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Pregnancy Power it’s one of the most incredible experiences you’ll ever have. Here’s how to make the most of it –physically and emotionally.

Being pregnant is a truly amazing experience, but let’s face it does have its ups and downs. One moment you’re exhilarated, the next frozen with fear. Or you wake up bouncing with energy and then suddenly are exhausted beyond belief. It’s a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions, but you can smooth out the bumps. Here’s how.

WORK UP A SWEAT

One of the simplest (not to mention one of the most effective) ways to boost your mood while pregnant is to enjoy a little exercise. This is because working up a sweat increase your level endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. But that’s not all. “During pregnancy, exercise helps your body in two ways; it keeps your heart strong and your muscles in shape and relieves the basic discomforts from morning sickness to constipation, achy legs and backs.”

Not enough to get you up? Then think about this; research has shown that working out during pregnancy can make labour shorter and easier to bear. And its means your body will bounce back more quickly after birth, Cool! A word of advice; check in with your midwife or doctor before you start your exercise program. The way he or she will be aware of what you’re up to can answer any questions you may have.

BE NICE TO YOUR SELF

There is no doubt pregnancy is a special time. After all, your body is growing a whole other person, which is nothing less than a miracle. Still, for all its magic, being pregnant can leave you feeling both exhausted and overwhelmed. To combat that, treat yourself as often as possible. Why not start with a warm bubble bath followed by lashings of lush body cream? And don’t forget to book a pregnancy massage whenever you can squeeze one in.

EAT YOURSELF HEALTHY

Tucking into plenty of delicious yet nutritionally sound food will help you grow a gorgeous, healthy baby! “A sensible diet can minimise morning sickness, fatigue, constipation and a host of other pregnancy symptoms. Good nutrition can also help moderate swings,” writes Heidi Murkoof, co-author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting (Harper Collins).

Sound great, but what exactly does good nutrition involve? According to Murkoof, it’s the following’ three daily servings of protein, three daily servings of vitamin C foods, four daily servings of calcium foods, three or more daily servings of green leafy or yellow vegetables and yellow fruits, six to 11 daily serves of whole grains and legumes and a small amount of iron-rich foods as well.

The bad news is that doesn’t leave much room for chocolate, but if you’re really carving some, go ahead. A little won’t harm. And it may even do you and your unborn child some good. A study carried out in

Finland

showed that the mood-boosting chemicals associated with chocolate are passed onto babies in the womb. What can we say?

DRESS THE PART

Once upon a time being pregnant meant wearing enormous, shapeless dresses in polka dots or worse oversized bows. Not surprisingly, pregnant women were left feeling frumpy. Thankfully, those days are behind us. Today, you can be both pregnant and ultra-fashionable, which is great because, as well as know, the way we look directly affects the way we feel. “When you’re pregnant you don’t always feel the best. You can feel sick and tired, but there’s nothing like a new outfit to make you feel good.” Yes, there’re so many beautiful maternity clothes available these days. They can make you fantastic and when you look great you feel great –or better anyway.

STRETCH AND FEEL GOOD

Ask any woman who has had a baby and she’ll quickly tell you carrying that big old belly around can do some weird things to your body. For one thing, it can make you feel stiff and sore, particularly in the lower back region. If you’re experiencing something similar, try this gentle stretch.

Stand arm’s length from a doorway and place your hands on either side of the doorjamb at shoulder height. Breathe in, then breathe out as you bend your knees slightly and let you chin fall towards your chest. Then round your back into a curve. Hold this position for eight to 10 seconds and then slowly return to your starting position. Aim for three all up. For more pregnancy moves, check out Powering through Pregnancy by Jane Simons (Allen & Unwin).

ATTEND A CLASS OR TWO

Naturopath and author of Your Baby, Your Way (Random House), Deborah Cooper recommends all pregnant women attend classes. “Antenatal classes help you to prepare for the experience, hasten recovery and provide information to assist with adjustments you’ll have to make after birth.”

Women who have good antenatal education are more likely to have less fear and anxiety about giving birth and are generally more inform. They also provide an opportunity to meet other parents. So, ask your health worker to recommend a class for you.

AVOID THE PREGNANCY POLICE

For some reason, being pregnant means perfect strangers feel compelled to regale you with every pregnancy/birth/motherhood horror story they’ve ever heard. Vicki Lovine, mother of four and author of The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy (Simon and Schuster), calls these folk “Pregnancy Police”.

Pregnancy police always seem to know of a woman who have had a 50-hour labour and then needed an emergency C-section because the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck. Of course, the pregnancy police have an explanation for this crisis and it almost always involves some short coming on the mother’s part.

If you get pinned by one of them, simply nod, smile and walk away. Or tell them to bugger off. You can always blame your outburst on your hormones!

RELISH IT

Lastly, enjoy your pregnancy. And remember, there are lots of women who would give just about anything to be in your position.