Regrets During Pregnancy

I'm pretty sure every mom has some regrets when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth. It's normal. I figured I'd share mine. (Note: My regrets are not meant to shame anyone else. It's just my thoughts on my own personal experience.)

1. I regret not eating healthier. As a health nut who would rather have carrots than candy, I never thought I'd say this. Unfortunately, I craved horribly fatty foods, and carbs, and loads of yummy stuff that I shouldn't have eaten. I'm not saying I didn't eat healthy foods too; in fact, I craved them as well. But, I ate way more junk food, and I feel like crap for it. My one saving grace is that for the last few months, I have been a little more careful about what I eat.

2. I regret not being more active. I have always been pretty active. I used to walk every single day, and do home workouts, and was a pretty fit, healthy person (that includes while I was pregnant with my first child). This time, however, I let it all go. I did walk a lot in the beginning... until the pain and nausea set in. I would walk my daughter to school and cry on the way home because I hurt so bad. Or I'd be heaving the whole mile back to my house. Eventually, the "morning sickness" (what a lie!) went away, but the pain never did. So I limited myself to going to the school and sitting on my fitness ball (which helped ease my back and leg pain).

I am trying to be a tiny bit more active now. I sit on my ball sometimes, and I dance a little. Plus, I totally count going up and down the stairs a million times a day as a valid form of exercise (they are steep and I am front heavy lol)!

3. I regret stress. I think everyone in the world could say that, but for me, it was like I got pregnant and immediately tripled my stress level. I had scary pains, and crazy life events, and daily worries, and it all got the best of me. Every time I solved one issue, two more would hit. It's kind of calming down now, but I still have insomnia because once I lie down, I start to think and worry.

My regret isn't about how many stressful things I have going on (although some of them do suck). My regret is that by being so stressed out, I could unintentionally harm myself or the baby. Luckily I did not, but if I could go back and find a way to just relax and not worry so much, I would in an instant. (If you are pregnant and super stressed, try to find ways to calm down a little. Take baths, or read, or something. Enjoy the miracle you are going through, because it doesn't last long.)

4. My final regret has actually not happened yet, but I fear it will. I regret not being vocal. I am naturally a very quiet person, and I do not assert my dominance. I know what I want during childbirth and afterward, but I feel like I'm going to be trampled by well-meaning people who insist they know better than me.

All my power was taken from me with my firstborn, and I really don't want that to happen again. I am trying to make a "birth plan" (you know, those things they tell you to write but it's rare they are actually followed) that is at least somewhat specific on key points, like interventions and breastfeeding and such. Hopefully that will get me started in the right direction.

In closing, (and this goes for everyone, not just moms) do not be afraid to voice your regrets. I used to say that I had no regrets because everything was a learning experience, but that's not really healthy. Eventually it eats you up inside.

Heartburn and Stretch Marks, Ugh.

I have three new loves in my life: Tums, coconut oil, and my stability ball.

I have never had heartburn in my life. Acid reflux plagued me when I was younger, but it went away before I hit 20 years old. Even pregnant with my daughter, I didn't get it (but to be fair, with her everything was easy). Now, even water gives me issues. WHAT??? I finally broke down and got Tums a few days ago, and I am an idiot for not doing so sooner! Anyone that knows me knows I am stubborn, and I insisted on finding a natural remedy. Yeah that didn't work out.

I also lucked out last time when it came to stretch marks. I only gained 18 pounds, and it was so gradual that my body adjusted nicely. Not so lucky now. I am so horrible... I actually refused to even look at my body for about a month. Never mind that I can barely fit into my clothes, NOPE I'm not growing except my belly. So not true. Once I FINALLY stopped being in denial, I started trying lotions. Eew. The one I had for pregnancy was gross and slimy, and I could feel it even after showering. Any other lotion I have didn't feel like it was doing anything at all. Crap.

So, the other day I was scrolling through Pinterest (my favorite thing to do lol) and I came across a recipe for Coconut Oil Whipped Body Butter. I already loved coconut oil, but now I have a new appreciation for all it does for me. All you have to do to make it is scoop some out, break it into little chunks, and whip it with a hand mixer. It doesn't melt, and it only takes a tiny bit to moisturize. I used it for the first time last night and it not only moisturized, it soothed my very angry skin.

The final issue I've been having (now that my nausea is gone) is hip and back pain. I have scoliosis, so sitting in one spot usually bothers me. However, I can no longer stand for more than a few minutes without my back and hips hurting. Plus, sitting on the couch hurts my hips worse. I figured out a solution: my stability ball. I originally bought it for working out, but now it's been sitting in a corner because I've been focusing on gentler exercises. I spent most of last night rolling around on it, stretching out my hips and watching tv.

Don't judge me. My poor little body doesn't know what to do about growing a baby, and at this point I'm willing to do anything just to be comfortable (including build a pillow fort just to sleep at night). To all my moms-to-be, I feel your pain. Don't be afraid to look foolish to get comfy!