Natural pregnancy: What not to wear, my pregnancy fashion dilemmas

Alright, I never considered myself as one needing an intervention when it comes to clothing but I am seriously getting frustrated here. I am 25 weeks pregnant and fashionably challenged.

I was going through my closet, putting away the summer dresses and visiting my storage for Fall dresses that I could use.
Umm...the experience was almost depressing...
I can't fit in my only pair of jeans ( I mainly wear dresses and skirts).
I can't keep wearing summer dresses.
My sweater dresses which used to make my  FAll and Winter signature style are not cooperating with my preggo figure.

So I tried my dresses from last year and the sweater dresses looked like .....


...the sweater dresses looked like.....they looked like sweaters not like dresses.  The dresses are now minis thanks to my growing baby girl in my tummy.
 I could have humoured you by showing you what I look like in my sweater dresses  but I'll pass and save you the tears and the stomach ache.

Okay...a picture...just one....






 You might think that it's not that bad but that was one of two dresses that cared to pass my waist! I think it would have been fine if I did not have curves and if I was more liberal in my wardrobe. But personally I can't wear this in public because I feel like it's too short for my modest taste!

The dresses and the style are cute. But as a preggo woman I will have to be desperate to wear something this short  in public and I don't care to wear them at home either because... got to whisper... that would only get hubby more excited. So forget the "mini"...the sweater dresses are going back in storage...

I could only salvage the sweater dress below!

Pregnancy week 25  picture
(&the only sweater dress that looks right)!

( on a side note here please don't ask me what's wrong with my plant. I think it's inspired by the tower of Pisa    or just crave so much  sunlight that it's leaning like nut toward the East)

~Back to my Fall wardrobe drama....

You see I believe that not everything look right on everyone. Or what looked right on me at one point just can't  necessarily look right with my preggo figure.
So being pregnant during the Fall is forcing me to consider the fact that I might be wearing sweatpants more often but there's one issue. I am not a sweatpants girl.
I like to feel feminine and the reflection of myself in sweatpants make me feel lazy and sick. I wear them verrrrry rarely.

Sure I still have loads of dresses that I can wear with tights and a cute jacket that can't zip all the way because of my belly... but the weather is getting cooler and I just can't afford catching a cold for the sake of looking fly!

So since I just can't complain I got to Work something out! I believe that most problems have a solution and the solution here is this:
                                 

                                I will have to go shopping!!!

On the shopping list:

*sweater dresses in a bigger size.
*I would love a pair of maternity jeans. Found some at Target that I love but they are so long that they will require alteration; not sure that it's worth it for just 3 more months!

*Some new boots! I know I can still fit in my old boots but since I got to watch my balance I will need boots with low heels!That sounds like an excuse to get some new shoes doesn't it? Well it is,and it's a good excuse because I:

Yup! "I can do anything with the right shoes"!



Shopping with a credit card and going on a shopping spree in designer stores is NOT an option and I can't have a private consultation with Stacy London and Clinton Kelly ( of the TLC show What Not to wear) to help me in the process.



I will just have to ask myself what they would recommend to a frugal preggo woman on a budget because I enjoy shopping only when I see signs like this one!

If I can't find some great sales I guess I will try stores like Ross, Marshall and T.J Max and see if I can be a Maxamista even with a preggo figure!

Bye bye summer dresses and welcome Fall Preggo Fashion! Something that's an adventure in itself!!!! Not sure what I will come up with.... but... we will see! Stop by and see how the  Fall preggo wardrobe is evolving!


Do you have any suggestion?

N'na

Natural Pregnancy: Feeling good and some preggo pictures

Hellooo!

How are you?  Hope you are enjoying this new season.
Fall is officially here and I couldn't be happier. I love FALL!  It's like the best season to be pregnant! Don't you think? Well, I think so.

I must say that the previous months I was not convinced that a preggo woman get her energy back during the second trimester. I was just not as energetic as I feel right now. Maybe I am finally having a boost of energy now that I am entering the third trimester, maybe it's mental and it's the fact that I love the Fall season so much that it makes me feel that energetic. Either way, I am feeling verrrryyyy good.

The change in weather is benefiting me in many ways.
I am no longer complaining of the hot summer days.
The landscape is becoming such a treat to admire. Watching the changes in the trees during my walks or even from my chair as I type bring me many smiles which of course would play a great role in one feeling so good!
The breeze is a gift from heaven as I now enjoy more frequent walks.

