It’s been a few weeks since I’ve shared updates! As of May 20th I am finishing up my 29th week, so I am technically now in my 3rd trimester!

Last blog post was at 20 weeks, so here’s what has been going on in the last 8 weeks!

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March to April (month 5-6):
Experiencing random acid reflux & headaches (which I never get either)
Itchiness like crazy on my stomach
Baby girl loves to move when I’m sitting/laying down & getting more active each day!
Had my first emotional crying episode this week “I’m not ready!” 😆🥴😭 thanks hormones!

Seeing my chiropractor 2-3x month has been keeping me with little to no pain/discomfort.

Exercise is pretty much the same, but getting a little tougher 😅 The same workouts are leaving me more winded; pullups are getting HARD lol. But I’m doing MY best each time!

No major cravings or aversion, just a good hearty appetite. Fave foods still: Egg scrambles, salmon, hummus, roasted veggies, grain free pretzels, candied ginger, dark chocolate, my homemade brownies, dairy free Halo Top 🤩

April & May:

We found a wonderful doula to work withl! Her name is Sarah Berridge (www.auntsarahdoula.com) She has been and going to be tremendous support! A doula is mainly for emotional and mental support before, during labor and post-partum. They don’t take the role of a doctor or midwife, but rather add to the “team of care”! I highly recommend looking into doulas whether you are doing a home birth or in a hospital setting!

We also scheduled our birthing class/education for mid June. This team of doulas/experts are familiar with home birth, so we are tailoring our class to our specific circumstances.

All of the midwife appts are going GREAT! Every time Colleen makes us feel so comfortable, answers all of our questions, and it is very much a collaboration and equal discussion. We talk everything from mental and emotional health, to nutrition and exercise, and of course doing vitals, checking her size and positioning etc.

She gave me the option of testing for Gestational Diabetes using at home glucose monitor, so I definitely took that route instead of drinking the sugary preservative filled “juice” that most women do at 26-28 weeks. I was to eat my normal meals over 10 days and test my blood glucose 1 & 3 hrs post. This we felt was a better, more accurate description of metabolic health, since it is what I am typically eating on a daily basis. Everything came back great 🙂

We’ve picked out nursery theme (gray and yellow with sun and sunflowers as accents!) My office is now officially the nursery and my “office” got moved into the spare bedroom. We are making it work! He set up the crib and dresser (a wonderful gift from his mom) and then into June we can start the fun decorating.

My exercise has stayed pretty close to the same duration and intensity all pregnancy! Exercises that are getting more tough would be running (because of the bladder…more on that below) pullups and chin ups (I am using some assistance with a box to get up) and some forms of cardio have me needing a little bit more recovery time between sets. But in general, I am lifting the same amount of weight, same duration of workouts and doing my best!

I am BLESSED to have no aches or pains really, and I contribute a lot of that to staying active and being fit BEFORE we got pregnant. The other factor is to keep a healthy mindset and perspective. Exercise is HEALTHY for me and baby, and was not something that I had to totally stop doing. In fact, being pregnant has increased my motivation to stay consistent, knowing all the benefits (less pain, easier delivery, better recovery and so much more). Every pregnancy is different. You don’t have to do exactly what you do previously, but the key is to STAY moving, be flexible and creative where need be, but don’t just “give in” because it is the “easy” thing to do right now. You will thank yourself later if you can keep movement into your routine!

Nutrition has been pretty status quo as well! Once I hit 27 weeks I did notice an increase in hunger. I have been doing a circadian rhythm fast of 12 hours eating, 12 hours fasting, sometimes 13-14 hrs fasting 1-2x a week. Typically I will have a small morning snack around 9am, or just a late breakfast about 10-11am, later lunch around 2-3pm and then dinner 6:30-7pm, and dessert around 8, 8:30pm. Still wanting all my normal foods (same ones as above) and have enjoyed some treats when traveling!

Weight gain is fluctuating (totally normal) and at 29 weeks I’ve gained about 12lbs. I’m the highest weight I’ve ever been & obviously it’s going to go up. We discussed at our last midwife appt and she said to not stress, as baby is measuring and growing at a good pace, and my uterus is also growing at a steady rate.

I’ve had to buy all new workout leggings & even those aren’t fitting the same; I am definitely into maternity active wear and enjoying the warmer weather to wear lots of dresses! There’s some days where I feel uncomfortable (this happens to everyone!) But most of the time I feel great in my skin and confident; I am growing a human!

Brian and I took a short weekend trip to Atlanta end of March (business trip for him) and I went to California and Vegas to visit my family at the beginning of May! I spent the weekend in Orange County, where they took me to Disneyland and then hosted a baby shower brunch with my closest family and friends. Then we drove out to Vegas for a few days and enjoyed the pool, some shows and great restaurants. It was really fun girls trip!

The LAST trip (for a while?!) is our combination Birthday, Anniversary and Baby Moon trip! Brian and I are going to Walt Disney World in Florida Sat May 22nd to Wednesday the 25th. It is a short getaway but we are excited to hit the parks, see the fun, eat lots of yummy snacks and meals, and have one day of “relaxing” at the resort by the pool!

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The hardest part of this pregnancy so far? The bladder pressure!

It’s not pain, fatigue, morning sickness…it is the need to use the bathroom all the time!! It is a “temporary inconvenience” that I know will only increase in intensity over the next 10 weeks.

Jogging is comical, because I know have to go about every 7-10 minutes. Even walking for an extended time period can cause the urge and true need to find a bathroom! The repetitive impact (even if it is just walking) combined with the increasing levels of the hormone relaxin, means that this is common and normal. Add fuel to the fire…baby girl is sitting very low already (just chilling there!) which means she is pressing directly on my bladder.

I know over the next few months I might have to modify my movement and just focus on doing my best to work on bladder control…but hey, it is all worth it in the end, right?? 🙂

Overall I’m truly embracing this journey & loving my body, for all that it’s doing for me and our baby girl! It’s amazing to think about how far I’ve come from years of not having a period and just praying for that, let alone a baby! God is good!

I continue to thank the Lord because of how amazing I feel. We have had no issues or complications and that is our continued prayer: to have a healthy, optimal pregnancy, labor and welcome a healthy girl to this world!

With our “due date” at August 1st, we are about 10 weeks and counting!

In the next few months looking forward…

First weekend of June by family will be here in Ohio and I am having my (second) baby shower!

We will have our birthing class, our doula sessions and multiple mid wife appointments, one of which will be our home visit to discuss details of what we need, location in home, etc!

I am nervous, excited, ready, not ready, happy, blessed, overwhelmed….all at once! But overall, I know I have a fantastic support system (Brian, my family, his family, our midwife and doula team, my friends and clients) and of course, GOD and His strength to provide for us…just like He always has and will!

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Questions about a holistic pregnancy, home birth or just anything related to health and wellness? Feel free to email me! allisonbergstromfitness@gmail.com

Next post I think I should share my Non Toxic Registry Items and Top Products/Things I’ve been using during pregnancy!