Pregnancy Essentials

With number one under our belt, we have a better idea with what we consider essential to pregnancy around the Burke house. We've been talking about different things and what we are going to have to make sure we do/have-even if that means cutting down on some of the fun stuff.

So here's a quick look at how we'll be taking care of number two, with some possible additions [or subtractions! those are always good!] along the way.

Prenatal Care
Midwifery Team
We've already called the midwives [who seem to have been waiting on this like "Come ON!" What's taking you so long?!?"] and let them know they've got some more business for late March. We will be birthing at home just like last time, but both of the midwives we will be using work at Gentle Beginnings Birth Center in Hurst. We will be using Sarah and Angela [who caught Lily and was the hugest blessing at our last birth] this time around. I know both of these women believe that women are designed to birth, and that they are trained to handle any situation, including transportation to a hospital if it ever came down to it.

Chiropractor
I know this may sound crazy to some of you, but I have seen the chiropractors I used to work for perform virtual miracles on pregnant women and their little unborn babies. They relieve pain, turned breech babies upside down, put labor into women, and even attend births sometimes! The doctors at Lifetime Family Wellness Center in Hurst [neighbors with the birth center] use the Gonstead method when treating their moms and have a gentle and effective touch. A MUST for pregnancy!

Yoga classes
Last time I attended yoga classes [in the waiting area between the birth center and chiro office, lol] almost every week after my first trimester. The breathing techniques, relaxation tips, and weekly escape were an amazing tool during my pregnancy and labor. I remember all of Jenni's tips on "lbelly moans" during labor and I can't wait to go back! You can check out her prenatal yoga classes here.


What to Wear
Bella Band
Yup, that stetchy belly bandaid saved me HUNDREDS on maternity clothes. Considering I got all the way to about 36 weeks wearing my pre-pregnancy pants, the band was my bff. I even used it as a tube top during my labor so no one saw TOO much...even though I turned into a complete diaper wearing nudist after the actual birth, lol.

A Damn Good Bra
As of right now, I do NOT have one of these. Lily is still nursing so anything that actually provides support for my double d's are not nursing friendly. [And I mean, do you really want a bra that your boobies pop out of that easily anyway?] So, whether or not Lily nurses, I NEED a good bra. I'm open for suggestions. [Somtimes, I feel like I should be on one of those Playtex commercials]

Winter Wear Suggestions?
Now while I do remember slipping around on the ice of our porch and not being able to button my coat the winter I was pregnant with Lily, I only spent a little bit of my second trimester during the coldest part of it. I was lucky to have a baby in the summer because I got to wear lots of dresses and skirts. Turtle necks and jeans do not sound as fun and comfortable. If you have any suggestions on winter maternity wear, LET ME KNOW!


Personal and Spiritual life
No More Drama
Even though Eamon will soon only have a part time job, and be going back to school [yup, in the next couple of years I'll be the hot wife of the cute/weird Senior English teacher...be jealous] we are trying our hardest to not put any more stress on our lives...without stressing out. The last two months of my pregnancy with Lily were aweful. I had so much joy stollen and stress pile up, that I still feel that I missed out on the last few months that I had with Lily in-utero. Not this time. How are we going to do that? Well, we're simplifying things A LOT around here, and having plans for any situation. Also, I'm not going to allow my joy and my time of pregnancy to be stollen by anyone else. That was my fault then. I think I know better this time around.
And now that I think about it, there's one more thing. I'm not going to take as much unsolicited advice from random strangers this time around! I got so sick of every single person I met telling me how they knew the deepest insights of pregnancy and raising children all because I started to believe that I was "too young", "naive" and "ignorant." Not this time Crazy Lady in line at Kroger...not this time ;]

Peace
There were only a handful of peaceful memories I have of my first pregnancy. This time I'm going to make a sincere effort to pray EVERY MORNING for peace. Not just in my house, but in my heart and mind.

Date Night
While we did make an effort to do this last time, I think it's going to be even more crucial this time around for Eamon and I to have a date night every now and then to reconnect. It's essential in every marriage, and definitely hard for us without having any family here as it is, but we are only going to be a family of three for so long!


Ok, so what gets you through pregnancy? What do you think you cannot live without? Got any suggestions?
Mae