Anne here today! Wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned, things I didn’t know, surprises in my pregnancy so far. I’m 24 weeks and after seeing baby Hudson, May can’t come soon enough! Kate and I had a lot of experience with newborns, having 7 nieces and nephews, and definitely watching Kate the first few days + Grace with Charlotte has made me feel so much more prepared.
The below may seem like a lot but I want you to know that each hard time has made me and baby boy stronger! I’m so excited to one day tell him his story like our mom tells us ours. We took on hospitals visits, covid together, migraines, went to Disney, he got to feel his baby cousin Hudson (he even gave him a little kick the first time!)
A few things Iโve learned:
- I thought I would be one of those running pregnant women like Charlotte in Sex in the City lol. It took me until about 12-14 weeks to realize the pattern that was happening. Running/ long walks would cause me to throw up the next day or start with a migraine that would lead to throwing up. My doctor around 12 weeks told me to not workout because it was causing me to get dehydrated. It wouldn’t matter if I tried to drink more my body was telling me no.
- Nausea and vomiting doesn’t always stop at 12 weeks. When I was at the doctors at 8 weeks. They said wait until 12-14 weeks, then 16-17 weeks you’ll feel better, now it is around 25 weeks. I do feel a lot better and so happy that I kind of know the triggers now.
- Hospital visits. I have been to the hospital 2x for my Hyperemisis (throwing up) I knew that there was a chance of this and I felt guilty, panic, scared for baby boy. I knew that if I didn’t stop after 3x and the anti-nausea medicine was not stopping the cycle, that it was time to go to the hospital. (I’m glad I went early in the cycle because sometimes waiting in ER or Labor & Delivery can take a while)
- 2nd trimester migraines (if they are really bad I usually throw up. I read that sometimes this means the end of a migraine, when GI tract starts moving again, this is true at least a few times for me!)
- A positive attitude can go a long way. Kate has been so positive through Hudson’s birth experience, feedings, sleeping etc. They are doing amazing! I told Kate I needed to go to Dallas because happiness is good for the baby! ๐
- Water doesnโt cut it. Iโve been drinking zero Gatorade (around 32oz) mixed with waters all day. My doctor told me that even the gatorade with sugar is ok too. If I feel I didn’t have enough fluids I will add in some pedialyte or a pedialyte pop!
- Label your drinks! 1-7 (my mom told me to do this and it’s helped so much! Even if you think you can remember if your 4 or 5 I never can!) I try to get to 7 bottles (16oz) waters/gatorade or vitamin water a day
- Clean skincare products – as soon as I became pregnant I questioned everything I was using and wanted to make sure everything was safe! Luckily a lot of my skincare is. I’ll leave a link to some favorites below
- Keep with a routine. Even if you canโt follow it some days, the days you do feel like a big accomplishment! ๐
- The first 14 weeks crackers ALWAYS at my bedside (I still have some there in case). Eating something every 1-2 hours. I’ve gone through stages of feeling like I can’t get full to feeling like I can only eat a small meal to then feeling hungry all the time again lol
- Don’t eat anything with strong spices/ scents especially the first trimester. I can’t even eat pickles because I ate them at 9 weeks & the taste of the vinegar omg it grosses me out.
- Don’t be afraid to take time off. The most important thing is your baby and body. I have constant reassurance from my sisters to take time off or not to worry (& I’m so lucky that I work with my sisters). Hormones are running wild and I feel like I’ve been so emotional. So lucky to have Matt, he’s been really understanding. I’ve been teaching myself how to push away the stresses and be mindful.
- Kate’s doctor mentioned to start journaling and write down everything you’re feeling in the moments (my aunt always tells us this too!) He said that it may seem like you could never forget this feeling, but you’ll be happy one day to have it all written down.
Favorites lately:
