TEXT AND ILLUSTRATIONS

Ever heard of that pregnancy glow? Sometimes it feels more like sweat. Just sweat. The summertime can be a hard time for a pregnant woman to feel as beautiful as she looks, but it is important that you
feel like the goddess you are during this beautiful time in your life.

Exercise

If you regularly run or have a regular exercise routine, then keep up the good work! Although you will hear that women should not be starting new exercise programs once they are pregnant, it is completely safe for pregnant women who were not previously active to walk, swim, and do yoga—gentle physical activities. Moving about is good for your circulation (which may be taking a hit thanks to the summer sun) and there is a good chance that staying in decent shape will make labor and delivery a bit easier.

Hydrate

Summer is generally hot, and most people sweat it all out, but pregnant women also swell—alot. When you are expecting, the amount of blood in your body increases by a substantial amount. This means that your hands, feet, arms, and legs especially are more likely to be engorged as the days heat up. Not to mention your face. Drinking (what you may feel to be) an excessive amount of water is one of the best ways to reduce your chances of swelling, and we all know that drinking lots of water is great for our bodies in general. You will feel that famous pregnancy glow when you are the most comfortable in your own skin.
Buy yourself a big reusable water bottle in your favorite color or pattern that fits nicely in your purse and keep it refilling it. Unfortunately, you will have to take a bathroom break roughly every 20 minutes, but if we are being honest with ourselves, you were going to have to do that anyway.

Dress to impress

It isn't hard to feel weird in your own skin while you are expecting; your own body can be quite strange to you now as you have little to no control over all the incredible changes that are taking place. Your pregnant body, however, is like a work of art; it should be admired for the miracle that it is—by you.
When I say dress to impress, I mean that you should impress yourself. Pick fabrics that are softy and stretchy and put together outfits that accentuate all the beauty of pregnancy. Find the perfect shirt and skirt combo that shows off your bump and or a dress that hugs your curves just right. Wear anything and everything that makes you feel great. Clothing is something we use to project our own sense of self to the world, so when you feel sexy in your clothes (pregnant or not) that's the way the world will see you too.

Treat yourself

Chocolate, candles, and a bubble bath anyone? Taking time for yourself—whether you want to read a book or go shopping—is a great way to make yourself feel sexy. Encourage your partner to take responsibility for a few extra chores in the house or take the kids for one whole day during the weekend so you can be free to do anything you want or nothing at all. Less worry and more relaxation is bound to show on your face, in your skin, and shine through in your disposition. Nothing is sexier than a woman who is happy.
The best way to feel as sexy as you look during the nine trying months of pregnancy is to simply take care of yourself in any way that makes sense to you. Here's to a glowing and radiant summer for us all!