A perfect gift to myself after having Michael was getting pampered. Almost every woman I know loves getting pampered, am I right? Had I read something like what this post is about before my DD (due date) I would’ve been so thankful for reading it! Creating a gift to yourself or a friend/ partner who is a mom-to-be for AFTER the baby is born is so refreshing and NEEDED for a new mom. I remember yearning to get my hair done but didn’t finally make an appointment for 3 months after I had Michael! Talk about a confidence boost afterwards too. You know ladies how fly you feel coming out of the salon like, “dang girl check out my new do, where we going tonight. Umhmm it’s about to get hot up in here y’all my hair is FRESH”. Ya know, that feeling. Well this little gift basket to yourself will give you all those feels plus some.
- set up a hair appointment a few weeks to a month after your delivery. Like I stated above, it will make you feel so much more confident, sexy, refreshed and some after having a baby. Your baby weight isn’t going to just disappear, unless you’re a lucky like .005%er of women. Clearly I wasn’t. So this will deter you from obsessing about the weight in your hips and put some focus on your shiny new head. Maybe if possible plan a diner date that evening if you can or feel up to it with your partner. Getting away for just an hour or two together is so beneficial for ya’lls relationship.
- Invest in like a super pack of under eye soothing gel packs which you can find here. The ones I have linked are my favorite and you won’t break the bank. Trust me you’ll need them with the no sleep you’re getting. Not only do they just feel AMAZING and relaxing, they help diminish the dark circles under your eyes as well as moisturize to brighten too. I couldn’t get enough of them. Seriously they come in packs of 3 so you best believe every chance I had these babies were on my face.
- Speaking of face, face masks!! Your body is producing a flash flood of hormones and your skin changes so much during pregnancy, mine got dry which never in my life had it been before, so I needed so much extra moisturizer to replenish my dehydrated skin. Face masks were the perfect answer. Get enough for one or two a week the first month after you get home. Play with different kinds like a relaxing mask, a replenishing mask, I tried a 24k gold mask that was bomb. I love the Sephora line of different face masks. A less expensive option though and you get a TON is the Que Bella line. Don’t fret about it because you won’t be spending money in the same mind frame once your bundle of joy makes their debut. So splurge woman and get some face masks!
- Set up a pedicure appointment at your local nail salon or get a gift card so you have it handy. Do it for a few weeks out as well. Where I get my nails done the ladies are the sweetest (and give amazing leg massages). it feels fabulous having someone cater to you after giving selflessly for 3 weeks straight non-stop.
- Find a chiropractor (if you weren’t already using one during your third tri and if you didn’t have a c-section) and get an appointment scheduled a week or so after you deliver. GAME CHANGER. My back was way outta whack after having Michael and going to the chiropractor helped in so many ways. De stressed my tense neck, shoulders, back. Realigned my hips and helped my posture from nursing get better. I was no joke walking around like the Hunched Back of Notre Dame. My shoulders were up to my ears I was so tense. So schedule an appointment a week after.
- Along with your wonderful chiropractor, schedule a massage! I’d say a relaxing massage over a deep tissue because all you’re going to want to do is relax. Make an appointment again, a few weeks out. You won’t know how you’re feeling until baby arrives so you could schedule it sooner but being safe, schedule it out later so it’s on the books. Again having someone else cater to you and help you relax for an hour just feels fabulous. You’re the queen of the house you deserve to be pampered as such!
- Get yo’ self some Epsom bath salt, bath bombs and a relaxing candle for your bathroom. Taking warm baths is SOOTHING and RELAXING for your recovering body. While you have a back that has been thrown out of whack for that last nine months, it is going to take some time adjusting. Now you’re holding a baby constantly putting new strains on it, if you’re feeding I won’t even get into your posture in this post. The salts will help relax the muscles and tension throughout your body. The candle will sooth your senses and the bath bomb is just to make your skin feel silky and super soft. Hitting all the good relaxing senses. All you need is a fresh-baked cookie and you would be SET. Dr. Brown’s Epsom Salts are amazing, these are the ones I use! These Bath Bombs are fantastic and a great deal! Everyone knows Bath and BodyWorks has amazing scents. Their candles are on another level (I’m obsessed with candles) and this one is fantastic for de-stressing and sending you into pure relaxation.
Of all the times in your life to say you deserve it, after having a baby those words couldn’t hold more truth! So pamper yourself! Set up and pay before hand as you’re making your appointments. It will be so easy to back out, feel guilty and not leave the house if you haven’t already paid for these things. Make your appointments, write them down on the calendar (preggo brain then mom fog brain, you will forget) and help yourself feel like a woman again! Instead of a milk leaking, bloody, baby belly, exhausted, sacrificer of your own body, take these steps back into non-pregnant postpartum womanhood. Like I said earlier, one thing you could do for YOU, is make a gift basket full of all these goodies for yourself. If momma ain’t happy, no one is happy. 
There is so much truth in that statement. And if you’re a friend or partner debating on a gift, ding ding ding!!! A pregnant woman will make sure the baby has everything it could possibly need (nesting phase). Best gift they will get from anyone will be this gift basket. And you my dear won SO SO SO many cool points. And you’ll earn them again when those appointments come up after DD and she is even more hormonal than she already is. You’re welcome. 😉 After having Michael these things helped me so much AND they were recommended by my midwife! Maybe not the face masks or pedicures but warm baths with epsom salt, massages and the chiropractor were highly suggested. I have my favorite products I use linked above for an easy one stop shop. It is so much easier buying online than running around getting everything especially once baby is born! If you haven’t yet read about mentally preparing yourself for your big day, go here after you order yourself presents! So take the list, order your products, do a test run before baby is born, hehehe, and enjoy it fully once they arrive! No one deserves it more than you do momma!