Our series My Perelel Protocol takes you inside the daily lives of creatives, entrepreneurs, and other amazing individuals as we uncover the routines and rituals that keep them grounded and thriving. From wellness practices to creative inspirations, we’ll explore what’s fueling them right now (including their Perelel!)—giving you a glimpse into the small yet powerful habits that shape their lives.
Today we chat with Laura Chautin, 32, illustrator and ceramicist.
Laura Chautin is making way for motherhood. As she navigates her third trimester of pregnancy, the Brooklyn-based creative has developed a thoughtful routine that balances her work, self-care, and the physical demands of pregnancy. In this Q&A, she opens up about the practices that help her stay grounded, the challenges of adjusting to a new rhythm, and the valuable lessons she’s learning along the way.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical morning for you right now?
A: Right now, in my third trimester, I’m pretty chill. I wake up around 5 AM since I don’t sleep the best, and I’ll go to the living room, make a cup of tea, and just relax. Then I’ll eventually make breakfast and take my dog for a walk.
Q: How about your afternoons and evenings? Is there anything consistent you do during those times?
A: It depends on the day. Sometimes I work in an office, but when I’m at home, I walk my dog right after lunch. As an illustrator, I have a home setup and do my work, which right now is more fun and meditative. Then my wife comes home and makes dinner, which is great because I’m not a fan of cooking. We eat and relax together.
Q: Has your sleep changed since becoming pregnant?
A: I’ve always been a bad sleeper, but before pregnancy, I would struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep. Now, I fall asleep instantly, which is great, but I wake up frequently throughout the night, either to pee or because my hips hurt. It’s not ideal, but I’m not stressed about it.
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Q: What other self-care routines or practices have you implemented during your pregnancy?
A: At night, I do stretches and breathing work using a yoga mat and birthing ball, especially for my hips. I also use a humidifier and diffuser for a nice scent. It's something I do every night before bed.
Q: Are there any scents you particularly enjoy during your self-care routine?
A: Yes! My wife brought back some Japanese eucalyptus from MUJI when she was in Japan. It’s not available here, which is a bummer, but I love it.
Q: Staying consistent with supplements can be hard for some. Do you have any tricks for keeping up with your prenatals?
A: I had really bad morning sickness up until around 16 or 17 weeks, so I found that taking my prenatal vitamins at night or after a big meal really helped. Otherwise, I’d feel sick. The Synbiotic Greens also supports my digestive and immune health, and happens to be very tasty.
Q: Besides sleep and yoga, are there any other wellness practices you’ve been keeping up with during your pregnancy?
A: I take a prenatal Pilates class at Good Time Pilates in Brooklyn, which has been great. I’ve also started seeing a friend who’s a massage therapist and rolfing specialist, who’s been helping me with my hips. And, of course, I do some reading or watch TV to relax.
Q: Is there anything about your wellness or pregnancy that you wish more people talked about?
A: There’s a lot! I think the mental side of pregnancy isn’t discussed enough. I’m not an anxious person, but I became really anxious during pregnancy. Also, the physical and hormonal changes are crazy, and no one really talks about that either.
Q: How do you balance the demands of pregnancy with work and other responsibilities?
A: It’s a challenge sometimes, but I just try to keep doing my normal routine while adding the pregnancy-specific things like stretching and taking my vitamins. When I go into the office, it can get physical, and I have to remind myself that I can’t carry too much or do too much. I’ve also had to step back from making ceramics because of the dust, which has been a big shift.
Q: When you’re feeling frustrated, how do you stay motivated?
A: I just keep thinking about how excited I am to have the baby. That helps me push through any frustration.
Q: How has your health routine impacted the way you show up for work and other areas of your life?
A: At the beginning of pregnancy, I wasn’t eating enough due to morning sickness, so taking my Perelel Trimester Packs helped both physically and mentally. Once I was able to eat more nourishing food, I felt better mentally, which allowed me to show up more in my work and be a better partner.
Q: What’s the last nourishing meal or snack you had?
A: This morning, I had a bowl of oatmeal with fresh berries. I love oatmeal, though I go in waves with it.
Q: Is there a song, artist, or album that defines this stage of your life for you?
A: I’ve been re-listening to Laura Marling, a singer I loved when I was 14 in England. I’ve been enjoying her albums again. I listen to sad song called Goodbye England, which I really like. And then there's one from her, well, not newer, but it's more recent, it's called For You.
Q: Does anything from your upbringing influence how you’re navigating pregnancy, like advice from your parents or cultural practices?
A: My mom’s big on dental hygiene, but I also think the British approach to parenting is a bit more laid-back. I have a couple of best friends who just had babies, and they seem less stressed out. In the U.S., there’s a lot of focus on doing everything "right," but in England, it feels more chill, which I appreciate.
Q: What’s one final thing you’d like to share about your pregnancy or wellness journey?
A: Just that it's been a big shift, but I feel grateful for the practices and routines that have helped me feel more grounded. Also, being excited about the baby has really kept me motivated through all the challenges.
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