With my due date in one week, I wanted to share a little bit more about my pregnancy. I’ve shared tids and bits on Instagram, but I figured I would answer your questions and my thoughts in one post. Enjoy the Q&A!
Q: Did you always know you wanted the baby’s gender to be a surprise?
A: YES! Alan and I agreed keeping the baby’s gender a surprise even before we started trying to have a baby! We both feel that as adults, we get so few great surprises so we wanted this to be the ultimate surprise! “What about the nursery?” everyone asks. As you can see from the inspiration, I’m designing a colorful and happy space for a boy or girl. I’ll add accents after the baby is born to make it more personal. Most importantly, I can’t wait for the moment when Alan will say, “It’s a…!” I’m sure it will give me chills!
Q: Do you have a feeling you’re having a boy or a girl?
A: From day one, I felt that this baby is a boy. Plus total strangers will come up to me and say, “you’re having a boy, right?” I’m carrying small and low, which is generally common with boys, but I know bump can also be a girl!
Q: Do you have names picked out?
A: We’ve had names picked out even before we started trying for a baby. Two names came to me in a dream so those were automatically in the running. Over the last few months, Alan and I will add names to the list. We have about 5 names for a boy and a few more for a girl. We won’t be picking a name until the bump arrives! We want to meet him or her before naming bump!
Q: Do you like being pregnant?
A: Yes and no. As odd as this sounds, I think the bump is a cute accessory. There I said it! It looks so cute in some outfits! On the other hand, pregnancy has been so uncomfortable for me. The first trimester I was plagued with all day nausea and spent days at a time in bed. After about month 4, I could no longer sleep on my stomach (ughhh) so sleeping on my side is a bit awkward. I also think the baby is going to be tall (like Alan) as I feel it from my ribs all the way down to my pubic bone – and it’s painful. The baby is super active and it puts a lot of pressure on my hips, back, and sciatic nerve. I do go for walks and do stretches, but I’m just uncomfortable all the time!
Q: Did you get any stretch marks?
A: Not yet! I’ve been using some great all-natural products to combat stretch marks and other pregnancy related issues.
Q: What skincare and beauty products did you use?
A: Although I usually avoid parabens, sulfates, and other chemicals in my skincare and beauty routine, I made sure I was extra careful after I found out I was pregnant. I actually put together a video talking about all natural skin care alternatives for pregnancy.
Q: How much weight did you gain during pregnancy?
A: I haven’t gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy. So far I’m at 25 pounds which is average. Since I’m one week away from my due date, I anticipate I’ll gain a few more pounds before bump arrives. I’ve been eating healthy, meditating, walking and generally maintaining a healthy lifestyle! I never stressed about my weight gain and just wanted the best for bump.
Q. Have you had any weird food cravings?
A: Oh yes! I’ve been a pescatarian for 20 years and haven’t had beef, pork or chicken during this time. But while in Austin with my best friend, bump had other plans! As soon as Meri’s BBQ dinner came out, all I could think about was having a bite out of it. As I mentioned, my baby’s health is priority so I had several bites of her BBQ. It was so delicious! Since then, the bacon at the Whole Foods breakfast bar has lured me a couple of times. I wonder if these cravings will stop after bump arrives!
Q: Are you nervous about labor?
A: A little bit. My mom and my sister have made it sounds pretty easy in the sense that it’s doable, our bodies are designed for labor, and they both bounced back right after. But, I decided to google live birth, c-section birth, and a water birth and almost had a panic attack. Alan and I went to labor & delivery classes at the hospital. This was mostly for Alan’s sake since he’ll know exactly what my body will go through and knows how we can make it easier for me. We keep saying this is a team effort and I’m so lucky to have him as my partner in this! As of now, my goal is to try and give birth naturally, but I’m open to an epidural if it’s necessary. I trust my doctor, so if she recommends a c-section for the health of the baby and/or me, then I will trust her.
Q: Has it been stressful managing the home renovation and pregnancy?
A: It has been stressful, but I’m managing it through daily walks, meditation, and just accepting that baby may come before we’re done. As of right now, we don’t have a kitchen, the exterior needs to be painted, and the house is a disaster. Is it the end of the world? Nope. Do we have options? Yes, we can stay at my mom’s house until the work is done? Will stressing and going crazy make it happen faster? Nope. You get the picture. Our contractors have all be super understanding and are working quickly to get our projects done. Alan is amazing and works on projects after he gets home from work.
Check out some of my pregnancy looks here and our announcement video here.
I can’t wait to share the news after bump arrives! xo
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