During the previous months getting myself to go on a walk was a chore. I had to mentally prep myself. Now, I just can't wait to be up in the morning and walk alone or enjoy an afternoon stroll in the company of a sweet friend and neighbor. I even walk my dog very late at night sometimes because I just can't seem to have enough of the beautiful weather that makes it harder for me to stay still!

I was actually walking with my afternoon companion earlier when we ran into other neighbors and one asked how I am doing. My answer of course was
" Good, I'm doing good"
It felt good to say " Gooood" I am doing good" well I am doing good most days says it but today I feeeelt good from the inside out!

There's something good in the air. Maybe it's just mental but honestly the Fall air seems to bring me something good!
So what about you? How are you enjoying this new season?

Another thing a neighbor asked me earlier is " How many weeks are you ?" and I answered that I don't even know!
Can you believe that? I am asked all the time how many weeks I am and I keep saying that I don't know. Truth be told I stopped counting since week 12.  No particular reasons, I just did. My very good friend and neighbor Ashley M-C
 that was there replied for me " she's just enjoying" or something like that. And it's true! I am not counting and I am just going with the flow enjoying the process.

But some of you want to see some preggo pictures so I decided to count how many weeks I am today as I share some preggo pictures!

So here I am at 24 weeks:

Pregnancy week 24 picture.

A picture taken last night after I returned from an afternoon walk with my neighbor Miriam.

A picture taken over an hour ago after I returned from another walk with Miriam.

Pregnancy week 24 picture.

So... voila for some recent preggo pictures! A friend who has not seen me in months told me on Monday that I got darker! Thanks the Sunshine State for my recent natural tan! The heat in Orlando got me a nice tan from each time I would go on a walk or take the kids to the pool.

A month ago...

Sometimes last month, returning from time at the mall with my neighbors Miriam and Ashley M-C...

Alright I am out of here for tonight! Love you all and thanks for stopping by!

Be blessed!

N'na

Natural pregnancy: How to avoid varicose veins and Deep Vein thrombosis

They say each pregnancy is different and this fourth time around I can testify that it's true! At my first pregnancy( 9-10 years ago) I gained more weight than I ever expected to gain in my entire life (thankfully I eventually lost most of the undesirable weight) and the only thing I experienced then as a leg issue was swollen ankles at one point. Once I got informed on the causes and precautions I could take to avoid them I was free from that discomfort.

So I have never had swollen ankles since my first pregnancy but I am now concerned about something else. Varicose veins. I don't recall being concerned with varicose veins during any of my previous pregnancies yet this time around it's on my list of things to control.

Why? Unlike my previous pregnancies I am now concerned with varicose veins because that's my 4th pregnancy and I am older than 5, 7, and 9 years ago.  I have been standing on my feet way too much lately, I haven't been exercising daily or I have been cutting my excercises time short, I am planning a trip soon so I need to take certain measures to stay mobile and I sleep too much on my right side.  If you wonder what all this have to do with it please read below you will understand!

How and why to avoid varicose veins during pregnancy!
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are  veins that are enlarged or tortuous.  They are the unattractive blue or purple veins due to blood clotting that we might see most often on some inactive or overweight people.  But you know what? Even healthy people, especially pregnant women can still be susceptible to varicose veins!
They are mainly located in the leg, calves muscles but can they can occur elsewhere.

Deep veins thrombosis is more serious than varicose veins  and can be fatal so it's vital to take precaution by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consult a physician if you have it.  Some tests need to be done to confirm that one has it but people with DVT generally complain of pains on the led when the stand on it or touch the affected area.

During pregnancy.
Why can women get varicose veins during pregnancy?
For many women, pregnancy can be the first time that they develop varicose veins. If a woman already had it it can get worst during pregnancy. Why? As the uterus grows, it puts pressure on the large vein on the right side of the body (the inferior vena cava), which in turn increases pressure in the leg veins.  What are veins? Veins are the blood vessels that return blood from our extremities to our heart, so the blood in the leg veins is already working against gravity. When we are pregnant, the amount of blood in our body increases, adding to the burden on our veins. It addition to that our progesterone levels rise, causing the walls of our blood vessels to relax.

Varicose veins tend to worsen with each successive pregnancy and as a woman get older. (Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, and menopause). Other conditions that make a woman more susceptible:

• being overweight
• carrying twins or higher multiples
• standing for long periods ( I have been guilty of that one lately) 
• sitting for long periods of time.
• chronic constipation
• genetic
• aging

So obviously, the extra weight on the body makes us, pregnant women, susceptible to get Varicose veins or deep veins thrombosis.  Thankfully there are ways to prevent or reduce them.

