36-39 Weeks

Oh no kidding, I have been in super nesting mode, sorry! My blogging took a back seat, it just had to. So much going on, I couldn't keep up as well as I thought I could.

Whats been going on??? 36-37 WEEKS

Here are some of my messages to my family and friends. Please don't get offended...

..."Please pray...  I feel intimidated and fear,  which I know is not right. I had an appointment today with my birth clinic and the amount of times I heard the words "possible stillbirth" because of my gestational diabetes, has impacted me. I want to enjoy this Pregnancy, the last weeks of it,  but at this moment I feel like my joy is being robbed and it's hard to hold on to it...  :( the birth in near and I'm tired. I want my joy back. I can't seem to enjoy my pregnancies in Canada... It's very messed up."...

Is the baby still breech?

During one Diabetic clinic appointment, I got a call from another hospital to book in an ECV and that I needed to get a scan done before that. They didn't give me much time. The ECV was booked in two days and there was no way i could get a scan done before that. I was very overwhelmed with having to manage it all, with three kids, no babysitting support, short notice, and as well as everything else, it overlapped with my midwife appointment which I'd been really looking forward to. Not only that, my appointment at the diabetics clinic ended up in tears. I had the rudest Dr. and I felt like my whole pregnancy is a failure.

Somehow, I managed to get a time in that very next minute for the scan, which is very unusual. A minute before I went to book one in, someone cancelled theirs. My daughter was with me as we hurried to the floor below for the scan, which would show us the positioning of the baby. My heart was aching, my tears were flooding, I was so emotionally tired of the whole thing.

As we got to the scan, my daughter who is 5 prayed for me. She prayed over the baby and the positioning of the baby. I thought that was so sweet of her. I love her.

In the scan, the result was that in fact, the baby was head down!!!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!

 ..."Well, a very interesting scenario all in all this morning. Perfectly orchestrated, to fit in a scan asap, which was a cancellation spot a minute before I stepped in to a different department, ask a simple question about a booking ,  while I was in the building for a completely different reason...  I know confusing! While waiting for the scan,  Kayleigh and all of you prayed for me  and, the scan showed that baby had in fact shifted head down. All glory to God.

Yep. They called me this morning to book an appointment for the ecv (external cephalic version) which is an aggressive procedure, can cause a lot of harm,  ruptures,  bruising, emergency c sections)  and I just wasn't feeling comfortable to go with it. As I got treated rotten by my diabetes Dr. And Who told me my baby is measuring bigger than the scan showed,  I felt very intimidated. Somehow they got me into a scan right away and before the scan,  Kayleigh prayed so beautifully... I was bawling my eyes out from the diabetes appointment to the scan... Just a rough  time with appointments left right and centre and feeling pressured."...

..."

You guys must've been praying a lot. I had really weird appointments (3) this morning. Only positive feedback. "Baby is moving so well".. . "Baby is head down and not too large"... And "no,  we don't need to put you on insulin"... " you have an admirable history on birthing big babies and fast deliveries"

I couldn't believe that this was the same clinic(s) that I had been going to for months"...

Then after all of this good stuff...

..."Had a little bit of a fright today when I couldn't get the baby to move for 5h. After trying everything possible, I called the triage and they called me in to the  hospital. They strapped me in and noticed that the baby heart rate was a bit high,  but soon enough it settled down and the baby moved a lot. We've spent our whole Friday evening at the hospital but are home now. The kids are 4hours past their bed time... In bed finally. Hoping and praying for no more scares and worries please"...

 With you in spirit!

38-39 WEEKS (my pregnancy notes)

A lot of braxton hicks, some of them quite intense, which keeps me guessing. I feel like I've been birthing for a week! I'll be surprised if this pregnancy goes past 40 weeks. Truly.

Blood sugars have gone down to normal,  even in the mornings, the Dr. decided not to put me on insulin... Good. I seriously don't think I have it,  because I still eat what I want, when I want, and my levels are spot on.

