Here We Go Again!
Surprise! We are pregnant with baby #4 and…drum roll please…it’s a girl! Yes, that’s girl #3, but finally we have some good news to celebrate this year. Being pregnant during Covid has been a little scary and there sure is a lot of uncertainty around it.
Our Family
We have a 4 year old (boy), 2.5 year old (girl) and 1 year old (girl) and are trying to keep everyone healthy as usual but even more so during a time like this. Our 4 year old is back in preschool and playing sports and our 2 year old is back dancing again – ballet which she so cutely calls “bawway”.
These are supposed to be exciting times watching our children grow, learn and be active but right now it is done with lots of caution and an uneasy feeling. I don’t want to make my post about Covid because we all know it has been very challenging for families of all ages and for those who are pregnant. We are all doing our best and doing what is best for our children and babies while taking care of ourselves.
My first trimester was very rough and far more challenging than my other pregnancies. However, I could attribute this to the fact that I now have 3 small children, I’m working, and we just completely renovated our kitchen, which was 4 fun weeks of being trapped to one room of the house and packing/unpacking what felt like the whole house multiple times!
Keep Reminding Yourself of the Positive Things That Are Going On
No matter how stressful and exhausting it all is, I have to continue to remind myself that there is a tiny baby in me trying to grow healthy and strong. It is amazing how differently you view your first pregnancy from those that come later. It no longer became about me and the baby but about my kids and the day to day craziness. This makes it even more important to make it a point to remind myself, especially during a time where being healthy is so important, that I still need to find time to eat healthy, exercise and take some “me” time.
Here are 5 Tips to Keep You and Your Little One Healthy During Pregnancy!
For those with multiples at home and are pregnant again, congratulations! Some out there will say you’re crazy, and maybe on some level we are, but we’re with you on this! Now take a deep breath with me…and check out these tips to help you stay organized and healthy during your pregnancy.
1. Keep those vitamins handy.
Keep your prenatal vitamins out on the countertop where you will see them every morning. I find that right next to the coffee pot is a great place to keep them because you better believe one thing I’m not forgetting each day is my morning cup of coffee (and hopefully you aren’t too sick to have a cup in the morning!).
It is very easy to forget to take your prenatal vitamin when you are getting kids ready for school or remote learning, going over your list of things to do, chasing toddlers around, running from activity to activity, etc. I find that having it in my sight is just a little reminder every morning to take it! I take the Nature Made Prenatal Multivitam + 200 mg DHA Softgels.
2. Prepare your meals daily or ahead of time.
Every morning when I wake up, I do my regular routine of prepping for the day and then I try to either write down or take a mental note of what I am going to eat that day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks. If I do not prepare then I struggle to find things to eat or I tend to skip meals. We know the importance of feeding our bodies healthy foods and eating regularly during pregnancy but it can become such a challenge when you have food aversions or you just don’t know what you want. Create a meal plan, stick to it and treat yourself later with something you are craving! Check out all of our recipes here!
3. Stay hydrated.
Get a very large reusable jug of water so you only have to refill it 2-3 times a day and can travel with it so it will last you. The one I use keeps my water cold for a long time and holds 30 ounces of water (check out the link for the one I use!). I had a smaller one before but found that anytime I left the house I would finish it and not have water with me the rest of the time.
4. Find time to exercise.
Go for a walk, do prenatal yoga, do squats around the house, stretching etc. Try to get at least 20 minutes a day of exercise during your pregnancy, you will thank me during delivery when you have the stamina and flexibility to push that baby out! My favorite workout which I have done during all of my pregnancies is Tracy Anderson’s: The Pregnancy Project which has 9 workouts, one for each month of pregnancy and helps to build strength and flexibility throughout your pregnancy. Pick up your copy here!
5. Take some “me” time and treat yourself.
Self-care is very important, especially during pregnancy. Find some time for yourself in the midst of your crazy days and you will feel recharged and refreshed. Here are a few ideas that you may enjoy:
- Go get a prenatal massage…I love these!
- Take a nap if you can sneak in 20 minutes somewhere.
- Get a pedicure.
- Meditate – check out our post about Focusing on the Present here!
- Take a walk by yourself while listening to music.
Stay Tuned!
Stay tuned for more pregnancy posts during my 2nd trimester on how to prepare for baby during the 3rd trimester! I will provide a must-have baby registry list, some nursery theme ideas and what to expect when you bring baby home!