How to prevent or reduce varicose veins or Deep Vein Thrombosis?

• Maintain an active lifestyle.
• Manage your weight. During pregnancy it's easy to give ourselves a license to eat anything we wish. It's possible to gain inappropriate weight during the pregnancy so please be mindful of your weight gain.
• Exercise daily Walking, stretching, swimming.
• Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged period of time as it restrict blood circulation and add pressure to the veins. Standing causes high pressure to the veins of the legs hence the reason why varicose veins are so common in the legs.
• Get plenty of fluids, especially water and avoid being dehydrated. Avoid dehydrating drinks like caffeinated drinks. Dehydration causes blood to thicken and vessels to narrow.
• Avoid crossing your legs or ankles when sitting.
• Elevate your legs when you are sitting or lying down. Prop your legs with a small stool or pillow.
• Sleep on your left side (I need to practice that one more seriously it's not that easy I love sleeping on my right side)

When traveling:
When traveling, do your best to get up every hour and move around.  If you can't leave your seat curl or press your toes as often as possible. (I will actually need to diligently practise that on my trip to Orlando next week!)

Thankfully if varicose veins occur during our pregnancies the good news is that they will go away weeks-months after delivery. As for DVT please consult your physician and carefully follow their recommendations because DVT is more serious than having varicose veins. In the case of DVT the clot can be fatal if it moves to the lung or heart.

Well, hope you learned something that would benefit you!
If you are pregnant or planning on being pregnant Happy pregnancy to you!
If you are not pregnant please be aware that varicose veins and DVT can and do happen to anyone men included and that you can prevent or reduce them. For treatments consult your physician!

Thanks for stopping by and Following! Have a blessed week!


N'na

Words of inspiration : Is it a boy or a girl? Baby's gender and a little girl's wish!

                                                    ~The story of a little girl's wish for a little sister~


Back in December 2010 we were having dinner at some friends who just had their second daughter! The baby was just 1-2weeks old, and their older girl, less than 2 years old had just returned from a trip from overseas! It was our first time to meet their toddler and newborn girls!

My daughter was fascinated by the baby and enjoying the company of the little girl who have just arrived from a different continent!
While we (the adults) were at the table eating she walked to the table, tapped me on my left arm and told me in tears that she wanted a little sister.
I told her that I would babysit the toddler she just met and she would be her little sister.
When we got home, the children called my mother-in -law and as they were talking my daughter told her grandmother that she now have a little sister.
My mother-in -law asked to talked to me for some explanations! I teased her that I was not hiding any grandchild from her and went on explaining what it was all about!

I started keeping my friend's toddler " Ama" a few times a week and my children were all great big brothers and big sister! Imani my daughter loved her so much; of course children are very smart and we owe them some credits.
 She started complaining that she wanted her own sister and one that would not go back and forth between homes.

I HAD NO INTENTION ON GETTING PREGNANT! ( NOW I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT I AM)

So life went on for me as I watched my children and watched other people having babies around me.
In may of 2011, I attended the baby shower of an high school friend living in Atlanta GA who was expecting a little girl!

I had no idea then that I was pregnant  already and that weeks down the road I would announce to others that I am pregnant.

Funny enough, my sisterfriend in NJ to whom I sent on that day a picture of me at the baby shower told me that " I had a glow"! I had no clue what she was talking about! For the many weeks that followed that same friend would keep questioning some of my behavior and suspect a pregnancy that I was totally denying,  I was so oblivious...

My daughter kept talking about her little sister, then I found out that I was pregnant and my daughter was still talking about her baby sister.

When I mentioned her behavior to my twin sister she said : "Like mother like daughter! You acted the same when you believe God to bless you with a daughter. Now she acts like you as she believes God for a sister!"

The weeks that followed, my daughter would cry if we would try to prepare her for the eventuality of a little brother! She loves all babies. But this girl knows what she wants and when she wants something...(smiles)...some of you parents must know what I am talking about...some kids have a special gift of perseverance!

At times I would have that strong feeling about the baby's gender. I would have some quiet time and right after I would have this strong conviction. I felt that strong conviction the night before my ultrasound!

Each time I would tell my hubby what the baby's gender is he would ask me " how can you be so confident?" and I would tell him: " I just know!" Just like I knew 5 years ago that I would have a daughter way before doing the ultrasound!

So today I got my ultrasound done. The children and I headed back to the hospital and hubby met us there.

