Month: June 2021

At 41 Weeks pregnant, her bun is still very much in the oven! Elyse shares her pregnancy journey with us, read on to hear more about her experience.

I’ve been feeling: Tender, excited. Lower back and pubic bone have felt tender this week. Thankfully, I have felt pretty amazing through the pregnancy and am not ‘huge’ so going over 40 weeks hasn’t killed me too much – just hit the boredom level in the last 2 days! Consisting of bringing out a puzzle and knitting … neither of things I usually do!!

I can’t wait to be able to: Lie on my stomach when sleeping!!

When I see my body I feel: Empowered, I’m so unbelievably proud of my mind and body and how I feel towards it. So grateful!

How I’m feeling about the birth: Excited!! I get to meet our babe and find out the sex and start our next chapter in our life journey!

What I’ll miss about being pregnant: Everything! The ups, downs all the feels. Baby’s movements.

The most uncomfortable thing right now is: Pubic bone!! Baby’s head feels like it’s right there!

When I picture my life a year from now I think: We nailed it!!

My story…
2020 started off with a pregnancy loss for us which was heart breaking – however coming out the other side I’m so so grateful this happened as it made us so much stronger and more excited for what was to come in the future. Going into this second pregnancy was a challenge knowing what happened previously for us, however at the same time we were so excited and had done so much inner work to have such a positive outlook. It all paid off! From the very get go I was experienced only a couple of weeks of evening nausea – I would say I got off very lucky and my body looked after me well! I have spent up to 37 weeks saying ‘pregnancy is nowhere near as bad as I expected’ which was so so nice. I ‘haven’t felt pregnant’ until I got to 37 weeks, the heaviness I started to experience is what I expected so much earlier on!
After experiencing people around me and through social media on their pregnancy journeys the picture, I had painted in my head about pregnancy was certainly that it isn’t easy! I managed to continue my training throughout pregnancy right up to 38 weeks, stopping purely because I knew these last few weeks I wanted to enjoy doing nothing while I had the chance! Continuing walking the dog when I felt up to it right up to now 41 weeks. With training and nutrition being my forte – nutrition went out the window, all I have focused on is eating whatever I felt like when I felt like it. I aimed for at least 2 nourishing meals a day but was fine for any little treats and goodies in between (there was a lot!) Now being just over 41 weeks, the time is ticking and I’m feeling so positive about it all. I have been excited for birth from day one (I’m lucky enough to have been at 3 births prior and am so empowered from coaching family through their labour/birth). I am human and have moments in concern about the possibility of induction and anything that may happen but have spent a lot of time accepting whatever happens is absolutely perfect. My ideal is to labour at home as long as possible and then head to the local birth centre (7 mins away and where I was born) to bring baby earth side. I’m very open to whatever has to happen for the best for me and baby, however. Just in the last 24 hours I have had a few niggles hoping they will turn into something over the weekend! To date I have gained 14kg and feeling amazing for it. It feels so natural, and I think I have been on the scales 4 times in 9 months which I’m so proud of! I feel absolutely privileged and proud of how my body has grown this little babe and looked after me the whole way through!

If after reading this you’d be happy to share your own experience of pregnancy, please email me at hello@shesaidyes.co.nz to send you one of these pages (or you can send a photo of your own pregnancy journal).

Baby is the size of a: Honeydew melon  

Cravings: I haven’t really had too many cravings, usually I just really want the foods I liked pre pregnancy and once I eat it I’m satisfied. But throughout pregnancy have been loving icey cold drinks.

Weight: Currently 65kgs (pre pregnancy was 54kgs) 

Symptoms: Lots of Braxton hicks/tightening’s this week, heartburn & acid reflex, I also started mildly swelling around 34 weeks (hands, feet, face) 

I have been feeling: Very impatient, I’m so ready for our little man to make his entrance into the world. I’m feeling stretched to the max & sore and finding it harder to do daily tasks like the washing and cleaning without getting a backache. Also, very grateful that my body is cooking our baby so well and I have made it this far without any issues or concerns. 

I worry a bit about: I think throughout my whole pregnancy I’ve always just worried a bit about the things that could potentially go wrong (I’m sure this will continue into motherhood and beyond). But I just keep reminding myself that my body was made to do this & I talk to other pregnant ladies or mums and my midwife to reassure myself when needed which really helps. 

When I need to relax I: Get into bed and put my feet up with some yummy snacks and Netflix. 

I can’t wait to be able to: Meet my little boy & give him all the love & cuddles. I’ve always felt like being a mum is my calling in life, so it’ll be so amazing to finally be a mama!! Oh, and be able to eat sushi & subway again haha 

When I see my body I feel: Puffy yet proud haha definitely trying to make the most of my body in its pregnant state. Even though I have my moments of feeling a bit gross I spend much more time amazed with my body and what it’s been able to achieve over the last 8 months! 

