Pregnancy | You Know You're Pregnant When...

If you've been pregnant, you'll most likely agree with the majority of these. Being pregnant is amazing, there's no doubt about it (well, it has been for me anyway)... although some of the things that come with pregnancy could do with not coming at all!

* * *

You know you're pregnant when...

• Relaxed? Feeling good? Just eaten? Okay, get ready because heartburn is about to hit. Burping acid? Lovely, you got this.
• You know when you're washing dishes or peeling potatoes at the sink? Pre-pregnancy, that's all fine, easy to do. During pregnancy, you'll find that your bump is in the way, meaning you're about 586750 feet from the sink... or at least it feels like that! Nothing quite like looking down to see the beautiful bump though.
• Just got comfortable in bed? Now is the time that your bladder will decide that you need to pee, right. this. second. After a while, wait for that kick from baby, straight into your bladder, that will have you running to the toilet again.
• Those lovely kicks in the ribs that take your breath away... not in a good way either!
• You see that little shape on your belly? Is it a foot or a hand? A little baby booty? Who cares, it's cute as hell!
• Your nails grow like a weed. s l o w d o w n
• Those cravings that come out of NOWHERE. I used to hate the thought of pork scratchings. Then I tried one and I was like 'hmm these are okay'. Then my craving came up a few weeks ago and hasn't left me since. I feel like I MUST have them or I might cry...
• ... which leads me on to this one... crying at television adverts. Or for no reason at all. You know that ad where the dog in a home has a small toy shaped like a man with glasses? Then a man (the spitting image of the dog's toy!!) comes to rescue the dog, and the dog is over the moon. That gets me and I'm tearing up now just thinking about it! Baby adverts are the worst. The Clearblue one where a woman is telling her friend she's pregnant. Burst into tears the first time it came up on YouTube.
• Up at 7.30am, or even earlier? You'll probably feel ready to crash at like 10am. Maybe because getting to sleep sometimes can be so hard to do. Or maybe because you're growing a human inside you. That's tiring work!
• You add the word 'pregnancy' into everything you Google. Absolutely guilty of this one!
• Ever rub your bump and speak/sing to it in public? I did that the other day. First & last time I'll do it. Had an old lady look at me very pityingly! Really?!
• Can't see your toes? Welcome to pregnancy! A beautiful bump is a much nicer view than toes if you ask me!
• Used to sleeping on your tummy? Not anymore!
• Used to sleeping on your back? Not anymore!
• Find a comfortable position to sit or lay in... now it's playtime for baby!
• Those godawful stretching pains, ESPECIALLY when you sneeze. When I do this, I find myself glued to the spot for a few seconds to make sure I'm still in one piece, and baby did not in fact, make a very early appearance.
• You see that glass of water? You're not allowed to lift it. That shopping list? Too heavy. Shopping bag? Hell no, don't even think about it. I'm able to lift stuff! Maybe not a bed though.
• Worrying about ABSOLUTELY everything. This is more true for first time mums I think, but every little thing seems to worry you. Or me, rather!

* * *

I totally sound like I'm complaining but I'm really not. Okay maybe just about the heartburn because it's a bitch! I love every little hiccup, every little (or big) kick, even those that do take my breath away. It's amazing to know that I'm growing a little human inside me, who will join us in less than three months. All those sleepless nights, the tender belly and the urge to pee 500 times a day is all worth it for my little man. Even the godawful heartburn!

Happy hump day from me & bump!

Pregnancy | My Five Must-haves!

Pregnancy is no mean feat. It's amazing, although that can be hard to see when you're feeling terrified, uncomfortable and hungry 24/7. Maybe the hunger thing is just me because I love food so much,... and not just during pregnancy either, haha. I've compiled a quick list of some of my must-haves for this magical time in your life. These are things I swear by to help me through pregnancy. Less than three months to go!

* * *

1. Fetal Doppler

This is by far one of the best purchases we've ever made, without a doubt. Early in my pregnancy, I had a small bit of bleeding so I freaked out. Everything was fine, but I hated feeling on edge all the time and worried something would go wrong. It got to a stage where I was too scared to pee incase I saw more blood. We had seen fetal Dopplers online, some of which were mental prices! My boyfriend came across one on a buy & sell site, which we ended up paying €20 for. It was a Sonoline one and in absolutely perfect condition, batteries included too. Best €20 ever spent! Of course, we tried it when we got back and I immediately felt at ease. As it turned out, we were listening to the placenta the first few times *facepalm* but quickly found the heartbeat. The old midwives tale says that horses galloping is a girl, and a train means a boy. Ours was a train, but honestly, I think it's just how the baby is laying. Ours still sounds like a train though! We used aloe vera gel, but now we just use coconut oil. I find it better as it doesn't dry out as quick. Anyway... we used the Doppler every day for a week or two, then every second or third day for a while. Then our little man started kicking and I felt the need to use it less. He kicks and moves so much now, but every so often, I'll get the Doppler out just to hear his little heart beating. It still amazes me... especially when he kicks the Doppler off my tummy! Some people say not to get one because you'll drive yourself crazy, but I was going crazy without one. It has helped to ease my mind on so many occasions, so I really can't recommend it enough. I've still got mine and won't sell it until we're done having babies. In like the year 3000. 

2. 'Bump' pillow

I don't have a specific bump pillow, so I use a normal pillow instead. Enough (and good!) sleep is vital in pregnancy, especially when you get worn out from just 'being'. Heck, we're growing a human, so of course we'll get tired, haha. Being well-rested feels so good! I sleep with my 'bump' pillow supporting my bump and between my legs. It helps so much, and means I can get a good rest. Except the nights I have killer heartburn because nothing helps me with that. With the pillow, I'm into such a habit of flipping it over when I turn over, so I use it when laying on both my left and right sides.

3. Belly oil

Bio oil might work best for stretchmarks, but I find using coconut oil is great too. My belly feels really moisturised and I've read that it can help with stretchmarks when the skin is supple. I have a few small stretchmarks, but I really think the coconut oil is helping, as I thought they would be worse by now. Maybe I've just jinxed that. It might have helped more had I used the oil before the stretchmarks appeared though!

4. Prenatal vitamins

I take Pregnacare and have done since early pregnancy, and it feels good knowing I'm doing right by my baby. It contains the recommended levels of folic acid and Vitamin D, as well as plenty of vitamins and minerals, which are essential in pregnancy. I've worked out that I have enough, plus 2 left over if he arrives on his due date! This totally sounds sponsored, but I swear it's not!

5. Maternity clothing

I've got a pair of maternity jeggings and they are sooo comfortable with the belly band on them. I find it gives a lovely shape to bump too. To be honest, I see myself wearing them a lot after pregnancy until I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I have a maternity top too that I don't fit into yet, but it's so comfortable and soft. I've tried the hairband trick on my normal jeans, but it doesn't doesn't feel comfortable for me. Maternity all the way!

* * *

Happy almost weekend, from me & bump!