Number 1: Listen to Your Body

That is the most important thing to do. If you are feeling tired, exhausted, nauseous, light headed etc…then REST. I know this can be hard at times, but I have done some crazy things to do this. Things like:

While working in an office, so that I didn’t fall asleep on my desk, I would go to the toilet, with the lid down, put my feet on the seat and rest my head on my knees and close my eyes! And have a 10 min power nap! It helps!
I have also fallen asleep on the lounge room floor, while playing with my daughter and she continued to play around me (and snuck off and got into mischief), while I slept for another hour!
My house isn’t as tidy as it usually is, because you know what, I don’t feel like doing the washing, or tidying. I would rather look after myself and sit on the couch! Or just go to bed!
Having early nights is also a great idea! You just have to do what you can to get through!

Number 2: Do Your Pelvic Floor Exercises EVERYDAY

Your pelvic floor muscles form a sling like muscle and fibrous tissue that attach to your pubic bone at the front and your tailbone at the back. They also attach to the side walls of your pelvis, literally forming the ‘floor’ of your pelvis. The pelvic floor muscles help to support your pelvic organs – your bladder, uterus and rectum. SO a VERY important muscle, that must be strengthened EVERY DAY!

What happens if your pelvic floor muscles are weak?

• Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh
• Having trouble stopping ‘passing wind’
• Feeling like you can’t hold on when you need to empty your bladder or bowel
• Having to rush to the toilet for fear of having an accident
• Feeling heaviness or dragging in the vagina
• Reduced sensation during sexual intercourse

What can cause the pelvic floor muscles to become weak?

• Stretching of the muscles and fibrous tissues during pregnancy and childbirth
• Heavy lifting
• Straining to go to the toilet – constipation
• Being overweight
• Persistent coughing or sneezing
• Changing hormone levels, during pregnancy or menopause

Number 3: Eat What Your Body Needs

Eat smaller meals more often. Try and be as healthy as you can, but don’t stress if you eat food you don’t usually eat. It might not last too long! You are going to go through lots of different phases over the next 9 months or so!

More importantly, stay hydrated. Drinking water is the best, but I know that sometimes that is hard too – I have been struggling with that as well! Adding a squeeze of lemon or lime can help, or I am finding adding some pieces of ginger to some water too.