Week 13 of My Pregnancy

It is most of the way through week 13 of my pregnancy. Work has been interesting and I find myself tired and sore in the abdominal area around 3pm! Too soon! (I know I always say that)

Week 13 of My Pregnancy

My baby is about the size of a pea pod, which is a much more human comparison! She has her own set of unique fingerprints formed, and her body is more in proportion with her head...so she looks less like a little balloon with a string body, or a tadpole. She looks less alien and scary.

I think I found a doctor I'll be settling for. I have to go off of what insurance covers, not what I want unfortunately. The goal for this next week is get a referral and an appointment. I'm a bit eager to get checked out and hear the baby's heartbeat! To me that is the moment that reality hits and the connection really begins.

My desire for certain foods in this pregnancy has been all over the place. One day it's a milkshake, the next it's Popeye's Chicken and Mac N Cheese. I'm loving fruit, but most vegetables taste funky to me. I can stand fresh cole slaw mix with avocado, but regular lettuce and spinach is so difficult for me to eat. I know I need to find a way around this! Maybe get a blender and mix my greens in a smoothie.

I've been reading some of the most common pregnancy issues that doctors worry about. I do this to educate myself, which gets rid of fear, but also because there is almost always something that can be done to prevent these issues, usually with a good diet. More on that in future posts....

Fit N Fancy for Life,

Caroleena Kay

How to Prevent Pre-eclampsia

I was reading my book this week, Heart and Hands, and I came across where they go into detail about Pre-eclampsia, which is where blood pressure can skyrocket and the level of protein in urine is high. 

Typically, it occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but sometimes it doesn't develop until later on in the 3rd trimester. As with most of the issues doctors will bring up, there is a way to decrease your odds of getting pre-eclampsia dramatically: by eating about 80-90 grams of good protein a day. 

By good protein, I mean some of these examples:

*Fish Fillet--24 grams

*Greek Yogurt--13 grams

*Peanuts/Cashews--7 grams

*Whole Grain Bread--5 grams/slice

*Cage Free Eggs--6 grams

*Turkey Burger Patti--30 grams

*Chicken Breast, 4oz--22 grams

*Cottage Cheese--12 grams

The awesome thing about these foods is they are low in calories and bad fats, which means you wouldn't be overeating if you ate several of them in one day; you'd have plenty of room for veggies, fruit and small sides to complete your meal. 

When I read this, I realized my diet has been slacking a bit due to life being busy and me being tired. Some of these days I've forgotten my snack or ate lunch way later than I should have. Hence why I try to read a little everyday to keep me on track and refresh these little facts that could save me a lot of heartache later!

I highly recommend the book Heart and Hands, can't say it enough! This one is packed full of detailed information on everything pregnancy, including problems in pregnancy. There are percentages of the likely hood of having a certain issue and then where it comes from as well as ways to prevent it. If you want a home birth, or just an educated pregnancy, regardless of if you're planning unassisted or not, this book is still extremely helpful.

Fit N Fancy for Life,

Caroleena Kay

 

Emergency Childbirth Kit

I've been looking into birth kits and came across this Emergency Childbirth Kit w/ Umbilical Cutter.

It has quite a few helpful items that I'd like to add to what I plan on purchasing. It has umbilical cord clamps and cutter, among other things, plus these are sterile and ready to go. Also, it has a bio hazard bag for the Placenta. Don't freak out at the title emergency childbirth kit, often looking for emergency birthing products can give more thorough results than just home birth. 

I'll keep posting items that I have bought before or plan to buy for this birth! I try to cover everything including a few of the larger emergency scenarios. My job this time around is more stressful, so I'll be taking extra cautious measures because of this. 

Fit N' Fancy for Life,

Caroleena Kay

Empowered by Unassisted Home Birth Stories

Before I made the decision to birth unassisted at home, I read other unassisted home birth stories written by women who had experienced it first hand. This is one of the things that empowered me and helped lead me to decide that I too could do this. 

