January 2011 Archives
The art of bathing when pregnant!
Or How to transform your bathing experience into a re-programming for easy childbirth
Most of us, at one point or another, have enjoyed the transforming experience of a warm bubble bath to unwind after a stressful day. But when you are pregnant the “bath ritual” can become so much more for you and your baby.
Here are 5 tips to enhance your bath experience in all safety and take it to the next level of mind re-programming:
1) Temperature
First thing first; all caregivers tell you to avoid too hot water for your bath too (and they are correct in the sense that when your body temperature increases, it can send a signal to your baby that something is wrong –like a fever would do if you had an infection.) But I have noticed some of my clients are so afraid that draw their bath too cold. If you are unable to enjoy your time or unable to stay for more than a few minutes because you are cold, that to me defeats the purpose of relaxation. So the key, as always, is comfort. Draw the bath hot enough to relax comfortably but not so hot that it makes you sweat or gives you red cheeks. Keep in mind you can always add more (hot or cold) when in your bath. Also make sure the temperature in the room is adequate (a little warmer than the rest of the house!)
Deep relaxation maybe easier to achieve in a warm bath!
2) Quantity of water
Again looking for maximum comfort, your belly as well as most of your body has to be covered –shivering from cold air is not conducive to relaxation! You could adjust the level of water when you are in it if your tub design allows it or take a regular hand towel, put it in the warm bathwater and than pull it over your belly, chest and shoulders… It will keep you warm for 10 minutes or longer!
3) Scents and bath products
Most people don’t know that the largest organ in the body is… the skin! The skin is a living, renewing, ABSORBING, and expelling organ. It breathes, it eliminates and it absorbs. We really should think twice on the quality of the ingredients we put on our skin. It can serve us or it can create an extra load for our body to eliminate the strange unknown chemicals found in many of the regularly accepted skincare products. Also, what goes on your skin, goes in your blood therefore reaches your growing baby too! An easy, sounds crazy but real, rule of thumb is that if you could eat it (and I am not saying to do that) but if you could eat it, it is safe to use on your skin and in your bath. Fresh and L’Occitane are 2 brands I have personally used and trust. Many hand made, organic products or natural sea salts products are now available everywhere. I also do my own blends of essential oil that I use in bath water: geranium/rose & lavender is very calming and safe for all (just 10 drops of each under the running water).
4) Time Frame
Allowing for plenty of time before and especially after the actual “dipping and soaking” time is a great idea as you want your unwinding/re-programming to continue for a bit. The soaking time is of course to your liking but something around 15-20 minutes is a good average. This is a good time to breath, daydream of your life with this baby or just to listen to soothing music. Refrain from planning your week or making your shopping list; not part of relaxing! Have a glass of water and a light snack close by in case you get hungry or for right after you get out of the tub.
5) Adding Mindful Dimension
If you have a relaxation or meditation CD, you can listen to it as you soak in your soothing bath. Practicing your relaxation can be easier in a warm bath especially as you begin with the program. Visualization and self-hypnosis techniques become more and more powerful with repetition. Using them regularly when you bathe increases the depth of your re-programming, and the bath itself becomes a “bookmark” for relaxation first, then a “bookmark” for the state of mind your are becoming familiar with. A state of relaxed awareness, of focused relaxation and mindful re-programming of what YOUR birth experience will be like when the time is right.
What else do you personally enjoy when you take a relaxing bath?
