pregnancy Archives - Page 18 of 58 - Feathers in Our Nest

Weeks Thirty-Five/Thirty-Six

August 5, 2013 by Aliesha

hey, look at this watermelon I’m smuggling under my dress!

Thanks for praying… Baby Punkin’ moved head-down, as of my appointment at 35 weeks! Yay!

Oy… I’m totally feeling crazy pregnant these days and starting to pray that I’ll go early, or at least “on time” this time! I am SO excited to meet our sweet boy and to put these days of backaches, leg cramps, and Braxton Hicks contractions behind me!

Feeling so blessed this week to have a healthy baby boy still growing safely inside me. I’m praying that I have the endurance to make it through to the end of the pregnancy with a cheerful and grateful attitude!

Weeks Thirty-Two/Thirty-Three/Thirty-Four

July 22, 2013 by Aliesha

whoa, baby!

Whoops… missed a week posting my bi-weekly pregnancy update! I might start doing these weekly again just so I remember to do them. 🙂

I’ve definitely felt Baby Punkin’ lower these past few weeks. I’ve had a lot of “pressure” and minor contractions, so I know my body is preparing for birth (but not imminently). My midwife reminded me that with each subsequent pregnancy my uterine muscles are getting more stretched out and so they will contract more by the end of the day.

My iron levels were low at my last appointment, so I’ve stepped up my cast iron skillet usage and red meat intake. I’m usually on the lower end anyway, so I want to make sure I don’t dip too low!

At 32 weeks, Punkin’ was transverse (lying sideways), and I still think he’s deciding on his final position. (While typing this, he’s breech, I believe.) He flips around a lot, so I’m hoping when he does decide to settle down, he will be head down! His heartbeat is strong, and he gets the hiccups a lot.

I have a little hospital bag packed with some basics. I’ll pack more as the time draws closer, but it’s nice to know I have the essentials in case of an early labor.

Please pray that by 36 weeks Punkin’ will be head-down!

8 Reasons Why You Need an Exercise Ball

July 4, 2013 by Aliesha

1. Useful for workouts
You can find all sorts of workouts that use an exercise ball. I’ve done some prenatal exercises using mine!

2. Promotes good posture
Because of the way you have to sit on it to stay balanced, it helps keep your spine aligned properly. You can sub out your desk chair for your exercise ball!

3. Relieves pregnancy back pain
I have used my exercise ball in a few different ways to help strengthen my back and relieve pain while I’ve been pregnant this time. You can lay back on it for some relief, or you can kneel in front of it, put your arms (fully extended) on it and roll it forward for a great stretch.

4. Prepares you for labor
I bought my exercise ball when I was 40+ weeks pregnant with Cordelia. Rocking back and forth on it is good for helping the baby move down into the proper position for birth as your pelvis opens. The rocking back and forth motion is actually similar to walking in terms of trying to get labor started.

5. Awesome labor tool
I labored on a birthing ball provided by the hospital with Vera and with Cordelia. It was wonderful! I could sit on the ball and drape my body on the bed, rocking back and forth and letting gravity do the work! It’s a great alternative to walking the halls if you don’t have an ambulatory monitor. Plus it’s quite relaxing and gives you something “productive” to focus on doing (rocking or swaying) during each contraction.

6. Comfortable to sit on postpartum
After baby, soft surfaces are a must! I sat on my exercise ball a lot during meals instead of on a hard kitchen chair.

7. Calms a crying baby
I distinctly remember bouncing a fussy baby Cordelia on my exercise ball all evening one time when she was little. You can even wear them in a wrap, sit on the ball and bounce gently, and have your hands free to do something else (blog, read, etc.).

8. Kids love to play with it
My girls love playing with the exercise ball! It’s a really fun “toy” for toddlers and even older kids.

My exercise ball was around $12-15 (and it came with a pump) at Wal-mart, and it was totally worth the investment!

Weeks Thirty-Five/Thirty-Six

Weeks Thirty-Two/Thirty-Three/Thirty-Four

8 Reasons Why You Need an Exercise Ball

About Feathers in Our Nest

Recent Posts

About Feathers in Our Nest

Recent Posts

Popular Topics