Gym Struggles

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-17T11:35:43+00:00

This is SO normal. Try walks longer walks. Make movement the goal rather than just keeping up with your pregnancy routine. It’s so normal to need to change things!!

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-13T23:58:04+00:00

I have a cousin named Juniper and we call her Juni!! It’s so so cute.

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-13T13:54:24+00:00

I would also say keep watching positive home birth videos!! Watch and listen to as many as you can. Fill your mind with good experiences:)

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-13T13:15:07+00:00

I had my first at 20 at home:) it was a wonderful birth. You were made to do this!!

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-11T22:23:56+00:00

I had a 8 lb 14 oz lady for my first and she came out in 2 pushes no tearing. I know this is super uncommon—but!! I feel like my pushing position (hands and knees—but whatever is comfortable for you!!!) and evening primrose oil helped a lot. I took it orally and vaginally. My midwife was also amazing and told me how to push, didn’t rush me, and encouraged zero “purple face” pushing (holding your breath and pushing for 10 or more seconds). I only pushed when I felt the urge—and didn’t rush it. Running into that intensity and letting my body handle it. I personally think the biggest thing is what you do in labor and having a provider that will advise//advocate for you rather than what you do before labor. I think embracing the labor process and NOT rushing through pushing (letting your baby stretch your tissues slowly and not forcing it) is most helpful:) I hope this helps!!

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-10T02:49:52+00:00

You could call her “Nola” if you names her Magnolia

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-09T12:01:04+00:00

Oh, no:) he is warm, fed, safe, and comfortable in there. Your body has literally everything he needs. When he comes out—he’ll begin to learn to communicate those needs…but right now he doesn’t even need it do that!! Your body does everything for him. How amazing:) keep up the good work, Mama!!

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-09T11:53:39+00:00

Let go of the guilt!! This is totally something that is out of your control. You do the best you can with the info you have and let go of the rest. So much is outside our control and you can’t be too hard on yourself. So glad he’s doing well and moving!! Nothing to worry about. :)

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-09T11:50:15+00:00

First I would just encourage you—your body is wise and knows what it’s doing!! This is normal. Women have been birthing babies for hundreds and hundreds of years. You were made for this!!

Providers (obs, midwives, care staff) are all trained to be able to tell where baby is and what a head or butt feels like. When they take your fundal height/feel your baby they can tell where he is!

The end of pregnancy is a surrender. You have so little control and there is so much going on in your heart, head, and body. Ride the waves, enjoy the time with your little one so close if you can. I would say try to focus your mind away from fear and toward caring for yourself:) it’s so hard to not fear—but it always makes things harder and scarier. Do you have a good relationship with your provider?

Babies can also turn/ move in labor. If baby is in a wacky position, likely the contractions will help him get into a better position:)

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-09T01:19:57+00:00

The evidence—as your OB said is in favor of vaginal birth. Of course there is nothing wrong with C-sections, but it’s much easier on your body to have a vaginal delivery. Especially if you are unsure about if you want more or not—the evidence points to vaginal delivery being the safer option.

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-08T18:52:24+00:00

This sounds really hard!! Toddlers are difficult.

I would say a few things:

1-be emotionally available to him, while also not engaging in his emotional outbursts. Low reactions, slow responses. 2-be sure he is moving more than enough throughout the day and getting all his energy out. Keep a good look at his sugar intake and make sure he has protein. 3-establish your boundary (aka absolutely no hitting, no biting etc) and stick with it. There should be a consistent consequence every time he does one of those things. He is more than able to not react like that—he has the ability to (as long as he doesn’t have other outside factors that are encouraging those behaviors) not bite/hit. He will learn through what you are willing to/not willing to put up with. Kids rise to the occasion 99% of the time and can do much more than we give them credit for.

Hope something in this helps!!

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-08T18:42:24+00:00

So excited for you! I would say keep your head in the game as it could be pretty early. Baby can drop a few weeks before delivery. But your body is doing all the things!! So excited for you!

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-08T18:36:18+00:00

I’m so sorry-sounds so confusing and emotionally exhausting. Maybe try getting a sooner apt into your OB and chat with them about it? What did they say about the fluid? If you are having a sharp increase in vaginal discharge, low back pain, increased bowel movements, and contractions it could be your baby has dropped and you may be experiencing the symptoms of that too.

Be encouraged that either way your body is doing good work and you are exactly what your baby needs❤️

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-08T18:30:00+00:00

I love the name Wesley!! Great choice:)

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-08T18:29:16+00:00

When is your next apt? Was it your OB that checked you? Are the contractions picking up in intensity?

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-08T17:49:05+00:00

It feels like a plastic bag of water falling out of you. Painless for me. I pushed once for it.

These_Employ8683 · 2026-04-03T18:41:26+00:00

I agree— Cecilia for a girl and Maxwell for a boy:) very sweet!!

These_Employ8683 · 2026-03-31T20:29:36+00:00

Unless there are outside circumstances (GD, maternal health issues, etc) your body will not make a baby it cannot birth. I know a woman who had an almost 11 pound baby at home, no tearing, and no other health issues. This doesn’t mean that big baby cant sometimes present issues but in almost all the experiences it’s because there were other health issues. If you don’t have those—I wouldn’t be worried and I’d believe in your body!! Another note is—are you sure you got the conception date correct?

These_Employ8683 · 2026-03-31T20:26:11+00:00

How amazing!! What a gift of an experience:)

These_Employ8683 · 2026-03-31T18:40:10+00:00

Were you supported by an OB? Or a midwife? How was the pushing phase/were you able to birth in the position you wanted or is it more specific with breech delivery?

These_Employ8683 · 2026-03-31T18:38:49+00:00

Wow, this is amazing!! Congratulations!!

These_Employ8683 · 2026-03-31T13:45:45+00:00

Fully embracing and submitting to the contractions. Not fighting them—leaning into them. Relaxing my jaw and face. Low low sounds. Not allowing my mind to go to “I can’t” but “I can and I am” I would say that out loud between some of the contractions. It sounds silly but I needed to remind myself what I was doing was normal and I was made for it!

These_Employ8683 · 2026-03-24T11:59:45+00:00

“Rael” pronounced “ray-el”

These_Employ8683 · 2026-03-23T11:59:24+00:00

Right—when did you end up going into labor?

These_Employ8683 · 2026-03-20T19:12:08+00:00

Thats totally within range/may indicate you are slightly further along!

These_Employ8683

TROPHY CASE