Words cannot describe how happy I am to be able to write this blog. We have prayed so hard to give Oakley a sibling and it’s happening! If you were following my hormone journey, you know I was getting a lot of blood work done and having tests ran to ensure my body was performing properly to get pregnant again. I never once claimed I had fertility issues, I never once claimed I was infertile, I simply wanted to share my advocacy for myself when it came to my reproductive health and journey.

That being said- I am so grateful to announce we are expecting our second baby in early March of 2022! My due date has changed twice now so I am not really counting on that until we get closer to the beginning of next year. I wanted to document this pregnancy, just like I did my first. I keep hearing that no two pregnancies are the same so I am very excited to see how this one differs from the first.

I also want to link my pregnancy nutrition blog that breaks down each trimester and which nutrients and vitamins should be prioritized during!

Weeks 4-8:

I had my first positive pregnancy test while we were in Las Vegas during our athlete retreat and it was so hard to not tell anyone in person but I knew I wanted to keep it private until our first appointment at 8 weeks! After that, I began telling close friends and told my family while on a family trip to Marco Island shortly after my 8 week appointment. The 4 weeks following my positive test, I would get extremely tired at around 5pm. I do think I was more tired this time around simply because I was getting up earlier than I did when pregnant with Oakley. Oakley at the time was getting up around 6:30 and I like to get my day started with a mile walk so I would usually get up at 6am before she did so I could get my day started.

I didn’t have any morning sickness with Oakley which was such a blessing. Weeks 4-8 with this pregnancy I definitely didn’t feel great if I didn’t eat for 3 hours but luckily, and knock on wood, haven’t gotten sick yet! Workouts are the exact same, still lifting 4-5 times a week and walking at least 10,000 steps per day. It just makes me feel good and I like doing things that make me feel good.

Week 8 weight: 134lbs. Baby’s heartbeat: 167. My blood pressure: 112/62

Weeks 9-11:

Very similar to weeks 4-8, regular exhaustion around 4-5pm (which is more than likely a direct result of having a one year old while also growing a human). I had the panorama blood work done that tests for probability of genetic disorders and also had the gender checked as well! I cannot wait to get the results back!

Week 11 weight: 133lbs. Baby’s heartbeat: 169. My blood pressure: 102/70

I would also like to note, I went back for an 11 week appointment and not a 12 due to travel schedules. I wouldn’t have been able to get back to my doctor until week 15 if they didn’t agree to see me at week 11- beyond grateful for the team of doctors I have!

Weeks 11-16:

Weeks 11 through 14 were probably unlike many pregnancies! We spent 28 days in Tanzania on a safari and I felt absolutely amazing the entire time. Oakley was with us as well and we were able to make some amazing memories as a family of 3 and take our announcement photos as well as our gender announcement photos as well. My genetic testing results also came back while we were gone and everything came back “low possibility” which is amazing news. Along with that, we did get the gender screening done so we were able to film our gender announcement in Tanzania as well!

My OB completely approved the trip as did Oakley’s physician. Tanzania and the US are on the same level for Zika cases, we went in their winter so mosquitoes were few and far between, we were able to safely get all vaccines necessary for travel, and water/food was extremely monitored and filtered. I don’t feel the need to defend my decisions based on the council of my doctor but I know people will have their own opinions on the matter.

At my week 16 appointment, I also completed the neural tube defect blood work screening. Next up- my week 20 ultrasound!

Week 16: weight: 134.5lbs . Baby’s heartbeat 154: . My blood pressure: 112/60

Weeks 16-20:

These have been the easiest weeks so far! Workouts have been incredible with 5 lifting sessions a week and 10,000 steps a day minimum. During my 20 week appointment we had our ultrasound anatomy scan- everything checked out perfect and confirmed gender! I also learned that the tech during my 8 week ultrasound incorrectly told me I had a posterior placenta and I have an anterior placenta again- explains why I haven’t felt the baby kick or move much. It was almost 23 weeks before I felt Oakley so no rush! It’s normal if you don’t feel your baby super early when you have an anterior placenta- don’t stress!

Week 20: weight: 139.5lbs . Baby’s heartbeat 144: . My blood pressure: 100/60

Weeks 20-24:

The pregnancy insomnia has definitely started to set in the last few weeks and for some reason I have been extremely congested during this pregnancy. Other than that, everything else seems fairly on track with how I have been feeling. I started feeling the baby kick at week 22 (around the same time with Oakley, both pregnancies I have had an anterior placenta).

Week 24: weight: 143lbs . Baby’s heartbeat 145: . My blood pressure: 108/74

Weeks 24-28:

This month has been fairly smooth and similar to my last update, which is great! My doctor always says a boring pregnancy is what they aim for! At my 28 week appointment, I did my 1 hour fasted GD test (passed) and got TDAP, which I don’t remember hurting but my harm is SORE today. Baby is measuring right between 27 and 28 weeks. I also had a physio appointment for my pelvic floor after the appointment due to some scar tissue pain I’ve had since oakley’s birth. I definitely recommend looking into pelvic floor health if you’re pregnant or postpartum, as always, please discuss with your OB!

My only real difference so far that I have noticed between this pregnancy and last is that I have been extremely congested at night. I am not sure if it’s because I am pregnant in the winter but doing the neti pot 3 times a week has helped tremendously!

I also will begin salmon roe as I am officially in my third trimester. More information and resources can be found on my pregnancy nutrition blog

Week 28: weight: 146lbs. Baby’s heartbeat: 139. My blood pressure: 108/74

Weeks 28-33:

I was unable to get into my doctor for my 32 week appointment so it was pushed to 33 weeks! We also did a non medical ultrasound at week 32 to get some amazing 4D pictures of baby boy (and he looks just like Oakley does now)! I certainly have noticed a lot more pressure in my hips and pelvic floor, it’s not painful but it certainly is a lot more pressure than I experienced with Oakley at this stage. No contractions but I didn’t have anything with Oakley either until after I was induced. It’s going to be so interesting to compare the two births!

