Feeling comfortable and well during pregnancy is paramount, but not always easy to come by. This time around, I’ve made two changes that have benefited me greatly. One is prenatal yoga. The other—hydrating with DripDrop. Whether pregnant or not, self-care is of the upmost importance when living with a chronic illness like inflammatory bowel disease and creating a life.

While yoga and DripDrop are different, I think of them much in the same way. They go hand in hand. While I’m driving to yoga class and sitting on my mat before we start, DripDrop was formulated so water and salt can be absorbed quickly, making recovery as effective as an IV. I can hydrate my body in a matter of minutes.

Both nourish my body. For as long as I can remember, I always shied away from doing yoga because I felt self-conscious and like I would make a fool out of myself as a beginner. I’ve always been the type to enjoy team sports, whether it’s playing soccer or basketball or going for a run. Up until this past summer, I never gave yoga much thought. After my first prenatal yoga class, I was hooked. I felt so much stress lift. As I cleared my mind of the day’s stress, I felt closer to my baby girl, connected on a different level. With each pose and each breathe, I’ve become better aware of what’s going on within my body. When you’re pregnant and doing yoga, it’s important to stay hydrated. It takes me a matter of seconds before I head out the door to class to mix my DripDrop ORS in my water bottle, so I have the peace of mind that I’m getting plenty of fluids for my body during and after class.

Both leave me feeling rejuvenated. Like many moms, I depend on a cup of coffee in the morning to jump start my day. Prenatal yoga and DripDrop make me feel energized in the best way, even with class late into the evening. The exercise and hydration boost my spirits and make me feel refreshed. Chasing around a toddler all day, while nearly 30 weeks pregnant, while battling Crohn’s disease is taxing. By taking time for myself and slowing down for a couple of hours of week, I’m setting myself up for success and optimal health.

Both make me feel like I am doing what’s best for me and for my baby. Living with chronic illness often comes with guilt for parents and spouses. Even when we’re feeling well and not flaring, we still can feel less than because our health is not up to par. We want to be everything to everyone. It can feel like a constant uphill climb with a ticking time-bomb on your back. Prenatal yoga and DripDrop help me to take a step back and focus on what’s important. It’s a time each week when I can focus solely on the miracle growing inside me. The class brings me comradery among other woman going through similar experiences and allows me to decompress and share my journey with pregnancy and Crohn’s. You quickly come to find out—each woman—no matter what their background has similar fears, concerns and thoughts.

Interested in learning more about DripDrop? Click here. Namaste, friends.