Being pregnant has definitely taken a toll on my body but it has also shown me how strong a woman’s body is and how amazing the whole process can be. Since this is my second time around, staying healthy and active has been at the forefront of my mind. I wanted to share some personal tips on how to stay healthy during your pregnancy and how to ensure that your body is getting everything it needs in order to keep you and the baby healthy! It can be such a scary time because your body is constantly changing, but learning what your body and your baby needs is such an important part of this process.

Eat Well- first and foremost lets cut to the chase. Eating healthy is ALWAYS a priority- pregnant or not. During pregnancy it is known that most women gain weight, this obviously varies person by person but it is important to eat things that are nourishing to your body and are healthy for the baby. Your baby thrives on eating real foods. Vegetables, grains, proteins and fats are all important parts of your diet that you should pay attention to. This time around I am being much more careful with what I put into my body.

Get Your Calcium- We all know how important this is! While getting the daily recommended value of calcium is key, it’s particularly important for pregnant women. A growing baby needs the calcium to build a healthy heart, as well as teeth, bones, muscles, and nerves. Your baby needs the calcium to build healthy teeth, bones, muscles and heart. Meeting your daily calcium requirements is important throughout all stages of life (including breastfeeding if you plan to). If there is not enough calcium in your diet the baby will pull the calcium it needs from your bones- and this could cause a risk later on. I have been taking Viactiv and I love it! Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available in either delicious milk chocolate or caramel flavors which makes them so easy to take since they taste amazing!! You can find this at Target, Walmart or CVS.

Exercise– Exercising is so important- but especially for pregnant women. I am not suggesting you push your body to the limit but having a daily routine that helps get you moving is so important. I suggest taking walks around the block, doing some light lifting or yoga to really engage your body and get your blood flowing!

Sleep, sleep and SLEEP– Easier said than done right? Trust me, I have a toddler. Getting the proper rest is so important because it allows your body to refuel for the next day. Pregnancy tends to cause a great deal of fatigue so slowing down and catching up is very important. Make sure you get to bed at a decent time, and just listen to your body.

Amp up your water intake- This is a pretty simple one. You want to make sure you’re drinking enough water to stay hydrated and feel better. The body tends to bloat when pregnancy occurs and having more water in your system makes you feel better. For me, it keeps my skin clean and just makes me feel better overall. It also helps reduce awful pregnancy headaches. During pregnancy your body is pumping extra blood so the water helps with a great deal of the symptoms caused by this including fatigue, swelling and constipation.

All photos taken by Fox & The Hare Photography

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews. All opinions are 100% mine.**Please talk with your doctor before taking any supplements. This post is not intended to address or diagnose any medical conditions. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease**