Third Trimester Recap & Favorites

Motherhood

Jun 8

**DRESS DETAILS** (18 - NON-MATERNITY) | ALSO **HERE IN SMALLER SIZES**

Third Trimester

Recap & Favorites

I’ve fallen in and out of denial that I will deliver a baby soon. Almost everyone I’ve encountered has asked me “Are you SO ready to be done?” And honestly… no. I don’t feel “ready” but not sure I ever will. My days in the third trimester are numbered so I guess it’s time to reflect on the past several months and dig into a few of my favorite items that have made life a bit more comfortable! Perhaps this time of reflection will encourage my mind, body, and soul to inch closer to readiness.

I posted a question box the other day regarding all things pregnancy and third-trimester-related, and I look forward to answering those below! I did see several repeat questions that I’ve already covered on my first-trimester recap, second-trimester recap, and more posts on the “motherhood” tab of the blog. This includes a bump-style guide and where to shop maternity, five tips for traveling while pregnant, our happy hour baby shower recap, and what I put on my baby registry. I’ve also covered my current skincare and haircare routine! I sincerely thank you for being so encouraging and allowing me to share. Whether or not you’re in the same place in life, I appreciate the opportunity to share my experiences, and I hope that some of it is helpful to anyone that may be, if not now, but in the future. Or maybe never at all, I still appreciate you and your support.

here’s a glimpse into

the Third trimester

I won’t lie, and I’ll admit the above photos are pretty glamorous. And while all of pregnancy is not (see evidence below), I’ve felt this desire to lean into and do whatever I needed to take care of myself and do everything I could to embrace this season of life. I also wanted to do what I could to still feel like me, even though I know I’ll be evolving/have evolved into a new version of myself. Before I got pregnant, I rarely saw anyone my size rocking pregnancy, and I felt hopeless if I would be able to. Everyone’s version of “feeling good” is different, as it should be, but I’m proud of myself for finding what that means unique to me on my journey.

It may or may not surprise you, but I’m a bit type A and enjoy feeling in control. I recognize that I cannot control everything, especially during pregnancy. Still, there have been a few things that I’ve been doing to further my education, knowledge, and feeling as good as possible. As I’ve mentioned before, pregnancy is not a linear journey (I’ll be up and full of energy one day and horizontal the next) but here are a few things I’ve done that have helped me feel as good as I could.

Education

If you’re local to Buffalo, I highly recommend checking out The Care Connection. They offer classes, including an infant CPR course that Brian and I took. They also offer a ton of support for lactation if that’s something you’re interested in and they take insurance. If you’re not local to Buffalo, you may be able to find similar support and opportunities through your OB/GYN’s office or hospital.
Ailsa at @_happygocurly_ is a Certified Nurse Midwife who shares a ton of information on her platforms and has answered a ton of my questions throughout this journey, highly recommend checking her out.
I’ve signed up for Mommy Labor Nurse’s courses, and I like that I can zoom through them at my own pace. She has a variety of options and is a wealth of knowledge, and I like the way she structures her content.

wellness

I’ve been open and honest about being in therapy for years, and maintaining that throughout this process has been critical to my mental health. Early in the first trimester, I was instructed to stop weight lifting and have been focused on high-incline walking and some yoga/strength training. I’ve been doing about 2-3 miles per day on the treadmill and around the neighborhood which I think has been tremendous for my mental health. I also like to do some stretching and use the yoga ball, and sometimes, I’ll follow a video I see online, and sometimes, I’ll do whatever I’m feeling and have time for.

I started pelvic floor therapy at the suggestion of one of my NPs as a preventative measure, and I highly recommend it. If you’re in Buffalo, I saw Kathleen at Equal Standings, and she is truly remarkable. I also started acupuncture, went to Queen City which has been great for pain management, and now working towards preparing for labor. I’ve also been a fan of chiropractic adjustments, and I see Dr. Patrick O’Neill who specializes in prenatal care. I also enjoyed a few prenatal massages, Rebecca at The Cary House is fantastic and knowledgeable. I recognize that all of these things are a luxury and a privilege to be able to schedule and accommodate all of the appointments, but I figured I’d share if anyone is looking for options for a bit of relief. I am very grateful to be able to feel as good as I do and believe a combination of these efforts has contributed towards that.

**I’VE OFFICIALLY ENTERED MY “TIM ALLEN IN SANTA CLAUS” BELLY ERA**

**INSTEAD OF SPILLING OF EVERYTHING ON THE FLOOR, MY BELLY CATCHES IT NOW**

Pregnancy Q&A

How are you feeling?

