Tag Archives: pregnancy

Hospital Item Must Haves

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When I went to the hospital to have Ryder I remember the nurse asking where my bags were. I lifted up my little black bag and said right here! She laughed and said “that’s it?” She then apologized for laughing and explained she was just shocked because most women come in with a giant roller bag as if they are moving in. 🧳

Her comment made me laugh too. I understand wanting to be comfortable but do you really NEED that many items? Here’s what I packed in my bag last time and have done the same for this second baby:

🔹Outfit to go home in

🔹Baby’s going home outfit

🔹Underwear (3 pairs to be safe)

🔹Nursing bra

🔹Shoes to go home in (ones that fit swollen feet)

🔹Toothbrush & Toothpaste

🔹Face Wash

🔹Face Wipes

🔹Face Lotion

🔹Chapstick

🔹Mascara

🔹Face Powder

🔹Hair Brush & Hair ties

🔹Phone Charger

🔹Book

🔹Nurses Treats

Outside of these items I couldn’t find anything else I really needed. The hospital provided us with diapers and wipes while we were there and even gave us some to go home with.

I’m not a huge makeup wearer so I felt it unnecessary to bring tons of makeup or toiletry items.

I know some people like to bring their own hospital robe but I was just fine in the one the hospital gave me. I guess if you want to look cute for pictures then go for it.

The hospital had a tv, but I found it nice to have a book as something different. There were times where I just wanted quiet and a book was perfect to have.

My husband complained about being freezing in the hospital the entire time. I felt fine, but then again I still had so much blood pumping through me it probably kept me warm. If you naturally get cold easily you can bring your own blanket, but the hospital will provide extras if needed.

One item I am bringing this time that I didn’t bring last time is treats for the nurses. The nurses at the hospital were so kind to me the first time. They made me feel so comfortable and kept everything light. I remember laughing quite a few times which I didn’t expect. So as a little thank you for taking care of us, I put together a snack basket to put at the nurses station for them. 🍬

Everyone is different. I know there’s tons of items that people feel they absolutely need that I didn’t. I’m more of a simple person and just brought what I needed to be comfortable. I didn’t want to have to drag a bunch in and drag it all back out. But again, to each their own! Do what works for you!

Baby 1 meeting baby 2

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Everyone keeps asking me how I think Ryder is going to handle having a new baby around. I literally have no idea. And all the questions have started making me feel a little guilty. That sounds horrible when I say it out loud. But in all honesty I’m a little nervous. I don’t want him feeling attention deprived or think I love him any less. I’m having a hard time with that right now. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I know the positive patty’s of the world are going to tell me he will be just fine and everything will turn out great. Yeah yeah, leave me alone. I know everything will be just fine, but that doesn’t mean my mom guilt just goes away or lessons any right now. 😢

I know it may take a few weeks and he will eventually adjust to the change and realize I’m still here and still love him as much as I ever have. It just tears at my heart that for any amount of time he would be upset or sad. He’s the happiest kid ever so it breaks my heart to see him upset. 💙

Couvade Syndrome

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I couldn’t stop laughing when I first heard about Couvade Syndrome. Never heard of it? It’s a condition in which pregnant women’s partners think they’re experiencing pregnancy like symptoms! Sounds ridiculous but it’s real!

Partners can actually take on feelings of leg cramps, abdominal pain and even cravings! I literally laugh every time I think about it. Not because I’m making fun of the people this happens to. Just because I find it crazy what the human body can do!

This hasn’t happened to my husband, thank god! When he gets a cold it’s like having a sick helpless child in the house. I couldn’t imagine him with Couvade syndrome!! 😂

Organizing for baby #2

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Getting organized for baby #2 has been pretty easy. The fact that our kids will be so close in age helps because most of the baby clothes, toys, etc that we got for Ryder we still have and are in good condition. There are a few additional items we needed or things that needed replacing from wear and tear.

