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Seven Ways Treat Yourself to Some Organic Pregnancy Pampering

Here are seven ideas for some organic pampering that can help you avoid unnecessary chemicals during your pregnancy. Don't forget to treat yourself like royalty because you deserve it.

Rub moisture on your belly daily.

Benefits:
- Prevents Dry Itchy Skin
- Keeps Skin Elastic
- Minimizes Stretch Marks
- Proper water intake and managing weight gain also help keep skin elasticity.
What to Use For Pregnancy Pampering:
- Shea butter or an organic version of a belly balm is a must.
Be Cautious Of:
- Any ingredient you don't recognize or understand.
- Phthalates (synthetic fragrances), parabens, unrecognizable ingredients
- PEG-100 stearate, which is linked to cancer and reproductive issues. The ingredient not products containing it. Read what the cosmetic database says about it here.
Get a Manicure and pedicure and a relaxing hand and foot massage.

Benefits:
- This temporary escape from reality may be just what you need to unwind.
- Fresh nails and toes makes you feel like you're entitled to even more pampering.
What to Use What to Use For Pregnancy Pampering:
- Unless you have an organic nail salon near your home, you'll want to take some of your own products to avoid toxic ingredients. Purchase polish that is free of formaldehyde, phthalates, toluene and take it in with you.
- For extra pregnancy pampering you can also take your own organic skin exfoliant, massage oil, lotion or foot rubcream to avoid unnecessary chemicals.
- If you are concerned about the chance of fungal infection, you can bring in your own tools and tub. However, I'd call ahead to make sure this complies with their salon hygiene policies. Another option is to find a person to come into your home and provide the services.
Be Cautious of:
- Toluene (Benzene, methylbenzene). This ingredient is also linked to cancer and reproductive issues.
- Make sure the person working on your feet knows you are pregnant. While it is unlikely, there is some debate about whether a foot massage can send you into pre-mature labor.
- If you are concerned about this, have the person giving the pedicure avoid the area near the anklebone and heel or visit a massage therapist certified in prenatal pregnancy.
- Visit Mommyfeet.com for more information about foot massage during pregnancy.
Treat yourself to at least one pregnancy massage.

Benefits:
- Reduces stress
- Increases blood and lymph circulation
- Relief from muscular tension and pain in head, neck, shoulders, hips and legs
- Can be helpful during labor to help mom relax and manage any ailment she might have.
What to Use For Pregnancy Pampering:
- Pregnancy Massage by a therapist with special training or certification in prenatal massage
- You can also enjoy a relaxing facial with organic ingredients.
- Just like with the nail salon, unless your spa specializes in organic spa treatments, bring in your own oils, exfoliants. Mention your intention to bring your ingredients when you make your appointment so you don't have to explain after you arrive.
Be Cautious of:
- Lying on your back for long periods of time.
- Avoid body treatments that could cause your body to get overheated such as body wraps, sauna's or hot baths.
Get a Makeover

Benefits:

Your body goes through so many changes during pregnancy. Your weight increases, your energy changes, your skin and hair even goes through changes. While some moms bask in the glow of their expectancy the whole time, others are self conscious about their rapid change of appearance.

A fresh hair style, make up kit can boost your mood and sense of confidence, which is a big part of the sense of well-being experienced by expecting moms.

What To Use What to Use For Pregnancy Pampering:
- Talk to a professional stylist about a cut and color that would work well for you.
- Do your research on natural hair coloring products. Look for dyes made from mostly botanical ingredients. If you want 100% organic hair coloring, then henna is the best option.
- If you don't already own them, purchase some basic organic makeup products such as lip color, face powder, shadow and liner. Even if you don't wear it everyday, you'll want to look your best for social outings and holiday parties.
Be cautious of:
- Hair dyes made with ammonia and the lowest levels of Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), the ingredient that alters the color of your hair.
- It's also best to avoid perming and relaxing your hair with chemicals. Not only do you want to avoid putting strong ingredients like lye and hydroxide into your bloodstream, you also don't know how pregnancy hormones will impact the way your hair and skin react to the products.
Eat Some Organic Fair Trade Chocolates

Benefits:

As if we need more reasons to eat the wonderful and heavenly gift that is chocolate...
- A 2008 Yale study links the consumption of chocolate to the prevention of pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in urine).
- Another study in Finland linked to happier babies, chemicals in chocolate, which are associated with positive mood, being passed on to the baby in the womb. Less fear, soothe-able, smiles and laughter.
- Read more about these studies here.
What to Use For Pregnancy Pampering:
- The darker the chocolate the more you get the benefits of what's good for you such as the antioxidants, natural mood enhancers,
- Organic chocolate will be free of pesticides and made with organic milk.
- This article contains a long list of companies making gourmet, organic chocolates.
Be Cautious of:

The urge to indulge in big bowls of chocolate ice cream, candy bars and cake every evening. In fact if chocolate has lots of added sugar and milk it can interfere with the absorption of the beneficial properties of chocolate. In this instance, learn from my mistakes, you don't want the extra complications that can come with excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
Meditate Often.

Benefits:
- The benefits of meditation for a pregnant woman are numerous. It releases tension from anxiety, lowers blood pressure, endorphin production, hormonal balance and an improved immune system and more.
- On top of that a calmer mom during pregnancy has also been linked to a calmer baby after birth.
What to Use For Pregnancy Pampering:
- If you don't already meditate regularly, you may need some tools to help you focus your mind and calm your nerves.
- I used a natural birthing method called hypnobirthing. It involved reading books and visited with a licensed practitioner to learn the techniques.
- Also during the entire pregnancy I listened to birthing affirmations at night. This helped to minimize the effects of all of the negative baby stories I'd heard through the years and prepare my mind and body for a positive birthing experience.
- Yoga is another good way to learn the art of mediating. Join a class or purchase a DVD especially for expectant moms.
What to Avoid:
- Nothing. There should be no worries involved in meditation. Just relax, relate and release.
Natural Pain Management

You may have been devastated when your doctor told you that cold medications and prescription pain medications were off limits at your first pre-natal appointment. However there's no need to suffer as there are many ways to treat common pregnancy ailments

What to Use For Pregnancy Pampering:
- For nausea try foods and teas with ginger, crackers and other dry foods.
- For discomfort during sleep, a comfortable body pillow is a must.
- For aches in the neck, back, shoulder, hips and pelvic area, alternative care methods such as massage therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care can bring much-needed relief.
Be cautious of:
- Any health care practitioner that is not knowledgeable and licensed to work with pregnant women.
- Always get your doctor or nurse practitioner to sign off on any supplemental care you plan to receive while pregnant. This includes anything you plan to take orally such as herbs, vitamins, etc.