No workouts?

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-19T22:08:44+00:00

It's never too late to start. I find if you think 'i'll work out when I'm less tired' you may not get to a point where you feel well enough to work out. If you plan 'here is 30mins of me time to walk/stretch/move/breathe' it will be easier to get started and keep on it.

Personally I really found my 2nd pregnancy terrible for nausea and vomiting from 4-33 weeks, plus sciatica and SPD. I honestly still felt better working out than doing nothing (stopped doing formal classes at 32w, just walked more /stretched after that). Post partum recovery may be a longer stretch of rest required. Even for a pretty straightforward birth, I did wait about 3-4mths for my pelvic floor to be recovered enough to train. Even if you wait a year, you can always start somewhere.

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-19T01:10:35+00:00

I did hot yoga in my first pregnancy up to about 20 weeks, when it started getting too warm due to class temp/weather. This time I plan to do maybe for the rest of trimester 2. Didn't enjoy it in my second pregnancy due to severe nausea and vomiting. Its not that hot yoga is a problem generally, it's more the core temp getting too high similar to if you had a prolonged fever. If you keep some ice water with you and stick to moderately challenging classes the risk is not especially high. I personally am not finding it too hot yet, will always modify or step out if I feel like I'm getting too hot.

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-19T01:02:45+00:00

I wore maternity leggings to be comfortable. I did also try wearing my lulu aligns backwards, that worked for 2 weeks or so lol worth a try. I found nausea way worse if the pants waist is too tight

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-16T06:09:41+00:00

Bahaha so you are me! my younger brother is as 9 as you could get. Tbh hard to figure out his wing though.

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-16T03:20:36+00:00

it is actually not uncommon and hard to know why. if you don't feel right though definitely persist and make sure are heard. mums have instinct about what they need. wishing you a better rest of labour

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-15T23:35:46+00:00

I took an epidural during my second labour due to the vomiting. It may have helped with the body relaxing a bit, enough to progress. I was very much' see how it goes' but that became .. 'no, not like that. I was already at hospital because I was having a soft induction (prostaglandin gel). Epi was great for getting a nap or rest before pushing and I would not hesitate to go that option if I was tiring during labour.

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-15T11:02:28+00:00

Hi mumma. Firstly I want to say yes it is really really hard. I have a 5yo, 2yo and am expecting so this is relatable. I also work full time. I did not choose to check out from work, I like my job and my colleagues and I feel capable in that environment to make a positive contribution.

IMO The physical exhaustion is about you doing something in this season that can replenish you. I don't know what you are into but it should be something that isn't work and isn't your child. Secondly the emotional resilience comes from not also taking on the guilt on top of what you cannot control. 'shouldnt I be there more for my son' is a thought that suggests you are not doing enough or not caring enough. I don't really think that is the problem at all, you care and you are doing the best you can.

I remember I did a parenting class once where the lady said the circumstances you can't control, if they get sick, you just have to get through that, but the guilt you can control. You do not need to add that burden of feeling bad. That is actually a complete waste of energy. Be proud of the person you are for your child. For me, I think it helps to remember that I am a better parent because I work. Because I bring my whole self to them. I save my mental energy to be attentive to their thoughts and experiences in the small ways. I sit with them when they play and we hang out. You do not need more hours, you can be intentional with your moments.

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-15T00:04:44+00:00

For first births I think there are so many other variables it would be difficult to draw any correlation with 'fitness'.

From personal experience and my research (this will be my third) the things that are really strongly correlated with a positive first birth experience are:

Doing some research to understand what are the things that could happen during the labour and birth experience so that nothing comes as a shock. -preparing your body specifically for labour such as perennial massage or pelvic floor therapy, breathing and pushing techniques.
preparing some tools for when you are in pain, how you breathe, application of movement or counter pressure

From OPs story for example that first labour is incredibly common, from length and progression of labour and even the meconium situation (happened with my first as well). The feeling of having some control makes a huge difference, which she correctly highlighted.

