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28 Weeks Pregnant – Single First Time Mum

This brave 22 year old first time Mum is single and going to raise her baby herself, living with her parents and having the support of her family and friends. She generously shared with me the personal circumstances leading to this decision, and I think like me, you’ll be in absolute awe of her.

28 weeks pregnant

Baby is the size of a coconut or winter squash

Cravings have been anything sweet like chocolate or chocolate cereal and also toast.

Symptoms since my third trimester the main symptom has been heart-burn, and I’m extremely tired, but that could be because my iron levels have gotten low.

My weight pre pregnancy was 100kgs and in my first half of my pregnancy I would lose a lot of weight then started to put a little on, then lost it again. Since about 20 weeks I finally started to keep my weight on and am now 105kgs

I’ve been feeling… very up and down with emotions lately, as I’ve had a lot of time to just sit with my thoughts. Being in my third trimester is also making everything start to feel real/sink in that I’m going to be having a little human being to look after for the next 20 years that will be relying on me. 

My partner has been absent ever since I told him I was pregnant. We weren’t fully together, but he left the picture completely when I told him, and then came back in the picture at about 20 weeks (but his mindset was still the same wanting to not be a part of our child’s life). That’s okay with me, as I have a lot of support around me but I just wished he would decide whether he wants to be involved or not, as I don’t want him to come in and out the picture when he wants.

We had been seeing each other around a year, stop seeing each other and he already had a new girlfriend before I discovered I was pregnant. He had blocked me, so I had to message a friend of his to even be able to tell him that he was having a baby.

How I chose to have this baby on my own… I would say wasn’t really to much for me to think about as I’ve always wanted a baby. Three years ago I had an abortion, the decision never fully felt like my own, and ever since that I have kind of have grieved – and felt like a little part of me had made the wrong decision back then.

This time round when I found out I was pregnant, I still thought about my options but for me having this baby really outweighed all the cons and this time around I’m in a better situation to be able to have and raise a baby I did take in what it would be like to be raising a child alone as I knew in the back of my mind that telling the father wouldn’t make him want to stay and play “happy families” especially as I knew he already had another child to someone else and he doesn’t play much of a part in his life unfortunately.

Support of family and friends… With my decision I knew I had a stable environment and place to stay to bring up my child in the start and I knew this time around I had friends and family support. This time my situation with the father isn’t a sticky situation like it was with other man I was pregnant to before – and also at the time I found out I was working full time and had sustainable income coming in.

My work situation…About 14 weeks into my pregnancy, the nausea and headaches were so bad that I couldn’t be at work for more than an hour without being sick. I was working for my dad’s painting company so it wasn’t ideal being up and down ladders, inhaling fumes, and generally doing quite a physical job. Of course later in pregnancy I wouldn’t be able to be up a ladder anyway. I went to see my doctor and was put on the benefit because my symptoms were so bad that I couldn’t do much work. This is part of why I dislike being pregnant and don’t see it as a beautiful thing like most do.

Also answering question about if I have any friend with babies, in my close friend circle I don’t I’m the first one to have a baby but I have old distant friends that are pregnant now or have just had babies in the last year who have started to reach back out to me which is nice but it’s a shame most of them don’t live in the same town anymore. 

This week I’ve learned that the way people tell/ show what pregnancy and parenting is like is just a little snippet of what it’s like and usually only the good things. I’ve learnt there is so much more to parenting and pregnancy then I thought there was and not going to lie but I’ve found pregnancy to not be beautiful like most people play it out to be.

In preparation for the baby I’d like to get the last view things on my list for baby and me and I would like to start getting the nursery ready for baby’s arrival as well as next few weeks pack my hospital bags for baby and I so I feel prepared as I have no idea when this baby could come as it’s my first so who knows if I’ll come early or come on time or come late. Always would like to make my list of 6 names for baby down to at least 3 names.

The funniest thing that has happened so far is the other day I went into the bakery to get my mother something for lunch and I paid with coins which was fine but right after I gave the gave them money I turned around and started to walk out without the food I just brought and luckily the guy said excuse me you’ve forgotten your food and I turned around and felt like a right muppet.

What I love most and value most about my partner or in this case sperm donor is that he’s blessed me with a child.

