Pregnant with Baby #5! | 5 Things I'm Doing Differently This Time Around
Well, you heard it here, friends (and on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube if you follow me there, of course). I’m officially pregnant with baby #5, and we’re beyond thankful for this blessing! As the youngest of four children, I always longed for a large family of my own. (Not to mention I believe children are a blessing from God!) In today's blog post, I'm sharing FIVE things I'm doing differently this time around with baby #5. So happy you are coming along for the ride! :) If you want to catch up on my previous 4 unmedicated births, you can find them HERE:
First Unmedicated Hospital Birth
Second Unmedicated Hospital Birth
Third Unmedicated Hospital Birth
Fourth Unmedicated Accidental Home Birth
Now that we’ve got those out of the way…onto the changes!
1. Home birth (planned this time)
You read that right. My previous birth was a good ole, unexpected, “whoopsie-daisy” birth at home in our RV! Did I mention the whole labor start to finish was only an HOUR?! I remember my nurse-midwife, at the time, telling me after, “If you ever get pregnant again, you might as well do a home birth because you’re NOT making it to the hospital!” I have my whole birth story linked in the video below for your entertainment, and marveling at the goodness of our heavenly Father!
Did I EVER think I’d want a home birth? No chance! I’d always felt the most comfortable option for me was laboring naturally at home, followed by popping out baby unmedicated as soon as we arrived at the hospital (no exaggeration)! It only took ONE unintentional home birth to be reminded that with my heavenly Father’s help I was capable to face my fear in a dreaded situation I could not control. Although I still feel the need to prepare myself mentally for this planned home birth, I know He’ll be with me again!
2. Postpartum meals in place
There’s often so much preparation on “birthing” baby that we forget to prepare for life postpartum! It’s very wise to have a plan in place for once baby is finally here. This time around, my aim is to do just that!
For me, this will include having prepped meals stored in our freezer for easy eating! I’m thinking healthy dishes that are high in nutrition as oppose to ordering takeout as our usual go-to option! (Takeout is fun and all, but doesn’t exactly help mommy heal, or form healthy habits!)
I’ve taken a big interest in Mama Meals, a food service that delivers warm, nourishing, organic food that is based in ancient traditions, and intended to help mama heal postpartum!
*IF you want to contribute towards helping me meet my healthy postpartum meals goal, (which you are under NO obligation, or expectation by the way), I would be so grateful! You can purchase a Mama Meals gift card HERE, and enter my email address coolmomandcollected@gmail.com
Thank you SO MUCH if you choose to, but again, NO pressure!! :)
3. Working Out Postpartum
During this fifth pregnancy, I've been consistently working out once I hit the second trimester! I also plan on working out as soon as I’m medically cleared (NOT in an attempt to “bounce back” for pure vanity, but because after four children back to back I know all too well the unintentional “forget about myself” era). This is where I’m so focused on my loved ones (which is always great), but I’ve completely forgotten any prioritization of my own health and recovery! Let’s not forget that it is GOOD for mothers to be physically fit, and confident in their abilities. I mean, we often do have to tackle countless grocery bags, carry multiple children, take care of the home, do necessary projects, etc.
4. Not finding out the gender (until birth)
With our four previous pregnancies, we've always found out the gender shortly after my 20 week anatomy scan. We did this by ordering a BIG cupcake from our favorite bakery (filled with the mystery frosting, either pink, or blue). Then, with only our children, we all take a BIG BITE at the same time to find out the gender!! This way has truly given us, as a family, the most precious and intimate memories as we break out into joy and laughter finding out the gender of baby! After finding out the gender of our 2 boys and 2 girls, we now feel at peace with a new kind of surprise! We believe it will make for an equally beautiful memory to find out the gender at the birth itself.
I’m so looking forward to the excitement and extra motivation during labor to discover whether this sweet baby is a boy, or girl! However, having to prepare TWO names, (one if a boy, and one if a girl), instead of just one name, which is already challenging in itself…nootttttttt too excited about that, haha!
5. Wearing a Postpartum Belly Wrap
When you have babies back to back like I have, it's not uncommon to experience ab separation, also known as diastase recti. I’ve never addressed the issue before, but this last postpartum after baby #4 was a big wakeup call! I really noticed a lack of core strength and ab repair. I ordered this highly reviewed belly wrap in hopes of having the extra needed support, healing, and assistance regaining my core post delivery!
I hope you enjoyed reading the FIVE things I plan on doing differently this time around with baby #5. Please feel free to leave any pregnancy, or laboring questions down below (I always respond)! We can’t wait for sweet baby to finally arrive! :)
