Posh and Pregnant

20 Beauty Dos & Don’ts You Don’t Expect When You Are Expecting

By Abegail Matienzo

Pregnancy should be a time filled with excitement and eager anticipation Of the bundle of joy headed your way in nine months … but a slightly less glamorous side still permeates: the symptoms that leave you feeling a bit drab about your looks. We asked professionals in the area for advice on how to battle the most common complaints to have you looking and feeling your absolute best.

 

1st TRI-MESTER

Morning Sickness
Nothing says “you’re pregnant” quite like morning sickness, which can actually hit at any time of day and affects more than half of all pregnant women. In addition to avoiding foods and smells that trigger nausea, try these tips.

DO Snack often.
“Crackers and other bland foods can be lifesavers when you start to feel nauseated,” says Cheryl Mirabella-Caldwell, nutritional health coach of Living Whole Health in Alexandria. She also suggests sniffing lemons or ginger, and drinking lemonade and ginger tea to relieve nausea.

DON’T Skip meals.
Eating small meals and snacks throughout the day is best. “Eating slowly and more frequently can help, keeping in mind not to feel too full or empty, as both can make nausea worse,” Mirabella-Caldwell says.

Fatigue
The body works extremely hard to provide for you and your growing baby. Blame that sluggish feeling on the increase in progesterone in your system.

DO Eat green vegetables, even if they’re the last thing you’re craving these days.
“You’ll be giving your body folic acid and getting energy because they naturally improve circulation, help purify the blood and clear congestion, which often increases during pregnancy because of an increase in fluids throughout the body, “ offers Monica Silvestro, a health counselor in Arlington.

DON’T Rely on sugar for energy.
“Eating a candy bar may give you a short boost of energy when you want it, but sugary foods ultimately increase the level of tryptophan in your blood, which is the chemical that people associate with that Thanksgiving turkey sleepiness,” Silvestro explains.

Water Weight
Nix the excess salt from your diet to avoid that less-than-pleasing bloat.

DO Watch intake of processed foods and fast food.
“They are generally high in sodium and will exacerbate the problem,” explains Danielle Omar, a dietician-nutritionist in Fairfax.

DON’T Spend every minute on the scale.
“This is not the time to become weight obsessed. Just relax and accept the fact that your body is changing,” Omar says. She also advises drinking more water than usual and exercising.

Varicose Veins
Whether they make your legs ache or you just hate the sight of them, varicose veins can really make your blood boil.

DO Sleep on your left side.
“This will decrease pressure on the veins in your legs and feet,” says Dr. Michael Karnaze, an interventional radiologist of The Vein Centers of Fairfax Radiological Consultants.

DON’T Hesitate to slip on a pair of compression stockings.
“They are the first line of defense against varicose veins and can be effective in minimizing the condition,” Karnaze advises.

Acne
Pregnancy can cause your sebaceous glands to work overtime, but there’s no need to fear; try one of these quick tricks.

DO Use a good concealer and apply with a concealer brush.
“Keromask concealer is great for covering anything. They also have a yellow adjusting color shade to combat the redness in pimples,” offers Victoria Stiles, owner of her own makeup artistry company in Sterling. Keromask concealer can be ordered online at www.PaintandPowderStore.com, which is based out of the home of Northern Virginia resident, Suzanne Patterson.

DON’T Try to dry out your skin in an effort to get rid of acne.
“That only makes it worse. Try an oil-control moisturizer, like one by MAC Cosmetics. It hydrates but controls excess oil secretions,” Stiles says.

Pale Skin
Some women experience pale skin as a result of low iron levels in the body. Unfortunately, tanning beds can’t be your go-to solution during pregnancy, but there are other safe options available.

DO Give Mystic Tanning a try if you want a little more color.
“Having a nice spray tan will bring out that natural pregnancy glow even more,” saysAshley Frye, owner of tanning salon Cali Dreaming & Company in Chantilly.

DON’T Hit the tanning beds again until after your pregnancy.
Laying in a tanning bed may raise your body’s temperature to one that is unhealthy for your baby. “This is the time when your baby’s development is crucial, and it’s very important to be safe,” Frye advises.

Stress
Frazzled over those body changes and the baby that will be here before you know it? Take a breather!

