Fit, Fabulous, and Pregnant-July 2011

Hi Ladies,

Great catching up on how everyone is doing. Needless to say, busy, busy, busy here! The weeks are just flying by. I'm feeling the 12 hour shifts at work more than ever. So completely exhausted all day long. The long days will inevitably end with me snoozing on the couch by 9:30 pm!

Just back from my 32 week prenatal (and my son's 15 month check up). My fundus is still measuring two weeks ahead however my weight gain is still on target. Up 30 pounds. I've got about 8 weeks left in this pregnancy so I'll obviously be in the higher range of normal weight gain but I'm ok with that. As long as I don't gain 54 like the first time I'm ahead of the game for taking it off afterwards.

Despite the long days (sitting) in the office my ankles have remained relatively normal - minor swelling the odd day. That pleases me greatly (especially during shorts and sundress season).

Heather - You asked about maternity photos. My sister is a professional photographer and she's offered to do mine again for this pregnancy. They're booked mid-August when I'm just over 34 weeks. Really glad I did them the first time (she also did photos of my son at 3 days old and one year old) and I consider myself very lucky it's a perk of being sisters with a pro! It can be very costly.

Here's a sample of me at 34 weeks in March 2010 pregnant with Colby:



Well, off to finish Colby's baby book (just doing a 12 month calendar with photos and keeping a memory box as life goes on) so I can be ready to start #2's when the time comes...

Side note: We're having a tough time with boys names. Pretty sure about a girls name however. Hmmm, between that and how high I'm carrying this time around I think I'm having a girl. At any rate we can't wait to find out!

Take care Mamas.

~ Amy

Sabrinafaith - I hear you! I love Erin O'Brien DVD's, too. But somehow stroller walks are just enough these days. You're doing great!

has anyone tried gin gins hard candies for morning sickness??? or preggie pops????

Thanks for the waxing tips! I'm thinking this might be my last visit to the waxing spa for, oh,...8 months! haha.

has anyone tried gin gins hard candies for morning sickness??? or preggie pops????

Mint cough drops worked wonders for me.

is it still working?

YAY!!!!!!

biokim17 - I have done regular massage every three weeks and continued up until just recently (I'm 35 weeks). I've skipped my last two due to scheduling issues. I did regular massage until somewhere in my 4th month when it just wasn't comfortable to be on my back or stomach. At that point my massage therapist had me start laying on my side and he propped me with pillows. I have to say, it's not quite the same deep massage that I enjoyed prior to pregnancy, but still helps to keep me healthy for work (I'm a dental hygienist). I will be getting back for least one more session prior to delivery. My doctor has been okay with massage and only warned that sometimes women get more nauseous in the first trimester, although I did not experience that. I've just done the same as I've done with exercise and listened to my body - if the massage feels wrong, I let my practitioner know.

Heather- sorry the heat is so bad for you - can you try to send some our way?? We've only had FOUR DAYS that have hit the 80 degree mark this year and after the first three the weather people said it only stayed at 80 for 78 minutes. So very, very sad!!

Lexi - my goodness girl! Thanks for letting us know how you are doing. I was really worried about you - sounds like you've come to some resolution and hopefully the stress is reducing. If I remember correctly you only have two quarters of school left - it will go so fast and then you can be back with your hubby again. The road in life can be super rocky sometimes, but you are a strong, intelligent woman and I know you will come out better on the other side. Take care of that little one, okay?

Amy - so happy to see you again! You are looking great! I'm up 27-28 pounds at this point so think I will be coming closer to the 35 pound gain too. I'm all belly myself, but still keep thinking this is a boy that I am carrying. I guess I will know soon enough ;-) If you are measuring two weeks early.....we could end up with similar delivery dates...

Enjoy seeing all the new faces here - good luck with the fitness and nutrition goals and I look forward to getting to know you.

Holly

Lunarokra: I'm not sure how long your drive is but during the 4th of July weekend we drove 11 hours to Buffalo,NY I was 15 weeks pregnant and it was fine. We did stop a little more for bathroom breaks and to stretch but it was great. So good luck:)

Hey everyone. Just checking in.