I hope this baby comes early.The braxton hicks are getting so intense, I don't know whether they are the real thing...ugh! This is my 4th, shouldn't I know what's what by now? So frustrating....

My folks will be visiting soon, interesting to know which parent will be present when baby arrives...

Suffering a cold... Ugh. Giving birth while sick?!

 We got to go for a Sauna at a Finnish friend's house. He built this sauna and stove himself. Sauna's are standard in every house and flat unit in Finland, I miss it a lot. And boy it was nice.

 Having a hard time getting out of bed. I turn sides each night at least 20 times, and it sometimes causes muscle cramps on the sides of my stomach, and they hurt a lot! My hubby sometimes has to turn me around, and it makes me feel like whale blubber.

 

My belly button is out!!!

 Fetal monitoring... which after 2 visits, I found out these were unnecessary appointments. Only women on insulin were required to go. Another unnecessary stress on my schedule.

 I'm ready to give birth. Trying to loosen things by sitting on my ball... 

desperate.

 

Soul food. Korean hot pot. Mmmm....

Physio Update

A few weeks ago I wrote this 

..."I've been to see a physio, who specializes in women's pelvic floor (pre- and postnatal). I have homework I need to do daily to strengthen/maintain my pelvic floor during the rapid growth of the baby, help in birth and fast healing post birth. But mostly, I am doing them so I stop peeing myself every time a sneeze or have a coughing fit! I know, too much info, but I know -you know what I mean!

Daily Kegels workout:

30 x 5+sec squeezes with 10sec break in between. This takes about 8 minutes to do. 

30 x quick squeezes with 10sec break in between.

I've been trying to remember to do this everyday for two weeks, and so far I have already seen felt an improvement. I have got two more weeks to do these exercises until my next appointment.."...

Today I saw my physio for a quick follow up appointment, to see how things have progressed with my 'dilemma'.

Two weeks ago, I couldn't cough, sneeze or laugh (and at times with no reason) without "leakage". I was wearing a thin liner and had to change it 2-3 x a day. I know I was 22 weeks pregnant, but this was alarming and I needed to seek professional help. 

There was no way that I, age 31 (or ever) had to be in such a weak state, where there was no connection with my mind and body, in such a way. All I can say that I am happy that I went and paid that money to see the specialist physio.

Here is where I was

• leakage, pad change 2-3 x a day
• pregnancy week 22
• waking up at night to visit the wc
• couldn't laugh, sneeze, or cough without leakage
• couldn't hold a kegel for more than 4 seconds

2 weeks later with these exercises

Here I am today

• No leakage, haven't worn a pad for 1 1/2 weeks
• pregnancy week 24
• no night time bathroom visits
• laughing, sneezing and coughing without leakage
• I can hold a kegel for more than 10 seconds

I cannot believe how fast this change took place and that it's not rocket science, as my physio puts it! Simple, simple exercises that don't make you sweat, don't take up too much time, can be done anytime and anywhere -has done so much in such little time frame.

My exercises have moved on to new ones, which I will be doing throughout my pregnancy and also after birth. I have a follow up appointment 2 months after birth to see what needs doing regarding my pelvis alignment etc.

Ladies, I urge you! Get sorted before it's super hard or too late!

Mini testimonials welcome, leave a comment!

22 and 23 Weeks

How I feel about pregnancy now?

Well, I am very thankful that I feel good. Usually, in the mornings I feel like I am out of breath, but it passes just before noon. I have experienced this with all of my pregnancies, maybe it has something to do with the baby pushing against my lungs, who knows? 

I still have breakfast in bed before I get up. This past week my breakfast choices have not been very admirable, however, I will pick up from where I dropped the ball.

 

 (22weeks)

I have not worked out for two weeks :( I admit it, I've been lazy. No worries, I'm still keen to, I just need a good kick in the butt to get moving! My diet has been -in all honesty- not so raw, lately. I know for a fact that one juice a day, keeps the crap away. At least for me! Now that my garden is blooming, I have no excuses not to juice or enjoy yummy salads.

