the new-mom

Welcome to your first pregnancy journey! We know it's quite overwhelming and unbelievable at first that a life is growing inside your belly, but mind you it's just all pure excitement. There is always a first in life, but this one is the best.

Now, first things first: manage your expectations. As a new mom, there are so many things that you are not sure of, but there are so many things you can ask for amongst your Mom, friends-who-are-now-moms, or mother-figures. Ask them for guidance.

Expect the unexpected. Being pregnant involves a couple of changes in your body due to a baby growing inside you and of course hormones that plays the part. Instead of stressing out on dark spots, increased appetite or just the weight itself; remember that this 9-month journey will sure come to an end with a beautiful baby beside you.

start a tummy-care routine

Fact check: Having stretch marks during your pregnancy is purely genetics, but it is common among most women who had been pregnant. 

As you start your pregnancy journey, there are surely many bodily changes that can occur. One of which is the build-up of stretch marks or "striae" around the areas of your tummy, your thighs and your hips and even your breast. Our skin is made of flexible tissues that actually adapts to our body's change in size. As in pregnancy, a woman's uterus grows overtime to adapt to your baby's growing body and so is your skin and muscles causing "striaes" to form.

That is why moisturizing and hydrating with baby-friendly products during and after pregnancy can help you avoid having too much stretch marks and help you as well with lightening it quicker after pregnancy.

steps to start your tummy care

Here is a quick step-by-step guide on which skincare routines you can start with for your tummy.

1. Start your routine as early as during your pregnancy. Moisturizing products that are made for pregnant moms during pregnancy are ever present to help you with soothing in on the dry skin and itchiness, the stretch mark prevention and just the outward glow during pregnancy.

Fact check: Skin is absorbent that is why during pregnancy it is best to only use pregnant and baby-formulated products when caring for your tummy. You would want to stay away from chemicals toxic for your baby at this time.

2. Exfoliate. Moisturize. and Hydrate. When it comes to exfoliating, you may ask first your doctor on ways and means to alleviate skin itchiness and dryness during pregnancy. However, you may keep a routine of hydrating and moisturizing your skin around your tummy during and after pregnancy. As this area would definitely experience more change.

3. Eat and drink healthily during and after pregnancy. It is instinctive of new-moms to eat a lot during pregnancy for the sake of their unborn child. But the weight gain can really be surprising after birth. Gradually balance out your meals prior to the last stage of your pregnancy and maintain eating only healthy food. Drink lots of water as well. Slowly loss weight after pregnancy. Do not diet immediately after birth, as it can affect your tummy's return to pre-normal state and your hormonal changes during postpartum.

4. Exercise. You may ask your doctor if exercising doing your pregnancy can be tolerable for you and your baby. But after-pregnancy, you may surely start training yourself slowly to loss weight and be healthy. Avoid overstraining yourself though after-birth as your physiological state is still not normal to accept any strenuous activities.

post-birth journey

Your nine-month journey ends as your little one comes out and is now laid into your arms. Motherhood may start, but trust us, your postpartum journey continues.

After pregnancy the overwhelming period becomes reality as soon you realize the permanent changes in you. Pregnancy weight and some stretch marks may not surely go away. Fact check: According to webMD, an average of 25 to 35 pounds is gained by an average sized woman after pregnancy. Hormonal-skin problems may go rampant during and after pregnancy. And of course, the start of motherhood with sleepless nights and an eight-hour no end of taking care of your baby can surely take it's toll on you. Most new-mom's are sure unaware that these changes can cause emotional distress and can gas-light it as a usual occurrence. But mind you, aside from taking care of your post-baby body, your mental health also comes first during these most dreaded period of pregnancy.

Avoid being disheartened and from time to time, alot a time for your self. Self-care routines such as your tummy-care regimen, exercising and just having a good advisor can help you overcome depression.