In preparation for the baby, we are: The last couple of weeks I have been in full on nesting mode, however my body doesn’t really agree with all the cleaning and organising, so hubby has been super helpful and being there to do things for me. Our nursery is ready for him & all his washing from newborn – 6 months has been done. We are also making sure we use these last few weeks to appreciate our time together, just the two of us. Spontaneous dates, sleeping in on the weekend and late-night Netflix because soon we won’t have the flexibility to do these things together. 

I feel most loved and valued by my partner when: I love when he expresses how in awe of my body he is and being able to grow our child also when he expresses his appreciation for me sacrificing my body & comforts for our family. Also, when he stops me from doing something as simple as putting my shoes on, bends down and puts them on for me because he knows it’s a struggle for me now. 

The best piece of pregnancy advice I’ve been given so far: Everybody is different, every pregnancy is different & every baby is different. Trust your motherly instinct! 

If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be: I can’t wait to meet you my little mr, not long now. The love I already have for you is something I have never experienced before and it’s only going to grow! When you finally make your entrance into this big crazy world, I promise your dad and I will always be here to protect you & love you with everything we have! 

If after reading this you’d be happy to share your own experience of pregnancy, please email me at hello@shesaidyes.co.nz to send you one of these pages (or you can send a photo of your own pregnancy journal).

A first time mum shares her story on conceving in her mid to late thirties, read on to hear about her journey and see her journal entry at 32 Weeks pregnant!

Baby is the size of a: Large Cabbage!

Would you mind sharing how old you are? Totally fine re. Age! I’m 36 (will be 37 come due date)

Can you tell us about your fertility journey? We were actually really lucky with our conception journey. We had a heap of friends who needed to go down the IVF route so the advice we kept hearing was come off the pill ASAP! We figured we’d need to start trying ASAP after the wedding to give ourselves the best chance – and 2 / 3 days after we were married we fell pregnant (not that I knew so lived it up on honeymoon – EEK!!) When I count back now the timing ovulation wise from my app couldn’t have been better. My Mums reaction when we told her (at about 5 weeks) was literally ‘oh I wondered as I knew you’d be ovulating on your honeymoon! – she knew as I started my period one week before the wedding). 

If after reading this you’d be happy to share your own experience of pregnancy, please email me at hello@shesaidyes.co.nz to send you one of these pages (or you can send a photo of your own pregnancy journal).

Week 38

My Weight: 77kg – 11kg weight gain

Baby is the size of a: Watermelon

Cravings: Nothing crazy! Have loved all different types of fruit throughout my pregnancy, nectarines, watermelon, pineapple, apples, mandarins. Oh, and also days when I really want frozen coke and I am not a big soft drink person.

I’ve been feeling: Pretty good! Tired and she is started getting really heavy, but I am still managing daily walks without too much discomfort so that’s a win! The odd day I get a bit of reflux or feel a wee bit nauseous, but it usually only lasts the day.

Mentally it is all getting pretty scary, first baby and there is the constant feeling of can I do this? The birth itself is not what scares me…it is the 4th trimester (which no one seems to talk about!). The sleepless nights, learning to breastfeed, giving your body the chance to heal and being completely selfless it is all quite daunting…mix that all in with financial stress and you can see how I am wondering how people manage! They are definitely right when they say it takes an army, so I am going to have to get better at putting my hand up and asking for help when I need it. The thing that ALWAYS puts a smile on my space when I start thinking about all this and work myself up is thinking about my husband’s face the minute, she enters the world…I cannot wait for that moment, makes me cry now thinking about it…hormones are such a wild ride! 

This week I’ve learned: To slow down and take a moment to relax, first week of maternity leave and I am always an all go kind of a person. Taking a moment for myself and not feeling guilty for having a sleep in. On the baby side of things, I learnt about padsicles! And will definitely be making some of these to help with after care!

I am most excited about: Meeting my little one! Seeing my husband’s face when she arrives, giving her a cuddle! Oh, and regaining my full wardrobe again ha-ha it’ll be like having all new clothes again…although I will definitely miss the bump!

I am most nervous about: 4th Trimester and being responsible for a wee human. I’m nervous about being able to breastfeed, all things post birth and finding myself in the new role of being a mother.

When I imagine my baby, I see: Perfection, I can’t imagine anything but the most perfect little soul…with a touch of sass…if she’s anything like her mother!

After my baby is born, I can’t wait to: Look at her, it still doesn’t feel real that I am growing her. I can’t wait to have her in my arms and just stare at her.

The funniest thing that has happened: Not being able to see my vjj so didn’t realise that the hormones have made a few stray hairs grow (I’ve had laser and haven’t had hair there in years) my partner kindly pointed it out after my midwife appointment and I was mortified that he hadn’t told me sooner!

My most worn maternity outfit: Stretchy knit dresses, sooooo comfy and show off the bump!

If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be: I love you, you are already our world.

If after reading this you’d be happy to share your own experience of pregnancy, please email me at hello@shesaidyes.co.nz to send you one of the pages (or you can send a photo of your own pregnancy journal)