Here are a couple links to the birth stories I read: 

* Unassisted Childbirth, Laura Shanley's Website


* Birth Stories & Pictures, Birth Without Fear Blog 

Going through these helped build my confidence and paint a picture of what giving birth unassisted at home is like. The stories of women who let their bodies dictate what happened next; stories of women who believed in themselves, believed that giving birth is not something to fear, but is something that is a natural bodily function best left unhindered. 

The more I read, the more I felt ready, and now sitting here preparing for my 4th unassisted home birth, I still enjoy grabbing a cup of coffee and settling in to read success stories. It strengthens my resolve as to why I do this. I tear up at the beauty and peacefulness of home birth. Nothing compares to it and the accomplishment a woman gets from letting go and letting God's design function the way it's suppose to. 

I felt a natural high from the success of my last birth. I was on cloud 9 forever! It has strengthened not only my faith in God, but my faith in myself, as well as given me the pride and fullness of being a woman.   

Fit N Fancy for Life....

Caroleena Kay 

How I Prevent Stretch Marks

  In this post, I'll share with you the things I do to prevent stretch marks and the products I use not only during pregnancy, but after as well.

What I do:

1. I moisturize EVERYDAY while pregnant. I have a full time job and 2 boys at home, so it can get a little tough to carve out time, but I'm serious about taking care of my skin so I make the time! 

2. I have different moisturizers for when I'm in a hurry vs when I have a little extra time to relax and massage my skin. 

3. I moisturize both belly (sides of my waist as well as right down to my pubic area) and boobs. Sometimes I'll throw in my butt and upper thighs. Based on my experience, if you are pregnant with your 1st, moisturize everything daily. I got the majority of my stretch marks with my 1st and I was mostly focusing on just my belly. Since my 1st, my body is more accustomed to stretching now and I haven't had any new stretch marks on my thighs or butt...fingers crossed, knock on wood....

4. I drink about a gallon of water DAILY. This is the easiest and cheapest skin care regimen you can possibly do! It helps with:

• Digestion.
• Absorption.
• Circulation.
• Excretion.
• Toxin removal.

All of the above helps with stretch marks, in both preventing and healing them. 

5. I push to eat 90 grams of good, healthy protein a day while pregnant. Among other things, this helps with cell regeneration, which in turn helps with stretching skin during pregnancy or damaged skin afterward.   

Here's a list of products I use regularly:

1. I use Acure Organics Lemongrass Firming Lotion when I need to put something on quick. It has a pleasant smell, not too strong, absorbs quickly and doesn't leave me feeling greasy. Contains Cocoa Butter and Argan Oil, as well as Evening Primrose Oil and Rosehips; excellent for moisturizing. Lemongrass has shown success in warding of mosquitoes as well! 

2. I use this Avocado Oil when I have a little extra time; it absorbs quickly as well and is very light. 

3. And when I have no time restraints, I'm using Whipped Shea Butter for a deep moisturizer. It takes a little bit of natural body heat to melt into my skin, so I need the extra time to massage it. This stuff is Amazing though! I've used it on a sunburn and it healed a bad one I had in 3 days flat (meaning my skin was back to normal. It was a tanning bed burn, too eager to get color!). It's faster and more soothing than my experience with Aloe Vera.

4. Coconut Oil is also a go to for me. I've used it for my last 2 pregnancies, especially after delivery. This one I like to apply at night so it can soak in while I sleep. It leaves my skin feeling silky smooth. With my last 2 pregnancies, I slathered this on postpartum before wrapping my belly. I'll get more into that in another post!

And now for benefits on the things I use (check out the links for more info):

1. Avocado Oil is known for helping boost collagen production in the skin. Filled with proteins, healthy fats and vitamin E, this oil is one of the best for being able to penetrate the skin layers, thus attacks the stretch marks!

2. Whipped Shea Butter, rich in fatty acids, vitamins A, E & F, it also helps with collagen production. Shea Butter also has a natural SPF 6 for protection from the sun. This butter smooths the skin and aids in reducing wrinkles and stretch marks. 

3. Coconut Oil is chalk full of essential fats as well as vitamin E and protein. Repairing tissue and enhancing skin cell health, coconut oil is a beast for both internally and externally helping the skin look vibrant and glowing while working on smoothing those stretch marks! 

