So here we are, somehow I find myself in the third trimester of pregnancy already, and almost to the end! Not quite sure how this happened, but I know it came quite fast. Maybe it is the fact I am older, maybe it is the fact I have a three year old occupying most of my time. Either way, here I am, less than three weeks away from my anticipated due date.
I find myself wondering if he will be fashionably late like his brother. Most people quickly assure me he will not be since he is my second and add my labor will be shorter. But I believe a lot of labor and delivery is genetics, and my mother went full term, if not late with all of her three children and had 30+ hours of labor with all of us. Sooooooo, I am not holding my breath.
In the pregnant dietitian, part one, I provided some sassy tips of what helped me navigate the first and second trimesters so I thought I would be sure to finish up and give you my tips and sass for the third trimester.
Tip #1
Realize pregnancy can be difficult, and that is ok.
I am not a person who relishes in her pregnant self. Now, do not confuse this for not wanting pregnancy or not being grateful my body can do such a magnificent thing as to grow another human being. But I look forward to having my body back and not watching it grow ever so larger by each day, and adding new discomforts. Realizing it is ok I am not always super stoked about the changes helps me tremendously. I do not have to be super excited about it all, I just have to accept the changes and not be negative towards them. There is a strong likelihood we will not be adding any more kiddos to the chaos, on purpose that is, so I try to take one day at a time and remember I may miss these moments in my near future.
Tip #2
Do not be a negative Nelly.
With all this being said, I remember, some women long to feel the ever growing presence of a human being within their bodies and cannot do so. So I remember with each complaint, even though it is ok to accept the difficulty of pregnancy, it is not ok to be negative everywhere you go. It is a sacrifice, one not every woman is able to make; therefore, watch your words and remember it is a true blessing to carry a child. A woman body is marvelous and powerful. Do not forget you are doing something grand, but also do not forget your words can sear someone else’s heart without meaning to. Also, buck up buttercup, it is a short time in your life. You can do it, I promise. No one is pregnant forever. The end will come.
Tip #3
It is ok to ask for help.
Yall, I struggle wildly with this concept. I have a fear of laziness. I hate to feel lazy or rest or ask someone else to do something I am completely capable of in regards to my home and life. Now, most of my friends will tell you I delegate like a champ, but that is different. Delegation is a compilation of separate talents to achieve a goal. Me just saying hey, can you go down the steep basement stairs to get the washer out of the dryer, makes me feel like a total lazy bum. But y’all, I can barely fit down there with a laundry basket. It is stupid for me to even try! Yet, here I am trying to do it all myself, forgetting my hubby is willing, he just needs to be asked. The list of examples goes on and on, but the moral of the story, ask for help.
Tip #4
Pillows are your best friend.
I live in a pillow fortress everywhere I go. I take one with me to sit on when it is a hard surface, just like princess and the pea. If I sit too long on a hard surface my hips and back scream at me. Therefore, it is just best to carry a pillow with me. I also sleep with about five pillows… no lie.
Tip #5
Keep up the activity.
Y’all this is so hard too. With my slowed pace and ever growing stomach my workouts have become somewhat a joke. BUT I still try to squeeze in at least three activity sessions per week, even if they are just walking on a treadmill. Why? Because in the end you will recover faster and feel better. You can bounce back to activity so much faster if you have tried to maintain somewhat of an active lifestyle throughout the pregnancy. Believe me, I am hilarious to watch, of this I am sure, but at least I am trying. It is easy to overdo it, it is easy to wear myself down, so slow and steady wins the race every time.
Tip #6
You will never feel ready.
That’s right, I have done this before, this is not my first rodeo and I still have nerves about labor, delivery, and transition in the home. I thought I would be so “READY” this time, but guess what, you are never totally ready for life changes or changes for that matter. It is coming and the best thing you can do is relax and know you will have a beautiful chapter coming soon.
These are more joking and sassy than real tips, except for the last three. I hope any pregnant mommas found some of this helpful! Be sure to reach out to me and let me know what you want blogs about in regards to baby life. Soon to come will be the life of breastfeeding, burping, and working on my own body!