In order to keep an organized list of what we needed for the new baby, I actually created a private baby registry. Every month I buy things off my registry. Sort of like checking things off a list. For Christmas or my birthday when my mother asked what I wanted, I would send her a link to items on the registry! Funny how things have changed. I used to ask for items for myself for my birthday or Christmas. Now I ask for things for my kids, that make my life easier! 😂

I’ve had people ask if I’m going to have a baby shower for this second baby. My answer is no. I’m a traditional person. So I think it’s only proper to have a baby shower for your first child. I find it weird when people have baby showers for their other children. A “sprinkle” I totally get. Those are small and typically you are just given diapers. Not to mention it’s an excuse for a party! But a full on baby shower…..no. ❌

I definitely feel more prepared for this second baby. Having kept all of Ryder’s baby things and making my lists keeps me organized and free of stress. The fact that we aren’t moving houses at the same time we are bringing the new baby home is definitely making it easier this time around. Lesson learned. 😂

Over it….

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I used to love going to the gym. It was my place away from everything. Now I sort of dread it. I literally pray that I’ll just make it through a short workout each time. The pregnancy struggle is getting real!💪🏻

I’m in the last few weeks of pregnancy and everything is getting hard! Putting my shoes and socks on is a battle. Not only can I barely see my feet but I can barely reach my feet to get shoes and socks on! I also get winded just walking around. I had to sit down and breathe after just doing laundry! I’m constantly tired and want to lay down but can’t because I have a toddler running around like crazy. I’m always hungry but I’m running out of belly room so I have to eat tiny meals all the time which is exhausting in itself. I barely sleep at night because of the leg aches, back ache, and overall discomfort. Don’t get me started on the constant need to pee. I’m literally on the verge of going to buy adult diapers! 🤦🏼‍♀️

On a positive note, I have no major swelling. My feet and hands look the same as they always have. I had a little swelling with Ryder that caused me some discomfort but none this time around! My hair and nails also look great. My hair struggled at the beginning of my pregnancy but it’s made a turn for the better! It’s looking shiny, healthy and growing long fast!

Needless to say, these last 6 weeks will feel like they take the longest. Maybe Cam will be like Ryder and get here a little early. In all honestly I wouldn’t mind! I’m ready! Literally! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Fibroids

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Ever heard of a fibroid? I knew very little about them before I found out I had one when pregnant with Ryder.

Fibroids are non cancerous growths found on, in or attached by a stalk to the uterus. However, just because they are non cancerous doesn’t mean they aren’t without risk.

While pregnant with Ryder my fibroid grew to the size of a softball. That’s really huge! Mine was pedunculated, which means it’s attached by a stalk. I could actually move mine around sometimes which was really creepy. One time while at yoga I was laying on my back. My fibroid was in the middle of my belly under my belly button. I was able to move it over to the left side just by pushing it. 🤢

Not only did the fibroid take up space in my belly that Ryder needed, it was pulling in a lot of blood. I had to check in with a specialized doctor once a month, aside from my regular prenatal visits. They would measure the fibroids growth each time. There was actually talk about surgically removing it while I was pregnant. It caused me a lot of pain and discomfort. However I was willing to suffer the pain to avoid surgery. Going under while pregnant was not something I was willing to do unless it was life threatening. There’s too many things that can go wrong or put my child in danger so it wasn’t worth it to me. Pain for a few months was a better option.

I got on a strict diet in hopes of reducing the fibroid size. I ate only non hormone, grass fed beef and antibiotic-free chicken. I also got organic milk, eggs, veggies and fruit. I avoided anything packaged or overly processed. I reduced my sugar intake and increased my water intake. I was even very careful what restaurants I ate at. I saw a reduction in the size of my fibroid by a couple centimeters. That doesn’t sound like much but when you’re limited on space, any little bit helps!

My fibroid shrank to the size of a golf ball a few months after I delivered Ryder. I was told it would likely never really go away, but that it shouldn’t cause me any major problems.

My fibroid has grown a little this second pregnancy but no where near the size it was with Ryder. I’m still cautious what I eat. And I still feed my family only organic, grass fed beef, antibiotic free chicken, some organic fruits and veggies (certain foods you don’t have to buy organic, ex: avocado, bananas, etc). Fibroid or no fibroid I give my family the healthiest food I can always! It’s best for all of us. 💙

Chia Seed Pudding

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My new obsession…..chia seeds! Specifically chia seed pudding. Yes it’s pronounced the same way as the chia pets you saw on tv as a kid. That’s because it’s the same seeds! Sounds super weird when you think about eating the seeds that make a chia pet. 😂

Chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, iron and calcium. Eating chia seeds once a day can provide 18% of your daily calcium need! 💪🏻

Chia seed pudding is actually super easy to make and tastes great! I eat it in the evening as desert! Some people eat it in the morning because it can be very filling.

