The Glow Nature Didn't Give You

Who here has heard mothers-to-be referred to as ‘glowing’? Chances are a lot of you have. It’s the compliment most people choose to pay to you when you’re expectant. Because of this, many of us are under the impression that pregnancy will leave us feeling fresh and looking great. Let’s be honest, though; the truth couldn’t be more different. Instead of feeling fresh, pregnancy leaves you uncomfortable and irritable. And that’s not even to mention what it does to your skin! So, why do people mention glowing and pregnancy at all? If we look at the science behind it, the ‘glow’ is caused by increased oil production and hormone changes. Doesn’t sound so desirable now, does it? The good news is, there are a few ways to make the glow feel as good as you thought it would. But, they won’t come naturally, we’re afraid. Not to fear; put a little work in and you’ll achieve it in no time!

THINK SKIN

It makes sense to start by focus on your skin care during pregnancy. Once you’re past the disappointment of your glow not being as glowing as you hoped, it’s time to get to work. Nature may not have given you what you wanted, but good skin care can! First, deal with those fluctuating hormones. Buy a balancing cleanser which can get your skin back to some semblance of normal. This will ensure your hormones don’t play havoc with your appearance. Plus, clean skin is sure to look more glowing. Clearing your pores will get rid of grime, and lift your face as a whole. It’s also important to exfoliate. The process breaks down your skin and triggers a repair. Which, is sure to help when your skin is breaking out and oily! It’s also worth mentioning the importance of staying hydrated. Never underestimate how much healthier you look when drinking the recommended amount. And, it should work wonders for your health!

DEAL WITH MORNING SICKNESS

morning-sickness Okay, it’s impossible to look your best when you’re running to the toilet every five minutes. Morning sickness can affect the best of us. How severe your sickness will be is anyone’s guess. But, one thing you can be sure of is that you’ll look far from glowing after you’ve thrown up three times. Feeling sick to your stomach is part and parcel of pregnancy, we’re afraid. Particularly in the early days. We’ve all heard talk of those women who manage to avoid the curse, but we have yet to meet one. For most of us, morning sickness is severe and awful. Worse, it comes and goes as it pleases. For the most part, strong smells can trigger a reaction. Your sense of smell is heightened during pregnancy. The strangest things will start to turn your stomach. But, knowing smell is often a trigger will be little help, because you have no way of knowing which smell will set you off next!

So, how can you stay glowing through this? In short, you can’t. But, there are steps you can take. For the lucky ones among us, morning sickness strikes at the same time each day. Spend a week or so tracking your sickness. See if you can spot any patterns. It can also help to know how long your illness lasts. Then, all you can do is plan around it. If you can, avoid getting ready until it has passed. There’s no point undergoing skin care and getting a cute outfit on if you’re about to vomit. Your glowing efforts will be undone straight away. It can also help to eat easily digestible foods in the lead-up. That way, you won’t have so much to bring up. And, as mentioned above, drinking water can make a huge difference here, too. Other than that, wait for it to pass, and work on looking glowing once it’s gone!

TAKE CARE OF YOU

We always look best when we’re feeling good. It’s a fact. A smile alone can bring the much-desired glow! So, it’s important to take care of yourself while you’re pregnant. If you feel good, you’re going to look good. Pampering may not be top of your agenda, but it’s worth doing . Get around to those little appearance jobs you’ve been ignoring. Find out about dental services and book yourself in for an appointment. You could even visit a spa if the mood took you! Doing little jobs like these will make a huge difference to the way you feel. It’ll take away the strain of being pregnant and make you feel glamorous again. Plus, it’s worth taking the time while you have it. You can be sure that visits to the dentist won’t be top of your list once the baby arrives.

And, why stop there? Shopping days won’t be easy to come by when you have a newborn, either. So, arrange a shopping day with your girls. This will help you feel healthy again, which has got to help! Plus, you’ll be having fun, which will bring about your glow again. Spoil yourself by buying clothes for after baby arrives. There’s no point spending a fortune on maternity clothes you’ll only fit in for a few months, after all. Instead, buy things you know you’ll be able to fit into later on.

KEEP LOOKING FORWARD

That brings us nicely to our last point. Pregnancy can drain you of energy and leave you feeling flat. It seems like it will never end, though when you look back, it will feel like it lasted no time at all. But, if you let exhaustion take hold, the glow will move ever further. If you feel at risk of falling into the black hole, remember to look forward. Pregnancy can feel horrid sometimes, we aren’t going to lie about that. But, it’s worth it! It’s the most worthwhile pursuit you’ll ever undergo. So, whenever you’re feeling down in the dumps, remember the end goal. It’ll give you a secret glow all of your own!