When Eileen Newman fell pregnant for the first time three years ago with her daughter Grace, her way of thinking changed immediately to focus on protecting the precious life she was growing inside her. 

“With my first pregnancy we tried for three-and-a-half years to get pregnant so when we did conceive our daughter naturally it was a great surprise but at the same time I turned my mind to what about my lifestyle would change,” she said.  

 “You realise it’s not just you and your partner anymore and I definitely carried that feeling through my pregnancy.”

Eileen said there were several things that were front of mind once she knew she was pregnant.

“I knew my life was about to change so I was focussing very much so on ensuring I was exercising, drinking enough water, eating right and being mindful of what I was putting into my body,” she said.

“I was very conscious of being the best version of myself to give my baby the best start in life. 

“I went and got a pregnancy vitamin and kept on top of my iron levels too.”

Eileen recently welcomed her second child into her family, baby Jackson on May 24, and said the innate need to do all she could to ensure her son was as healthy as can be was just as strong the second time around. 

“From that first moment you do have that instinct that you might be pregnant; I’m not sure if it’s hormones or what but it’s like your body is telling you it’s time to make sure it’s in its best condition to grow a baby,” she said 

“I approached my second pregnancy the same way I approached my first and because of that have birthed a healthy son.”

Eileen said that pristine pregnancy went beyond just eating healthy. 

“A woman’s midwife or doctor was also a pivotal part in having a pristine pregnancy,” she said.  

 “Most women know their body and their baby well; however, midwives and doctors play an important role in offering reassurance to addressing concerns of women.

“For me I made sure I attended my midwife appointments regularly and I’d advise other mums-to-be to do the same as this is a big part of ensuring the wellbeing of your baby and yourself. 

“Missing appointments means you could miss not picking up any changes or developments in your baby or waiting longer to ask questions you are worried about and ending up not feeling confident in yourself or your pregnancy leaving you feeling stressed out.”

Eileen said looking after an unborn body meant trusting your body to deliver a healthy baby at the end of the pregnancy. 

“Babies can be born at anytime and anywhere so if you’re doing everything you can to look after yourself and your baby the rest will take care of itself in most cases,” she said.

“I tried very hard not to let stress affect me during my pregnancies which ultimately benefited me and my baby. 

“Getting excited about the good things and your baby matters and women shouldn’t forget that as a special part of the process.”