Habits of Happy Pregnant Women

Looking to feel more joy and happiness during your pregnancy, today I’m going to share a few habits of pregnant women that make them happier, more resilient and have easier pregnancies. They’re also likely to have better births, so that sounds pretty great!

How do I know so much about happy pregnant women? Hi, I’m Hilary — many people know me as The Pregnancy Nurse 👩‍⚕️. I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I am also the curly head behind this website Pulling Curls. I’ve seen a LOT of pregnant women in that time and I know what they’re doing to give them the quiet confidence that allows them to feel a bit more joy during this tumultuous time.

One way to stay happier is to have me join you in your pregnancy journey. I can do that in a few emails each week targeted to right where you are:

**Pro Tip: Happiness is relative. There are going to be a lot of aches and pains as your pregnancy progresses (especially as you get into that last month). But, I have seen pregnant women living these and feeling SO much better…. so, give them a try!

Stretching/Yoga

Moving your body is so important during pregnancy, labor and postpartum.

The problem is when you’re so tired and your body just hurts it’s not our first inclination (often) to stretch it out.

So, personally, I just got into a habit of doing prenatal yoga 3 times/week. I’d also note what felt especially good and I’d try to do it daily.

Your muscles are literally thinking “WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON” as your posture, and your center of gravity changes, so be kind to your body and stretch those muscles out.

I like these cards as there’s no pressure to do it like they do on the TV (but there’s lots of great Youtube videos out there — maybe find a few you like on there).

It is never too late to start this habit. No, you won’t be as limber as the people in the videos, but just moving is a big win — you don’t have to do it “like them” — just DO IT!

Hydration

I know, I know — it’s like water is the magic cure-all for all things pregnancy.

BUT I find that some of the most miserable women also tend to have some of the darkest pee.

I get it, you’re miserable you don’t want to get up and pee every 3 minutes, but much like stretching, that small amount of effort can pay off BIG time.

With my 2nd pregnancy I got a really bad flu and I thought I was drinking a lot, but on my visit my doctor checked my urine which was ABYSMAL as far as hydration.

She gave me two bags of fluid at that appointment, and I left there feeling like a whole new person!

If I’d just taken the time to drink a ton daily and then just stay by the toilet I would’ve felt a lot better (and not needed an IV).

Get yourself one of those cool water water bottles that keeps the water at the temp you like. It really will be worth it!

Getting Prepared

A lot of people are living in pregnancy SUPER anxious about:

• If they’ll be able to make the right choice when the “time comes”
• Everything that happens at the hospital
• If their partner will step-up to the challenge
• What life will be like with baby

And frankly, there just isn’t a reason to. If you’re nervous, afraid, or anxious about the rest of pregnancy, labor, birth or life after baby is born you can get prepared right now.

The Online Prenatal Class for Couples really is the easy way to get prepared — in just a few hours you can feel so much more confident (couples report feeling 50% less anxious after taking the class, and over 60% more prepared).

Staying Positive

I get it, as things keep piling on it’s hard to stay positive.

Money might be tight (oh man, just looking at car seat prices makes me anxious), you’re not sure what you’re doing about maternity leave/work.

You might not love your doctor or they’re saying things that make you worry.

You’re worried that something bad will happen at the birth and sometimes it consumes your thoughts.

Stop.

Did you know that you can control your thoughts? Yes, stuff is going to float by — but YOU are the one who decides if those thoughts stay and fester, or if you are going to tell them to get out and you’re filling your mind with positive things.

I’m a huge fan of manifesting, and affirmations. I also really like how much happier they help me feel about life. Do bad things still happen? Yes, but honestly, mulling them over in my mind didn’t make me any more prepared to deal with them — so I might as well get into the habit of being positive.

Grab some of my favorite pregnancy affirmations here:

If you’re not sure how to be positive, I’d encourage you to write down 5 things you’re grateful for each morning, and thing of 5 things again before bed. It really helps remind me how great my life is and how much I have to be happy about.

Bonus Secret: Kick Counts

Beyond knowing your baby is growing and thriving, kick counts also gives you time to bone with baby (and think of your amazing future), time to put your feet up and just rest. You deserve that! Grab my kick count cheat sheet here:

Pro Secret: I will say that being younger helps you feel a LOT better. If you’re further into life I will attest that pregnancy is just harder on your body. This is why our ancestors got pregnant at 16, I guess? So, you definitely can’t change EVERYTHING, but you CAN do what you can. 🙂

If you like simple tips that make pregnancy easier, I have even more that will help with labor, birth and postpartum life too. Let’s get you happier, and more prepared in The Online Prenatal Class for Couples!

Or, if you’re not quite ready for the full class, check out my free prenatal class — It’s your first step towards being your own birth boss.