I'm very excited to meet this little angel inside of me. I feel her/him move and even though this is my 4th pregnancy, it never gets old, the mystery never dies... it's hard to believe that there is someone inside of me, being knit together in my womb, with a purpose, personality, and above all, given to us to care for and to love on. I cannot wait to meet you! I love you so much already! At times (daily) I am so overwhelmed by the blessings we have, our children.

What have I been doing?

Gardening, homeschooling, camping, being lazy, writing, studying, being lazy again...

I've been to see a physio, who specializes in women's pelvic floor (pre and postnatal). I have homework I need to do daily to strengthen/maintain my pelvic floor during the rapid growth of the baby, help in birth and fast healing post birth. But mostly, I am doing them so I stop peeing myself every time a sneeze or have a coughing fit! I know, too much info, but I know -you know what I mean!

Daily kegels workout:

30 x 5+sec squeezes with 10sec break in between. This takes about 8 minutes to do. 

30 x quick squeezes with 10sec break in between.

I've been trying to remember to do this everyday for two weeks, and so far I have already seen felt an improvement. I have got two more weeks to do these exercises until my next appointment.

Moving on...

My vice: iced coffee... and flavoured too! Ugh, I will stop...soon.

 (23 weeks)

Strike a Pose!!!

Here is my garden so far! Looks a lot different to the dirt pile I posted not so long ago, hey?!

Loving Salads: Crisp, fresh, nourishing and energizing salads! YUMMM!!!

• lettuce
• grated carrots
• diced cucumber
• olives
• walnuts
• tomatoes
• seeds
• blueberries

 Excited about this book again, again and again!

This book changed my approach and feelings towards the birth experience in all ways! I read this book with my hubby at bed time for my 2nd, 3rd and now 4th pregnancy and birth. I've lent this book out many times and unfortunately I never got it back the last time, so i had to reorder it through bookdepository. Nevertheless, I am excited to read it again!

 

This is an eye opening book for me, again and again. It's motivating, reassuring, provides  knowledge and all in all, a great base.

I highly recommend it to every pregnant woman on this planet! Bookdepository has free shipping around the world!!! So worth it!

Raspberries from my garden, gone is seconds, devoured by my 2 year old!

More on my pregnancy HERE!

More on Life, Motherhood, Homeschooling, Nutrition etc. HERE!

The Busy Mom's Gym Guide! Make It Happen!

The Busy Mom's Gym Guide

I know as a homeschooling mother of three, soon four, that going to the gym, or doing any kind of exercise can seem impossible or not even a priority. However, I also know that it is extremely important to exercise, for your well being now and for the future.

At times, booking in a session may feel so over whelming, I get it, I've been there. It's also important to take a step back and evaluate the reasons you need to exercise and manage your home schedule so, that it is possible. When working out takes away your energy instead of giving you more, you may need to take it a notch down or adjust what you are doing entirely.

Here are a few steps to make it happen,

• Figure out what your home schedule is. I suggest the Managers of Their Homes scheduling method. In this way, no chores will be forgotten and everyone will have plenty of time to rest, play, and enjoy hobbies and each other. It's a MUST READ!

• Menu Plan. Especially on those days you intend to workout. If you're like me and workout in the evenings, with a gym daycare, you will have to plan and prep their dinner and perhaps an evening snack for the time they are in. If you're kids are old enough, 3+, recruit them with prepping their dinner. This is a great way to train and bond with them. 

 

I give clear "instructions" to when I want the kids to eat, so that we can get the evening snacks out of the way, and get ready for evening preps, teeth brushing, story and bed. Usually my husband will put the kids to sleep so that I can shower after my workout. Not only is it important that your offspring eat, it's also important that you do as well! Making sure that you eat 1-1/2h prior to your workout will give you the sufficient energy for your workout and also giving your body the energy it needs afterwards is important. Pay attention to what you feed yourself. Lots of vegetables, good sources of protein and fiber are good.