To make chia seed pudding, I use one cup of silk coconut milk, 2 1/2 tbsp chia seeds, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Mix together until seeds are incorporated into the milk. Wait a few minutes for the pudding to settle, then mix again. Put in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. I like to top mine with shredded coconut, strawberries, blueberries and sometimes granola! It’s a perfect snack or night time dessert! 🍨

Glucose Test

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I passed my glucose test!!! Sounds ridiculous to be excited about something like that, but I seriously am. I’m a healthy eater but those things can be so easily thrown off. I failed it with Ryder the first time because I drank milk the night before 🤦🏼‍♀️ So I got stuck doing the 4 hour test after that, which I passed, but it was absolutely miserable! You literally have to sit in the doctors office for 4 hours! To make matters worse my doctor at the time had no WiFi or extra plug outlets in her waiting room. (First world problems I know!)🤷🏼‍♀️

This time around I asked lots of questions and made sure to do a little research. I made myself a 3 day meal plan and stuck to it. I avoided simple carbs, dairy and sugars. I ate only meat, eggs, and veggies. I avoided fruit the day before just to be safe. I also drank more water than normal. It worked because I passed this time around! Whoohooo!

I was seriously dreading sitting in the doctors office with a 1 1/2 year old for 4 hours. 😩 One less stress to worry about!!! It’s smooth sailing from here now! ⛵️

Pregnancy and Autoimmune

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If you thought you were exhausted, achy, etc just being pregnant, try being pregnant while having autoimmune! My body is constantly overworked. It’s straining daily just to keep me and baby healthy while also battling against itself.

If you’re unfamiliar with autoimmune, it’s a non communicable disorder/disease. So you can’t catch it from someone sneezing near you, coughing, blood, inheritance, etc. They actually don’t know what causes autoimmune diseases.

In short, your body’s immune system protects you from disease and infection. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. The classic signs of an autoimmune disease are exhaustion and inflammation, which can cause redness, heat, pain and swelling. Depending on the autoimmune disease, for some the symptoms can actually be worse.

So for me, not only is my body working to grow a baby and protect the baby, but it’s also fighting against itself by mistake. My body feels overly exhausted daily. I also get a lot of non pregnancy related aches and pains. Combine that with pregnancy discomfort and I’m just one big ball of fun!

If you know someone who has autoimmune or even someone pregnant with autoimmune, give them a big hug or do what you can to try to be sympathetic! (Or if you’re like me, leave them alone and just be understanding 😂) They’re definitely fighting a difficult battle. 💪🏻

Pregnancy and workouts

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I think it’s interesting to see a “new aged” doctors view vs an “old school” one. My first pregnancy I went to an older doctor. Despite being perfectly healthy, she put me on SO many physical restrictions while pregnant. She wouldn’t allow me to lift more than 20lbs or get my heart rate above 140. She told me to limit back exercises and avoid any workout involving my core.

This second time around I have a younger doctor. Her views are quite a bit different. She gave me no restrictions other than to not push myself too hard and to rest when needed. Since I lifted weights pre baby, she saw no reason to restrict my weight lifting. However, she recommended I not push myself more than my usual. Adding heavier weights than what I’m used to would obviously not be a good idea. But I was allowed to run, lift weights, etc as I please. She also saw no reason for me to worry about my heart rate. Since my body was used to workouts pre baby, and baby and I are currently very healthy, she saw no risks in me getting my heart rate above 140. She did say to make sure I could breathe well and wasn’t struggling or wheezing. You want to be able to get enough oxygen to your muscles and the baby.

I love how people are finally accepting fitness in pregnancy rather than running scared from it. Restricting workouts doesn’t benefit the mother (unless there is a physical need for restriction.) It actually has so many amazing benefits!

I have almost no back or hip pain this time around. I credit that to my workouts and the fact that I still have most of my strength. I have way less joint pain and I’ve had very few headaches compared to what I had the first time around.

Obviously you should talk to your doctor before participating in any physical activity while pregnant. But don’t be afraid to go for a walk, lift weights, etc if given the green light. Your body, and your baby will thank you!