What I’m anticipating with the most apprehension is most likely birth because I feel like every persons experience is different and can go different so in a way I’m diving into the unknown in a way and that kind of scares me. Also looking after a newborn scares me like yeah I’ve been around looked after my nieces and nephew but I feel like there’s just so much you need to know and do and that freaks me out slightly and I feel a lot of pressure as I’m young so I feel everyone that’s older around me is looking down on me and going to give me grief if I don’t want to do things their way. 

How I’m going with diet, exercise, sleep, stress and other health goals. I would say this whole pregnancy I haven’t done much exercise apart from the odd walks and same with diet I haven’t exactly stick to a diet just kinda eaten what I crave/ want to eat but the things I’ve craved have been like toast, porridge and some fruits etc then I also eat my bad treats as well without feeling guilty but I don’t feel bad as I feel my diet is a okay balance of things.  My sleep has been kinda crap since being pregnant I would wake up a few times in the night and constantly waking up to try get comfortable and now in last trimester also been getting really hot in my sleep also which isn’t fun but I’ve noticed I can’t stay away longer then 10:301/11pm the most and then I will wake up two to three times each night and then fully wake up about 9 but start of pregnancy it was about 6:30/7 I’d wake. With stress I haven’t felt to stressed in my pregnancy but the times I’ve felt stress it’s felt a lot more then it usually would but could be cos of my hormones doing that also noticed I get irritated with people way more especially with eating and breathing I can’t deal makes me so mad inside. 

If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be that everything is going to be okay with us and I will always love and look after you no matter what and goes to ends of the world for you to protect and take care of you. It may be rocky at the start while we get use to each other but then everything will be more than perfect. 

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

35 Weeks Pregnant – Second Pregnancy

35 weeks pregnant

Baby is the size of a Pineapple


My Weight: 66kgs (11kg gain)

Cravings: None – still everything tasting a bit blah. Could do with some fresh watermelon though.

Symptoms: Heartburn, lightning crotch, shortness of breath, increased discharge (TMI?)

I’ve been feeling: Emotional, sick and drained this week. Pregnancy has been far from top of mind.

I’m most nervous about: I worry a bit about how my first born will adjust to the big transition.

When I need to relax I listen to my labour music playlist

I can’t wait to be able to sleep lying down (even if it will be interrupted)

When I see my body I feel proud & confident, it’s quite incredible what it can handle

In preparation for the baby we are doing quick fire name suggestion evenings (to no avail)

If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be: As much as I’m getting more and more excited to meet you, please stay put for a few more weeks – there’s a lot to do still to prepare for your arrival, plus we need to agree on a name and I need to shake this cold! Keep up the kicks, each one is comfort and reassurance for me. Also if you could shimmy your way into prime position too that would be much appreciated. See you soon enough little man, you’re super loved and a big part of the family already.

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

33 Weeks Pregnant – babies close in age

Beautiful Mum Sophie shares her pregnancy journies, now pregnant with her second little one she shares parts of both pregnancies to show comparison and also shares what she’ll do different this time around, read on to find out more.

33 weeks pregnant

Baby is the size of a: Pineapple

How was your first pregnancy? My first pregnancy was horrible!! I was 5 weeks when I found out I was pregnant (I found out for my 21st birthday) and around 8 weeks I started getting the worse morning sickness. By the next week I was in hospital getting diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum and it was so bad I lost a whole bunch of weight and kept going back to the hospital because I couldn’t even drink water without vomiting and that lasted for around 25 weeks, then I managed to start vomiting once or twice a week till like 30 weeks. So, you could say I didn’t really get to enjoy my pregnancy at all considering it was full of hospital visits, IV lines, strong nausea medication that made me feel worse and just overall very lonely and not what I had seen on social media or heard others talk about. I never got to experience the “pregnancy glow” quite the opposite I always had red rashes all over my face from my veins popping from all the spewing, I didn’t get to get all glam and enjoy it because I lived in pyjamas in hospital. Which made me really depressed and not really grasp how amazing my body actually was for going through all of that. 

Did you always hope to have babies a couple of years apart, and did everything go according to plan this time? I always did hope for my babies to be close in age, maybe because I’m an identical twin and I obviously shared life with my sister which was amazing growing up with a best friend! So, when my husband and I talked about having another baby it was always in the near future. Everything has been according to plan this time around, everything that I experienced first pregnancy has not been an issue at all this time around, quite the opposite! I have had an amazing pregnancy which I thank God for! I could not imagine going through the same thing with a toddler. 

