Pregnancy Feels & Favorites
Let's talk about black bean burgers.Three weeks before I found out I was pregnant I had a black bean burger.. and enjoyed it! Just one little BB Burger. Then for some reason during pregnancy black bean burgers became satan. I was SO grossed out by the thought of them.. they haunted my thoughts. I had to renew my mind about black bean burgers, okay? One of the many things about pregnancy I didn't see coming.
But the biggest shocker of pregnancy for me was: I was the proudest I've ever been of my body. I wasn't proud in a way where I wanted to flaunt my pregnant self to everyone (you're welcome), but more proud of how my body fought to keep Elizabeth and I both healthy. As a dietitian, I always imagined snacking on kale chips and eating the most colorful of salads filled with all the nutrients during pregnancy. Too bad once week 6 hit all I could stomach was apple sauce, instant mashed potatoes, coke (yes, friends, Coca Cola), and all things white and processed.
I'm thankful that didn't last my entire pregnancy like some of my friends (bless you all). But my body, this body God gifted and entrusted me with, did exactly what it was designed to do WITHOUT MY HELP.
My body didn't look at our track record or consider how I felt about it or how I've treated it in the past before it decided to give me its very best.
God gave us a body that always gives us its best regardless of what we give it in return.
Here's what I'm NOT saying:
- We need to start worshiping our bodies or start writing them love letters (though that might be very therapeutic).
- We shouldn't help our bodies out by making healthy decisions in the process of it taking care of us.
- You have to be pregnant in order to get the revelation that these bodies God gave us are miraculous. That was just the way He revealed it to me. God reveals truth to us in His timing through an array of circumstances.
I AM saying..
I wish that I could have told myself about all of this when I was in college.
I probably wouldn't have listened.
But I'm so thankful for what I know now.
And I'm thankful my body doesn't hold anything against me.
Except for maybe all those times I went to the tanning bed.
I deserve every wrinkle I get.
Now, here's a list of some of my favorite things during pregnancy. Cue the randomness.
Apple Sauce Packets
Applesauce packets were my go-to when nothing else sounded appetizing. I could eat it slowly and it helped raise my blood sugar a bit before I attempted to eat something heavier. I actually may never eat one again.
I had some serious mom guilt during week 6-20 when all I wanted was processed starches. I read in "The Whole Nine Months" by Jennifer Lang, MD these words that gave me a lot of peace.
“Mother Nature is brilliant. Here is why it is in the best interest of our species to have some degree of nausea in the first trimester of pregnancy: It is more important in the first trimester for you to avoid digesting toxins than it is to take in nutrients for your baby’s development.”
Burt's Bees (for morning time)
Ya'll, my husband bought me this stuff and it was awesome. It was light, but I still felt like I was getting the moisture I needed on my belly. It was perfect for summer. I put it on right after I got out of the shower and it dried by the time I put my clothes on. It didn't feel heavy or greasy. It also was odorless which was great for that sensitive nose.
DIY Belly Butter (for night time)
1 cup organic coconut oil + 1 Tbsp jojoba oil or vitamin E oil + 10 drops each of Young Living Lavender, Frankincense and Young Living Gentle Baby. I love to have this scent on me before bed. So relaxing! It's also safe for baby. You can continue to use it for moisturizer and it can soothe the baby while your nursing or doing skin-to-skin. Start with a very small portion at a time to make sure baby can tolerate it.
Shakeology
I had an aversion to my prenatal vitamins about 8 weeks in.. not ideal. Once I became a Beach Body Coach I realized Shakeology was like a multivitamin and I couldn't taste the vitamins like I could in prenatals. I tried everything and YES I tried the gummies those were actually the worst. I even tried carnation instant breakfast just so I could at least get half of my daily multivitamin.. nope. I could still taste the vitamins. Shakeology is safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding!
Sleep Bra & Nursing Bra
So my husband despises the nursing sleep bras. I have no idea why because they are clearly sexy town. I went ahead and put that on the list of things Beck hates.. shoulder pads, nude colored clothing, and nursing sleep bras. When I discovered these bras it brought a deep joy into my life. I could sleep more comfortably and I knew I'd use them after the baby got here. Also, these nursing bras are by far the most comfortable and affordable to me. They have the perfect amount of stretch, padding and support in my opinion.
Asos.com
Okay, I love some Old Navy and Gap but you guys really disappointed me in the maternity clothing department. I don't understand. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I want my clothes to look 4 seasons behind or super plain. Asos had the cutest most affordable dresses to me with free shipping. I ordered two dresses and a top from them and they were true to size and I felt cute and comfy in them.
Pink Blush Maternity
This site was perfect for your basic maternity dresses. I bought two dresses from them and plan on wearing them when I'm not pregnant! They show you pictures of someone wearing the dress super pregnant and someone not pregnant. Also, I loved the maternity robe I ordered from them as well. Plus they are always running sales and/or free shipping.
Yeti or Swell Bottle
Cold water was/is my jam, especially when I was so nauseated that first half. I used my Swell Water bottle and it kept my water cold all day and helped me keep up with how much water I was drinking. If you're having a hard time drinking water and staying hydrated I also went through a few weeks of drinking gatorade. Yes, it's added sugar, but if it's all you can tolerate- go for it, sister. You need the fluids. Also, this will come in handy while breastfeeding. You get VERY thirsty and need water.
No Bake Energy Bites
These were great for afternoon snacks after a workout. They kept me from getting too hungry. I made extra to have in the freezer to snack on after baby gets here. Oats help increase milk production so these are a great snack while nursing as well. Plus, snacks are life when nursing. You're burning so much you need all the snacks. If you plan on eating them during the night I wouldn't add the chocolate chips and I would add raisins instead.
Young Living Peppermint Oil
This helped with the afternoon fatigue. Let's be real, sometimes you just needed a nap. But in the afternoon I would diffuse some peppermint oil in my office or dab some on the back of my neck and it would actually perk me up a bit. If you'd like to purchase I can get it for you at the whole sale rate!
PiYo
PiYo was my favorite workout for the second trimester. This link will send you to a link where you can get more information about the "PiYo Package". It got a little more challenging by the third trimester, but I felt like it was low impact enough for the second for sure! PiYo will always have a special place in my heart.
Nasal Strips + Unisom
In the second trimester I had the hardest time staying asleep. And I was exhausted!! My doctor told me it was safe to take, but definitely check with your doctor first. It helped me stay asleep without feeling extra tired the next morning.
These sexy nasal strips were a dream. My sinuses were very swollen most of the pregnancy but especially in the spring and early summer (apparently they can swell just like anything else in pregnancy) and these nasal strips helped me sleep.
These items couldn't be more random but I feel like that represents pregnancy pretty well. Not one person's pregnancy, labor and delivery or even child is the same as another!