Mandy's healthy pregnancy plan

While there is no doubt that Noah is the most amazing child that ever lived and we love him SO very much, in my opinion, his entrance into this world was less than ideal. From being on bedrest for a month, to being born 6 weeks early, to the cesarean procedure in which he was delivered, to the week long stay in the NICU, to the long process of getting breastfeeding established and gaining weight, it would be silly of me to say that all of this didn't effect me. Of course, after all said and done, the end result is the most amazing boy you could ever want to know who is a healthy and happy boy, but in a lot of ways the experience for me wasn't just about a healthy baby being all that matters, especially since he was in the NICU for a week, had jaundice for much longer, and I didn't feel established with breastfeeding for 2 months. I've tried to sift through a lot of emotions about all of this in the last 3.75 years (ask me for more on this if you're curious), and I don't know yet if I've been successful in understanding myself or my feelings. But, I DO know that I'm trying to find ways to maximize the chances that baby roo will get 40ish weeks from me and a peaceful entrance into this world.

So, here's what I plan to do with the help of my supportive, loving and amazing family and dear friends. Some of these things I've already started since I'm already 13 weeks (!!) while others of them I need to get working on.

1. Scott and my dear friend Christine helped motivate me to create an active (but not TOO active) pregnancy plan to stay fit and healthy.
1. Prenatal yoga on Friday(?) evenings or maybe on thursday evenings?
   
2. Some strength training two evenings a week (Monday and Wed?) consisting of simple exercises like squats, lunges, modified push ups, arm rows, curls, etc.
3. A walk around the hood on the weekends with Noah hopefully on his cool, green bike
4. Some good stretching and activities to promote optimal fetal positioning.
5. (ask me what I have planned for other nights of the week)
   
2. We found amazing midwives whom I trust and whom I think mesh very well with our beliefs and desires for a healthy and natural pregnancy and birth. They spend a lot of time with us during appointments, and I have really enjoyed that experience so far. More on this to come in the future...
3. I will be seeing a chiropractor regularly during pregnancy to help keep me adjusted to give the baby plenty of room to grow and to promote good positioning.
4. I will regularly have prenatal massages to keep me comfortable, relaxed and rejuvenated as my body adjusts to a growing baby.
5. I will get my thyroid checked every month
6. I will study and learn the hypnobabies technique to be used during pregnancy and labor to keep me calm, focused, and committed to a peaceful birth.
7. I will find ways to emotionally prepare myself to any obstacles that we may face along the way.
   
8. I will give and receive as many hugs from my family and friends as possible. I would say that cuddling and hugs are some of my most favorite things to do.

And despite being home sick today, I feel like all of those things sound amazing right now.