*Please note: I am not an affiliate or ambassador for any of the businesses or products listed in this blog post. These are products I have purchased and use during pregnancy and recommend. I do not receive commission of any kind by providing links or recommendations in my blog. Also, please consult your doctor with any questions or concerns when using certain products when pregnant or when changing your exercise routine. 🙂
When I was pregnant with Lucy, my brain was consumed with questions. I had a list for my OB and chiropractor at every appointment and consulted numerous family and friends on what probably felt like a daily basis. I remember thinking “next time, I’ll know what it’s like being pregnant. I’ll know how my body handles it and things will be so much easier.”
Even though there isn’t a book out there that can teach you as much as experience, I’ve been surprised at just how different this pregnancy has been. Regardless, I have decided to do a few things differently this time around, and so far, it has really helped!
- Exercising more. This was so tough during my pregnancy with Lucy. I had so much cramping and weird pains early on and then contractions (no, not Braxton hicks, actual contractions) from at least 30 weeks until past my due date. I had never been pregnant before so we weren’t sure if this was just how my body handled pregnancy or if we would be welcoming a premie long before our nursery was ready. With all of that going on and no idea how to modify my workouts or runs, I was afraid to move. While I am just shy of 18 weeks, for now, I am trying to move my body every day of the week. In particular, I’m doing an amazing pregnancy guide by Expecting and Empowered three days a week. I cannot say enough good things about this guide! I can go at my own pace, with minimal equipment and all in the convenience of my own home. In addition to the guide, I am jogging (run/walk intervals) two to three days a week and walking as often as Iowa winters allow. This time around I know pregnancy is no time for straining for a new personal record or even attempting my pre-pregnancy workout and running routine. (But don’t think for a second these E&E workouts won’t kick your butt!) It took having a baby for me to finally appreciate my body and (I’m a work in progress) give myself grace. Even a little movement has been a game-changer for my mental and physical state this time around.
- Wearing supportive bands early on. Maybe it’s because I’m petite. Maybe it’s because I have a grumpy uterus (slang for having contractions throughout your pregnancy), but the strain of growing a baby is REAL. I didn’t buy a support band until I was already SO uncomfortable and well into my third trimester with Lucy. This time around, I broke mine out around 12 weeks when walking, jogging, and working out. I highly recommend finding one that works well for you (and as always, I am NOT a medical professional, so please consult your doctor for any recommendations, questions, or concerns). These are just two that worked well for me: Belly & Back Support Belt & ProBump™ Pregnancy Belly Support Band
- Seeing a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist. Did I just say that? Yes. And I think it should totally be normalized. I know so many women who believe the lie that peeing your pants when you sneeze is just what happens after you have kids but it doesn’t have to be!! Visiting a pelvic floor physical therapist is not weird. It’s not like a visit to the gynecologist. I was skeptical for far too long when I could have been benefitting from their help and expertise! I truly believe their help has allowed me to stay active & not be as uncomfortable as I was with Lucy. Because of my physical therapist’s guidance and expertise, I feel confident & strong to continue moving my body throughout pregnancy. If you are pregnant or postpartum I cannot recommend seeing a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist enough and if you’re local, you seriously need to check out Breathe! Also, they help with SO MANY things (not just pregnancy/postpartum) so check them out!
- Looking forward to labor and delivery for the sake of meeting my baby, not for the sake of having a particular experience. Originally, I was pretty freaked out by the idea of going through labor and delivery, but when I was admitted at 30 weeks for preterm contractions with Lucy, I really started doing my research and preparing for labor and delivery. By the time we were to my due date and still no Lucy, I was READY and had the “let’s do this” mindset when labor finally came. HOWEVER, labor, delivery, and postpartum wreaked me. (You can read a little bit about my experience in It’s Going to Be Okay). It honestly took some counseling to be okay with the idea of having another baby and going through that again. I’ve seen so many women cling to the hope that their next birth will be the redemption story they so desperately desire to make up for their first. While I am TOTALLY praying this labor will be shorter, no back labor in the mighty name of Jesus, and recovery will be easier and more joyful, I am trying my best to not put too high of expectations on something I may have little to no control over. What will be will be. God is in control. I am just looking forward to meeting the newest addition to our family and am so grateful for this experience!!
All of this to say, I am so thankful for all the amazing resources this time around and incredibly grateful to house this little life inside of me. I hope some of these can help you as well! Until Next Time!