PREGNANCY: Yoga and Relaxation Session with MamaBabyBliss

I've always been curious about yoga, it sounds so relaxing yet strengthening and anything that improves my flexibility is a good thing. We had a relaxation day at work last year and there was a chance to either do dance or yoga - I jumped at the opportunity to do yoga! I found is much harder than I thought I would, I just didn't have the core strength. Then when I went to my booking appointment at 9 weeks pregnant I saw an advert at the hospital for pregnancy yoga. I was intrigued, presuming that pregnancy yoga wouldn't be as hard as I had found yoga.

Weeks past by and I didn't sign up to a class - moving house has been a massive distraction and made attending any classes a lot harder. As my back has generally been quite achy during this pregnancy I kept telling myself to find a local pregnancy yoga class and attend it, as it is supposed to be good for strengthening your back. Did I though? I'm afraid not. Time, location and travelling have all been hindering me, but then I was sent the Pregnancy Bliss Relaxation Yoga CD* by MamaBabyBliss (£12.99).

An audio CD that includes a range of tools to help strengthen your body and mind for a healthy pregnancy and to support/prepare you for birth. If you find visualising spoken instructions then the booklet included in this CD shows you what you should be doing for the yoga sections. However the CD isn't solely focused on yoga, instead it covers a range of topics including:

Breathing techniques for labour

Exercises to build flexibility in the hips

Positions for early labour and birth

Yoga to strengthen the mind and body

Exercises with a yoga birthing ball 

Daily relaxation and visualisation

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Pregnancy massage techniques for you and your partner

A pretty impressive range of topics for only £12.99! 

The woman talking on the CD is extremely relaxing, listening to it almost feels like a meditation session too. I'm not great at switching off and genuinely relaxing, I always seem to be thinking/worrying about something. But while I was listening to this CD I started to really concentrate on me and my baby, noticing the importance I relax for her and using it as a bonding session with my bump. I think I'm going to pop this CD into my hospital bag, so that I can listen to it while in hospital (might have to dig out the classic Walkman CD player!) during labour. Tom has also listened to it, specifically the massage section as massage can be a really effective way of reducing labour pains, as well as general aches and pains during pregnancy.

Did you try pregnancy meditation and/or yoga?

Feel free to leave me a comment :)

Helen x 

PREGNANCY: Pampering Session with MamaBabyBliss

If you've ever been pregnant, are pregnant or know someone who's pregnant, then you'll almost certainly be aware of how uncomfortable pregnancy can be! I didn't realise this before getting pregnant, I thought you grew a lovely bump, out popped the baby and then the hard work began. Naïve, I know. Throughout my pregnancy there have been little niggles, aches and pains that have sometimes almost had me heading for a packet of paracetamol and other times just been a slight issue. I'm not complaining though, my body is doing something pretty incredible. It just means that taking a bit of time out to look after myself, my body and of course my unborn baby is so important.

Taking a bath has become such a relief for my backache, swollen ankles and just generally relaxes me. One of my favourite bath products to use at the moment is the ...and Relax Mama-to-be Bath Soak by MamaBabyBliss* (£7.50), it's filled with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, lavender and geranium. These all combine to make the bath smell just like a spa, it's honestly so relaxing. I'm smelling it as I write this and wanting to drift away into state of pure relaxation! You only need a small amount, which is another reason why I have been loving this bath soak.

Once I have had a nice long soak in the bath (probably watch a couple of YouTube videos, drank a cup of decaf tea and snacked on some pineapple.) I then like to use a stretchmark oil. I haven't got any stretchmark's at the moment, so I'm trying hard to keep my skin moisturised and generally looked after. The fantastic thing about using an oil, rather than a cream, is that when you apply it you get a massage at the same time. The Tummy Love Stretchmark Oil from MamaBabyBliss* (£13.50) is rich in Omegas 3, 6 and 9, as well as Vitamins A, C and E. I also love the fact that it contains all natural ingredients, which has been important to me during pregnancy. I haven't wanted to add loads of chemicals onto my skin, as I don't know how much of it will be getting to my baby. This Stretchmark Oil doesn't really have a scent, something my husband is grateful for! It feels nourishing when rubbed into the skin and most importantly doesn't leave any kind of oily residue. I like applying this myself but I prefer it if my husband takes 5 minutes to rub it into my back and bump, it's a great bonding activity and I get a mini massage - bonus!

If I then fancy a bit of a lift, if I have somewhere I need to go or jobs that need doing (unfortunately life doesn't always stop for a long pamper session) I love to use the Mum-to-be Invigorating Pulse Point Oil from MamaBabyBliss* (£7). It's so easy to use - you just rollerball it onto your pulse points, I tend to use my wrists and/or my temples, and let it do its job. Again, this product smells just like a spa, with a hint of mandarin and geranium, it's completely natural ingredients work together so well. I have been putting this in my handbag too, as a quick pick me up while I'm at work.

You can buy all of these products separately or as part of a gift set - Pampering Gift Bag for Pregnant Mums - for only £25. You get all of this pampering goodness in a cute gift bag, as well as a free little guide to Pregnancy Bliss. You can also check out the wide range of gifts and products MamaBabyBliss sell for new Dads, babies and Mums on their website - http://www.mamababybliss.com/.

How did/do you like to relax during pregnancy?

Feel free to leave me a comment :)

Helen x