Its been almost a month since we announced our pregnancy to the world, and since I published my Baby on Board announcement post. Whilst this is a travel blog, it’s a very personal one, so I want to share my pregnancy journey with you too. Even if nobody ends up reading these posts, I also think its a great way for me to diarise this life-changing process I am going through and I am sure I will enjoy reading back over them in years to come. Personally, I’ve found reading pregnancy update posts on other blogs to be immensely helpful and reassuring, so I’m also writing these updates in the hope that other pregnant ladies will enjoy reading them. So whats been happening with me in the past 4 weeks? Here goes!
Week 14
Sharing our news with the Online World
We announced our pregnancy to the online world at 14 weeks, and the response was incredible. I was overwhelmed by the amount of excitement, love and kind comments we received as a result of sharing our news. I really had no idea how people would react online, but reading the comments on my Instagram post made me realise how supportive my audience is, and for that I am so grateful. I know I don’t need validation from anyone, but my blog is so important to me and knowing that you guys are behind me truly does mean everything, so thank you. At week 14 I became even more excited about the pregnancy and I felt a huge weight off my shoulders that I didn’t have to hide it anymore.
Stretch Mark Skincare
In terms of my body, my stomach started to feel very hard at and although there wasn’t any sign of a bump, I felt way more bloated than usual. At 14 weeks I decided to get serious about my stretch mark skin care and invested in some large bottles of Palmers Coco Butter for Stretch Marks and Bio Oil. I’d heard good things about both products so wanted to try both. Since buying them I’ve been using the Palmers Coco butter in the mornings (as it absorbs quicker than the oil) and Bio Oil in the evenings. I’ve read that genetics play a huge part in whether you end up with stretch marks or not, which means you’re likely to follow suit of your Mum. Luckily, neither my Mum or Sister suffered badly with stretch marks, but I am still applying the lotions religiously just in case.
Week 15
A Trip to Cornwall
At 15 weeks I flew to Cornwall with my Mum, which was part of a collaboration with Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa. It was my first time in Cornwall and I totally fell in love with it (check out my Cornwall Travel Diary). I was really looking forward to the trip and to sharing it authentically and honestly now that the world knew I was pregnant. As with all my blog trips, the days were full of exploring and activity. I’m pleased to say we ticked everything we wanted to see off our list and more, but with so much walking I felt exhausted by the end of each day. Along with the sea air I totally crashed out by about 9pm.
As well as exploring Newquay, The Eden Project and St Ives, a real highlight of the trip was getting to experience my first pregnancy massage at the spa in our hotel. It was a total pleasure and I can imagine it would be even more of a physical relief when I’m more heavily pregnant. I’ll definitely be treating myself to a few more pregnancy massages before my due date comes round.
My final bout of Sickness (fingers crossed!)
At week 15, the grogginess and sickness from the first trimester had pretty much left the body (hooray!), but on the Saturday morning after getting back from Cornwall a wave of sickness came out of nowhere. I went from happily watching Saturday Kitchen to heaving over the downstairs loo in 3 seconds flat, completely taken aback at how quickly it had come over me. This was the last time I have thrown up and fingers-crossed it was the last!
Officially in maternity jeans!
Week 16
Bye-bye regular jeans. Hello maternity jeans!
By week 16 my regular jeans had definitely become too uncomfortable thanks to my ever-expanding tummy, and I had to progress to maternity jeans for the first time. I had actually been avoiding wearing jeans from about week 12 (partly due to the heatwave) so I probably could have been in the maternity jeans much sooner. I’ve invested in a few pairs of Topshop Maternity jeans which have a similar skinny leg cut to what I am comfortable in, but have an amazingly comfortable, stretchy waist band. Stepping into them was like a revelation! Why had I not got any sooner? I think maternity jeans are great as they help you to maintain a sense of your own style during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Yoga and my Pregnancy Fitness Goals
I’ve always been sure I want to stay as active as possible during my pregnancy, and to continue exercising gently for as long as I can. I’ve always gone to the gym, but felt some of my old gym classes were probably a bit too intense for pregnancy. Instead of stopping all together, I decided to create a new pregnancy fitness regime that is lower impact but still gets my body working. I decided to swap my ab-heavy pilates classes for pregnancy yoga classes. After a bit of local research, I found a fantastic pregnancy yoga class where you can pay-as-you-go or do a block booking of 10 classes.
Having done pilates before, some of the moves and breathing disciplines were familiar to me, but the positive focus and awareness of my expanding stomach was very new. Being in a room full of fellow pregnant women was also entirely new. I first went to the class at 11 weeks and remember feeling very inadequate looking down at my non-existent bump compared to all the other Mums-to-be with their very visible bumps. By week 16 I’d got to know some of the other ladies in the group and have definitely grown in confidence and flexibility. The yoga class takes place in a very positive, light space and find my instructor to have a really soothing and calming effect on me. I look forward to the class every single week and am inspired by the other women to keep it up all through pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and reading this, I would definitely recommend looking into pregnancy yoga in your local area.