Here's why I DON'T use petroleum/mineral oil products:

1. Petroleum/mineral oil doesn't let your skin breathe. It locks in any moisture that may be in your skin, but doesn't allow for moisture/nutrients to enter. It essentially seals your skin like putting plastic wrap on it.

2. Products with petroleum/mineral oil have been linked to causing cancer. It contains cancer causing agents before being processed, but afterwards it isn't certain they've been fully removed. 

3. Petroleum/mineral oil comes from fossil fuels, where we get the motor oil we use for our cars. It can be dangerous for pregnant women because it is readily absorbed by the skin but cannot be processed out of the body and can affect and be absorbed by the baby.

Lastly, here is a link on How To Identify Petrochemicals in Products. Check ingredients before you purchase! Even if it says it's organic or natural, always check. Because it's hard to find products without petroleum/mineral oil, I usually just stick to raw ingredients like the ones I have listed above. This way I know for sure I'm getting the best for my skin.

Hope ya'll found this post informative and helpful!

~Caroleena





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Pampering for Mommy To Be

I'm enjoying a little Mommy-To-Be pampering! Just bought this A Little Something For Mommy-To-Be Organic Pregnancy 5 Piece Gift Set.

And I'm loving it! Plus it makes a great gift for a baby shower. Don't forget about Mommy! She's putting in the hard work, that's for sure. This pregnancy gift set is all natural.

 I'm pampering myself with a dedicated bath every week. This gives me time to relax...catch up on a little shaving, and just unwind from a long week.

It's been great! Sometimes it takes effort to pull myself away from the family and know that hubby's got it, but mommies it's worth it. Block everything out and just chill and pamper yourself!


Fit N' Fancy for Life,

Caroleena Kay

Week 12 of Pregnancy

It's week 12 of pregnancy for me, 1st trimester winding to a close. My dear baby is about the size of a lime! Something I'm more familiar with and actually have in my cupboard.

She is busy growing and developing her reflexes at quite the rate this week. About 2 inches long, apparently she looks like a lovable human now instead of a lil alien frog baby.

I took the time this past week to take care of myself, something I tend to put on the back burner with everything else going on in my life, from military to children to husband; housecleaning, cooking and trying to get caught up on the little things in life! Sleep being a priority as well, most times I'd rather just go to bed early than to deal with shaving my hairy legs. However, this week my hubby helped push me out the door to get my hair and nails done. It's been a year or so for me whew! I do feel so much better.

Here is a pic at the gym from yesterday with my hubby photobombing like crazy. We did legs, and

Leg day with Hubby!

 boy do I feel it today! No pain, no gain. Today we did arms, great workout, sore now but not really bad. I take it slow and modify everything. No shame.

My goal is to work out at least 3 times a week with weights. I feel good afterward and my heart rate doesn't spike and make me exhausted as fast as say, cardio or walking. Plus muscle burns fat so hopefully I can stay trim during my pregnancy by keeping up on dee muscles!

Only issue I've had is being hungry way too quickly into my workout. I've tried having an apple or Nutrigrain bar beforehand, but I realized today I need carbs! I had some and gone was the lightheaded, "weird" feeling.


Soooo I am posting a pic of my belly, taken today at the gym.

Week 12 of Pregnancy

I don't have to wear maternity yet but I don't feel comfortable in my old jeans or a lot of my pants, that's for sure. I've jumped a size up ahhhh! Already!

I do feel more energetic and fit when I work out, plus it gives me a sense of being able to "control" my weight gain and feel I'm still in charge of my own body.

I'm working on sharing some of the exercises I do in a later post. I do update my Twitter with foods I'm eating, exercises I'm trying out at the gym and different articles, tidbits and fun facts.

This week I received my Heart and hands book:

                                                                 
It's one of the more expensive books in my collection, but the information is very in depth and valuable. It is more for a midwife, or someone wanting to be a midwife...which is exactly why I bought it. It's easy to read and helped me a lot with preparing for an unassisted home birth. I will be digging into it once more to refresh and prepare with number 4!

Duty calls y'all...my son has a nasty number 2 diaper and my number is up to change it. I gotta get this boy outta diapers before baby arrives!

Fit N Fancy for Life,
~~Caroleena