Engage in gentle activity during and after pregnancy

Motherhood and the postpartum period are times of major change, deeply transformative moments in a woman’s life.

When your energy runs low, doubt creeps in or you’re simply overwhelmed, it’s important to allow yourself breaks and quiet moments. Little pauses that bring inner peace, soothe anxiety, ease minor aches and simply relax you. It feels so good to pause and rest for a few minutes.

If your doctor doesn’t clear you for physical activity, you can still turn to extremely gentle practices that require no particular movement, such as meditation or sophrology.

At Loulou, we firmly believe in the benefits of gentle activity during and after pregnancy. As we’ve already mentioned, exercise undeniably brings benefits, balance and a much-needed outlet.

You’re pregnant and feeling fulfilled in your new role as a mum, or perhaps you’re feeling more anxious? Pregnancy can be experienced in many different ways. Many factors come into play and influence this emotionally intense time.

Between decorating the baby’s room and preparing for birth, make sure you find a moment to breathe and unwind. It’s important to pause, reconnect with yourself and simply enjoy the moment.

Move, get your body going, breathe. It’s not easy to get started again after giving birth. And that’s normal! Take the time you need to ease back into a gentle physical routine. And if you’re not ready to roll out your yoga mat again, short meditation sessions are a great option!

The benefits? Reconnecting with and reclaiming your body, letting go of insecurities, putting certain situations into perspective in a gentle way. The postpartum period is also an intense time of discovery and profound change, as you learn to live with the little one you’ve brought into the world – it’s the start of a new life. A lot of fatigue can build up.

With your doctor’s approval, alongside pelvic floor rehab, it can be helpful to give yourself small moments of movement to gently resume physical activity—or simply to pause and take time to breathe. Having this mindset day to day is undeniably positive and beneficial. It brings more confidence, calm and strength. A peaceful, aligned state of mind. Nothing but good!

Yoga, Pilates, meditation or sophrology—we’ve decided to introduce you to four activities you can practice during and after pregnancy. While yoga and Pilates are practices that require approval from a healthcare professional, sophrology and meditation can be done when your body is still too sore after childbirth or at the end of pregnancy.

A star for sports activities, yoga has become hugely popular in recent years. Schools, associations or private teachers – it’s easy to find yoga classes for pregnant women. Since lockdown, many classes are also available online. Be careful though: it’s safer to practise with a professional to avoid injuries or bad moves.

Several types of yoga allow even beginners to get started. You don’t need to be flexible – prenatal yoga and postnatal yoga are fully adapted so that mums‑to‑be and new mums can thrive. The poses are always simple and accessible. You’ll work on your breathing and do a bit of mobility. It feels amazing – for your back, your pelvis and your mind. Yoga poses should always relieve, never pull or feel uncomfortable.

Similar to yoga, Pilates is a very gentle and slow practice, ideal for pregnant women. Pilates has the advantage of mobilizing the body, muscles, and preparing for childbirth. Pilates can be practiced and adapted until the last trimester if the expectant mother is in good shape. Postnatal Pilates allows women to gently regain control of their bodies. Pilates strengthens and increases flexibility. Long and controlled breathing also helps work the abdominal muscles.

You don’t feel mobile enough to start exercising? You’re too tired, you lack energy? No need to panic or feel guilty. To de-stress and release the pressure, there are other methods.

Meditation is actually very easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Sessions can be very short, just a few minutes. Think of this moment as a break, a pause in your day.
Take the time to build a bond with your baby if you’re pregnant, or to let go if you’re in the postpartum period. Many short, well-made videos are available online to help you practise or get started with mindfulness.

Similar in many ways to meditation, sophrology is practiced with a state-certified professional, the sophrologist. Particularly suitable for anxious moms, sophrology can work wonders. Just a few sessions are enough to ease your worries and, above all, help you regain a sense of calm. Your mind feels lighter, and you learn to put things into perspective, take a step back, and accept events. You also learn to manage your emotions, not to suppress them, to accept them, and then move on.

Loulou period underwear are true everyday allies. They’re incredibly useful in a woman’s life, especially during motherhood. During pregnancy, Loulou period panties keep you dry thanks to their high absorbency.

In the postpartum period, period underwear becomes essential. Soft and made from organic cotton, they effectively absorb discharge, bleeding and lochia. Check out our dedicated article, Postpartum, lochia and period underwear. And of course, period panties are your best friend when your periods return after birth.

For light or heavy discharge, Louloucup always has the panty you need. Our favorites? The Emilie seamless black style for medium flow, the Fanny black lace style for heavy flow, and our latest addition, Gigi, a super practical openable period panty!

Always aiming to help you **enjoy motherhood more comfortably**, Loulou tries to give you a few keys and ideas. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you might have.