As well as doing yoga once a week, I am going swimming and spinning once a week at my local leisure centre. After trialing the pool and spin classes, I decided to join as a fully fledged member of the leisure centre and cancelled my existing gym membership. I am currently doing 40 lengths in the pool and 45 minutes of spin (both on different days of course). My pregnancy fitness goal is to keep up 1 session of yoga, swimming and spinning each week for as long as I can (although I reckon I may end up swapping the spinning for two sessions of swimming as the bump gets bigger). Establishing my new fitness activities has helping me to feel more in control of my ever-changing body and more connected to the little life inside me. When I get a workout, so does the baby!
Week 17
Inspiration from a self employed new Mum
Week 17 was last week. I spent it working at home and also drove over to Harrogate to visit my friend Lucy who has recently had a gorgeous baby girl. We talked about everything from bumps to birth to babies and it was great to hear her no-nonsense account of motherhood so far. Lucy is also self-employed and runs her own PR agency, so it was also great to talk about how she’s balancing work with her new life as a Mum. Lucy is definitely a huge inspiration to me and made me realise that running your own business and having a new baby is hard at first, but it can totally be done. Thanks for all the amazing advice Lucy!
Cravings and Food Aversions
One of the most common questions people ask me about my pregnancy is if I have had any weird cravings. The answer is no, I don’t think I’ve had any, unless pizza counts? Instead, I’ve had extreme food aversions. The main aversion for me is still meat. I’ve totally gone off it and the thought of cutting up raw chicken makes me feel intensely sick (it’s something that wouldn’t have bothered me before). At week 17 I was still very fussy about food, but found myself wanting fresh fruit and vegetables for the first time in a long time. I stocked the fridge full of strawberries, blueberries, grapes, oranges and green veg. It felt so good to actually enjoy fresh produce for the first time in ages! Long may it continue.
Week 18
Preparing for Bump’s First (Proper) Holiday
I am now in the throws of Week 18 as I write this blog post. This week I am also working at home, but am looking forward to taking my bump on its first proper holiday on Saturday! Every year I take one official holiday which is 100% free from work commitments and content creation obligations. I’m heading back to Almuñécar in Spain where my parents have a villa. It will be my fourth holiday to Almuñécar and this time I’m bringing my best and oldest girlfriends for a girly week of fun. I’m planning to totally switch off and relax, but feel a little apprehensive about baring the bump in a bikini for the first time! I also need to be extra careful in the sun as your skin becomes more sensitive and partial to burning when you’re pregnant. Almost all the places I travel to are new and unfamiliar, so there’s something so lovely and comforting about returning to Almuñécar. It feels like a home from home. If you’re intrigued to know a bit more about Almuñécar, I’ve blogged about it here.
I want to feel cool and comfortable whilst on holiday so I decided to splurge on a bump-friendly ASOS order. Whilst a few of the pieces are specifically from the maternity range, I’ve also been buying loose-fitting dresses in one size up that I will be able to still wear after the pregnancy. Here’s what I will be wearing on holiday in Spain.
Books I’ve Been Reading
Some of my favourite pregnancy books so far include How to Grow and Baby (and Push it Out) by Clemmie Hooper and Happy Mum Happy Baby by Giovanna Fletcher. I’ve also been dipping in and out of the pregnancy bible that is What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Scott has also been reading Pregnancy for Men which he’s found to be really informative and quite entertaining (written by men, for men).
Blogs I’ve Been Reading
Special thanks to Rachel from the Department of Wandering, Jayne from Girl Tweets World, Hannah from Wedges and Weights and Nic from Nics Nutrition for sharing their journeys of pregnancy and motherhood so far. I have loved reading their blog posts and appreciate their honest accounts. Be sure to check out these blogs for more pregnancy reading.
So far I am enjoying the second trimester of pregnancy so much more than the first trimester, for obvious reasons! The secret is out, the sickness has gone and I am really starting to feel like my old self again (but with the new addition of a little bump that is growing by the week). I am trying to enjoy and remember every stage of this pregnancy, and hopefully these updates will be a nice reminder for me when Baby Travelista arrives.
Have you enjoyed reading my first pregnancy update post? Is there anything you can relate to or is there any advice you can give me? I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Jess x
Thank you for this post. It’s very inspiring. I loved reading this, and really enjoyed your blog.
Awh I’m glad you are feeling better now. I’m not pregnant but I wear jeans with a stretchy waistband (I’m not even joking) but they’re from newlook and for non-pregnant people and are amazing haha.
jo
x
Thanks Jo! I’m definitely in a good part of the pregnancy now so just trying to enjoy it as much as possible. I am a total convert on the strechy waistband jeans! I am sure I’ll be in them well after the pregnancy too! haha x
Such an exciting journey you are on!
Thanks Laura, it sure is! The biggest adventure yet x