Lexi, sorry to hear about all your stress but it sounds like you have it figured out, even if it may not be your most desired situation right now; it will all work out in the end. Good for you for sticking with school and everything. I hear ya on the finances. About half of my maternity leave (if I take the full 12 weeks which I intend to) will be covered by my accrued vacation and sick time and the other unpaid. We are a 2 income household and make about the same amount so it kind of makes a difference when half a pay check isn't there. We have done some things that will work out though like Flex account. I put $100 tax deferred money into an account each pay period which will reimburse me for medical expenses. I think they will not reimburse me until after I deliver so it's kind of acting like a savings account. That and we're trying to set aside money when we can to cover my time off. Plus, I figure we won't be out spending much money with a newborn. Anyways, sorry to ramble, but I hear ya on the financial stress. I don't even want to think about child care; I hear it is about $200 a week where I live for an infant. Crap.....

Amy, your prego shot is super cute....all belly. I hope I end up like that.

Heather sounds like you are killing it on the workouts as usual. I know what you mean about the workouts making you feel better. Dont' get me wrong. There have been days I have come home and not done anything b/c I've been tired. But typically if I go workout, I feel better and sleep amazing. I ran 2 miles and did a little strength last and after I was on my feet about 45 minutes cooking dinner I was worn out, feet hurt and felt like I'd been standing all day. And I fell right asleep around 1030 and only woke up to pee at 3. It really does make a difference in how I feel I think. I am glad I have been able to keep it up.

Also Heather, as for your question, I did not read the article yet, but I pretty much disagree with anything that takes rights away from people. And that is across the board even if I don't agree with the freedome that a person is utilizing. So I think that is dumb.

As for the workouts I've been doing, I've been getting in a 2 mile run on the mill about once a week for the last month, a mile swim once a week and usually a day of strength. I also end up walking at least once or twice a week at home and 3-4 short walks during the work day either to lunch or meetings or to drop off stuff. So I'm staying relatively active I think. My weight was down a pound again today (have been between 135 and 136 alternating each week since mid June) so I am sitting at 1.5 pound gain at almost 14 weeks. I think this is absolutely crazy because I bet I have gained at least 5 inches on my belly although my pants still fit; I am carrying high. But my body absolutely looks different. I am wondering if I am losing weight elsewhere and it is offsetting my gain. At my last dr. appointment 3 weeks ago, my dr. said I shouldn't be gaining that much weight by my next apoinment (next Thursday) so until she tells me I need to gain, I will be okay with my back and forth and hovering. I expect to start packing on the pounds in the coming weeks though. Bring it....I am ready to look prego!

Welcome to all the new people! The board has become so much more active; it makes me happy. .

The work week is almost over! Hope you all have a great day.

Hi all, just checking in. Went to a short camping trip and got back yesterday. Glad to see everyone is doing great.

It seems that I've been losing weight... Not sure what is going on. I swear that I ate a lot and snack quick often. May not have the best choices lately, because I've crave for carb and fruits so much. :-( Cannot eat a big meal, otherwise I'll feel so sick to even move around.

-Hattie

I want to get pregnant but don't want to
put on a huge amount of weight. Can one still lose weight while pregnant? I'm already overweight and scared it will get out of hand. Please advise

So, I noticed that some of your said that you are following your maintenance calories. However, my Dr's office told me not to eat less than 2000. So, I'm so confused. What are most of you doing?

you add the nursing option once a day.

And about the children prohibition, I feel the same way as princesspurple. There are many places I won't bring my 2.5 year old because it takes away from the ambiance and my enjoyment, and my son is very well behaved, so I understand the business owners' perspective.

I want to get pregnant but don't want to
put on a huge amount of weight. Can one still lose weight while pregnant? I'm already overweight and scared it will get out of hand. Please advise

Do NOT try to lose weight during pregnancy. If you started with overweight, you just targeted to gain less. There are guidelines for that. Keep working out will help you have a healthier pregnancy and easier to take the weight gain off after give birth. Also keep in mind that if you breastfeed, your weight will come down fast.