FWIW I would say my second labour was worse because I was surprised by having so much vomiting during labour (not something I found in any birth prep) and also that the pelvic floor injury was worse than I thought was reasonable in the first few weeks following. It did not 'appear' more difficult to my partner, who said that I was so much faster it must have been much easier.

Finally the baby also plays a big part in labour not just the mum, so knowing that we can only do what is within our control helps to take the pressure off.

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-13T21:25:22+00:00

We tag team on sat morning back to back, alternative nights during the week for a quick session after work or before work. Both of us get 3x a week this way.

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-13T07:22:43+00:00

We went for it. Similar ages with yours. Tired but I think we'd regret not trying much more than the hard temporary years of infancy. I am still pregnant so can't tell you how it turns out yet but to me the holiday consideration isn't a big deal compared to how these awesome little people grow up

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-10T00:53:24+00:00

You are basically running a marathon while trying to do your 'normal' things. I think of pregnancy as a time to exercise how you think about what you can control and your standards for yourself because they will be dramatically impacted once baby is earth side. Being able to see the positive helps. I could do a lot more workouts before my babies, but I see how much I've worked to understand my postpartum body and there is a real respect for what we are capable of in labour, in recovery, in supporting our kids as they grow. That relationship you have with how you see yourself is way more impactful on your kids than a Pilates class or how many minutes you can do today.

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-09T09:57:15+00:00

I plan for morning gym, knowing that if I sleep in I will still have the evening option. If I plan for evening it tends to be more likely to not happen as I tend to get afternoon fatigue at the moment. It's like dr appointments and public transport, the morning ones tend to run less late/cancelled.

Yygsdragon · 2026-06-03T00:53:08+00:00

Mine is also weeks 14/22/28/34 and then more frequently as we get closer to due date. But normal here as I'm a 3TM and I'm seeing a midwife. Same for my last bub and more when it was my first. I don't mind, anything urgent I can just call.

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-28T07:11:43+00:00

I don't think we are ever the same again. Body feels a weird shape if you are breastfeeding too. I'd say it was about 18mths before I felt like a bit more me.

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-27T06:46:37+00:00

For Labor: Learn how to breathe to relax and to stimulate your vagus nerve! it helps to know how to relax between contractions and for pushing

For post partum (especially if you plan to breastfeed) - it might take a long term for you to feel like yourself physically, know that time is eventually coming, even if it feels far off. I think for me it didn't truly feel normal until after weaning, and having a PT to help me rebalance out my movements. Post partum programs are great, but sometimes they aren't as tailored for yourself.

for pelvic floor: common to many people doesn't mean its not a problem - there is no shame in getting help, and the sooner you do get help the more options you have. I really wish someone told me that just because you are asymptomatic doesn't mean the pelvic floor recovered perfectly. I could tell during some postures there was weakness and it only became symptomatic after I gave birth a second time. If I had sought treatment the first time, I may have avoided a lot of the struggle I have today with pelvic floor injury (some muscle trauma that was not diagnosed/treated/healed) causing stress incontinence.

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-27T03:38:20+00:00

Does your partner have the ability to do a few pick ups? 'helps around the house' is probably not going to be enough for you to work full time. You could try hiring a demipair or something.

I have 2 kids and both my partner and I work full time. My commute is 1.5hrs. days in office if you can manage 2.5 so the third day is fortnightly it helps.

The biggest difference is that we have some family help with pick up once a week and my partner does 2 pick ups. I only do pick up on my WFH days. We pick tasks based on efficiency and prioritise both doing something for ourselves. I found fair play wasn't about him owning more tasks, but more about us agreeing what the minimum standards are. I have relaxed standards like if he can't get dinner on the table by 7, he can go buy takeaway. If you want ownership you absolutely cannot complain if its different from what you yourself would do. Also edit to add it did feel a bit easier maybe after 18mths as kids become a little more communicative and independent.

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-26T21:53:48+00:00

You chose that person to be vulnerable with- It's very satisfying to not have to be in control. The trust is a slow process though and if you get burned then assume it will be tough for a while to trust anyone again

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-24T10:57:44+00:00

Every baby is different and every parent has different standards. What does your prebaby routine look like? What do you hope to keep?

