Happy Monday, friends!  I am so excited for today’s post because I am getting to answer a bunch of your pregnancy questions that you asked via Instagram Story last week.  I’m also linking up with six of my pregnant friends and sharing them with you at the bottom of this post!! If you are a soon-to-be mama, make sure you check out these ladies because they are at all different stages of pregnancy and will give you tons of inspo.  Some are first time moms (like me 🙋‍♀️) and others are getting ready to welcome a second baby to the mix.  Please show them some love and let them know I sent you!!  Okay, onto the Q&A!  If you have other questions that I missed, feel free to ask in the comments!

[ann]Poncho Sweater: Loft | Leggings: Nordstrom (non-maternity) | Boots: ShopBop (similar) | Sunglasses: ShopBop | Bag: Prada [/ann]

 

What are some weird, unexpected things no one told you about pregnancy?

The first thing that comes to my mind is bloating. From weeks 4 through like 16 I felt super bloated the whole time.  And honestly, I feel like I had a bloat “bump” way before there was an actual baby big enough to make a bump.  I personally think that was way more uncomfortable than an actual baby bump, but I hate being bloated!

Other than that, it’s not that no one told me, but I had these weird “expectations” about almost everything: “I should be able to fit in my normal jeans until ___ weeks,” “I should gain ___ pounds by this week,” I should feel the baby by ___ weeks.”  Absolutely none of what I expected was reality and it just caused me to be hard on myself for reasons I couldn’t even control.  I expected to gain most of my weight at the end of my pregnancy, but so far it’s proven that I gained the quickest in the first trimester and it’s slowed down since.  I thought I would fit in my pre-pregnancy jeans until 28 weeks (I have no idea where I came up with that…haha), so you can imagine how pissed I was at 18 weeks when I couldn’t button a single one of them.  Basically, everyone’s body is completely different and who cares what someone else’s pregnancy was like!

Baby Registry must haves?

Stay tuned!  I have a post coming up with all the things I am registering for!!

How early before getting pregnant did you start prenatal vitamins?

One month.  And I still take them every night (or at least when I remember!).

Did you dye your hair during pregnancy?  If so, when (how far along)

Yep!  To be completely honest, I never stopped and just continued my regular routine.  I dye my hair about every 6-8 weeks.

How long did it take to conceive?

Okay, in all seriousness, this is the most common question I receive!  And honestly, it makes me a little sad because I personally know so many women trying to conceive and having a difficult time.  So, I know this question generally comes from a heart that just wants to connect with someone and feel that they aren’t alone.  You aren’t.  Or, it just comes out of curiosity…haha!

But, I will say that I choose not to answer it publicly because I personally think it just causes us to compare ourselves on another thing that’s completely out of our control!  Just be encouraged that your journey is normal and whether it took you 1 month or 5 years to conceive, and whether you conceived naturally or with medical assistance, there are tons of girls in your shoes and none of us are better than the other!

When did you first feel the baby move?

As I mentioned earlier, I had some pretty funny expectations when it came to feeling the baby move.  I had heard everything from as early 12 weeks to 28 weeks!  I personally felt him for the first time at 19 weeks.  I visibly saw him move from the outside the and Daniel felt him move at 21 weeks.

Best advice for buying maternity clothing? Should you stick to regular clothing and just size up?

I would definitely say to invest in a couple pairs of maternity jeans!  You can see my maternity jeans review HERE, but they are just so much more comfortable and so worth it.  Other than that, I have just been sizing up one in tops.

Do you plan to have a natural birth or use an epidural?

From everyone I have known, most women have a strong opinion on this one way or the other.  Personally, I do not!  So my plan is to not have a plan and to go in and see what happens.  If I am managing through the contractions without an epidural, then great!  And if not, then I see no reason to avoid getting an epidural.  That being said, of course I am hoping that I will be able to go all natural…and that he comes quick.

Has your diet stayed the same?  Do you have any cravings?

