Pregnancy is a magical and incredible experience. During my pregnancy, I felt like I was a part of the most surreal experience of my life. Creating a life inside of my body is honestly an amazing part of being a woman. While it is undoubtedly a great experience, I would be lying if I said that pregnancy didn’t put my body through the wringer. For starters, I gained about 70 pounds which was way more than my doctor advised. I had absolutely no self control when it came to what I ate, when I ate it, and how much I indulged myself. I just charged it all to be pregnant. Pregnant women get to eat whatever they want right? I didn’t work out at all during my pregnancy because working out when I’m not pregnant was already a chore so doing it while carrying around a belly seemed ridiculous to even suggest. All of this lead to a postpartum experience that honestly felt just as brutal, if not more so, as pregnancy. It took me literal years to get to a place where my body was remotely close to where it used to be and I felt like myself again. Yes, pregnancy gave me the right to indulge a bit and relax however, pregnancy doesn’t last forever and I had to scramble through recovery way longer than I should have. Avoid these mistakes during pregnancy to have the best, smoothest, and most amazing postpartum bounce back ever.

15 Eating For 2... Or 3

One of the biggest misconceptions of pregnancy is that moms to be have to eat for 2, considering they are creating a human being. During my pregnancy, I followed this rule like it was handed down from the heavens. Every time I overate during mealtime, I just shrugged it off thinking that I was supposed to be eating for two. However, this is not really true. Yes, pregnant women do have a heartier appetite for various reasons. But, there is no need to approach eating as something that needs to be doubled in order to grow a healthy, full term baby. Eating the double amount of food will pack on pounds far beyond the amount needed for a healthy pregnancy. Once the baby is born, that excess weight will be difficult to work off. This is coming from experience as I gained 70 pounds during pregnancy and it took a couple of years to really work it off.

14 Not Moisturizing The Baby Bump

Bouncing back after having a baby goes far beyond losing the extra pounds. During the 9 months of pregnancy, a woman’s body expands and stretches in ways that are unimaginable. The skin on the body stretches incredibly fast as the belly grows during pregnancy. Though skin is quite elastic and is created to be able to stretch and retract easily, pregnancy makes it happen so quickly that stretch marks are likely to appear. While there isn’t much a woman can do to avoid stretch marks, moms to be can stay on top of moisturizing their belly to help maintain their skin’s elasticity. This will help the skin bounce back after pregnancy. Staying on top of moisturizing my skin during pregnancy helped me tremendously after my pregnancy. My skin was not very loose and my stretch marks, while not avoidable, were not nearly as bad as they could have been.

13 Not Taking Your Prenatal Vitamins

I’ll be the first person to say that buying, taking, and staying on top of the prenatal vitamin regimine is both challenging and annoying. I am not the kind of person that can remember to do anything, really, every single day. However, taking prenatal vitamins is so incredibly important for during pregnancy and for a quick bounce back. They replenish all of the vitamins and minerals your baby is draining from you as they grow and helping your body stay healthy throughout the process. It is a fact that a healthy pregnancy will equal an easier postpartum journey. Prenatal vitamins help you to achieve a healthier pregnancy. Your skin will look better, your body will be healthier, and your baby will get all of the nutrients she needs. Your bounce back will be better because your body has all of the tools it needs to make it happen.

12 Ignoring Signs Your Body Is Giving You

It is a total fact that our body sends out signs and alerts when something out of the ordinary is going on. Pregnant or not, it is essential that we always listen to what our bodies are trying to communicate. During pregnancy, this is even more important as it can be the sign that stands between preterm labor and a healthy pregnancy. Postpartum health and getting your body back into shape after the baby is made that much easier with a healthy pregnancy. This means paying attention to the signs of dehydration, major skin changes and rashes, excessive weight gain, swelling, or anything that doesn’t feel right. Listen to your body during pregnancy and don’t just assume that it is a part of the process. You know when something doesn’t feel right. If you want that quick snap back, you have to invest in a healthy pregnancy.

11 Choosing Juice Instead Of Water

Who doesn’t love the sweet and satisfying taste of an ice cold juice? I mean, everyone likes some kind of juice. However, all juice has some amount of sugar and unless you’re squeezing it fresh in your kitchen, it probably has even more artificial sugar than you think it does. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying the casual glass of apple juice here and there, it is important to fill up on water more than juice. The human body thrives on water and when the body is dehydrated, it can cause pregnancy complications including early labor. Drinking plenty of water during pregnancy also helps to keep the skin hydrated which is essential when it comes to the changes that linger well after having a baby. Skin that is hydrated will be less likely to succumb to stretch marks during pregnancy and more likely to hold onto that beautiful glow once the baby has arrived.

10 You Think Kegels Are Unnecessary

All of the things that change during pregnancy doesn't only happen on an outer level. Yes, the weight gain and skin changes and constant sweating can be irritating. But, one of the major changes that will linger way beyond the initial months of postpartum recovery. The pressure of the baby living inside of the uterus along with actually going through labor and the birth process all play a part in weakening the pelvic floor. One thing that can make the recovery process easier and help to strengthen the pelvic floor is doing kegels. They help when done properly and honestly, having that strength down there goes a long way when you are choosing between going to the bathroom and moving a sleeping baby off of your lap. A strong pelvic floor is totally a part of the bounce back after baby.

9 Not Cutting Back On The Caffeine

This was probably one of the most difficult changes that I had to come to terms with during my pregnancy. I love coffee more than just about any drink out there. However, drinking more than 8 ounces of a strong caffeinated drink per day can have terrible effects on your body and potentially your baby. Firstly, it has no nutritional value and makes iron very hard for the body to absorb. Next, it can keep you up all night meaning that you will look as worn out and tired as you feel from pregnancy to postpartum. Say hello to bags under your eyes. Lastly, caffeine can sometimes curb your appetite and while you should watch what you eat and how much, as a pregnant woman you should definitely not be doing anything to take your appetite away. Feeling hungry is important and helps you put on healthy weight and muscle if you workout. Your bounce back will take way longer if you don’t cut back on the caffeine.

8 Forgetting To Slather On Sunscreen

During pregnancy, almost everything seems to change. From our weight to our hair to our skin. While our body is changing rapidly, it is important to help ourselves out as much as possible. Skin throughout pregnancy can be very sensitive and prone to rashes, irritation, and drying. All of this is exasperated by overexposure to the sun. When the skin is exposed to the harmful rays of the sun too much, you are more likely to experience sensitivity that can last far beyond giving birth. Stretch marks are made more severe when they aren’t protected from the sun. While stretch marks aren’t totally preventable, protecting the skin from the sun can make them much less severe. A part of bouncing back after pregnancy is not only being at a comfortable weight, but it’s feeling and looking as close to your pre pregnancy self as possible; your skin included. Use a simple sun screen when spending time outdoors on your face and body. The SPF may vary depending on the time of year you’re pregnant.

7 Not Valuing Bed Rest

Sleep after having a baby is a rare and precious commodity. During pregnancy, it should be treated just as precious. Our bodies recharge while we rest and it is absolutely essential during pregnancy. Unlike the rest of the time, the 9 months of pregnancy is a time where put all of its efforts into creating a new life while still trying to maintain your own. All of your energy, nutrients, and strength is shared with the small human that is being formed. If that doesn’t deserve at least 6-8 hours of sleep and even a few naps sometimes, I don’t know what does. When you don’t allow your body to rest, your skin will look as drained as you feel and getting that healthy glow is much harder once the baby arrives. Give your body and skin a break by making sleep a priority.

6 Satisfying Each Craving

Having cravings is a part of pregnancy. That is a fact and there’s not much that can be done about it. During my pregnancy, I craved foods that I typically don’t even enjoy like a gallon of milk per week and bowls of peas. Both of those items sounds disgusting now. For some women have cravings for foods that are on the less than healthy side like desserts and junk food. Cravings can be so strong during pregnancy that it almost feels impossible to not give into them. I totally get it. However, giving into every single craving, without limits, can cause you to have an unhealthy pregnancy as well as causing you to gain excessive weight. Giving into unhealthy cravings all of the time create habits that don’t just disappear after the baby is born. Eating pints of ice cream in the bed at midnight for 9 months can be a hard habit to break and make getting the pre pregnancy body back quite difficult.

5 Not Taking Advantage Of Doctor Visits

In the beginning of my pregnancy, when doctor visits were once a month, I looked forward to them like the night before Christmas. By the 9th month, when the visits were weekly, I didn’t care about them unless she offered to induce me at that very second. What I should have done was utilize my frequent doctor visits to ask questions about how to have a healthy pregnancy that would yield a speedy recovery and healthy postpartum experience. While the internet can be helpful at 3 in the morning when you are trying to figure out if your indigestion can be cured with milk or water, there is no advice like that of your doctor. If weight is a concern, ask for tips on eating better and gaining weight at a reasonable rate. If your blotchy skin is a concern, ask for a referral to a prenatal friendly dermatologist. Take advantage of your doctor visits for a healthier pregnancy and even better postpartum bounce back.

4 Avoiding Healthy Calories

Trying not to give into every indulgent desire that pops in your mind is a tough enough process, this I know. But, instead of focusing on avoiding that growing urge to swallow an entire pizza in one bite, try to replace those foods with healthier options. This is not an easy thing to do the closer you get to your due date. If you start in the early stages of pregnancy with choosing healthier options, it will become like second nature. Healthier snacks will help you gain weight gradually over the course of your pregnancy instead of gaining way more weight than you need to. This will pay off incredibly once the baby is born and you are closer to the body you want to have, whatever that may be. Healthier food options will also give you and the baby the natural nutrients she needs while also replenishing those same nutrients to your body.

3 Being Overly Strict During Pregnancy

Yes, eating is a major part of weight gain during pregnancy. And yes, eating junk food the entire 9 months is almost a guarantee that you will gain way more weight than you or your doctor really want you to. But, sticking to an unreasonably strict diet the entire pregnancy is not only unrealistic, it sounds totally torturous. If you already have healthy eating habits, definitely stick to them. But allowing yourself to have a slice of cake every now and then is not going to hurt you. Actually, allowing yourself to have a treat during pregnancy will make the postpartum bounce back easier as you won’t feel the urge to drown yourself in indulgences when its 2 am and your baby is crying and you’ve just realized you haven’t eaten all day.

2 Choosing Netflix Over Exercise

For some women, being physically active during their pregnancy is not a possibility. In cases where women are advised by their doctor to keep their physical activity to a minimum, heading to the gym is not a smart move. However, if that is not the case, light workouts should be incorporated into a pregnancy from start to finish. That is something that I personally regret not doing more of. Working out during a pregnancy doesn’t mean trying to get that 6 pack you’ve always wanted. It doesn’t have to be overly strenuous and isn’t done with the hopes of losing weight. Working out helps your body recover after pregnancy, keeps you energized throughout your pregnancy, and makes loose skin less of a problem. Your weight won’t get too out of control and you will feel much better. Whether it is a walk around the park every other day or a light run on the treadmill at the gym, you have to get moving if you want that postpartum body to ever return.

1 Ignoring 9 Months Of Personal Needs

Sadly, it is taboo for moms to admit that they put their needs towards the top of their priority list. Goodness forbid a woman with children have a desire to take a bath, use fancy lotion just for herself, or even get her nails done. That’s all ridiculous. When a woman is pregnant, it is a tough process on her body even in the best of situations. It is a time where a woman shouldn’t ignore her own personal needs. She should still get facials, at home or professional. She should still keep up with her skin care routines. She should still enjoy a massage, yoga with the girls, or whatever it is that she does to keep her body looking and feeling the way she likes. This will make the bounce back better physically and the transition into motherhood while caring for yourself smoother.