How To Be You With A Bump

Make the shift to mum-to-be while still living the life you love. Yes, it is possible…

If your life used to revolve around Friday night mojitos and a daily caffeine drip, finding out you’re pregnant can leave you wondering just how you’ll still feel like you over the next nine months. Even a simple decision suddenly becomes overwhelming (can I still go for a run? Will I actually survive without wine?) Losing control of your body and changing your lifestyle to accommodate your growing baby can take some getting used to. But pregnancy doesn’t have to mean missing out—it’s just a question of approach. In other words, stop thinking about what you can’t do and start enjoying what you can.

YOU USED TO…

BE A HAPPY HOUR REGULAR

If you struggle to remember a weekend (okay, let’s admit it, even a week night) that wasn’t perked up with a relaxing glass of red, then nine months of deprivation might be a scary prospect.

BUMP IT UP While advice used to be to avoid alcohol completely, the Department of Health now recommends keeping it to one or two units a couple of times a week at the most (a small glass of wine is one and a half units), so your pregnancy doesn’t have to be totally drink-free. It’s up to you.

Sometimes, nausea, tiredness and a desire to be as healthy as possible can put even the most alcohol-loving woman off while expecting, or you may find Virgin Marys and ginger beer appeal more. But if it’s tough, find other things to help you unwind, such as watching the latest hot Netflix series. “Your brain takes around six weeks to break a habit, so keep up your new routine for that long and you’ll start craving your new evening treat,” says UK-based psychologist Dr Sandra Wheatley.

YOU USED TO…