Can you briefly describe your birth, and has that informed your birth choices this time? This question is always bittersweet for me just because I’m so aware that there are situations so far from mine but I had an amazing birth! I started getting contractions at 5:30am on Sunday 22nd of December and I was all day just chilling, waiting, sleeping, bouncing on my exercise ball just letting my body do it’s thing and around 9pm my midwife came to see me at home, I was 2cm dilated and not in a whole lot of pain. Within the hour I was crying on my husband’s chest because the pain escalated from like a 2-7 real quick. My water breaks and we make our way to the hospital, we got there at midnight my midwife checks me again and I was only 3cm by this point I was inhaling the gas like my life depended on it. 

My midwife realised that my contractions were really strong and close together so she decided to give me a muscle relaxer that way I wouldn’t be so tense from the pain and within 20 mins I was 8cm dilated! Before I knew it we welcomed our little girl into the world at 2:32am just 3 hours after my water broke so that was amazing for me considering I decided to not get an epidural and just try to give birth as natural as possible. I think that I never had a “birth plan” I was really open to doing whatever it took in the moment and whatever was safest, I also didn’t expect anything out of it or didn’t set the bar so high for myself because honestly I had no idea what I was going into and I have the same mentality this time around. 

Have you found out what you’re having this time? Yes, we did find out what we’re having and this time around we’re having a boy  

What will you do differently now that you’re a wise and experienced Mum? Oh, I will bottle feed (pump) I kind of just let my daughter breastfeed and didn’t introduce her to a bottle till like about a month in and she hated it!! We tried everything under the sun for her to take a bottle and she never budged which was so hard because exclusively breast feeding is something else! I’ve never had such a challenging job as breast feeding was! Lots of tears shared, lots of lonely times as I couldn’t even leave the house which caused a lot of separation anxiety that I struggled for the longest time to overcome. 


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

34 Weeks Pregnant – 11 months apart

Joanne shares her pregnancy journey with baby number two. Her little girls will be 11 months apart when she is due to give birth via planned c section. Read on to hear how she has been feeling this time round and how they are preparing for their next little bundle of joy!

I have a 10-month-old baby girl…so she was only 3 months when I found out I was pregnant again! I ended up having an emergency c-section with my little girl Cartier, so the hospital has recommended for me to have another c-section this time as it is so close to the last birth…so I have a c-section booked in 4 weeks’ time…I will have two little girls 11 months apart!

Baby is the size of a: Pineapple

I have been feeling: I have generally been feeling fine this pregnancy, but finding it hard looking after a crawling baby in these last few weeks! This pregnancy has been smoother than my first one so far, with Cartier I had high blood pressure towards the end and was in and out of hospital for monitoring and was also very swollen, I was on the verge of pre-eclampsia.  My midwife prescribed me an aspirin a day for this pregnancy and so far, I my blood pressure has been fine, and I am not swollen yet! 

I am most looking forward too: I am looking forward to having two girls grow up close together, but I know it will be hard work too!  My sister-in-law has the same age gap, so I have seen a bit of what goes on! My babies’ movements are more frequent and stronger than my first baby!  With Cartier I sometimes got worried that I could not feel her, but not with this baby!  I am hoping this baby won’t be the naughty/fussy one as Cartier was fairly good and I have heard lots of friends tell me not to expect them to be the same!

My favourite part about being pregnant would be: My favourite part of being pregnant is feeling the baby moving inside you, other than that I cannot wait for her to come out!

I feel most loved and valued by my partner when: My husband as a parent is great, Cartier is definitely a Daddies girl and once he is home from work, she doesn’t want him out of her sight!  He always checks on her before he goes to work and gives her a bottle if she is awake so I can get more sleep. He is a very busy director and salesman in his family business so it can be hard juggling the work/life balance, but I am grateful for how much he loves his girls and provides for us, before we had Cartier, he wanted a boy but now we have a little girl he thinks girls are just the best and loves being a girl Dad…apparently, he does want a boy one day though! My husband is the eldest of 8 kids and I am the eldest of 9 so we both know a bit a bit looking after babies and children while we were growing up!  We will both be 34 this August and were born 10 days apart… I am from UK and he is an NZ resident, we met nearly 4 years ago and got married 9 months later!

If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be: You have no idea what you are in for!!  I feel really bad that I am having another baby so close to her and don’t want her to feel neglected by me or jealous of the new baby… however I have heard from friends with similar age gaps that they are actually too young to worry and that you get a worse reaction when it’s a bigger age gap. I just can’t help feeling guilty and want to make sure we love them both as much.