• Have a workout plan. Make sure you get energized from working out and not the opposite. As a stay at home mom & homeschooler, it is vital to plug in to an energy source. One, being our Almighty God and two, physical activity. God created our bodies to move, and we benefit highly from physical activity, emotionally and physically.

• Rest. Make sure you get enough sleep each night. Everyone needs different amounts of sleep per night. There is no point in cutting back on the rest your body needs to recuperate, for the sake of owning a "super Mom" title. Going to bed in time is key.

• Workout at home. I workout twice a week at the gym and 2-4 times at home. The workouts I do at home are different from what I do at the gym. At the gym I utilize my time in the machines I don't normally have access to, such as the stair master, leg extensions, curls, squat machine, free weight machines etc.

• Take supplements. Unfortunately our food is so distorted these days, stripped from their goodness that we need to give our bodies a helping hand when it comes to vitamins, minerals and omegas. We just aren't getting the needed amounts. By supplementing with good quality vitamins you will notice a difference in your well being and health. It's important to have homeostasis in you!

19 and 20 Weeks

Fruit of my garden. I can't keep up with the berries... they ripen up so fast. I have to go in daily to pick out the ripe ones, if I miss a day, literally, they're over ripe. 

I enjoy them in my oats, yogurt, fruit salads....mmm....

I am finally starting to feel the baby move! What joy to know-know that there is someone in there and it's not just trapped gas! Ha ha! The movements are so soft, and it reminded me when the soft movements turn into invasive switching of the positions, kicking in the ribs kind of kicks and the endless hiccups. You know?! 

2 more days until the detailed ultra sound, I'm looking forward to it!

I've been dating my husband. Now seems to be a good time to get in as many date nights as possible. It dawned on me, 4 more months until #4 is here! Super exciting, but it sure will be a busy time and it'll be some time again, until we get to go out the just two of us.

 

This picture was taken at 20 weeks, sharp!  Time has definitely passed by fast this time around. May have something to do with having 3 kids, homeschooling and gyming it. It may. I'm looking forward to this little bundle, but at the same time, I am really enjoying the time I have being a family of 5, this too is a season, this too shall pass.

 (puffed tofu and broccoli stirfry)

My diet has contained mostly fruits, eggs, vegetables, greens+ , smoothies, juices, soups, salads, hot pots, steak (once in a while), protein powder, protein bars ( for when I forget to eat and I'm on the go), honey chrysanthemum and aloe vera teas, ice cubes, crushed ice and ice water! Ha ha! I tend to eat ice when I'm pregnant, keeps me cool!

My workout:

Day One

1. stairmaster 20-30minutes
2. single leg extensions 4 sets of 8 reps
3. leg curls 4 sets of 8 reps
4. planks 45sec x 2-3
5. stretching 

Day Two

upper body workout at home, 10lb dumbbells, shoulders, chest, triceps, biceps...

Day Three

repeat day one, add back exercises

Day Four

upper body workout at home, 10lb dumbbells, shoulders, chest, triceps, biceps... 

I'll be seeing a physio tomorrow for some pelvic issues. I have been "clicking" while I walk or even just stand at times. I also can't laugh, jump on a trampoline with my kids, or have a coughing fit (ha ha!) without leaking, I know too much information! But that is a fact, and I am being brutally and at times, embarrassingly honest here. Ladies, sometimes having more babies or even just one can leave your core weak, get yourself an appointment to see a physio who has the experience with pre- and post natal issues and get yourself strengthened. Trust me, it needs to be addressed, before you're 40 weeks along.

More posts on pregnancy workouts HERE

Posts on recipes HERE

Posts on homeschooling HERE

18 Weeks +

This juice was a sweet pick-me-upper for a hot summer day. My sweet husband made it for me. I asked him what was in it, and he said...

• apples
• ginger
• spinach
• fennel 

I try to spend a lot of time outside, especially since I've been sick on and off for a few weeks now. At the moment I am on antibiotics :( for a sinus infection. No worries, I'm topping up my probiotic intake in between the doses, I should feel fine. 

