Pregnancy is one of those times when everyone is very interested in how you and the baby are doing – but sometimes it is easy to forget about looking after you.
There is so much advice about what to eat, what to avoid, which appointments to attend and what you need to buy that taking a few minutes simply to relax can end up quite low down the list.
That is one of the things I really like about Wholyme. The London-based wellness brand is built around the idea that looking after yourself should be part of everyday life, rather than something you only do when you are already feeling uncomfortable.
Wholyme offers a range of products for muscle recovery, joint support and pregnancy wellbeing, including bath salts, oils, balms and patches. The brand focuses on certified-organic and synthetic-free products, and there is a dedicated pregnancy collection.
A little bit of me-time
What appealed to me most about Wholyme is that the products encourage you to actually stop for a moment.
Pregnancy can be physically demanding, particularly as the weeks go by. A warm bath with some lovely bath salts, or spending a few minutes gently applying an oil to your skin, feels like a small thing – but it is also a reminder that you deserve a bit of attention too.
The Pregnancy Salts are a particularly nice addition to a bath. They contain Epsom salts alongside coconut oil, lavender and chamomile, creating a simple way to turn an ordinary bath into something that feels more like a proper treat.
For me, this is where Wholyme works particularly well. It doesn’t require a complicated routine or a huge amount of time. It is about taking something you might already do – having a bath or moisturising your skin – and making it feel a little more special.
Caring for changing skin
The Pregnancy Stretch Mark Oil is another product that fits naturally into a pregnancy routine.
As your body changes, skin can feel increasingly stretched and dry, so having a nourishing oil to massage into your skin is useful. But again, I think the ritual is almost as important as the product itself.
Taking a few minutes to apply the oil gives you an opportunity to slow down and acknowledge just how much your body is doing.
Of course, no oil can guarantee that you won’t develop stretch marks – genetics and how your skin changes during pregnancy play a big part – but keeping skin moisturised can certainly make it feel more comfortable.
Beyond pregnancy
I also like that Wholyme isn’t a brand you necessarily leave behind once the baby arrives.
Its wider collection includes products such as Relief Balm and Relief Salts, aimed at everyday muscle and joint care. That feels particularly relevant for parents because once the baby arrives, there is a whole new set of physical demands – from carrying a growing baby to bending over cots and spending hours feeding or playing on the floor!
The range also means there are products suitable for those times when you simply want to unwind after a busy day.
Our verdict
I think Wholyme gets the idea of self-care right. It doesn’t suggest that you need to spend hours at a spa or completely overhaul your routine. Instead, it encourages you to turn little everyday moments into opportunities to look after yourself.
For pregnancy, I particularly like the dedicated range and the simple approach. The bath salts and stretch mark oil would make thoughtful additions to a pregnancy care routine – or a lovely gift for an expectant mum who deserves a little pampering.
And perhaps that is the biggest appeal: when so much of pregnancy is about preparing for the baby, Wholyme gives you a gentle reminder to look after yourself too.
Find out more about the Wholyme Pregnancy Care range or explore the full Wholyme collection.
