As a woman, one of the
biggest life changing events that can happen to you is getting pregnant. It
affects your physical, mental and emotional state unlike anything you’ve
experienced before. No two pregnancies are alike, making the journey of each
individual one that much more unique. For some mothers, pregnancy can take its
toll when things like swelling, insomnia, cramping and stress start to creep in
on a frequent to everyday basis. Here at True REST, we hope to help alleviate
as much of these symptoms as possible, so each unique pregnancy can be
comfortable and relaxing for the mother.

In general, flotation therapy helps to reduce
inflammation and swelling in the body. Many women who are pregnant often come
into float with the complaint of uncomfortable swelling, especially in the
later months of pregnancy, or cramping in their legs and sciatic nerve. While
swelling and cramping may be normal, that doesn’t make it comfortable! We want
to make sure everyone has the opportunity to be as relaxed as possible during
their float and sometimes all that takes is a little extra support and a little
creativity!

Here are some of our top tips and tricks for
anyone floating while pregnant:

1. More Props: We provide a neck pillow for each
   floater, but feel free to bring your own additional waterproof props that will
   help make your session more comfortable. Some women prefer to float on their
   sides with a small pool noodle between their legs. Try out a few variations and
   combinations of props to see what works best for you.
2. Move the Body: During pregnancy, laying on
   your back might not be the most comfortable position for you to relax in. Try
   belly floating instead with some prop support or if that isn’t comfortable, try
   turning on your side. As the body changes during pregnancy, we want to get
   creative with all the different ways to position the body to reach that optimal
   level of relaxation.
3. Slow Breaths: Floating provides an opportunity
   for you to really tune into the sound and quality of your breath. Your breath
   and heart have a direct connection to one another; if you slow down the breath,
   you will slow down the heart rate. Practicing conscious, slow breathing not
   only helps you to decrease stress and relax into the float, but it also helps
   to prepare you for the breath-mind-body connection during actual birth.
4. Connect: Pregnancy is such a special time for
   you to not only slow down and connect with yourself but connect with your baby.
   Some women have even experienced hearing their babies heartbeat and although
   it’s not a guarantee, floating provides a space for you to unplug from the rest
   of the world and just be present with you and your baby.
5. Snack Before: It’s common for some women to
   experience nausea during their pregnancy. If that’s the case for you, try snacking
   on something light, nutritious and high in protein to keep that nausea at bay
   during your float. Plan on eating a bigger meal afterwards, you may be
   surprised how much of an appetite you can work up while in the float!
6. Drink Afterwards: As the baby grows, it’s very
   normal to have to use the restroom more often. If this is something you’ve
   experienced, request a room that is closest to the bathroom for any quick
   mid-float trips. Make sure to use the restroom beforehand and skip any
   beverages that might fill up the bladder before you go into relax.
7. Cozy Up: Take your appointment to the next
   level and bring your own cozy robe, slippers, hair towel (turbie twists
   welcome!) and any other products to make your experience as rewarding as
   possible. Think sheet mask, skin care, hair essentials etc.

Thank you to all the beautiful mothers who have
come to float with us over the years. We love to provide this service for you
and hear about all of your experiences when floating. Come on in for a float
with us soon!

The post Tips and Tricks to Float During Pregnancy appeared first on True REST Float Spa.