Mom to-be, what no one tells you!

Mom to-be

It has been almost 8 months now on this journey as a Mom to-be that I did not EVER think I would be on. Not that I didn’t want to be, but that I thought I couldn’t be. My Husband and I have been together for almost 15 years, and ummm Nothing. lol… I will link to my previous post about that experience here. I’m Pregnant! What I have learned so far is kind of what I have learned about other areas of life also, that not everybody’s bodies are the same! God created us all unique and different. Sure we have similarities, but something that works Great for me might not be so Great for you! I found that as a Mom to-be, what no one tells you about pregnancy can come as a shock, or hit you out of nowhere.

Priceless…

It seemed like as soon as we found out that I was pregnant, at 2 months my belly just like popped right out and has been here ever since, just out there. I have had random people saying to me in the grocery store that I must be due soon, with really cute smiles, and then shock when I would tell them I’m not due for like 5 more months… haha… Priceless… I have not really gained abnormal weight Thank God! I am thankfully like all belly. How that happened I have no idea! Because I’m really short too so I feel like I look super awkward pregnant.. But my Cute Husband tells me I’m even more beautiful now… : )

Cankles!

They are definitely a thing, please prepare yourself for swollen feet and ankles due to water retention and pressure from growing uterus, with water on top of feet that jiggles a bit when they are really bad! It’s CREEPY! lol… When my feet first started to swell I would think that if you saw my feet and ankles they DO NOT match my body… My OB said this was normal, I am not experiencing Preeclampsia, which is a very serious condition women can get during pregnancy, I encourage Every woman to do her Own Independent study on all things you will find new and that might be scary! I am not a medical professional I am only writing of my Own Personal experience’s, so please everything you read, look into. And see what the alternatives are, there are more options out there than conventional medicine. But I find that kicking my feet up and or icing them helps a lot. This summer has been extremely hot, almost 90 degrees everyday! Makes everything very difficult. I also purchased a Blood Pressure cuff from Amazon that I use and track my BP levels 3-4 times a week, to make sure I’m within normal range. It was a little more expensive, but totally easy to use and worth it.

Glucose testing.

Another symptom of Pregnancy is linked here Gestational Diabetes, a condition that can be serious causing high Blood Sugar levels affecting Mama and Baby. This I had also Never heard of before I went to OB and they were undoubtably doing their job, but very aggressively pushing lots of testing and possibilities of medication. I am not the type of person that will just take medications because the doctor said I should, I have learned over the years to do my own studying and educate myself, it is just how I am hardwired. So I have kindly as I can reiterated over and over to my doctors that I am completely uninterested in being medicated. That is my personal choice, you may choose different and that is Ok! I would only encourage Especially while pregnant to Study what it is, what it does, what it is made of, what it can do to You or Baby etc… Are there alternatives? Supplements? Exercise… Sometimes temporary medical intervention is necessary. So They will offer you a 1 hour Glucose test, which was drinking a disgusting sugary drink! yuck… Linked here are alternatives, and depending on the results (that vary and may or may not be accurate) they will offer the 3 hour Glucose test if you fail the 1 Hour. I did the 1 Hour, failed, opted out of the 3 Hour, and through insurance received a Glucose monitor to test at home. Your body will naturally produce more Glucose due to the pregnancy for Baby. Diet and Exercise play a big part in healthy You and healthy Baby! Testing at home for me has been good, I have had slightly elevated levels here and there (mainly while eating out occasionally) but for the most part good. I like the idea of Self testing, because you are in control, you can see in real time what is going on and make adjustments if needed.

Exhaustion!

One thing that hit me super early on was the Extreme exhaustion! WOW! No one could have prepared me for then and now. I would come home from work which normally would just be a transition into cooking, cleaning, working out, walking… But before I even knew I was pregnant that hit me first and hit me hard! I would come home and have absolutely No energy, I would hit the couch and pass right out. My Husband had no idea what was going on, and I have a Pace maker (another story for another time) so he was worried something was going on with me. I also have had very bad digestion issues due to some serious abdominal surgeries in the past that became unbearable. All of that compiled together became very overwhelming and I would cry and pray to the Lord, non stop. But He is a Good God! My suffering was and is for the greatest reason. Becoming a Mom to-be, by far one of the most important things I have ever done.

1 Peter 1:7

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
King James Version (KJV)

Nausea

Thankfully this was something that was very minimal for me, and didn’t last long at all. It happened more in the first trimester and faded out pretty quickly. I found if I stayed hydrated well and if the nausea did come I would have a snack or eat a small meal that definitely helped. I know I am on the more fortunate side of this because most women I know had experienced extreme nausea and morning sickness their entire pregnancies. I don’t really have much advice on that, other than if you do experience this try adjusting your diet, drink water that will hydrate you well, sleep as much as possible and eat small meals and healthy snacks in-between. You might experience food aversions due to hormonal changes, that will change your like for some foods you loved to food you hate. Things that never gave you heart burn before will have you running for some baking soda water or tums. And I did experience some real food cravings! Ice cream, pancakes, pickle juice, orange juice. But they come and go, if I smell pancakes, It’s Done, lol… I will not stop until I have them.

Constipation

This one definitely is the worst for me, seriously my bathroom habits were bad before from digestive issues, but are almost non existent now! When I do have a normal BM I thank God for it. I found that the prenatal I was taking had iron in it, which effects some women like me and worsens an already bad situation and then makes it even more worse! Your body produces a hormone called Progesterone that slows down digestion and relaxes muscles in your stomach, add that to a ever growing baby, belly, uterus, placenta all squishing you’re intestines. Oouch!! Colace is what I take everyday, a shot of olive oil, grape juice, prune juice they are not a complete problem solver for me but they help. You’re OB might recommend you to take a prenatal without iron like mine did. I like to make sure that I compare and get the best supplements I can afford, third party tested and organic. You will be able to supplement your iron intake through diet.

Lastly…

Mom to-be, I hope what I have shared can help prepare you or give some insight into what to expect on this most beautiful, totally exhausting journey we are on! There are so many changes that you will go through it can be overwhelming. I know for me I find my Strength and my Peace in The Lord. I could not do it without Him! To know that my life that I have given to Him is resting in His Mighty Hands is all I need to look to the future with confidence and Joy. And you can know this Peace and Joy too! You only need ask…

Romans 10:13

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
King James Version (KJV)

Hebrews 11:6

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
King James Version (KJV)