Health & Parenting

Bryce Dallas Howard on Acting, Mothering, and Staying Healthy

Bryce Dallas Howard's Prenatal Health continued...

She's also more disciplined about getting the rest she needs and maintains her exercise routine from before she was pregnant. (However, women should talk to their doctor about exercise; some women should not exercise the same way or at the same level when they are pregnant.)

"It feels wonderful to get outside as often as possible, especially with my family. Ultimately I hope these efforts will add up to make for a strong labor and healthy recovery."

So make that three major projects in the works for Howard. And while The Help and 50/50 may already be causing advance box-office buzz, Theo's new sibling (who's due later this year) is the production Howard is most excited about. And the only reviews she cares about come from her firstborn.

"He's been an incredible help and very understanding!" she says of his reaction to her pregnancy. Will his positive attitude carry on after the birth? "I'm crossing my fingers!" she says, laughing.

Bryce Dallas Howard's Prenatal Health

Howard is making sleep, nutrition, and prenatal exercise a priority: "I was in much better condition overall when I got pregnant this time around. When the morning sickness started and all I could stomach was bagels, I felt a little bummed since I'd been so mindful about my nutrition previously. But I'm promising myself that the moment I can tolerate healthier foods I'll shift gears back to a well-rounded nutrition plan."

She's also more disciplined about getting the rest she needs and maintains her exercise routine from before she was pregnant. (However, women should talk to their doctor about exercise; some women should not exercise the same way or at the same level when they are pregnant.)

"It feels wonderful to get outside as often as possible, especially with my family. Ultimately I hope these efforts will add up to make for a strong labor and healthy recovery."

So make that three major projects in the works for Howard. And while The Help and 50/50 may already be causing advance box-office buzz, Theo's new sibling (who's due later this year) is the production Howard is most excited about. And the only reviews she cares about come from her firstborn.

"He's been an incredible help and very understanding!" she says of his reaction to her pregnancy. Will his positive attitude carry on after the birth? "I'm crossing my fingers!" she says, laughing.

Howard: Taking It 'Day by Day'

Bryce Dallas Howard juggles motherhood, professional life, and body image much like any American woman: "I take it day by day. And I'm always questioning if what I'm doing is right, being a working mom," the busy actor admits. Below, what works for this rising star:

Expect the unexpected. Howard admits to a preconceived notion of what motherhood would bring. Instead, she had a rough delivery, refused all pain medications after it, had difficulty breastfeeding, and stayed silent when she needed help -- a recipe for a health crisis. Now, she says: "I know I'll be the first one to ask my family or friends if I need a hand."

Don't forget you. Going back to work was part of her return to health. "I stopped checking in with myself," she tells WebMD the Magazine, referring to her own needs and wants. "I am so fortunate to have really great child care now," she adds, so she can take on the occasional juicy role.

Be kind to your body. "I will never wear a bikini again," Howard says. "But I say that with a twinkle in the eye, because I feel really proud! My body expanded to that degree to carry a life. And, you know, bikini or no bikini, I feel pretty good about it."