Here are our Ten Top Tips on Taking Time Out during Pregnancy

It's important to take some 'me' time during any stage of your pregnancy (but I'm sure you don't need an excuse!). So, let's relax the bump (and you)..Janay from the Birth Specialists gives us ten top tips ways to chill out..


1. Take 5 minutes to put your feet up. Lie on your left side on the sofa, especially in the third trimester of your pregnancy. 
2. Go for a pregnancy massage – you will not be asked to lie on your tummy if you go to a specialists pregnancy massage parlour.
3. Book in for a wonderfully relaxing Reflexology session – your feet are meant to be the map of your body! Make sure you see a Reflexologist, who is qualified to treat pregnant women.
4. Listen to your favourite calming music. Music has the ability to transport you to a great place and time.
5. Meditation or visualisation is a brilliant way of relaxing your body. Life gets so busy and stressful that you really do need to take the time out to purposely relax.
6. Laugh out loud! Laughing released endorphins – the body's feel good hormones. Spend time with people you love, watch your favourite comedy, tickle your partner!
7. Go for a walk and get some fresh air and (hopefully) sunshine! Take time to notice the miracle of nature. When you are out in sunshine take off any glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses to all the sunlight into your eyes.
8. Take a relaxing bath or go for a gentle swim – you are buoyant in water – so a lovely way to take the weight off!
9. Breathe! We know this sounds simple but taking just 5 minutes to focus on breathing in and out deeply will give your body time to relax and repair.
10. Enjoy each moment of your pregnancy. 40 weeks go by in a flash – so take pictures, keep a diary and savour the moments.


For some great relaxation audio, specifically for women who are either pregnant or have recently become a mum, you should check out the birth specialists website. You can either choose the cd or the mp3 download version of all tracks to sooth anxiety and get you to 'switch off'. Click here to see their range of recordings.

Healthy Snack recipe: Muesli

This recipe was donated to me by a client of mine, who has a baby. She makes these because they are quick to make and a great snack which is portable but also good to have around the house. They are a far healthier option, because of the fibre (good for digestion) and Vitamin B (for fertility and energy production) and don’t have the junky ingredients that shop bought biscuits or other processed ‘cereal bars’ have.  If you replace caster sugar and use fruit sugar, you use far less as it has a much lower Glycaemic index. Eat one an hour before your prenatal fitness or exercise session and it will keep your blood sugar levels even and give you a boost of energy.

Ingredients
110g oats
130g plain wholemeal flour
50g Fruit Sugar (fructose)
50g ground almonds
1 desert spoons of chopped Macadamias
1 desert spoon of mixed seeds such as pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds and sesame seeds or just one type
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon of golden syrup
100g butter
2 Handfuls of mixed dried fruit or 2 handfuls of sultanas and raisins
7 dried apricots, chopped
½ teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to mix with 1 tablespoon of boiling water

(Ingredients in bold italics are healthier options. Fruit sugar available from supermarkets)

1. Melt the butter and golden syrup in a pan
2. Mix the bicarbonate of soda with the boiling water
3. Put all other ingredients in a mixing bowl
4. Once the butter and golden syrup are melted add the combined bicarbonate of soda and boiling water
5. Mix all ingredients together. I would suggest you add the butter etc gradually until you have a fairly sticky consistency. The wetter the mixture the more the biscuits will spread when cooked. If the mixture is a little dry just add a drop or two of water.

6. Roll out small amounts of the mixture into a ball and flatten slightly, put on a greased baking tray approx 5cm apart. Bake for about 20mins at 150°C/130°C fan –forced.

Tips:
• Biscuits freeze well for use later
• Works perfectly well with wheat free flower
• Seeds and fruit can be adjusted or substituted as preferred

Beez Kneez has a new nutritionist on board who writes personalised nutrition plans for new mums and mums to be to help them discover how nutritional changes can really boost their health, energy and body shape. For advice get in touch.