DO Pamper yourself by getting a spa pedicure.
As your belly starts growing, it becomes harder and harder to reach your toes, and many salons carry nail polishes that won’t emit toxins that are harmful to the developing fetus. “We use non-toxic nail polishes like SpaRitual, that have no formaldehyde, tuolene or Db phtalates,” says Julie Smalfelt, owner of Comfort & Joy Wellness Spa in Fairfax.

DON’T Wait until your third trimester to get a pre-natal massage.
“Sometimes, we end up getting a call from the husband cancelling the appointment because the wife is already in labor. Take advantage of the massage and other pampering services,” Smalfelt urges. Experienced practitioners can perform effective side-lying massages to help women relax and reduce some of the muscle soreness and tightness in the back and hips.

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2nd TRI-MESTER

Disappearing Waist Line
A rounder, growing belly doesn’t mean you should throw all notions of fashion out the window.

DO Accessorize your outfits with scarves, shoes and even belts, which can go over or under your belly.
“It’s also great to combine non-maternity accessories, or things that you used to wear before with your maternity clothes, like a cardigan. Just wear it un-buttoned,” suggests Elleni Vorvis, owner of Apple Seed Maternity & Baby Boutique in Alexandria.

DON’T Change your style.
“If you never wore wide-leg pants or wrap tops before, it doesn’t mean you have to now that you’re pregnant. It’s all about feeling good in what you’re wearing,” Vorvis recommends.

Stretch Marks
Although mostly hereditary, some professional treatments can help keep these at bay.

DO Moisturize your belly twice a day to help skin stretch.
“A really good lotion is Nivea Original Extra Enriched Lotion, which you can pick up at any Target, Wal-Mart, CVS or Rite Aid,” suggests Tiffany Bogaty, clinical aesthetician of Loudoun Dermatology Associates in Leesburg.

DON’T Wait to get them treated.
“If stretch marks do occur, you have a small window of opportunity to treat them with our Aluma treatments, using Functional Aspiration Controlled Electrothermal Stimulation in our office, if they’re still red in color,” Bogaty offers.

Backaches
Having aches and pains in your back can become more frequent as your baby grows and you’re carrying around more and more of it. Be sure to try one of these doctor-recommended remedies.

DO Take warm baths and showers, making sure that the water is neither too hot nor cold.
“They help to soothe sore muscles and mentally relax you,” says Dr. Louis Ziegler, a chiropractor of the Advanced Health Center in Arlington. “Really hot water could hurt the baby, and cold water won’t help sooth your aches.”

DON’T Rely solely on bed rest for relief.
“It’s generally not helpful for back pain in the long run, and may even make you feel worse,” Ziegler advises.

Dark Eye Circles
Sleepless nights can leave unflattering bags under your eyes, but makeup can fix that in just a matter of minutes.

DO Follow your foundation application with concealer.
“This way, the makeup looks fresher, and helps the concealer stay in place while giving better coverage,” recommends Angela Perez, owner of D.C.-Metro area freelance company, Wild Flower Makeup Artistry.

DON’T Forget to brighten up the eye area.
“Clarins Instant Light Perfecting Touch is lightweight and bright. Brightness is important because it will reflect the light,” Perez explains. She also suggests applying white eyeliner or eyeshadow.

Swollen Breasts
An increase in hormones means changes in your body, especially your breasts. Keep these tips in mind to maximize your comfort.

DO Wear loose, flowy tops in soft fabrics.
“This type of clothing will cause less friction against your breasts,” suggests Natalie Jobity, president and CEO for Élan Image Management, which serves the Washington, D.C., Metro area. She suggests fabrics like silk, poly blends, cashmere and soft cotton knits.

DON’T Wear anything too tight around the bust, making sure that your bra fits properly.
“The more your breasts sag, the more pain you will feel. Also, choose a bra with molded cups to protect your breasts from rubbing against your clothing,” Jobity says.

Excess Hair
Prenatal vitamins may have you growing hair all over at a ridiculous rate. Keep safety in mind when you’re choosing hair removal methods.

DO Choose waxing as your method of hair removal.
“It’s a quick and safe method that won’t hurt the baby,” says Annette Haines, a master stylist at Hier and Haines Salon in McLean. Haines also claims that waxing will not cause additional growth; if anything, it will scar the hair follicle and lessen overall growth.

DON’T Try hair removal methods without consulting your doctor first.
“I wouldn’t recommend shaving because it may only cause irritating stubble,” Haines says.

Dull Hair
Sometimes, all you need is a good hair day to get in a happy mood to go along with that pregnancy glow.

DO Be cautious of the type of hair dye you use during pregnancy.
“Use ammonia-free hair color such as Schwarzkopf’s Personality or Viviance lines,” suggests Adam Stecker, a hair stylist at Reflections of You in Fairfax. These lines use a combination of unoxidized and pre-oxidized color intermediates, are ammonia-free and have a 50- to 70-percent gray blending rate.

DON’T Get short bangs or short layers around the face.
“After pregnancy, women may experience hair loss around their hair line, not leaving enough hair behind to pull off those bangs,” Stecker advises.

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3rd TRI-MESTER

Swollen Feet/Edema
You may find yourself retaining water and swelling, especially in the legs, ankles and feet, which is the condition commonly known as edema. A low-sodium diet can help, along with following these tips.

DO Drink lots of water.
“It helps to flush everything out. I also recommend putting your feet up above your heart for at least an hour each day,” suggests Margie Wentzel, certified nurse-midwife at the Physician and Midwife Collaborative Practice in Alexandria.

DON’T Ignore the swelling.
“It’s normal to experience some swelling, but if it persists, or also occurs in the face and hands, see your doctor,” Wentzel urges.

Weight Gain/Outgrowing Maternity Clothes
The key to avoiding excessive weight gain is exercise. If you didn’t work out regularly before, now’s the time to start, and if you did exercise before, it’s important to stick with your routine so that you don’t have to shed as many pounds post-delivery.

DO Stay active by doing an activity like walking for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
“Walking is safe because it doesn’t get your heart rate too high for the baby, and it keeps you healthy. There will be days when you just feel too exhausted, but going for a walk can boost your energy levels,” recommends Jessica Storm, owner and master personal trainer of Storm Fitness in Reston.

DON’T Avoid strength training completely.
“Obviously, don’t perform crunches, but sticking to light weights can keep your muscles toned for even after your delivery,” Storm says. She also stresses the importance of avoiding Bosu balls, balance boards, rollerblading and other activities where you may fall on your stomach.

Pregnancy “Mask”/Chloasma
Chloasma is the term for those blotchy areas of darker skin you may have noticed appearing on your face due to the increase of melanin production in the body.

DO Exercise caution if you have the predisposition for melasma or chloasma.
“Sun and pregnancy are not a good combination in this case,” says Dr. J.C. Caballero, a dermatologist of Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center in Warrenton.

DON’T Forget to wear sunscreen and hats.
“Remembering simple steps like these can minimize the complications of chloasma,” Caballero says.

Overgrown Hair and Nails
Noticed your hair and nails getting out of control? Thanks to those prenatal vitamins, they’ll be in great condition, but it’s important to maintain them.

DO Treat yourself to a manicure every other week.
“Quick nail growth is a common result,” explains Robin Harmon, owner of Tangerine Dream Beauty Bar in Great Falls. Harmon also suggests visiting your salon every five to six weeks to maintain your hairstyle, as hair growth also speeds up during pregnancy.

DON’T Do anything drastic with your hair.
“As emotions are higher than normal, you may completely regret the change. Look to your stylist for different styling options with the current look that you have,” Harmon recommends.

Bleeding/Sensitive Gums
Higher progesterone levels can bring about “pregnancy gingivitis” and cause your gums to bleed or become more sensitive. Remember to take extra good care of your teeth during pregnancy.

DO Floss every night.
“This stimulates the gums and removes plaque where the toothbrush will not reach, improves the circulation, and prevents bleeding,” says Dr. Rena Vakay, a dentist who runs her own practice in Alexandria.

DON’T Forget that medications and prescription drugs should be kept to a minimum.
“Medications like Periostat, used to treat periodontal disease, contain tetracycline, which may discolor developing teeth in a fetus and young child,” Vakay warns.

Hip Pain
Your hip muscles and joints may start to hurt as your body prepares for delivery. Try these tips to minimize discomfort.

DO Treat mild symptoms at home.
“Use heat and ice, or you may consider chiropractic manipulation as a means to loosen the low back and relax muscles,” recommends Dr. Peter Stanton, a chiropractic orthopedist in Burke.

DON’T Gain more weight than your doctor recommends.
“Consider a pregnancy exercise program prescribed by a professional,” Stanton says.

(July 2009)

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