My preggo tips and advice!

So I'm almost 37 weeks, and I think I've had a great pregnancy so far. I'm going to share things that I've done throughout my entire pregnancy for all the preggies out there because I know there's alot of you! Just remember, every woman is different...you know your own body so listen to it! And also, be sure to consult with your doctor/midwife if you're unsure about something...and don't do it until you get their advice first!

I'll start off with the beginning of my pregnancy. I instantly started eating more fruits and veggies, they're so good for you, even if you're not pregnant! Along with that, I added more protein and whole grains to my diet (it's recommended to get 6 servings of whole grains a day) because those are very vital during pregnancy as well.

I also started taking prenatal vitamins right away, along with my calcium supplements because I do not drink enough milk and it's important for the baby to get plenty of calcium as his bones are forming! **TIP: If you have troubles remembering to take pills daily, go out and buy a pill box from the pharmacy, fill it up for the week and leave it somewhere in the kitchen or car...someplace where you will see it everyday! That's what I did!**

I began prenatal exercises right away...prenatal exercise 3-4 times a week with prenatal yoga on the days in between! **TIP: I used 'Prenatal Exercise with Summer Sanders' and 'Shiva Rea's Prenatal Yoga' dvds...you can get them both on amazon.com!** They worked great for me and I'll definitely use them for future pregnancies! Some mommies can't really exercise until the 2nd trimester because of morning sickness and stuff, I guess I was very lucky! I got nausea...but it couldn't stop me from working out and pumping more blood to my baby!

I also started using cocoa butter right away, morning and night...literally caked on! **TIP: Some cocoa butters are greasy, so save the greasy stuff for bed time and sleep in old t-shirts, I used wifebeaters!** It's just really important to STAY moisturized...as my stomach got bigger, it would itch like crazy!!! So make sure your shower gel is moisturizing too! **TIP: I use Dove's deep moisture shower gel, Queen Helen's cocoa butter (tub), Vaseline's cocoa butter oil, and Suave's cocoa butter lotion**

As my 2nd trimester approached, we were buying things like crazy, which leads to my next...**TIP: Don't buy too many things, especially clothes, before your baby shower!!**

I began changing up my exercise routine up a bit and started swimming a few days out of the week...my midwife had told me that swimming is the BEST prenatal exercise, and I believe her because it made me feel great! I kept my diet the same...but naturally, I ate some junk food that I was craving on different days. Went out of control with carbs and sugars...I was paying attention to everything else but those! My midwife said SLOW DOWN on the sugars and carbs! So I did just that! **TIP: It's not a bad thing to eat some junk (potato chips, etc) here and there, especially if you're craving it...but just watch your portions! I started monitoring my carb/sugar intake to no more than 240mg a day! You would be really surprised to see how much carbs/sugars are in things like bread, milk, cereal...JUICE is the worst!! I drink Ocean Spray's Diet juices now because they're so much better for you.**

My stomach was itch central...still is itching at 37 weeks. **TIP: oatmeal baths worked for me...I still try to take them, even though it's hard to get my 6-foot pregnant-ass in the tub...I still try because it feels so good on that itchy belly!**

At the present moment...I'm still wearing my wedding rings! My body has done great with swelling and circulation...I swear it's yoga!! And also all of that water I drink! However, there are times if I'm on my feet too long, my feet do start to swell because of the extra weight! **TIP: it's important to elevate your feet when you can, and drink plenty of water! Another thing that helps me is support hoses...they sell the pregnancy kind at Motherhood Maternity!** It's totally worth it to buy the good kind @ $6each so you don't get vericose veins!!

As far as my experience goes, the 3rd trimester is the hardest. You're tired of being pregnant, you want to meet your little one, you have so much to do, the pains get bad in the 9th month, more dr's visits, classes to take, so much to learn...totally overwhelming! **TIP: Remember, you are NOT a superhuman! It's great to try to get things done before your 3rd trimester so you don't have to worry about them last minute (all that stress is no good on the baby)! So try to do the baby's laundry and nursery before your 3rd trimester. If you didn't, then ask for help from your partner...remember, they can't read your mind!**

Stay organized!! I'm telling you, you will miss a dr. appt or class if you don't! **TIP: I used a planner for myself...wrote down all dr. appts, classes that I was scheduled for, AND TO-DO LISTS! To-do lists are a must to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed...I just take things day-by-day and accomplish what's on my list for that day and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow!** I also think baby classes and baby books are great, especially for first time mommies and daddies! Darrell and I have taken about 4 and have learned ALOT! **TIP: The must have book is...'What to expect when expecting'. So informative!!**

While pregnancy is a beautiful thing, often times, we don't feel very beautiful! We're sweaty, moody, and BIG! So the romance might die down a little...just keep in mind that your partner is in this too! **TIP: Show your love for your partner several ways, whether it's cooking dinner for him, letting him watch his favorite tv show or movie, etc. You can always work on the romance after the baby arrives and when you're not feeling like such a whale!**

Hope that helped a bit! :)
xoxo Dez