Skip to content
 Lollipop Nail Studio in Costa Mesa features its own nail polish line that is entirely vegan and nontoxic.
Lollipop Nail Studio in Costa Mesa features its own nail polish line that is entirely vegan and nontoxic.

During pregnancy, your midsection might balloon to uncomfortable proportions. Your jeans may refuse to button and your favorite heels likely will feel unbearably snug. While your hair and nails may appear healthier than ever, the rest of you might feel – and look – a tad frumpy. The good news is that there are entire industries dedicated to helping you achieve that effortless pregnancy glow. Here are some tips to looking and feeling good while you’re rocking a baby bump.

Oil it up

Most dermatologists agree that stretch marks are hereditary. Meaning if your mom has scars on her legs and belly from pregnancy, the odds are that you will, too. But that doesn’t stop many people from spending big bucks on every oil and cream that promises to get rid of those unsightly marks of motherhood.

During my pregnancy, I gained 50 pounds. After my son was born, it took me eight months to look like my old self. Fitting into my pre-maternity clothes again was a small victory for me. But there was also an added bonus: not one stretch mark. I honestly believe that my belly oil regimen played a big role in thwarting the formation of scars.

From the moment the doctor confirmed my pregnancy, I started using Belli Elasticity Belly Oil every day. A friend from college, who gained a whopping 80 pounds during her pregnancy, recommended it.

I practically bathed in the belly oil. I sprayed and slathered it all over my chest, stomach and thighs twice a day for months. The oil smells like lavender and eucalyptus. It’s blended with vitamin E with other essential oils for a spa-like aromatherapy experience. Belli Elasticity Oil is $34 and can be purchased at belliskincare.com.

Look polished

First-time moms-to-be sacrifice a lot. No sushi, no cured meats, no raw dairy and no nail polish. I thought pregnancy meant my mani-pedi days were behind me, but I was wrong. Lollipop Nail Studio in Costa Mesa offers a nontoxic alternative. The salon created its own nail polish line that is entirely vegan and nontoxic.

The Lollipop experience feels more laid back than that of a typical bustling nail shop. After selecting an eco-friendly nail color, you’ll sit in a 1950s retro bamboo chair. The seats are more cute than comfortable, but a helpful technician will help prop you up and swaddle your bulging stomach with pillows for additional support. One of my favorite parts of this pedicure experience is the organic foot bath. The all-natural Himalayan salt and rose oil soak soothes tired, swollen feet. The soak is followed with an organic almond scrub handmade at the studio. The treatment culminates in a leg and foot massage. For this, the studio uses a balm infused with sweet-smelling geranium oil, which is prepared twice a week in small batches and contains no parabens or artificial colors. A manicure and pedicure is $60; lollipopnailstudio.com.

Move it

The best way to accustom yourself to your rapidly changing body is to simply keep moving. I took to walking one mile in the morning and another in the evening. I noticed that this routine helped my joints feel less stiff and I had more energy. While walking was great cardiovascular exercise, I also wanted to stay flexible. I opted for prenatal yoga at home, but my friend Nadia Rani, a mother of two, practiced yoga at Shakti Studio in Irvine throughout her first pregnancy. The weekly gatherings gave her a space to stretch her limbs, crane her back and open her hips.

At Shakti Studio, prenatal yoga instructor Andrea Rasla helps her students boost their strength and stamina with ancient movements that increase a body’s awareness. By practicing prenatal yoga, Nadia relieved some of her pregnancy discomforts. The classes provided a serene space to clear her mind of damaging thoughts and stay positive, which is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Single classes start at $19; yogashaktistudio.com.