Yep!  Honestly, I haven’t had too many cravings.  I would say that the foods I had preferences about before pregnancy are just stronger now.  Basically I live on Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle…haha!  And for some reason I avoid Italian food at all costs.  Before pregnancy, I didn’t drink wine, eat soft cheeses, or eat sushi so those necessary changes haven’t affected me at all. The most unfortunate thing was not being able to have raw cookie dough the other night!

What kind of workouts are you doing to stay fit during pregnancy and did you start when you find out you were pregnant?

I actually did a whole post on my pregnancy workout routine!  You can check that out HERE!

What style are you going with for your nursery?

NEUTRAL.  One thing to know about my home décor style is that I am the ultimate neutral lover. I have to force myself to do anything at all with color (even at Christmastime haha).  So for the nursery, we are continuing the neutral theme of our whole house.

The paint color is the same that I have painted throughout the home (Benjamin Moore “Classic Gray”), and the furniture is a light gray wood.  I can’t wait to show it to you!  For bedding, I went with white and gray.  Most of it is not patterned, but the crib sheet does have the cutest little stars on it. As far as décor, I’m thinking of decorating with just baskets, books, and possibly some cute baby animal prints. Overall I want it to be soft, calming, and cozy!

Have you gotten any stretch marks?  Are you using anything to prevent them?

No! And I am not going to lie, for me personally this was probably my number one concern from a body image perspective going into pregnancy.  I am actively trying to prevent them by staying really hydrated and moisturizing with a special homemade lotion every morning, night, and whenever I get out of the shower.

How has your body image changed since being pregnant and how do you deal with it?

I really have struggled with my body image while pregnant!  While I recognize how absolutely incredible it is to have a little human growing inside me, it’s still tough.  That’s just me being 100% real.  Seeing your weight rise so rapidly may not bother some girls (you go girl!), but for me it’s been hard.  Especially every new 10-pound increment…haha.  Overall, eating as I normally would not pregnant, staying active, and avoiding weighing myself between doctor appointments have helped me most.  Other than that, Daniel always tells me how beautiful he thinks I am pregnant, and that helps too!!!  In the end, I know it will all be 100% worth it and I will say I would have done it 100 times over.  And I think the second will be easier with the knowing that my body will go back!

---

Alright!  Now to introduce my adorable preggo friends!

Top Row (left to right):

Mara Ferreira is the absolute sweetest and is going to welcome her second sweet baby in March!  She is a momma to one boy already, little Augustine, and I can’t wait to find out (so soon!) whether her second is a boy or girl!

Check out her blog, M Loves M, and her Instagram!

Shannon is also a second-time mama and just announced her pregnancy this past week in Hawaii!!  So fun, because I also announced mine when I was in Hawaii this Summer!  She has the cutest little girl and you will love following her!

Check out her blog, Itsy Bitsy Indulgences, and her Instagram!

Jen is the queen of casual style (her IG username is “mrscasual” 😉)!  She also has the best teacher style, because she is one herself!  She’s also due in January like me, with her second baby!

Check out her blog, Mrs. Casual, and her Instagram!

Bottom Row (left to right):

Olivia is someone I have followed on Instagram for quite a long time now, and it is so fun to both be due with boys about a month apart!  She’s also a first time momma and expecting a little boy in January!  If you love causal style (think: Madewell) and travel, you will love following her!

Check out her blog, Livvy Land, and her Instagram!

Lydia is due next month (eek)!  She absolutely has pregnancy style down to a “T” now that she is in her third trimester with her second baby, and I am constantly looking to her for inspiration on how exactly to dress my growing bump.  If you need inspo too, be sure to check her out!

Check out her blog, Jetting Jewels, and her Instagram!

Last, but certainly not least, is my sweet friend Brittany who writes Loverly Gray!  She and I are due so close to each other, but she’s pregnant with a sweet baby girl.  I absolutely love the name they chose for her, Collins, and I cannot wait to enter motherhood with her!  I’ve gotten to meet her in person several times, and she is the sweetest human and I know you will love her style!

Check out her blog, Loverly Gray, and her Instagram!

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave