SUNSCREENS FOR PREGNANCY: LOOK FOR…
- Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection
- Must be a minimum of SPF 30, or higher
- Opt for hypoallergenic sunscreens
BEST SUNSCREENS FOR PREGNANCY
We love Great Barrier Suncream by Tropic, available in SPF 30 or 50 and costing £18.00 for 100ml or £28.00 for 200ml – not the cheapest of options, but it’s a super safe and extra hydrating sunscreen, which is as kind to the environment as it is to you.
For smaller budgets, this Holland and Barret favourite – Alba Botanica sensitive mineral free sunscreen, priced at £11.99 for 100ml is perfect too. Light, non-greasy, SPF 30 and broad spectrum it covers all bases.
There are lots of options out there, and if you are unsure, you can always ask your GP or midwife.
Your local pharmacist should be able to advise too.
OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER
While you don’t need to hide away indoors when the sun is out during your pregnancy, do remember to:
- Stay in the shade between 10am and 2pm when the sun is at its hottest.
- Ensure you apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and re-apply every 2 hours
- Try not to have too much bare skin exposed
- Stay hydrated
- Wear a hat.
There is no reason you can’t safely enjoy the sun and warm weather during pregnancy.
Emma Attwood Photography – based in Eckington, Pershore- specialises in newborn, baby, and maternity photography.
Want to know more about my Newborn Session? Head over to https://emmaattwood.co.uk/newborn-sessions-worcestershire/
Or how about a Maternity photoshoot to capture your beautiful bump? https://emmaattwood.co.uk/your-maternity-photoshoot/
