Looking for an excuse to pamper yourself? You've already hit the jackpot: pregnancy is the best excuse going for nurturing yourself mind, body, and soul. So unplug the phone, light some candles, and start running that bubblebath. Here are some fabulous ways to nurture your inner diva as you begin the countdown to delivery day.
- Ward off insomnia and other late pregnancy sleep problems by finishing off the day with a warm - not hot - bath. Crabtree & Evelyn's La Source Mineral Muscle Soak is great for washing the aches and pains away.
- Get a really good haircut - one that will serve you well in your post-baby universe. That means choosing a low-maintenance style that won't look limp and lifeless when you start shedding all the extra hair you accumulated over the course of your pregnancy.
- Treat yourself to a massage. Either hand your partner a bottle of Neal's Yard Mothers' Massage Oil or head for the nearest Aveda Concept Salon for the ultimate in pampering: a Hydrotherm massage that is performed as you lie on warm, water-filled cushions. Ahhh...
- Hit the swimming pool at your local community center. Not only will a dip in the pool help you relax and unwind: it can help to ease back pain by taking the weight of your uterus off your poor, aching back.
- Have a romantic dinner with your partner. Spend the night at a B&B enjoying one last pre-baby fling.
- Have spontaneous sex -- assuming, of course, that you're still in the mood.
- Let a friend do something nice for you like whipping up some casseroles for the freezer, pre-addressing your baby announcements, or cleaning your house from top to bottom. This is one time in your life when it's okay to call in all your favors.
- Make a belly cast so you'll have a one-of-a-kind souvenir of this amazing time in your life. You can order a complete belly cast kit online -- just click here!
- Schedule lunch with a friend on your due date. That way, you'll have something to do if your baby decides to show up fashionably late.
- Pick up a bottle of Substance's Herbal Sitz Bath to help ease your postpartum aches and pains.
- Plan to use your newly honed pampering skills to pamper the new arrival.
- Check out the Body Shoppe's Mama Toto line as well as Bobbi Brown Baby.
- Succumb to your urge to nap or sleep in. If there's one thing that's likely to be in chronic short supply during the weeks ahead, it's sleep. This could very well be the Sandman's last stand!
