I can’t believe I am only a few weeks away from delivery! I decided to combine my second and third trimester updates into one post. The past few months have flown by in a weird way when I think about it. Time seems to be moving slow yet fast.
How I’m feeling……
Second trimester was a breeze literally! I still had tons of energy and slept well pretty much every night. I start each day with prayer and a good workout and that always kept my spirit motivated and happy. Most days were filled with the usual “to do” lists, driving the kids to their activities, and I even squeezed in some date nights on the weekends with my hubby. Towards the end of the second trimester I started having Braxton hicks contractions and this told me its time to slow down a little. If you are not familiar with these little buggers they are contractions that come for only a short time preparing your body for upcoming labor. These forced me to sit down and drink some extra cups of water and then after a few minutes they would subside. As the weeks went on these have come more frequently.
Third trimester has again been good so far. Nothing to complain about! I am experiencing many Braxton Hicks contractions but I have learned how to handle them. I am not really slowing down yet! Still have energy and drive to keep up with my everyday activities and the kids! My nesting instincts have kicked into high gear. I am normally a very organized person so this extra push has helped me prepare and finish the baby nursery. I even cleaned out my garage yesterday! The baby seems to get bigger every day and moving A LOT. More days now than before I find myself sitting down putting my feet up at the end of the day! My body is totally telling me that the time is near!
My weight gain has continued to be slow and steady and a healthy 24 pounds so far mostly boobs, butt, and belly, lol!! But at this point I am gaining a pound per week. I can literally feel this baby growing by the day! No swelling, no new stretchmarks , no other weird pregnancy issues to report.
What I’m eating……..
I have continued to make it a priority to choose only high quality nutrient dense foods. I focus on a primal nutrient dense diet that I wrote about in an earlier blog post here. I have increased my protein intake and lately need something to eat before bed so I am not so hungry in the morn. Usually an apple and almond butter will do. I am eating lots of pastured eggs, clean pastured meats especially lamb and beef, salmon and salmon roe for those healthy brain building omega 3’s, raw kefir (probiotics), avocados, pastured butter, olives and other healthy fats, tons of organic fruits and veggies, and MINIMAL sugars or “treats”. I have completely stayed away from junk food and it feels so good! REAL food has been my focus this entire pregnancy and it really is paying off in the way I look and feel!
My favorite foods lately have been raw kefir smoothies, avocado/tomato/raw cheese salads, spaghetti squash, any and all nut butters, oranges, lots of organic grass fed full fat milk, bananas, and that’s all I can think of at the moment!
What I am doing for exercise…….
I have continued to work out even now 6 days a week. Its not always been easy but I do it because I know how AWESOME it makes me feel. I do a 60 min HIIT (high intensity interval training) class at Fusion 3x a week. The other 3 days I go a little easier at home and do 30 min cardio plus 15 min HIIT focusing on specific areas such as butt/legs day, and arm/back day usually squeezing in some crawl free Syphus training tasks. I also walk my dog every day 1- 2 miles.
In this third trimester I have taken my workouts down a notch.My HIIT intervals are not as intense and I am lifting lighter but doing more reps. I have listened to my body through this entire pregnancy and that is what has made my fitness plan so easy to work with!
My primal nutrition and commitment to working out has allowed me to maintain much of my muscle definition besides my stomach. I am still working in core rotations and side bends with weights to keep my waist toned but at this point its all rounded from the baby taking up the space. I am so glad I have kept up with exercise this far and plan to continue up until the end! What more better prep for labor is that !!!
A few more things I keep close by that are keeping me motivated, grateful, and happy….
These books —> Primal Moms Look Good Naked, the Holistic Baby Guide,Ina Mays guide to Childbirth, Beautiful Babies, and Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering
Bible versus I am focusing on to prepare my heart and body for labor include…
Mark 10:27 For with God all things are possible (including a drug free natural empowering delivery !)
Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 40:1 , 1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 26:3
Lastly I want to share something that really touched my heart.
“Birth is God’s time. It can’t be rushed or programmed to suit anyone’s clock. It is a time to simply be there, respecting the woman’s space and the natural rhythms of her body. Think of how time ceases to have relevance when you are caught up in the presence of God worshipping Him or when you are in love and spending time with your beloved. Time flies by and you barely notice. Birth time is the timing of nature. Who knows when spring will come? Can a budding flower be found open? Yet in time, these things unfold. So does birth. ” -Julie Bell
I will be taking some time off my blog and social media posts probably sooner than later but stay tuned either way as I will share with you when the baby arrives!!!
Be well,:-)
Susie R.