Something I need to get done:  Pack hospital bags. I have started filling another wardrobe and drawers with stuff for the next baby – I have SO many baby clothes! All mainly designer clothes from the UK.  I need to clean the baby car seat and set up the pram for day sleeps downstairs… I have a new bassinet set up in our room and need to wash the sheets for it.  I have a double buggy on order which I am waiting for… would highly recommend going to a baby show if you can before your baby as we got the bassinet and pram then just a few weeks ago.  The bassinet I used for Cartier turned into a cot so she is still sleeping in that hence the new bassinet.  I have to be organised otherwise I will go mad when I have two little ones!  Each will have their own baby bags stocked ready in the car so there’s no panicking each time we go out.

Something I worry about: I am probably most worried about contraception after the birth… I have talked with a couple of obstetricians at the hospital now and the first one said, ‘do you remember what you were told after your baby about birth control?’ (Because after a c-section you are meant to give your womb a year’s break before the next baby) …. I laughed about it after but found it a bit rude as well!!  Like I can do anything about it now!  Anyway, I know I need to do something after this baby because we can’t go getting pregnant again for a while at least!  I have been recommended to have an IUD put in at the time of my c-section, but I am wary of it and not sure if it’s a good idea to put my body through that at the same time as trying to recover from the birth, and I don’t like the possible hormonal side effects.  I have only ever been on the pill for a short period of time, and it made me feel horrible and bloated so I am also not sure about that … I would be interested in other points of view although I know everyone is different. I’m actually not too worried about having another c-section. Cartier was a big baby, and I was induced because of my high blood pressure, the induction lasted for 4 days which ended in an emergency c-section as baby was posterior and got distressed, she was 9 lbs.  I didn’t find the recovery too difficult, and I can’t face going through another long induction or going overdue with a big baby, so it is kind of a relief that I have a c-section booked in about 10 days before my due date. My family in UK haven’t seen Cartier yet, so it’s another thing I feel guilty about having another baby when they haven’t even seen the first one!  Especially for my mum it is so hard for her not being able to see us and help me after the birth.  I am fortunate that I have very supportive in-laws who live just around the corner otherwise it would be very hard to get by with no family support. I didn’t get on very well with breast feeding last time… only lasted about 6 weeks as I didn’t have much milk and once Cartier knew the bottle was so much faster and more efficient than me she wouldn’t take the breast.  I want to try again this time but I’m not going to push it if it’s a struggle.  I did have to try a lot of different milk powders as she was intolerant to so many, and I ended up with prescribed extra hydrolysed milk which she is still having until she is 1 … so far, she seems tolerant of most foods including dairy so I am hoping she has grown out of any intolerance she may have had, and we can transition her to normal milk when she is 1.

Diet, exercise, sleep, stress….!  I really want to get fit after this baby… I put on lots of weight after I got married and have always struggled with my weight… this is always in the back of my mind, and I need to make it a reality and set some firm goals re food and exercise.

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).

31 Weeks Pregnant – PCOS & Second Pregnancy

This is my second pregnancy. My first pregnancy took about 5-6 months (which is completely normal timeframe, but felt like forever), when we decided to try for our second, we thought it would likely take similar time frames for things to happen. We were very lucky and fortunate it happened first try. Which also very much surprised us. We had obviously made the decision and were trying but we had not completely got our heads around things! So took a little time for the wonderful news to sink in. I felt very nauseous for the first trimester and into the second, it was a constant nausea that was there in the background all day every day. My hat goes off to the ladies who deal with this all pregnancy and worse! It was not a fun time. Second trimester things really settled down though and was very cruisy and easy. Now into the third trimester I can feel myself slowing and needing to listen to my body a bit more.  I am very lucky on the whole though that I have had two good pregnancies. I have PCOS and am coeliac, both of which can have a significant impact on fertility, so I feel very relieved that my journey to motherhood has been so seamless. 

Week: 31

Baby is the size of a: Winter squash (and approximately 2kg (per my scan yesterday)

Cravings: None at the moment but during this pregnancy, Mandarins, stone fruit, doughnuts and anything plain and buttery in the first trimester to help me battle the constant nausea.

Symptoms: Starting to feel my pregnancy in the lower back and hip joints and I’m getting pretty achy over the course of the day. I have started noticing some Braxton Hicks contractions in the last few days.

