Pregnancy is wonderful. It's a privilege to create a new life. BUT it's extremely tough on the body, skin, emotions and hair.
Many of the Suvarna team are mothers, and we all understand the importance of self-care in pregnancy. We highly advocate the use of natural skincare to prevent harmful ingredients reaching your developing baby.
Our skin and bodies are far more porous and reactive when we're pregnant. Even mildly irritating ingredients can cause significant reactions.
Throughout pregnancy, certain smells that we usually love can be distressing. Our hair changes, our skin behaves differently.
We know to leave off the foodstuffs that could harm us (even though we don't mind admitting we really missed delicious cheese). But, have you considered whether your pregnancy self-care regime is as safe and effective as you want it to be?
Now is very often the time women make different decisions about the beauty products they choose, switching out mainstream skincare, laden with sulfates and chemicals.
Instead, they instinctively reach for body harmonious products from sources they can trust and understand.
Disclaimer: Before making any health or wellbeing changes during pregnancy, if you have any doubts at all please check with your midwife or GP.
Bath time:
A bath is one of the best ways to ease sore muscles and soothe stress during pregnancy but lots of women worry about how safe it is.
It's fine to take baths while you're pregnant (one of our team could only really get comfortable that way) as long as the water isn't too hot.
You shouldn't raise your body temperature, so 39 degrees centigrade max, usually advised at around 37.5 is important.
To test this, use a thermometer or pop your elbow in the water. If it feels hot it's too hot.
Many women find heavily artificial scents overpowering during this time, so you may prefer to switch to a natural bodywash or bath foam. Look for one free from Phtalates, Sulphates and rich in natural oils that willadd moisture to your skin whilst cleansing without harsh detergents.
Finally, be careful when getting out of the tub. Your centre of gravity will have changed and dizziness can be a problem, so always get help.
Pregnancy Skin Care
You know all those lovely stories about 'glowing' and looking 'radiant' during pregnancy?
For lots of pregnant women, that is a myth. In fact, as many as 50% develop some sort of acne, due in part to all the hormonal shifts.
You can't treat this with the same acid based 'exfoliation' regime currently used. Acids and treatments like Retinoids can be harmful to a developing foetus and are not advised at all during pregnancy.
Salicylic acid should also be avoided due to a small risk of birth defects developing.
Instead, we advise switching to a natural, organic three step skin care regime. Start with a very gentle face wash or natural soap. Ingredients like tea tree, natural clays, honey and oatmeal are all beneficial in cleansing the skin without stripping its natural mantle.
This way you remove dirt and toxins, without further damaging the balance of oils you need to keep your skin healthy.
Attacking your pregnancy acne with harsh ingredients is likely to just leave it sensitive. So for a second step we advise the use of a super gentle tonic water.
Traditional toners are too aggressive so look for one with rose water and calming ingredients like aloe that take the redness out of the skin.
Finally, a gentle moisture fluid or repair serum that hydrates but doesn't clog the pores will be beneficial.
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Even if you love a massage and aromatherapy, due to the active ingredients it is advised that you do not experiment with essential oils or have any kind of massage treatment (including Indian Head Massage and Reflexology) during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Certain essential oils are an absolute no for most of your pregnancy. These include:
- Camphor
- Clary Sage
- Mugwort
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Tansy
- Tarragon
Some are fine and are thought to include:
- Frankincense enhances rest, is calming
- Geranium - helps with emotional balance
- Ginger - helps with morning sickness and nausea
- Lemon - mood lifting
- Rose - calming and balancing
- Orange - mood lifting, good for nausea
To safely enjoy your essential oils for your pregnancy self-care routine, try:
- Very small amounts to avoid overwhelming your sense of smell
- Don't put essential oils directly on the skin to avoid cause skin irritations and rashes
- Don't ingest your essential oils.
- Consult an aromatherapist or doctor with any worries
Hair
We've got a brilliant guide to choosing shampoo for pregnant women, which highlights all the different conditions that can affect your hair.
During pregnancy we stop shedding our hair quite so much, and it can look thicker and fuller as a result. We advise using a great organic conditioner to nurture your longer locks.
Organic cassia (or colourless Henna) is a beautiful, natural treatment for adding a mirror like shine and Bhringaraj powder is ideal to help prevent hair fall following the birth of your child.
Whilst bleaching is not advised during pregnancy, you can colour your hair. Natural henna can offer a good alternative, and is recommended by the NHS. The colour result can be unpredictable though, due to hormonal balances, so ALWAYS do a strand test to check your results first.
A patch test is also vital as you can develop unexpected allergies during pregnancy.
If you have more questions about the right products for your selfcare during pregnancy, please do get in touch with our natural skincare experts now.