 My middle child felt that the morning visit was a waste of his time because we could not do an ultrasound so he 'warned me' that 'this time it better be fun'!  We all stepped into the room and before taking her seat my daughter told the technician " I am having a little sister"!
The lady was amused! We got started with the ultrasound and many goofy comments from the kids and them the techinician said "the baby have girl parts" and she went on to show and explain about the three lines....
Yes girl parts, it's a girl!!!!
Our dear technician was very professional and obviously very patient as she took time to explain things and answer the children's question. She was also pretty entertained by them. At one time she had to pause and laugh silently at something that my middleson had told his dad! (Nothing rude or crazy just funny and unexpected. He is the kind of kids that say things that just make you shake your head! The kind that acts goofy and say some of the most clever things!)

When my hubby realized that the woman was taking a moment to control her discreet laugh he asked me what he had missed! Having kids in an ultrasound is not something you should do all the time! But mine are homeschooled and I felt that it's a great learning experience as well as a great bonding experience!

So...my daughter had her wish! I shared the news right after leaving the doctor's office with a friend in Atl who was extactic and started screaming with excitement and speaking blessings over the baby and I! She had called me in the morning while I was heading to the hospital and we actually talked for a while as I was waiting for my midwife. I told her I would try to get an ultrasound done and she had me promised to give her a call after I found out! Could not do the ultrasound in the morning so my hubby worked it out for an afternoon visit!He knew I was disappointed and did not want to wait another day! (God bless caring men)!


 Upon returning home I also shared it with one of my neighbor who has been my greatest cheerleader! She was anxiously waiting (lol)! I called her on my way home and told her that I would tell her when I see her instead of telling her on the phone! On my way to my afternoon's visit my kids took her and another neighbor some cupcakes they had made. The kids and I promised to get back with them right after the ultrasoundt! I kept my word and visited one right after and she later called the other  friend/neighbor to share the good news!

The other friend/neighbor came by my house hours after with this cute gift below! The baby's first booties! My daughter showed them off to her dad when he came home and said " Look dad that's for my little sister"!

Picture of pink baby girl booties!

each time we would go shopping my daughter would show me cute outfits and say 'Buy this for my little sister" so she was very excited that someone did offer something today to her little sister!
It's a beautiful thing to have loving people around and have a wish ( my daughter's wish) come true! I am so grateful that my daughter was granted the privilege to experience that! She was so convinced that she was having a sister that the ultrasound made no difference for her, but it did for us.

After all the excitement of sharing it with just 6 people I went on with my afternoon...
decorating the cake my oldest son made,

fixing tonight's entree and

feeding baby and I some simple and quick tuna sandwiches ( could not wait till dinner time)!

So all of you who guessed that it would be a girl, great guess! It was actually what I believed too and kept telling my hubby! So that's the second time in a row that  my 'instinct' have proven me right as it relates to pregnancy!

My twin sister was right, my daughter's conviction was no different from mine 5 years ago when I prayed God to bless me with a daughter. Now she's the one whose wish came true fora little sister of her own!

I am grateful! For the experience and for all the angels God is bringing in my life through this journey. The journey continues and I realize that there are more lessons to learn in all that than the outcome of an ultrasound!
What do you think?

Hope this simple story and the illustration of my daughter's confidence would inspire any one of you who dare praying and wishing for something!

For those who believe in God she illustrated so many lessons about the power of words, the power of thinking, the power of intense desire and just not letting go of what she wanted and believed inspite of the odds! I teach my children to pray and tell them to trust God but at the end children seem to be the one showing us HOW to actually trust! Didn't the wise Jesus said that we should have faith like them?

Homeschooling my children and observing them so closely have showed me that though we are responsible for teaching and guiding them, they are themselves amazing and profound teachers! My daughter did not need an ultrasound technician to tell me what she knew! The name Imani means "believe God/faith". She believed God for her own sister and now...little sister is on the way. May God continues to bless my pregnancy and all of you reading those words!


Thanks!


N'na

Is it a Boy or a Girl?Finding the sex of the baby!

Hello dear!
Hope all is well with you as you read and visit this site. If not I pray that something here just bring a smile to your face and brighten your day in some ways!

It's soon time for my ultrasound and finding the sex of the baby. I am so excited and nervous! Everyone around me seem to be rooting for a girl and my daughter wants a little sister so much! My oldest son wish for another little sister as well, just so that Imani ( my daughter) will get off their back some! She has two big brothers she likes to boss around inspite of her birthplace as the baby girl! She keeps claiming that she will get a baby sister and she cries each time we try to tell her that we do not know for sure just yet! I am feeling the pressure (smiles)! Will she have a little sister?
 Or will it be a little brother? What do you think? Umm when I find out I will let you know!