My Weight: 84kg (Currently +11kg)

I’ve been feeling: A bit worried this week about the size of my bump, I am very lucky that I am reasonably tall and have quite a long torso. With both you and your brother my bump has not been very big, you are much smaller than Archie was. I was not at all worried, but multiple people had made comments to me on how small my bump was. I wanted to make sure you were ok, so we went and had a look at you on a growth scan! I was so relieved that you are perfect! Just a small bump and there is nothing wrong with that! It was really nice to get to see you and check in on you and I am so relived now. I am also pretty tired this week, but we have had lots going on, so maybe that’s you trying to tell me to slow down!

I am most looking forward to: Holding you in my arms, the new born baby smell and generally you being earthside and completing our little family!

Advice I’ve been given recently: All bad habits that get made when your second new-born comes home can be fixed later. So just do whatever you need to do to survive, with no mum guilt or second thoughts.

The most uncomfortable things has been? How low your head is!! Trying to find a comfortable position to fall asleep! 

When I picture our life a year from now, I think: WOW how life has changed and how amazing it will be to be the mum of two incredible little boys! I am excited for you to be getting to an age where you and your brother can really interact and form stronger relationships with each other. I also picture having my hands full in the most delightful and chaotic way.  

What I’m anticipating with the most apprehension is: There is a blissful ignorance with your first baby, everything is exciting and new. This time I know how hard being a new mum can be; the sleepless nights and wondering how I will go looking after you and Archie at the same time and making sure I give both my beloved babies everything that you both need. I am so excited that there will be two of you, and my heart feels so full at the thought, but I do feel much more apprehensive this pregnancy as I know everything will change and I hope it all changes for the better. I am also apprehensive about how Archie will handle his transition into brotherhood. I hope someday you will be the best of friends. 

If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be: Please stay put until closer to due date, I have a funny feeling that you may want to make a grand early entrance. If you could just cook a bit longer, I would really love that! Also, to tell them how much I love them already and I’m so excited to meet them (when fully cooked!)


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)

36 Weeks Pregnant – Second Baby

Baby is the size of a: Pineapple, apparently!

Cravings: None really, but I certainly have more of a sweet tooth than usual.

Symptoms: Insomnia, tiredness (probably the result of the insomnia), and a little bit of heartburn starting, but not bad at all. My skin is looking pretty good and my hair is really lush, neither of which I noticed last time. 

My weight: 80 kg (gain of 11/12 kilos so far, four kilos less than total gain in my first pregnancy).

I’ve been feeling: Mostly happy, but a little anxious. Especially about how our 2.5 year old will cope and who will look after her while I am at the hospital. A few lovely people have offered but I don’t want to burden them or I’m not sure whether our daughter would be happy to go to someone else’s house, but we are living in Australia and have no family here, nor can they come from New Zealand because of work commitments. 

This week I learned: Quite a bit about subdivisions. 

My baby’s movements are: Fairly constant, especially when I’m working or when I first hop in bed at night, but I can tell he’s getting a little constricted now. Lots of little shuddery type movements, which I don’t remember from my first pregnancy. 

I’m still wondering whether: Everything is ok and whether the baby will be similar to his sister (and never sleep through the night). 

The hardest thing about being pregnant is: The waiting and not knowing. I’m a very impatient person and I just want to know how everything is going to go, and that everything is going to be ok. The antenatal care here in Australia is definitely not as good as the care I had from the community midwives in Auckland with my first pregnancy – I feel quite in the dark, no one seems to really have any oversight. The GP thinks that the hospital midwives will manage my care and the hospital midwives think the opposite. We should have just gone with a private obstetrician. 

The most uncomfortable thing right now is: Not sleeping. Carrying an older child. The occasional leg cramp in the night. 

The things which make me happiest right now are: Working, and when my 2.5 year old is in a sunny mood, she can be an absolute delight.

How I’m going with diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and other health goals: Definitely not as well as last time. I was so consistent with a healthy diet last time, I think because I was working at a regular desk job it was easiest just to eat the same old healthy things. Probably still a reasonably healthy diet though. Exercise – is really just transport now. I walk up the hill to take our toddler to Kindy and back at least two days a week, but that’s about it. In my first pregnancy I remember walking up Mt Eden a couple of times a week. 

If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be: Please be head down!


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)

41 Weeks Pregnant – And waiting!

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).

35 Weeks Pregnant – Heartburn, Worries & Preparation

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).

32 Weeks Pregnant – Mid to Late Thirties

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).

38 Weeks Pregnant – First time Mum

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)

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