Expecting: How I Support My Body This Third Pregnancy
Hello - it’s nice to see your face!
I have been holding on to sharing this for more than 6 months now (I did share a few weeks back on Instagram, though). It felt so nice to keep this little secret to ourselves and not blast it into the world right away. It has been a very sacred time and I have been very adamant about protecting my space this third time around:
We will be welcoming a new precious soul into our family in early summer.
Absolutely overjoyed to having been entrusted with another little life, I feel blessed that this third pregnancy seems to have been the easiest - both physically and mentally - so far.
I feel strong, active, and positive, and it never gets old to start feeling a growing life move inside of me.
With that said, I would like to share a few things that I am intentionally doing and taking to support my hardworking body in nourishing this little baby to the best of its ability.
My first trimester truly has not been a grueling one. I did feel queasy, mostly in the mornings, between week 7 and 10 ish, a little more tired than usual. But, in hindsight, it was nothing compared to my pregnancy with my sons.
I think back to what I may have done differently this time - especially before becoming pregnant and after finding out very early on - that may have put my body in a better position, so I wouldn’t be down for the count for weeks on end.
These are things I took and did before becoming pregnant and that helped me through my fairly comfortable first trimester:
Take a High Quality Supplement
I have been starting to take a very high quality beef liver supplement before becoming pregnant and felt positive effects very soon. My family uses this one and code BellsHome10 will save you every time. I am also adding this collagen powder mostly to my morning coffee (that I couldn’t drink the first few weeks, but I mixed it into orange juice instead). In addition, I stuck to taking my earthley wellness Nourish Her Naturally herbal tincture (get 10% off your first order), which I believe has also helped with an overall better energy level in the first trimester especially.
Use a Magnesium Cream
I remember I had bad headaches, sometimes migraines that would totally knock me out, with my boys. I have been using this magnesium cream religiously and haven’t had any issues since I started using it months and months ago.
Adding Trace Minerals and Electrolytes to My Water
I drink less water now but it is better absorbed and more nutritious to my body than “empty” fluids. It took me a while to learn that myself. Adding trace minerals and electrolytes (using these ones) to your drink can help absorb water better and keep your minerals in check. Also helpful to combat and even prevent headaches and increase energy levels.
Drink Lemon and Ginger Tea + Take An Herbal Tincture
On those mornings - or during those moments - where a wave of nausea would come over me, I enjoyed a glass of iced lemon ginger tea. Earth Mama Organics has a wonderful option for pregnant mamas. I have found Mama’s Tummy Relief to be very helpful in easing queasiness.
Lemon + Peppermint Essential Oils
Pure Lemon and Peppermint essential oils lived on my nightstand and taking a whiff straight from the bottle in the morning has helped to take the edge off and allowed me to get out of bed (just like a mouthful of crackers or string cheese did).
Eat Whole Foods
We have been making an effort to cut out refined sugars and seed oils as much as possible quite some time ago. But I believe by doing this well before pregnancy, it has allowed my body to crave the right foods. Funnily enough, I wasn’t really wanting to eat anything greasy or sweet; I was mostly craving milk and cold, hard boiled eggs, as well as thin sliced (yes, thin sliced) apples.
Eat About Every Hour and a Half Especially Protein Rich Foods
So, this is something I randomly read before becoming pregnant and that I simply tried this time: eating a little something (obviously not very much) every hour to hour and a half, even if I didn’t necessarily feel hungry. I soon realized how this helped me so much keep functioning, feel fairly normal, and keep nausea at bay. I mostly, again, munched on crackers, fresh fruit, drank whole (chocolate) milk or ate an insane amount of apples and apple sauce. Any type of cheese came in handy too; the higher in protein, the better.
Light Movement and Stretching
My two little boys naturally kept me on my toes, but incorporating light movement, stretching, into my day helped me feel well. But I also acknowledged the fact that my body is doing a lot of work and resting is so okay.
Quick note:
I still take my beef liver daily and use my magnesium lotion religiously. I eat as well as I can and yes, I do drink raw milk for its bioavailable nutrients I personally consider beneficial especially during this crucial time of life.
But everyone will have to weigh the risks and benefits for themselves and talk to their trusted healthcare practitioner. I am simply sharing what has worked - and still does - for me and I feel personally comfortable with.
These are the things I still do and take to nourish my body and mind:
Set Strict Boundaries
Reducing my stress level to a minimum and setting some strict boundaries in many ways has helped me feel pretty well currently. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I began realizing how important this is for overall wellbeing.
Be Mindful About What I Consume
This is an important one: I pray, say my affirmations, and read about the birth I desire, all while practicing gratitude for this healthy, growing life and my body for sustaining and nourishing it. I try to avoid consuming anything that is mentally and emotionally not nurturing.
Continue the High Quality Supplements
I am continuing to take my whole foods (acerola) vitamin C (also from Perfect Supplements - BellsHome10 saves you on everything, every time), take an additional vitamin E capsule occasionally, have my Nourish Her Naturally tincture daily, never miss my desiccated beef liver and collagen, and apply my magnesium cream to lower back, belly, and thighs in the evening.
Diffuse Relaxing Essential Oils Before Bed
To be honest, the aroma of essential oils was extremely strong to me especially in the first trimester (hello heightened sense of smell), except from inhaling Lemon or Peppermint essential oils throughout the day to ease feelings of queasiness. So, I mostly stayed away from them. But I started enjoying Lavender and Frankincense essential oils again, as well as Sweet orange. I don’t necessarily use them topically during this time, but diffusing is a wonderful option, as it specifically relaxes me at night.
Acupuncture + Chiropractic Care
I have been going to acupuncture for a few weeks now and I am amazed by how much it relaxes my body. Chiropractic adjustments are also something that I do every 3 ish weeks, as it helps keep little aches and pains away as my body changes, and relieves my tight neck (I am still carrying around a sweet little - not so light - two year old from time to time).
Move and Rest
This pregnancy is so much more intuitive in many ways. I am not pushing myself to do anything my physical body doesn’t feel comfortable with; but I have come to realize that brisk walks, fresh air, natural vitamin D, and then a few intentional moments of “kicking my feet up” are so easy to get and have such a profound impact on both my body and mind. I do as feels good to me, reminding myself this body of mine is doing hard work to grow life.
Cook from Scratch
Whole, organic (whenever feasible and possible) foods are what we focus on consuming in our family: dairy, meat, veggies, fruit, eggs, whole grains - to nourish my body that then nourishes this precious soul growing in my womb.
Did you find this helpful? Are you currently expecting? Leave a comment below if you feel so inclined.
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Disclaimer: Please note that all that I am mentioning in this blog post is based on personal experience and comfort level. This is not medical advice but solely for educational purposes. Before taking any supplements, using any essential oils, or doing anything physically, I suggest you consult your trusted healthcare practitioner for questions.