It's interesting how knowing the sex of the baby can be so important to some of us!
One friend of mine who has two boys was so sad to know at her 21st week ultrasound that it 'seems like another boy'! At 25 weeks they told her that they had made an error and it's a girl! I tell you she's so excited! So is the rest of her family! Her sons actually want a little sister as well!

I have another pregnant friend who is waiting till the delivery day to find out! She doesn't care to know the sex of the baby! I sure can't roll like that! I just want to know and start shopping! I have actually started shopping for baby items! Kohls had some great sales recently so I bought both boys and girls clothes!
What I won't need will make a great gift for future occasions! We always know someone with a baby and getting a $18 outfit for $3.97 is a great deal! Don't you think?  I will share pictures of my purchases later on.

It's 12:46 am at the moment I am writing this and my head hurts, better get some sleep I actually have a doctor's visit in the morning!
I am at 18 weeks and some days. I don't know if it would be too early for finding the baby's sex! One of my neighbor found the sex of her baby girl as early as 16 weeks. It was during the Christmas holidays last year and she felt she had to know so that her family and friends could take advantage of the Holiday season to get her some baby gifts!

Any expectant parent reading this?What about you?Do you already know the sex of your baby? Was it what you hoped for? Whatever the sex, I wish all expecting parents a healthy baby!

To any expecting readers: congrats and happy pregnancy to you! To anyone just enjoying reading about baby stuffs thanks for being here! Please join the site if you are new here and let's share this journey and other health journeys together!

To good health! Have a great week you all!

N'na

Is it a boy or a girl! Gender predictions from old wives tales to scientific facts! Really?

In the course of the previous months, I have spent a lot of time reading materials on gender's predictions myths!
 I think that every culture have their own sets of believes in gender predictions and when it comes to certain things I do respect the old wives tales. But with the advancement in science, the ultrasounds technology the old wives tales have either been comfirmed or contradicted! I guess it depends on how good the' old wife' is at telling...Anyway...

One lady in church told me over three weeks ago that I would have a boy because of the way I carry the baby!
Her daughter glanced at me and threw her guess too. She feels that it's a girl! With the experience her mother has with raising children and grandchildren one could take her mother's observation for a true scientific fact.

Not long after this little episode, I called a friend who was actually thinking about me and planning to give me a call! She's African and when she answered her phone she said  "Umm you are really pregnant and you will get a boy because I was thinking about you!" According to her, when you think of a pregnant woman and she calls or shows up thereafter, it's a sign that she will have a boy.
So those two incidents got me to read more articles on myths related to gender predictions. I will just mention and discuss a few as the list can be pretty lengthy. I am listing below some of the myth and in color blue/pink I am sharing my own 2 cents about those myths...

According to some of the myths I have read, you will get a boy if

• You are carrying it low!

         I think this one and the one below are the two most popular myths. I am a petite woman no matter how I carry it looks low!

• The baby's heart rate is under 140
• You crave for sour  or salty food. This is another popular myth. 
• You are craving for proteins, meat and cheese. Okay I love eggs, omelets...does this count! But I don't crave for them because I'm pregant I have always craved for a good omelet at least once a week! Omelets are comfort foods for me! My older sister had a private chef who used to fix the best omelets when I was a child. So cooking and eating one always remind me of some pleasant mornings back home!
• Your belly looks like a basketball. I think my belly looked like a basketball when I was expecting my first son!
• You did not experience morning sickness in early pregnancy. I have never had morning sickness. Even with my daughter. I have been blessed to never surfer any such discomfort!
• Dad to be is gaining weight too. I have been married 10 years and have two boys and my 6'5 husband is a lean machine! No matter what the gender of the baby we had he has always maintained a healthy weight and really I have complained many many times that it's just not fair that I be the only one putting on the weight!
• You are having headaches. I have had occasional headaches but I am sure they have been due to sleeping after midnight and waking up early in the morning.
• Your pregnancy have you looking better than ever.  For reall? Better than ever? Is that possible?I don't think that they are a lot of women on earth who enjoy any of the changes their bodies go through when they are pregnant unless for the 'organic boob job'. Yes it looks good to have bigger breasts without cosmetic surgery! But how many women think they look better than ever when they are pregnant?
• Your hands are very dry. I love hand moisturizers so don't think I can fairly estimate this one!
• Your urine is a bright yellow in colour! Really no comment here! I don't care to check in the toilet bowl!
• Your legs' hair grow fast after shaving them! Umm I think the rate is same as usual!
• Your nose is spreading. My nose is what ? What does this one mean? I am becoming a mutan too?
If you hang your wedding ring over your belly, it moves in circles (sounds like a magic trick to me I don't even care to try that one)You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived the number is even  (not in the mood to do some math here so forget that one) 

You can guess that the gender predictions for girls would be opposite for the one above
They say that you will have a girl if:

• You carry high. Again I am a petite woman so I don't know what carrying high is supposed to mean!
• The fetal heart rate is above 140.The fetal heart rate at my last two visits have been higher than 140! I made sure to remember that fact just for the sake of the myths
• You crave for sweets.

       I have always enjoyed a delicious Tiramisu or pastry but I am actually craving sweet drinks. For the past months I have had more bottle juices than I had in the last two years. I rarely drank bottle juices and now I seem to craaaave for Grape juice and mint syrup! If tell you we better not run out of grape juice in this house or I will act like an addicted through detox! I have to have some grape juice! So sweet drinks not sweets have been my craving!

• You feel unattractive during your pregnancy! Come on!How many women feel attractive with extra weight on? Not too many! But I do know that some men find pregnant women very sexy because they are carrying life and this alone is beautiful!

So now that I have already done my ultrasound I find it fascinating that they are so many myths, old wives tales, so called scientific facts and superstitions when it comes to predicting the baby's gender!

Does you culture offer a special belief in predicting a baby's gender? What's your old wives' tales?
Do you have any children? Was any myth useful and accurate in predicting the sex of your baby or any baby that have come into your life? If you are expecting please let me know how those predictions play as your find out your baby's gender!

N'na

Natural pregnancy week by week : listening to your body~week 14

Hello dear,

I hope you all had a pleasant week, it's Friday but I have a busy week-end ahead of me...I hope to have the chance to relax tomorrow evening by watching a Movie in the park with some friends I haven't seen in a while.

Anyway, I just wanted to "chat with you" and share briefly how my pregnancy is going.
Today is week 14. If you read my previous article with the same title " Natural pregnancy week by week" I explained how my first doctor's visit went last week!  http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/07/natural-pregancy-second-trimester.html

I had a pleasant and easy going week but Wednesday was a boring and slow day. I spent the majority of my day in bed. I felt so tired it was insane. I am not used to staying still but I am learning to LISTEN TO MY BODY. Thursday I was once again full of energy and got out of bed with a mind made up for productivity! By bedtime I was happy to have accomplished all that I had set to do.Today I am dragging again! I am doing better than I did on Wednesday but I am far from being as active as I want.

I am learning to rest because I have a lot of caring friends who are making sure that I take good care of myself and the baby! Talk about holding me accountable!
I don't like to be sick so I better learn to rest than exhaust myself and regret it. So... if you are pregnant and reading this, from one pregnant woman to another: take heed to sound advices, ask for help when you need help and 'obey' your body!

So I have been like a switch: one day on (full of energy) one day off (moderate-slow energy)!

Pregancy and exercising
I haven't been able to exercise much this week and haven't gone on any walk the whole week.  My left ankle has been hurting me and it's annoying! I had a foot injury last summer that totally slowed my activity level as far as running and exercising was concerned. My ankle was not fully healed when I resumed exercising (running and walking).  I did not run as intensely as I did before my ankle's injury but I managed to maintain a routine that helped me loose some of the weight gained during my injury.

The only form of exercise I have done this week is stretching and lifting some light weights. I also walked a little around some parking lots on days I was out and about!

Little update: 10:45pm I finally went on a walk, just 20 minutes. It was 9:45pm with my hubby by my side! It was so hot, not even a breeze, no breezy summer night (pouting face)...oh well!

Pregnancy and Supplements
I made a change in my supplements. I was doing some reading online 3 days ago and learned that Cod liver oil is not good during pregnancy because of the high dose of Vitamin A. So even though fish supplements can be beneficial, Cod liver oil is not good for pregnant women...livers actually have high level of vitamin A, I think that we are not even supposed to eat liver during pregnancy!

So that you know, I will post next week an article on seafood consumption during pregnancy and talk more about Vitamin A, mercury and other contaminants to be concerned about!

Eating right and weird pregnancy's dreams about food!
As far as my diet has been this week, most of my meals have been vegetarian meals. I actually had a dream on Monday about meat. I shared the dream with some friends/neighbors. We were meeting at the park one morning and talking about what we would get for lunch once we all get home. I had the tact of sharing the dream with them and one said that the dream was making her lose her appetite!  Ha ha ha!  I rarely eat meat but the dream just sealed the deal!
 I have been told that it happens to have crazy dreams about food when we are pregnant. Have you had crazy dreams about food?

Pregnancy's food cravings and aversions
Aside from my stronger aversion for meat at the moment, I don't have any particular aversion. I don't have any weird craving either! I do crave for tropical fruit juices like mango juice or ginger-pineapple juice so it's common to find me laboring in the kitchen on any given evening just making a batch of juice for the next days!

I have noticed that I enjoy cooking more and that my body craves more for vegetarian meals and for natural juices! I enjoyed them before but I seem to want more! So listening to my body as far as eating right is a blessing! I am just glad I don't crave for weird things or for sweets!

Occasional unhealthy food
Wednesday night I splurged on 2 honey buns. My hubby and I spent a little bit of time having a "late snack date" eating honey buns and drinking milk while chatting around 11pm. I haven't had any honey buns in over a year so I figured it would be fun to enjoy some that night.! I was breaking my "no late eating" rule but I figured it was worth it! When we are very disciplined about our diet it's okay to enjoy a 'forbidden' snack once in a while!Don't you think?

Pregnancy's morning sickness, nausea and vomittingI get asked a lot if I have any morning sickness or nausea. No! I have never had morning sickness, nausea or vomitting during any of my pregnancies. So week 14 of pregnancy #4, so far so good! No morking sickness, no nausea, no vomitting!Thank You God!


Learning to listen to my body is forcing me to take it easy, honestly the time resting is driving me nut! I spend that time going through some magazines, reading a bunch of health articles online, listening to some songs, writing some posts for next week ...yeah, I might be resting but that doesn't mean that I am doing 'nothing'!  My daughter has been playing some funny movies in my room (she enjoys her time doing things away from her brothers) and it was good to get some good laughs! I have also spent a lot of time mentally designing the future nursery and my new craft room! (See http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/07/breaking-newshun-i-got-some-news-for.html to know what I am talking about!)

Oh...today I had time to research some old songs. I 'found' a song I looooved during my childhood! 'Grovin' by UB 40. I was crazy about their voice when I was younger so I added some of their songs on the main music playlist on this blog! I did add a few other songs on the playlist today, hope you will enjoy them...

That's about it for the updates on week 14! Thanks for stopping by!
~Whether you are pregnant or not please keep in mind that listening to your body is very important! So take care of yourself!~

 Stay tuned for more updates, please share your own stories and talk to you soon!
 I added this song to my playlist today and I pray that life is wonderful to you...

Thanks to you all for your love and your support, to the pregnant women reading this: Happy pregnancy!





N'na

Natural pregnancy week by week

Hello you all!

How are you? I know I promised you some updates on the 'breaking news'!
http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/07/breaking-newshun-i-got-some-news-for.html


So I had my first prenatal doctor's visit.
Took me half a hour to fill up some paperwork, thank God I went early!
My appointment was for 9:00 am and I was at the office by 8:30! It took so much time to answer all the health history questions etc...

                                                                  The lab works

So I did the usual urine test, (right on time...)
Weight in: 5 lbs gain!
Blood pressure test, my BP was perfect!
Did the blood work, (She took like 5-6 tubes )
Got the physical and went ahead and got a Pap smear done,  heard the baby's heartbeat yeaah..(it sounds like a galloping horse)!

The urine test came first
I then waited a few minutes to get them to weight me and take my BP.

                                         Prenatal visit and a woman's right to pretty shoes...

When I first got called the first thing the nurse asked was how to pronounce my name, the second thing she said was " I love your shoes"! I thanked her and told her that I have 3 pairs of these shoes! ( I know it's crazy but I just love them.) She explained to me about the urine test and then left. I waited a few minutes before moving on to the rest of the tests that my visit entitled!
When a different nurse called me to take my weight,her first comment was about my shoes, the nurse taking my Blood Pressure asked where I was from and she kept checking out my shoes and complimented them, then a third nurse stepped in and noticed my shoes right away and complimented them and commented that they match well my dress and even my nail polish!

We don't expect a fashion revue when at a doctor's office but I must tell you it felt good to get these compliments! When you are starting to feel frustrated, challenged and limited with your wardrobe comments like those help a whole lot! Like I told them I have three pairs of those shoes, because, as one of them assumed, they are very comfortable in addition to being very pretty! I love pretty things and I love comfort! I am not the type of girl you will catch in pretty shoes that cause a lot of pain!
(I will add a picture of the shoes later on! I am writing in a rush!)

Picture update

Prenatal doctor's visit!

After my time with these fashion critics/nurses I waited in a private room (pictured above)...I waited like 15-20 mns before I was seen by the midwife. Thank God I had my crosswords puzzles book with me or I would have lost patience like a fly trapped in a small space. I never go anywhere without a book in my purse and my puzzles book have kept me sane at many occasions when my patience was running low!

                                                              Pregnancy and exercises

The midwife came in. The first thing we did was go over my paperwork. She had some questions naturally! She was curious about the fact that I do work out more than 3 times per week. (The paperwork does require to specify how often you work out).
She asked me what kind of exercises I do and I explained that I normally run on the treadmill but haven't done it in the past 3 weeks. I still walk one hour most days, I stretch daily for at least 20 minutes. I did not care to tell her that I do squats and lunges every other days.
 She asked if I plan on working out as the pregnancy progresses, my answer " Of course! Exercising and staying healthy is more important now" I said! I went on to say that I am very much aware that it's thanks to exercising that I have had some healthy pregnancies in the past and some prompt recoveries!
She was also interested in the kind of supplements I take, (the paperwork inquires about medication, supplements etc) I am not under medication, haven't been since the pain killers of my last C-section!
                                                   
                                                               Details about my supplements
The midwife was curious about my supplements and I explained that they do include the prenatal vitamins I started taking recently and they also include the following:  B12, Folic Acid, Fish oil, and Magnesium. I have been taking all these supplements daily or weekly for months now and I continue to take them in spite of the fact that some of them (B12 and Folic Acid) are present in the prenatal vitamins that I now take.
Magnesium keeps you regular and believe me I am seriously sticking to it because pregnancy causes constipation and constipation is BAD if you plan on being very healthy! The midwife seemed surprised that I knew the benefits of magnesium as a supplement to prevent constipation.
 B12 is already present in the prenatal vitamin but I still take that supplement because B12 is the 'energy vitamin' and I need energy now more than ever!  Please check the following article for more info about the importance pf vitamin B12
http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/02/little-introduction-to-benefits-of.html

 Folic Acid is the most important vitamin during pregnancy, as a matter of fact it's very important even before pregancy!

After the questions and answers session and sharing some general info, I got a physical and I got to hear the sound of the baby...Aw www so sweet!
I told my midwife that my hubby and children would love to listen to it so after I got dressed a nurse gathered them from the lobby and we crammed that small room while I laid once again for a sonogram! It was great to share this with all my children but the best was saved for last!

                                                       Ultrasound and more shoes talks
I got my blood work done while waiting on the ultrasound to determine how far along I am in my pregnancy! I was so glad to get the ultrasound done because they were not sure that they could fit me in in the schedule since they were only working half day today! I said a little prayer on the subject that God graciously answered!
After getting all of us set up in the ultrasound room, I was about to lean back on the bed when the lady doing my ultrasound said " Oh you are the lady with the pretty shoes!" It caught me off guard...

Picture update

Here are my favorite shoes!

I was surprised that words have gotten around about my shoes. My hubby made a comment on the way home that only us women would do things like that, check people from head to toes and talk about them "and their shoes" (lol).

                                                              Special moments
Having my children watch the ultrasound was a special moment! They had tons of questions, made their smart comments about their little sibling in my tummy and found that it was the best part of the visit! I agree with them! I feel so grateful for this blessing! It's so amazing to be able to see a baby at such an early stage and it's awesome to be 'chosen' to carry a new life! I have always respected the gift of 'fertility' because I am so aware of others 'misfortunes and I spend so much time praying in secret for others less fortunate, to experience that gift!

                                                             Still guessing how far along I am
So... we had the ultrasound and my hubby was surprised to be wrong in his estimate!
He thought I was just 8 weeks. I have been telling him how many weeks I thought I was, but he acted like he knows my body better than me, (making a face).
 It turns out that my prediction were pretty close, the ultrasound revealed that I am actually at...umm let's make you wait...

       I will give you some hints

• in 2 more weeks I should be able to feel the baby move,
•  in 7 weeks we will know the sex of the baby

      So how many weeks am I?

Picture update:  me after my prenatal visit

Got to rush out of here, will be back with pictures and will update this post sometimes tonight or tomorrow! Have a great week-end and thanks to you all for your love!

To any expecting woman reading this, I wish you too a Happy Pregnancy!
Okay got to go, hubby is ruuushing me!
~Hugs~

N'na