Fallen pregnant or looking to start a family? Beauty and lifestyle blogger Lily not Louise shares her expert tips on how to keep healthy, feel good, and look great through every stage of your pregnancy.
Dealing with the changes of pregnancy can be difficult to get your head around —whether you’re expecting your first child or your third! So, we thought it might be helpful to share some pregnancy pearls of wisdom.
We were lucky enough to sit down with beauty and lifestyle blogger Lily not Louise, to talk all things pregnancy. From supplements and skincare regimes to fatigue and fitness, here’s how to keep yourself happy and healthy through every stage of your pregnancy.
1. Have you noticed any changes in your skin during your pregnancy?
My skin became increasingly dry during the first trimester, coupled with winter — I was extremely dehydrated. I had to stop using retinol, and instead started to use La Roche Posay Hyalu B5. I used this twice per day to combat the dehydration and dryness. The pure concentration of Hyaluronic Acid in the product also helped to plump and rehydrate my skin. I apply a good layer to cover my skin, and always bring it down to my neck and décolletage.
2. What are your favourite skincare brands?
My favourite skincare brands at the moment include La Roche Posay — they have great options for pregnancy and are perfect for treating skin sensitivities. Their Hyalu B5 is a must-have for me. I use it after cleansing and toning twice a day.
I also love The Jojoba Co. I use their Jojoba oil all over my belly, hips and thighs every evening. I’ve finished 3-4 bottles already and will continue to use even after bub arrives!
Ere Perez Moringa All-Beauty Crème is amazing for under makeup.
If my skin needs an extra pick-me-up, I always indulge on Antipodes. Their cult favourite Aura Manuka Honey Mask works wonders at locking in moisture. I would use this once per week.
3. What supplements do you take?
I’m taking Elevit Pregnancy Multivitamin 100 Tablets once a day. I actually purchased my first pack of 100 tablets via Vital Pharmacy online! My doctor recommended these to ensure I have enough vitamins for the baby.
My blood test also indicated I was Vitamin D deficient; I was advised that if my Vitamin D levels are low, the baby's will be too, so I wanted a supplement that would top my levels up.
It was too risky for me to simply sit in the sun to get a daily fix of Vitamin D, so my doctor recommended Ostelin Vitamin D3 1000IU once per day. Unfortunately, I can't take collagen powder or probiotics until after my pregnancy. I can't wait to go back on those — these are my skincare essentials!
4. Any tips on dealing with pregnancy symptoms?
I was very lucky that I didn't experience any morning sickness. I did experience a huge amount of fatigue halfway through the first trimester, but this only lasted for a month. My doctor ordered a blood test which showed that my iron levels were quite low — this is what triggered the fatigue. I’ve been on Maltofer Oral Iron tablets ever since. I'll continue to take these iron supplements once a day until I’ve given birth.
5. How do you stay fit and healthy while pregnant?
I try to go for walks every day, and I do 30 minutes of prenatal yoga 4-5 times per week. Diet wise, I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and lean meat. Mornings were quite difficult without coffee, so I started juicing again to kick-start my day.
With my iron tablets I need Vitamin C, so I juice one orange with some berries each day. I also need to ensure my calcium intake is sufficient, so I usually have a bowl of fortified cereal with milk.
I have a terrible sweet tooth, so cutting back on sugar was probably the most difficult. But to counter my cravings, I've tried to substitute with 3 Medjool dates per day... but every now and then I need the real deal — cake or ice cream!
Lily not Louise curated product list:
Loved our advice on pregnancy? We've got plenty more health and beauty advice on our Health & Wellness Edit, guaranteed to give your body a well-deserved boost. Is your skin prone to blemishes? Here are 11 skincare mistakes that could be seriously damaging your skin. Get the lowdown on the latest fruit stem cell science.