I've been investing in my vegetable and herb garden, I'm really looking forward to eating the first fruits.

I've spent some time menu planning for the next two weeks. Some things are given in our diets that I do not write down, i.e vegetables, super foods, salads, hemp hearts etc. This menu is more for the kids, as you know, I am not a big fan of hot dogs... I guess I'll be adjusting the menu a few times this week, making delicious dishes to post on here for you! Stay tuned!

I love the greens, to me it's the colour of life :) When I'm rushing, I drink Greens+, 3t in a bottle of ice water, throughout the day. I have the berry flavoured kind, I am getting used to it. I still LOVE PhytoFUEL -Look into that! That'll be my next purchase, that product amazes me! More on PhytoFUEL HERE.

Update on Carlson Fish Oil post HERE, I had to discontinue the use since I began to feel very nauseous in the mornings. I went back to gagging on my thumb sized fish oil capsules for now, but I will give the Carlson Fish Oil another try later on my pregnancy. I still believe it's quality stuff, just wrong timing.

I can feel the baby move a little. I still long for proper roly-polys and kicks. I know, I will... I am really looking forward to holding this little bundle. Everyday, I thank God for this miracle. I am so blessed. 

Unfortunately I had my detailed scan postponed. Two more weeks until I post some cute scan pics... you gotta wait!!! They are also putting me through some serial scans throughout the pregnancy, I take this as a pampering. I get to see that little baby more than once, before I get to see her/him face to face. Yay!

I'm thinking about baby names, any suggestions? Please share!

Week 17

Vitamins! This is what I take at nights just before I go to sleep. The reason I take them at night, all at once, is because I tend to get nauseous during the day. At night, I am asleep and I sleep through whatever nausea these give me.

Left to Right:

• Diclectin. I'm on one Diclectin a day. By the end of this week, I'll be down to NONE!
• Probiotic
• Vitamin D, small round ones
• Milk Thistle
• B Complex
• B6
• Folic Acid
• Omegas

I don't digest iron well when I am pregnant, but I get plenty through my iron rich diet. Also Vitamin C is in powdered form, which I add into my juices or smoothies.

I have been pretty sick for more than a week. I caught some sort of adult version of croup, thanks to my kids -thanks to the gym daycare cooties- followed by an aftershock -a cold.  Boo! I haven't been to the gym for a few weeks and I can't wait to start again!

In the midst of my sick week, I got to enjoy a night out with my hubby ! We went to my favourite Hot pot restaurant and I got to enjoy some food for my soul - yummy!!! One reason I like hot pot is that it's clean and I can decide how or if I want my veggies cooked. I love love love all of the flavours!

I think I need a little more of THIS! WATER!

 I like to flavour my water with fruits, herbs and berries.

 This is what I looked like between week 17 and 18... it's growing...

I wish I could feel my baby move more. With all of my other pregnancies, I felt them move at 16 weeks, and well. Sometimes I worry, but I try to snap out of it. It's out of my control. Instead of worrying, I praise God for this miracle growing inside of me. I can't believe how blessed we are! What a wonderful addition to our family and once again, a MIRACLE from God. May she/he be a blessing to everybody. Thank you for letting me be his/her mum. I am honoured.

A little note to my little one:

I often wonder what you will look like, who you are and how you will enrich our lives. I dream of the day I can hold you in my arms and kiss your little forehead and finger tips. I love you so much already. -Mami xx

Green Life Juice

 Ingredients:

• lemon, thick slice
• 1/3rd cored fennel
• 1/2 sour green apple
• 1 head of romaine lettuce
• 3 stalks of celery
• 2/3 cucumber
• 3 handfuls of spinach
• 1" ginger
• 1/4 ts vitamin C powder

The taste is amazing and I'm not just saying that! Try it for yourself!!

 such richness!

 Green Delight, super power juice! Oh you'll feel the difference!!!

 enzymes!

Do you have a recipe for your favourite juice? Please share it with us!

More recipes on Live/Raw foods HERE