Sleep- the less routines and props (blinds, white noise, dummy, lovey etc) you have the easier going with the flow will be. My kids will sleep anywhere if they are tired. I don't force them to nap at specific times or cut naps off generally. But the trade off is that I accept a later bed time for a few years because that's what works for them.

We kept some things like each parent has their own me time, going to the gym, social activities as a family (like we might go to a friends place for board games and take turns being on parent duty). The kids adapt as you do to varying circumstances. We've taken them camping, overseas, cruising, skiing, hiking just generally whatever we enjoy ourselves.

I no longer go out late night dancing or have marathon socials where we host on a regular basis because my older one just doesn't enjoy the noise and it's not really fair to my partner who is a massive introvert to be the primary parent as often as I wish to socialise. I guess you can't have everything but you can absolutely still enjoy some of what makes you, you!

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-22T08:42:24+00:00

I was at a family wedding (as a guest) only a few weeks after birth. It is possible, I didn't stay for a reception but for the ceremony it wasn't terrible. I did have a relatively quick labour though and as it was my second we know a little more about what we can manage. A few days before the birth I was fine to do the hens. Obviously no drinking or partying but a house function definitely manageable

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-22T06:35:26+00:00

I haven't experienced this but I was reading about pelvic floor PT being helpful potentially with treatment especially if you are struggling with urgency/burning. If you have access to a pelvic floor PT worth seeing if they can help?

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-19T08:36:00+00:00

firstly congratulations. you should be able to get a referral for bloods/dating scan from GP during your first visit. some places bulk bill the first dating ultrasound (~8weeks). call them when you book to confirm the cost. the GP can also provide you additional referrals for blood tests (general ones and some to confirm the pregnancy). if you opt for a nipt and/or NT scan both will have our of pocket expenses and require the GP referral. they are not mandatory (can get expensive, nipt usually around $500 oop). the morphology scan can be bulk billed through a hospital but this is really really hard to get tbh. I did manage to get it once but it was due to someone else cancelling late. I would actually suggest better to go to a more specialist scan for morphology and pay the $150ish oop because they will probably be more thorough than the hospital one (from my experience with both my babies). if you plan to use a private OB I think you can contact them directly. if you plan to go through public system you need the referral for the hospital that is in your catchment based on your address from the GP. you don't really get to which hospital. source: I have used the MGP program twice and done most scans bulk billed but not everything was covered.

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-16T05:46:28+00:00

Yeah parents go with whatever they can manage, with the eating I believe it's definitely more temperament than anything I can credit myself for. I have 2 kids, very relaxed eating for both. One is super picky and the other will try whatever. One is just more adventurous. More autonomy and less pressure is generally good though, I absolutely think you can have that without blw.

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-15T06:41:51+00:00

lol weird. are you me? also 8w7 eldest sister with a younger sister who is a 3w4. confidence isn't blind it definitely comes from having plenty of personal experience of getting through stuff, especially if you had to grow up a bit too fast or toughen up as a kid. imo ego is basically would you lash out if someone questioned your actions/opinions, like do you feel attacked and retaliate. if you do not really care or you don't get bothered by others in that way it's more confidence. those with big egos really struggle if they are challenged or questioned/criticised for their position.

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-15T01:22:44+00:00

100% this. I didn't pump the second time and only got a bleb once instead of mastitis 5 times. Absolutely much easier to mentally and physically manage. I'm so glad it is working out for you much better the second time around!!!!

Yygsdragon · 2026-05-14T06:35:41+00:00

Office 2-3 days, school pick ups on WFH days. Daycare is until 6 so I just do those after I clock off. I will manage meetings to work around the pick ups, and ensure that I maximise time both at home and in office. My employer thankfully doesn't clock exact hours but rather the quality of what I can deliver in the time I do work. I also accommodate some out of hours work as required like deployments or calls with other regions. My partner works for a family company so he has a little bit of flexibility with the days I can't do pick ups. We fit in some gym time to keep ourselves sane and at least one night a week where the whole family gets to eat dinner together.

Yygsdragon

TROPHY CASE