Week 33: weight: 152lbs. Baby’s heartbeat: 130. My blood pressure: 106/64

Weeks 35 and beyond:

Today started my every-two-weeks appointments. I am technically 34 weeks and 4 days but with scheduling conflicts next week, today was the only day I could get in. My next appointment will be when I am exactly 36 weeks. Today’s appointment was extremely boring and routine, baby is measuring right on pace with where my due date has me (February 28). I asked the nurse to not weigh me today as my appointment was at 4pm and I didn’t think it could be an accurate representation of my weight as all of my other appointment have been in the morning.

Week 34.5: Baby’s heartbeat: 140. My blood pressure: 104/60

Week 36: I had the strep test done today (basically if you are positive, an antibiotic is given so baby doesn’t get it), Results came back next day as negative. My cervix was also checked today and I’m between 0-1cm dilated which is fairly normal for a second pregnancy this late in my third trimester. We won’t check again until week 38. I am measuring 35 weeks and 4 days instead of 36 weeks exactly. My doctor doesn’t think I will go early at all so we will see what happens!

Week 36: weight: 154lbs. Baby’s heartbeat: 130. My blood pressure: 108/68

Week 37: We finally got all of the deer heads out of baby boy’s nursery. My plan is to move Oakley’s dresser into his room when her new one arrives in May. We will transition her crib into his room as well when he moves into his room and out of ours (Oakley was 11 months when we moved her). She will then get a toddler bed. I also think I will be moving the glider into his room at that point as well. So really, nothing is going in his nursery for a little while (second baby problems). This week’s appointment was extremely quick and boring- weight looks fine, kick count is where it should be, heartbeat for baby is great

Josh and I have had so much family time this month with Oakley as deer season is over and we are limiting people in our home before birth. It’s been such an amazing time giving her 100% of our energy. It’s definitely starting to set in that she won’t be the only baby in the house in a few weeks but I am so excited to watch her become a big sister!

Week 37: weight: 156lbs. Baby’s heartbeat 160 (he was moving a ton during the appointment). My blood pressure: 118/68.

Week 38: At this week’s appointment, I was checked again and I am between 1-2cm dilated and 50% effaced (thinned). I have had absolutely no contractions of any kind so far but I also didn’t with Oakley either prior to be induced. And better late than never- I finally got most of the items I needed for the nursery ordered (glider, book shelf, diaper pail, etc).

Week 38: weight: 157.5lbs. Baby’s heartbeat: 150. My blood pressure: 107/72

Week 39: At this week’s appointment, I was the same, right around 1cm dilated. Again, no contractions all week and baby is measuring right around 7lbs (according to what the doctor could feel). Head is extremely low which is great news, very active, and my mucus plug is starting to come out but that isn’t really an indicator of labor as it regenerates. I’m in no rush and my induction is scheduled for March 6 if my appointment next week shows no change in dilation.

Week 39: weight: 158.5 lbs. Baby’s heartbeat: 130. My blood pressure: 104/74

Week 40: Well, today is my due date. I am measuring right at 40 weeks and today I was still between 1-2cm dilated but she did say it did seem like it was more than last week. My induction has now been moved to Monday morning instead of Sunday night which I prefer. My doctor is hopeful I will go on my own towards the later part of this week but if not, we will have baby boy in our arms early next week!

I also decided against the membrane sweep today. My doctor told me I really wasn’t a gold candidate for it inducing labor as I really am not progressing that much and she didn’t think it would help much. Never be afraid to ask questions, she told me multiple times it was 100% elective and it probably would only give me cramps and make me bleed.

So this will be my last update on this blog! I will share the birth story on another blog post!

Week 40: weight: 160lbs. Baby’s heartbeat: 145. My blood pressure: 108/78

Workouts

My entire pregnancy with Oakley and with this baby- my daily goal is to hit 10,000 steps. This usually breaks down to 2.5 – 3 miles on the treadmill and the rest come from just daily life. This movement makes me feel good, is low impact, and I can get a lot of work done on my treadmill desk before Oakley wakes up in the morning, during her nap, and when she goes to bed at night.

Trimester 1- I was lucky if I was able to lift 5 days a week at 30 minutes per lift. My body was very tired but I know how good I feel after a workout so I tried my best to get in a lift at least 5 days a week, even if just for 30 minutes. We then went to Africa weeks 11-14.5 of my pregnancy!

Trimester 2- I feel so much better during this trimester and I have been able to do my normal 40-45 minute lifts 4-5 days a week! I do have a free fit pregnancy and postpartum guide available here if interested. I am a AFPA prenatal and postpartum certified personal trainer as well!

Trimester 3- pretty much the same as trimester 2, I am still hitting my 10k steps per day and lifting 5-6 times per week! I haven’t noticed a dip in energy levels yet but I do feel I am getting more winded easier as baby grows!

Supplements

As always, please consult with your doctor prior to supplement use while pregnant or nursing. Just because I am using a product doesn’t mean it’ll be approved for your pregnancy. Our company prides itself on open labels and all details can be found on the back of any product and also on each product page on bowmarnutrition.com

• I am currently using:
  • Collagen
  • Probiotics
  • Fish oil
  • Prenatal
  • Calcium
  • Protein powder
  • Fiber
  • Immunity
  • APEX
  • Greens
  • EAAs
  • Glutamine
  • Replenish
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin D Cream
  • Colon Cleanse (on occasion)

If you would like to reference my first pregnancy blog, it can be found here.It includes all the apps I use, courses we took, etc!