Engage in gentle activity during and after pregnancy

Motherhood and the postpartum period are times of major change—transformative moments in a woman's life.

When your energy runs low, doubt creeps in, or you’re simply overwhelmed, it’s important to take some time out for yourself. Little moments of calm can bring inner peace, ease anxiety, soothe aches, and help you relax. It feels so good to take a breather, to rest for just a few minutes. If your doctor hasn’t cleared you for physical activity, you can still turn to very gentle activities that don’t require any specific mobility, such as meditation or sophrology. At Loulou, we truly believe in the benefits of gentle activity during and after pregnancy. As we’ve mentioned before, exercise undeniably brings benefits, balance, and a much-needed outlet.

Are you pregnant and feeling fulfilled in your new role as a mom, or are you more anxious? Pregnancy can be experienced in many different ways. Many factors come into play and influence this emotional time. Between decorating the baby’s room and preparing for childbirth, make sure to find a moment to relax and unwind. It’s important to pause, reconnect with yourself, and simply enjoy the moment.

Move, get your body going, take a breath. It’s not easy to get started after giving birth. And that’s totally normal! Take as much time as you need to ease back into a physical routine. And if you’re not ready to hit the mat, short meditation sessions can be really helpful!

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

With your doctor’s approval, and alongside pelvic floor rehabilitation, it can be helpful to allow yourself small moments of movement to resume physical activity or simply to pause and take time to breathe. Adopting this approach daily is undeniably positive and beneficial. It brings more confidence, calm, and strength—a peaceful, aligned mindset. All good things!

Yoga, Pilates, meditation, or sophrology—we’ve picked four activities you can do during and after pregnancy. While yoga and Pilates require a healthcare professional’s approval, sophrology and meditation can be practiced when your body is still recovering from childbirth or at the end of pregnancy.

A favorite for sports, yoga has become much more popular in recent years. Whether it’s at schools, clubs, or with a private instructor, it’s easy to find prenatal yoga classes. Since lockdown, many classes are now available online. However, it’s safer to practice with a professional to avoid injuries or wrong moves.

There are many types of yoga that even beginners can try. You don’t need to be flexible—prenatal and postnatal yoga are totally adapted so expectant or new moms can thrive. The poses are always easy and accessible. You’ll work on breathing and do some mobility work. It feels amazing! It’s great for your back, hips, and mind. Yoga poses should always feel relieving, never painful or uncomfortable.

Similar to yoga, Pilates is a very gentle and slow practice, perfect for pregnant women. Pilates helps mobilize the body and muscles, and prepares you for childbirth. Pilates can be practiced and adapted right up to the third trimester if the mom-to-be is feeling good.

Postnatal Pilates allows women to gently regain control of their bodies. Pilates strengthens and increases flexibility. The long, controlled breathing also helps engage the abdominal muscles.

Not active enough to start working out? Too tired, low on energy? Don’t worry and don’t feel guilty. There are other ways to relax and de-stress.

Meditation is a really simple practice to incorporate into your daily routine. Sessions can be very short, just a few minutes. Think of it as a break, a pause in your day.
If you’re pregnant, take this time to bond with your baby. If you’re postpartum, allow yourself to let go. There are plenty of short, well-made videos online to help you practice or get started with mindfulness.

Similar in many ways to meditation, sophrology is practiced with a certified professional called a sophrologist. Especially helpful for anxious moms, sophrology works wonders. Just a few sessions can calm your worries and help you regain a sense of serenity. You’ll feel more at ease and learn to put things in perspective, step back, and accept events. You’ll also learn to manage your emotions, not suppress them, but accept them and move on.

Loulou period underwear is a real everyday ally. It’s incredibly useful in a woman’s life, especially during maternity. During pregnancy, Loulou period underwear keeps you dry thanks to its superior absorbency.

In the postpartum period, period underwear is truly essential. Soft and made from organic cotton, it effectively absorbs discharge, bleeding, and lochia. Check out our article dedicated to this topic: Postpartum, lochia, and period underwear. And of course, period underwear is a lifesaver for the notorious first postpartum period.

Whether your flow is light or heavy, Louloucup always has the right pair for you. Our favorites? The Emilie seamless black style for medium flow, the Fanny black lace style for heavy flow, or our newest addition, the Gigi, a super convenient openable period underwear!

To help you enjoy motherhood to the fullest, Loulou tries to give you some keys and pointers. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.