I recently shared a post discussing body love and self image. You can check out that post here: Health Mindset & Body Love. I thought I would piggy back off that post and share how I maintain a positive self image during the season of pregnancy and what has worked for me personally. Being pregnant is absolutely amazing and beautiful, but there are times where you can feel uncomfortable in your skin/body as so many changes take place. I personally experienced this more with my first pregnancy than second because everything was so new to me.

I would love to know anything that helps you when it comes to a positive self image!

1.Control What You Can Control

There are so many different symptoms in pregnancy that you can experience which are out of your control. Some days are simply better than others, and that is totally normal and okay. Each trimester presents different challenges and changes which we learn to adjust and adapt to. Control the aspects of your health that you can and do what you are able to do. Take it one day at a time and remember how hard your body is working and how amazing that is!

2.Keep A Health Mindset

Changing your mindset to a place of health will help tremendously as your body changes. Approaching everything from a health/wellness standpoint will keep the main thing as the main thing. Your body will do what it wants, but if you are doing what you can to keep it healthy and strong, that is all that matters!

3.Prioritize Mental Health

I feel like it is so easy to focus on our physical health during pregnancy because that is what is naturally at the forefront of our minds. However, I think focusing on our mental health is just as important. Find ways to fuel your mind, practice self care, and do what you need to to stay in a clear and positive head space.

4.Keep Perspective Of The Season

Recognizing that pregnancy and post partum are only a season will help keep things into perspective. I feel like with this second pregnancy I have gained the perspective needed from my first to keep me in a positive space. Enjoy the season you are in and do what you can to make it a positive experience!

5.Give Yourself Grace

At the end of the day, we can only do our best. Don’t be hard on yourself during this season and remember it is just that, a season. Give yourself the grace you would extend to others and continue to take it step by step!

Sending light and love!

Blessings,

Jac

I don’t know about you, but we basically use Amazon for everything! They truly make it so easy and convenient, it is hard not to use them. I have shared some of my favorite Amazon finds in different categories you can check out here: Amazon Toddler Finds, Amazon Hubby Finds, Amazon Clothing Finds, Amazon Health Finds.

Today I thought I would share some of our favorite items from Christmas. Our family utilizes a wish list, so our items are typically all from Amazon. Below are five items my husband, toddler, and I are currently loving!

What have been some of your favorite finds? I would love to know!

Husband Items

1.Battery Organizer (https://amzn.to/353cOhi)

2. 64 Ounce Water Bottle (https://amzn.to/354kgZL)

3. Saucony Socks (https://amzn.to/3b46jyQ)

4. Yeti Lunch Box (https://amzn.to/356AfX7)

5. Thermometer (https://amzn.to/3b46MRC)

Toddler Items

1.Lego Creator Sets (https://amzn.to/3ngue0w)

2.Frog Game (https://amzn.to/3hBU7q4)

3. Hot Wheel Color Shifters (https://amzn.to/2X5I0YZ)

4. Write & Learn (https://amzn.to/39btzbJ)

5.Play Dough Kits (https://amzn.to/389D8Z7)

Personal Items

1.Water Tumbler (https://amzn.to/3b37lLf)

2. Cardigan (https://amzn.to/3oaJIUY)

3.Bum Bum Cream (https://amzn.to/3oenFge)

4.Glass Smoothie Tumbler (https://amzn.to/2KX5OMf)

5. Outlander Book Series (https://amzn.to/389R3i8)

If you are curious items I personally asked for, feel free to check out the video below! Would love for you to subscribe!

Sending light and love!

Blessings,

Jac

*Links are affiliate links. If you choose to use them you are supporting me! I appreciate it so much!

I recently shared a video discussing the cost of pregnancy for the first 20 weeks. You can check out that video below….

I thought I would piggy back off that video and share what to expect during those first appointments. I discussed some in my first trimester recap, however I thought I would go over each appointment specifically. Both pregnancies have been very similar appointment wise even with different cities and providers. I feel like I had no idea on most of this stuff with my first pregnancy, so I thought it would be fun to share!

I have about a month left of my second trimester, which does not seem real!

1.Scheduling First Appointment

Once you find out you are pregnant you will call a provider of choice and schedule your initial appointment. You will give the date of your last cycle so they can calculate when they want you to come in. Most places will schedule your first appointment anywhere between 6-10 weeks of pregnancy. You will also give your insurance information so they can create a payment plan/finance document to discuss at the appointment.

2.First Appointment

The first appointment is probably the longest one you will go to just because there is so much to get done. When you arrive you will check in and make your first payment. You will either meet with the finance person/department to start your appointment or it will be at the very end. Once they call you back you will do a urine sample and then meet in the sonogram room. Depending on your provider and how far along you are, you will either do a vaginal or belly ultrasound (I have done both…7weeks-belly/10weeks-vaginal). I will say you can see a lot more detail with the vaginal ultrasound.

After your sonogram you typically will head to the doctor’s room and meet with the nurse. You will get your vitals and receive general information (usually a folder of documents). You will wait on the doctor to go over the sonogram and perform a wellness exam as well as discuss any topics/questions you may have.

Once you are done meeting with the doctor you will get your bloodwork done. I have done this at a separate lab and in house (depends on office). You can choose to also schedule separate bloodwork for genetic testing (discuss with doctor). After your bloodwork you will either finish with finances or schedule your next appointment for a month out. All appointments in the beginning are spaced out for every month or 4 weeks.

3.Second & Third Appointment

The next two appointments are pretty straight forward and fast. The second is typically around 12 weeks and the third is around 16 weeks. When you arrive you will check in and make your standard payment. When you get called back you will do a urine sample and then meet with the nurse for vitals. The nurse or doctor will do a doppler for the heartbeat and then you will discuss with the doctor any concerns or questions. When you checkout you will make the next appointment.

4.Fourth Appointment

The fourth appointment (around 20 weeks) is when you schedule your second sonogram for the anatomy scan. When you arrive you will make your typical payment. Once you are called back you will do a urine sample and then head to the sonogram room. The sonogram will be around 20-30 minutes long. The baby will be measured and everything will be looked at by the technician. If you did not receive the gender with the genetic bloodwork, you will find out at this appointment. After the appointment you will meet with your nurse for vitals and the doctor will discuss the sonogram results. When you checkout you will make your next appointment.

For this baby I was given my glucose drink to take before my upcoming appointment along with directions (I did not do that with my first pregnancy). My husband has also been allowed to come to both sonograms (not regular appointments) with COVID.

Some of the next appointments include glucose test, ultrasound, and cervical exams. The length will also decrease from every 4 weeks to every 2 weeks to every week once you get closer to your due date!

Sending light and love!

Blessings,

Jac