The reigning natural pregnancy tip should be obvious: Simply have sex! However, with so much pressure to perform and all the stress and changes that come with pregnancy, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that your sex drive can suffer. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to get your libido back.
Hit the gym
Not only is exercise good for you, but it will assist your body when getting ready for baby and help you feel better about yourself. The Huffington Post also noted that excess body fat can reduce testosterone production, which decreases the libido in both men and women. That’s right – one of the main drivers of your lady libido is a small amount of testosterone. It might even be fun for you and your hubby to exercise together or at the same gym. U.S. News & World Report said that taking on a challenge together, like a race or a hike, can boost your sex drive. Just be sure to get your doctor or midwife’s permission before starting up any new exercise regimen during pregnancy.
Eat well
The Huffington Post reported that while aphrodisiacs are suspected to be a myth, avoiding foods that will make you feel bloated is a very real way to improve your sex drive. So try to avoid processed foods, dairy products, soda and anything else that makes you feel icky and decidedly not sexy. Substitute them for tomatoes, broccoli and pomegranate juice instead.
Health magazine also suggested choosing one food a day to really concentrate on eating. Paying attention to its texture, taste and smell will, over time, help you heighten your senses. Women who can tune into stimulants report having a higher libido, so next time you pick up an apple, try thinking about how it tastes.
Take some time off
If you’re truly feeling stressed, no amount of exercise or tomatoes will remedy it. What you should do is, if possible, take a day or two off of work or whatever is causing you the most tension. Use it to relax in whatever way works best for you, whether that’s visiting a charming bed and breakfast or cleaning your house head to toe.
Stare at a photo
Now this is just getting weird. But hey, whatever works, right? According to Health, looking at a photo of your significant other for 30 seconds stimulates activity in the part of the brain that produces the libido-fueling chemical dopamine. If you don’t feel like pulling out a snapshot at random and gazing longingly at it, set your man as the background on your phone or desktop. That way, you’ll get an eye-full on the regular.