Friday, June 5, 2009

The News.

I apologize for my unplanned absence yesterday. You see, I decided it was the Annual Reorganize the School Cabinet and Bookshelves Day. Once a year, I like to take everything out, pull the furniture away from the wall, vacuum and dust thoroughly, remove the accumulated pencil and crayon marks, file the past year's school work, and create a refreshingly orderly room in which I can plan the next school year.

So, once I got started yesterday, there was no stopping! Well, I did have to take a few intermissions BUT I was driven. And things are mostly put back together today. I would post a picture of the end results, but I can't figure how my homeschooling organization fits into a health blog... except to explain my temporary disappearance.

Besides organizing... I seem to have caught the bug because I redid the pantry this morning too... I have another newsy tidbit to share with you. I am expecting our fifth child! Yep. I am close to the end of my first trimester.

How have I been feeling? Hmmm. I am thankful to be functional. I know that there are many women who are completely offset by extreme nausea in their first trimesters, and sometimes throughout the whole pregnancy. With my pregnancies, I have varying degrees of "morning sickness" all throughout the day until about week 12. This time around is no different.

There are a few very specific things I have noticed really help ease the queasiness. First, I must faithfully take a B Vitamin soon after I wake up, with a protein-type snack. Doing so solves a lot of problems before they start! I take a sustained release B Complex (part of this product pack) that supplies my body with more B vitamins every hour. This is so much better than just taking a large amount all at once. I can tell a big difference when I haven't taken it! And a big difference from when I used to take a different B Vitamin.

I also have stopped exercising. That sounds so contrary to normal health advice. I will get back to my normal exercise routines in my second trimester! With my first two pregnancies, I had to stop exercising in my first trimester in order not to lose too much weight. With my next three (this one included) I have had to stop so that my blood sugar doesn't drop too low. I have found that if I exercise, I can not regain my blood sugar stability -- even for a few days. It leaves me shaky, dizzy and nauseated. So, it helps me to take it easy in the first 12 weeks... not that I can totally slow down with four other children to run after!

I do sip peppermint and ginger teas. And I do occasionally use a Stomach Soothing Complex for a greater burst of these helpful herbs. Other than that, my best strategy is to eat small snacks throughout the day.

Cravings? This is laughable... with Rainbow, I craved cheese. We were vegans at the time, so the occasional cheese was a major treat! With Spiderman I craved hamburgers. I thought about them way too often. But, after one Wendy's burger, I was done with that! With Witzy, I don't remember a craving. With Tickle and this baby, I crave chicken fingers... hello Chick-fil-a! It's a good thing we don't live very close to a Chick-fil-a so that I have to eat healthy food instead. But, I do have plans to go with a friend next Tuesday. (Can't Wait!)

Because pregnancy is at the front of my mind, I plan on posting some of my thoughts on healthy pregnancies over the next few months. This blog isn't going to turn into a pregnancy blog, but I think expanding that topic would be helpful. I'll still keep up with my regular health posts, tips and recipes, so thanks for coming back to read... where would I be without readers!

And, here's a question for you: The question I hear most from pregnant women is "what do you do for morning sickness?" I would love for you to comment with your thoughts on the topic. What do you do to ease nausea? Do you have healthy ideas or remedies that you can share? Thanks for your comments!

17 comments:

Melanie and Josh said...

Congrats....I heard the good news yesterday from the proud grandparents! Can't wait for another adorable niece or nephew...what cute blog pseudonym will he/she be getting? love you guys!

Summer said...

Congratulations on your up and coming arrival!

Noel said...

I am so happy for you, but you must be nesting a little early!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness... I am so THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!! (jumps up and down) =)

Fortunately, morning sickness does not run in the family and lets hope it stays that way!! Perhaps you can share fertility tips because I'm trying to conceive with my second child :\ no luck, I wonder if there are any diets or tips (besides PRAYING) to increase my chances?

Congrats, I am so happy for you!

Becky said...

Congratulations! That is very exciting news.

amy said...

congrats!!! what a blessing for you guys!

and my anti-nausea tip...get lots of sleep. my nausea seemed to fluctuate based on how tired i was...among other things. :)

Kate said...

Congratulations, I am so happy for you and look forward to reading about it and how you keep yourself healthy during your gestation.

Jenn said...

congrats, amy ellen, on your news. very exciting, indeed.

Jonesey said...

Hey AE,

Congratulations! Great news!

I craved buffalo wings and chicken fingers with Ladybug. And I ate a lot of them.

I'm going to be in town next week, any chance we could get together?

Bethany said...

Seabands. If I put them on BEFORE I got out of bed in the morning, they kept the nausea at bay. Putting them on after the nausea had started only took the edge off a bit.

So happy for you all about the news!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! Prayers for a healthy pregnancy for you!

I had 24/7 nausea with my last baby (well, all of my kids really) and some of thethings that really helped me was were keep gum or candy in my mouth at all times, eating small bites of candied ginger periodically throughout the day, and scent of fresh lemon zest.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your pregnancy! And good luck with sorting out exercising/food and maintaining your good health.

Wow, you can clear/clean out your bookshelves in one day? For me, it's so daunting that it's an on-going project. :}

~*Michelle*~ said...

Oh how exciting! Congrats on your newest blessing.....YIPEE!!!

Unknown said...

I'm so happy for you! Are you familiar with the "Above Rubbies" magazine? There was a huge article with tons of ideas for dealing with morning sickness two issues ago. It was very encouraging to me as I was pretty sick throughout my last 2 pregnancies.

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy Ellen,
Congratulations! I was wondering last night while we were taLking if maybe you were expecting, but I didn't ask just in case. I don't know if you've noticed, but I am also expecting. (Some people tell me it is quite obvious; I am already showing at 14-15 weeks!) Oh, my little ones don't know this yet so keep this quiet for now. Only my three oldest know, and I don't mind adults knowing. We just aren't ready to tell the grandparents yet. I am looking forward to reading any good pregnancy tips on your blog. I know, this is my eighth, but like I said last night, I am still learning and trying to change things gradually. Anyway, congratulations!
Carol H.

Christian Frugal Mama said...

Congrats on your new little one coming! I'm due in 8 days, so I know the feeling... :)

For both my pregnancies, I noticed that my blood sugar would drop so I'd feel sick, then I wouldn't eat, then I feel sick and on and on. I started forcing something down every hour or two and it helped a great deal. Plus I take papaya enzyme for any stomach related issues. Do you have any thoughts on papaya enzyme? Hope your pregnancy is going well and you start feeling back to normal soon!

Amy Ellen said...

Thanks for all the well wishes!

I haven't heard of papaya enzyme, although I have eaten dried papaya for the nausea. With my first two pregnancies, I bought bags of it from the health food store. A friend brought some to church last night too... so it was a welcomed treat!

: ) ae