MATERNAL MENTAL Health Campaigner Neev Spencer will be speaking at The Baby Show Live @ Home Digital Event next week but ahead of her advice clinic the mother of two has shared her advice to all women who are pregnant in a pandemic.

“Being pregnant and navigating through the minefield of hormones is a challenging enough, but adding self-isolation into the mix brings an even greater challenge, so it’s no wonder that new and expectant mothers are suffering at this time.

“Pregnancies are usually the time we dream of baby moons, baby showers, and showing off your bump to your nearest and dearest as you eagerly await the arrival of your bundle of joy. But lockdown pregnancies couldn’t be further from this. Staying indoors for most of the day, unable to see your loved ones and close friends, with your perfect pre-baby plans dashed is far from ideal, however there are still ways to make the most of this time and prepare for your big day.

“Nesting is an instinctive activity for mums-to-be and their partners which gets your home ready for your little one. Nesting plays a big part in how you mentally prepare for the arrival of your baby, and a lovely therapeutic way of spending newfound time indoors. Relish in planning your baby’s nursery, spend parts of the day looking over design ideas and craft all-important touches to their room. You can buy everything you need your new baby online, so don’t feel as though you’re going to be short of anything. Parenting sites have categories for nurseries and what should go in your hospital bag, and lockdown won’t change everything being delivered to your door, so take some comfort in that. The Baby Show Live @ Home Digital Event, taking place on 16-17 May, will also be taking the shopping experience of The Baby Show online so you can get those all important discounted products.

“Painting the nursery and planning all the finishing touches are great ways to help pass the lockdown days and keep your mental health in a good place. Crafting has been scientifically shown to help reduce stress, release tension and promote wellbeing, so find what hobby craft works for you.”

“Fresh air and the short amount of time we’re allowed outside will also hugely impact your mind and body, so gentle walks and exercises in the garden will make a great difference. Online pregnancy Yoga is another brilliant way to practice mindfulness and connect with other pregnant women who you would normally see at NCT classes. There are lots of pregnancy fitness classes out there, from well-established and experienced people such as Powerful Pregnancy, The Yoga Midwife and more. Taking the time to do a few classes each week will really help you with aches and pains you might be feeling. This will also give you that all-important sense of routine we are lacking.

“Pain in pregnancy can be very consuming and I know from my own experiences that having a specialist Osteopath to guide you through moments of intense discomfort can really help. I would recommend Kam Panesar from London Osteopathic Care who specialises in prenatal and anti-natal osteopathy. She holds daily zoom sessions, as do the majority of other health practitioners.

“It may feel like you are marooned on an island right now, stressed and anxious about so many things, but you don’t have to. Every single healthcare professional you would normally see and be assessed by is still there for you, just in a more virtual sense. Your normal appointments and checks are still happening, so don’t be afraid to speak to your midwife and put your mind at ease. There are also people offering free anti-natal help such as The Honest Midwife, Dr Rebecca More from Birth Better, and apps like Freya which you can download and practice hypnobirthing techniques.”