Achieving a Low Risk Pregnancy

I am a type A personality. I like organization, structure, and well thought out plans. When I set a goal, I do everything in my power (within reason) to reach that goal. Before my husband and I began trying to achieve our first pregnancy, I began extensive research on pregnancy. I researched all the possible birthing options in my area. What I discovered from my research was the tools to have the best possible outcome for pregnancy and birth. While both of my pregnancy and birth experience were different, my goal for a low risk and (mostly) complication free (the … Continue reading

Pregnancy Reflections: Exercise

I cannot reiterate enough how important it is to exercise frequently and consistently throughout pregnancy. The results are quite amazing. I first became committed to exercise with my first pregnancy. I did not exercise nearly as frequently or intensely with my first pregnancy nor was I as consistent with my workout routine. I gained more weight with my first pregnancy and it took me over six months to get close to my pre-pregnancy size. I was also in the process of transitioning to a whole food diet with local and organic foods. It was during the post pregnancy phase of … Continue reading

Reflections at Fourteen Weeks

At fourteen weeks of pregnancy, there’s a lot of different things going through my mind; things that I am expecting to happening and new things I have never experienced before. I have been told by several experienced moms that I will show early with the second pregnancy. At fourteen weeks, my uterus still hasn’t pushed passed my pelvic bone. I am not at all concerned. I know that soon my belly will be expanding at a very fast rate and I am in no hurry. I would rather enjoy this pregnancy day by day and not wish it away (e.g. … Continue reading

Six Months Post Partum

One year ago I was only fourteen weeks pregnant with my daughter (although I did not know I was pregnant with a girl). I was still wearing all of my pre pregnancy clothes and still in throngs of morning sickness. In a lot of ways I am in the same clothes wearing place now at six months post partum as I was a year ago. At six months post partum, I feel completely back to my pre pregnancy state. All of my clothes fit almost the same as they did before. A few more stretch marks make my clothes fit … Continue reading

What is Preeclampsia?

With pregnancy, it is important to remember that things may not turn out the way that you had intended. I learned this during my first pregnancy, and I experienced it again during my most recent pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my first son, I developed preeclampsia towards the end of the pregnancy. I began to show signs of it before I was to term, but fortunately the symptoms did not present fully until about ten days before my due date. Preeclampsia is a medical condition where a pregnant woman’s blood pressure rises suddenly and other symptoms including protein in … Continue reading

The Third Week Post-Partum

My third week post-partum began on the cusp of New Years and New Years Eve festivities. In the midst of healing and napping, combined with my every day house hold tasks, I some how found the time and motivation to finally buy the boots I wanted to get while I was pregnant. Perhaps it was a good thing that I waited until after my daughter was born. The boots became my first clothing purchase post-partum and my first mini celebration (I am still not ready to try on skinny jeans). It is rather strange how buying clothes gives a person … Continue reading

Getting Ready for the Baby

Preparations for our daughters birth began as soon as we discovered that I was expecting. There is always something to do whether it be taking supplements to support the baby’s development or getting baby gear together. With each phase of pregnancy comes new things to accomplish and additional changes to be made. I have had my fair share of changes to my regular routine including my diet and exercise regime; modifications were a must to maintain a healthy pregnancy. I also undertook many projects in preparation for the baby, many of them taking the form of “art” projects for the … Continue reading

Our Ninth Prenatal Visit

It has only been two weeks since my last prenatal visit. The end is in sight! Weekly visits will follow until our daughter is born! As we approach the holidays, I seem to get busier and busier. So to ensure that I could get my workout in, I awoke early, ate a Greek yogurt and did my prenatal pilates before our visit with the midwife. Both my husband and son accompanied me to this visit (we had no impending package deliveries). We entered the cozy carriage house, our son took the opportunity to run around in the open space, while … Continue reading