Beauty tips for the mom-to-be: how to look great and feel good when pregnant - Beauty & Style

YOU'RE pregnant. Congratulations. Pregnancy is a blessing, a time of joy and celebration. But pregnancy should not be an excuse to let yourself go, to neglect your body, hair and complexion.

In years past, working women found few options for fashionable maternity wear. But today pregnant women do not have to settle for tent-like ensembles and floral prints. The smartly dressed working woman who wants to remain fashionable during her pregnancy bas a wider selection of attractive maternity clothes, and some at reasonable prices. Some women even want to show off their enhanced figures, and retailers are beginning to respond by offering fashions that are more tapered, more sexy and ultimately more flattering.

So there's no excuse for a pregnant woman to look frumpy and feel uncomfortable. With makeup, exercise and proper nutrition, and by devoting more time to taking care of yourself and your needs, you can sail through your pregnancy with grace and style--and look good while doing it.

"Stay positive and realize that pregnancy is a miracle that God has blessed you with," says Tenetra Clemons, who works in radio in Dallas and is expecting her first child in August. "Be thankful that you are able to bring a new llfe into the world, and that should make you look and feel great."

HOW TO LOOK GOOD AND FEEL GREAT WHILE PREGNANT

* DON'T TRY TO HIDE PREGNANCY

That's what some women did in years past, but that's not how to do it today, says Micah Materre, an anchor/reporter for WGN-TV in Chicago. Materre says that during her first pregnancy two years ago, she had a hard time finding flattering, fashionable clothing, but today there are many options. "I am proud of the fact that I'm bringing a new life into the world," she says. "Pregnant women today want to show off our figures. We want more tapered, sexier clothing."

Materre says that for a trip to Jamaica with her husband, she bought a sexy halter sundress, and she looks forward to wearing it. So don't try to hide your pregnancy under big, ill-fitting clothing, she says. Today, fashions are more streamline and celebrate the maternal figure.

* TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK

Pregnancy takes a toll on your back, so take steps to relieve the pressure and prevent back pain. Keep a footstool near chairs where you spend a lot of time. They help to ease the stress on your hips and lower back. Find one that is comfortable for you, depending on the length of your legs and height of your chair. As your pregnancy progresses, you will find that it is more comfortable to sleep on your side. Many find that a body pillow helps.

* EAT A HEALTHY DIET

What you eat is more important than ever during pregnancy. What you put into your body affects not only you but also your unborn child. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women eat low-fat, low-salt diets that include folic acid. Stop drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking cigarettes during pregnancy. In addition, recreational drugs can have disastrous consequences for your baby. As soon as you know that you are pregnant, check with your health care provider before taking prescription and over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements.

* LOOK GOOD

Skin breakouts, blotchiness, fatigue, nausea, and bloating are realities of pregnancy, and they are not pretty. Fine-tune your beauty routine so that you will be ready to combat and camouflage skin problems if and when they surface. Stop by the makeup counters in your favorite department store to learn what products work best for your skin during this time.

You should also know that pregnancy is a very sexy time, and many men find well-groomed pregnant women to be sexy. It is also the time when many women get their dream bustline. So enjoy it. When appropriate, show some decollete and wear a lacy bra. Look great and feel good about yourself.

* TAKE THE LOAD OFF YOUR FEET

While many women in the early months of pregnancy continue to wear high heels, the feet become a focal point of discomfort as the pregnancy progresses. Find just the right shoes that will take you through the day and on into the evening. Many women find shoes with low, solid heels (one or two inches high) more comfortable than flats. Look for styles with thick cushiony soles. And regularly treat yourself to a professional pedicure and foot massage. You deserve it.

* TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR MIND

Take time for yourself and learn to relax. Even if you don't regularly indulge in an occasional massage, this is the time to treat yourself. Submerge. splurge and frolic in water. Many pregnant women enjoy the weightlessness of water and find it a great way to give the legs, back and feet a break So swim, relax, frolic. Enjoy the swimming pool, the Jacuzzi, the beach. Just be aware that you, should not bathe in extremely hot water, for becoming overheated is dangerous to your baby.

* EXERCISE, NOW AND LATER

Don't fall victim to the notion that pregnancy is a time to sit around, lie around, eat a lot and exercise as little as possible. In fact, pregnancy is an excellent time to work out. Your health care provider should evaluate your level of physical fitness before you start an exercise program. Also get advice on which exercises are best for you.