While our body goes through endless changes from the day we are conceived until the end of our lives, no changes are as intense as those that occur during pregnancy. Not only is your body going through enormous changes physically and chemically, but we have a whole lot to deal with emotionally, too. While you don’t typically need to put your life on hold during pregnancy, you must find extra ways to nurture and nourish your body, mind, and spirit. Here are some of the pregnancy self care basics you might want to adopt if you’re not doing them already. The Basics Of Pregnancy Self ..read more

At some point during your pregnancy, you may notice your “innie” belly button suddenly becomes an “outie” due to your rapidly expanding baby belly. This is perfectly normal. However, there is a chance that your growing baby can result in an umbilical hernia. This may sound concerning, but umbilical hernias are generally harmless – though they can be annoying and painful!  Let’s look at what they are, why they happen, and how to manage them. What Is An Umbilical Hernia? Your abdominal wall has the vital job of keeping all your tissues and organs nicely tucked away inside your abdome ..read more

There’s no arguing that pregnancy puts an enormous amount of strain on the body. Any expectant mother will confirm that a growing baby bump comes with aches, pains, and a changing body that needs extra TLC and support. Unfortunately, many of these issues don’t magically disappear after the baby is born.  However, the pay off of those gummy smiles and snuggly cuddles make it all worth it! Motherhood can be the most amazing experience and opportunity for personal growth you’ll ever come across. But, after giving birth, our bodies need time to heal and recover. In this post we will share wit ..read more

Back pain is like many other disagreeable experiences occurring in our lives. We go through a cycle of emotions as it affects our daily routines and our expectations of ourselves. Especially when it becomes a chronic condition. As many as four out of five adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. While many cases can resolve themselves without much treatment, others will go on to become chronic and have a significant impact on one’s quality of life. While the physical pain is undoubtedly real, research has proven that both psychological and physiological factors play ..read more

1. Don’t over exert yourself. We are all for keeping active during pregnancy at Smileybelt and our support belt will certainly help you do that, but it is not a time to start running marathons or win a gold medal. Keeping active, and your energy flowing is awesome but you don’t want to raise the body temperature too high. This is especially important in the earlier months of pregnancy to keep your little baby safe. And hey it takes a lot of energy to grow a human so just don’t over do it 2. Don’ t over stretch We do a lot of stretching in yoga but during pregnancy we don’t want to over st ..read more

The human body is an amazing thing. With so many working parts and functioning systems, it is no wonder that sometimes things don’t always work as they should. Pregnancy is often a time when the body is under strain, as our bodies transform and adjust to accommodate a growing baby. Women experience a range of aches and pains, the most commonly affected areas are centered around the pelvis, hips, and lower back. So let’s look at the sacroiliac joints which are located in your lower back/pelvis. About The Sacroiliac Joints The sacroiliac joints connect your hip bones to your sacrum (the triangul ..read more

Pelvic girdle pain can range from being a bit of discomfort to being excruciating and debilitating. During pregnancy self-care is of optimum importance but when you’re in pain from performing basic life functions like sleeping and walking it could seem like exercise is out of the question right? Thankfully not. The appropriate movement, that is safe when you have pelvic joint pain will mean you can still reap the benefits that come from keeping active whilst you’re pregnant. Yoga, if practiced with a trained prenatal teacher it is also one of the best ways to stay healthy and prepare your body ..read more

A hard term to pronounce and an uncomfortable condition to deal with… but what is Diastasis Recti? Affecting around two-thirds of women during or after pregnancy, diastasis recti is one of the most common conditions you should be aware of. If you are experiencing a hard to ditch “belly pooch,” ridges and bumps down the middle of your abdomen, or abdominal weakness and discomfort, you are not alone. These symptoms may indicate that you have developed diastasis recti, meaning your abdominal muscles have stretched and separated, resulting in that telltale bulge in your tummy. Here, we tell you ex ..read more

You’re pregnant? Congratulations! No doubt your mind is abuzz with preparing for the journey ahead. Your body is changing and developing into a nurturing space for your baby. You may be wondering what kinds of exercise are safe for both you and baby. In this post you’ll find our three most recommended ways to stay active and healthy during pregnancy. Firstly, how much exercise during pregnancy is a healthy dose? 30 minutes a day of gentle to moderate exercise is more than enough. At times during your pregnancy, exercise may well be in the ‘definitely not happening’ basket. And that is absolute ..read more

The changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy are nothing short of astounding. After all, you are growing a human inside you. As your body adapts to accommodate a growing baby, you will experience a range of sensations that are new to you. Some are amazing. But unfortunately, some will be less than pleasant! Round ligament pain is one of the most common unpleasant sensations. It affects up to 30 percent of pregnant women. It usually begins in the second trimester, around the 14-week mark. While it can range from uncomfortable to excruciating, it is actually nothing to be concerned a ..read more