Other than the heaviness of the belly and reduced energy, my biggest complaint is waking up with pain and swelling in my hands. I’ve heard of swelling in your feet but never hands! This is less than ideal for someone who holds a device for 12+ hours a day, but I’ve been doing my best to stay hydrated and moving as much as possible. It may seem counterintuitive, but it really does make a difference. Oh, and lightning crotch… why did NO ONE tell me about lightning crotch? Sleeping is also getting harder and harder, but I take great pride in my five-pillow formations (previously shared what I use here) and doing my best to make it work. I also take Unisom and these magnesium gummies, which I believe have significantly helped me sleep better (consult your doctor before starting any new regimens). The whole “pregnancy brain” thing is also totally real… I lose my train of thought all of the time. Other than all of that, I feel good!

What is your favorite part of pregnancy?

Overall, I have appreciated the challenge and opportunity to show myself how strong and adaptable I am. I had really low hopes for how I’d be able to handle this emotionally, physically, and professionally. While it hasn’t been a total breeze, I am grateful for the experience. I’ve also appreciated connecting with other people, either in similar phases or far removed from it, and being encouraged by this new chapter. It always feels good to know we’re not alone.

What is your least favorite part?

Aside from the continued food aversions and aches/pains, my least favorite part of pregnancy is other people telling me their horror stories or how their situation is a million times better/worse than mine. While I appreciate the realness, it’s important to remember that no pregnancy is the same… we can’t compare and it’s not a competition for who has it worse. My feelings/experiences don’t invalidate yours and vice versa! While I value education and understanding all possible unknowns, I wouldn’t say I like the negative comparison and fear-mongering.

When is the baby due?

I haven’t felt comfortable sharing the exact date because I know that he will come when he’s ready, and I will share his arrival when I feel prepared to do so! But a smooth and healthy late June arrival is what I’m hoping for!

WILL YOU BE TAKING A MATERNITY LEAVE?

There are a lot of excellent pros in this job, flexibility being one of them. Unfortunately, when you are your own boss, and several people rely on you, it’s hard to stop and close up shop entirely. I put enormous pressure on myself to perform and achieve, as I love what I do and struggle to pull back. I also have difficulty planning for a situation/scenario where I don’t know how I will feel, even with the best-case scenario outcome. With all of that said, I plan to take some time off of contracted work and re-enter my typical workflow in phases, with reduced pressure and obligation. We will see how that shakes out!

TIPS FOR PLANNING A MATERNITY SHOOT?

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do maternity pictures, but I’m really glad I did. I worked with my usual photographer (Ryan Kell) who shoots the majority of photos you see here on the blog, and we pulled it off at the last minute. It doesn’t have to be a huge production with glam, styling, and perfect lighting. I enjoy the creative aspect of putting together a photoshoot (thanks to my 11+ years of professional modeling). I found some great inspiration by googling images of pregnancy imagery featured in Vogue or Vanity Fair and started to build my outfits/vibe around that. If you are willing and able, I highly recommend working with a lifestyle photographer in your area! They can help you coordinate the mood/vibe for the shoot depending on your interest.

Will you be covering maternity, nursing, and pumping bras?

Yes! In case you missed it, I’ve already published two guides on maternity and nursing. You can find them here and here! I put up a question box a few weeks ago with all of your nursing/pumping bra suggestions and plan to try as many as I can for a review this summer. Stay tuned for that!

Will you share the nursery and what you’re bringing to the hospital?

Yes, next week! Stay tuned, it will be on the motherhood tab of the blog! :)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

I received a few more questions on clothing and undergarments, I think I covered that pretty extensively on my second-trimester recap and my bump-style guide/where to shop maternity, so please refer to those posts for more insight! I was able to find a lot of styles that worked with the bump and didn’t need to purchase maternity necessarily. A few unsung heroes of this trimester include the infamous shoe horn, I loved it before but especially appreciated it with my limited abilities for bending over. My foot pain is so real. When I’m home, I’m always wearing some recovery slides like these ones and compression socks when I’m feeling extra sore. I don’t think my feet have gotten bigger, but comfort has been my top priority so this shoe stretcher has been excellent for breaking in new styles and forgoing the dreaded process.

The yoga ball is a MUST, and I use it all the time for sitting, stretching, etc. There are so many benefits and ideas you can do with it. I also like that you can purchase based on your height, which makes a difference too. These calm gummies were recommended by my pelvic floor therapist, BK and I both take them now for sleep and staying regular. Coconut water has tasted good to me lately, and I plan on bringing a few boxes of it to the hospital with me. I’ve read some good benefits about dates, so I’ve been munching on this bag of dates. I like to eat them with a spoonful of peanut butter for an afternoon snack!

I think I’ve shared these leggings before, but I purchased three pairs of them. They’re my favorite workout legging. These biker shorts were solid for working out and lounging around too. This is a new-to-me wire-free bra (say that ten times fast), and it’s been a fantastic addition to my bra wardrobe, I’m a 36GG/I right now, and the XL works perfectly for me. See more wire-free favorites here! Lastly, I previously covered some great undergarment solutions, but I think these shorts were my favorite for some support and smoothing during pregnancy!

Thanks for reading!

Per usual, this was A LOT longer than I expected, but we had much to cover. I hope it was helpful. Feel free to leave any questions or requests for more or any of your tried and true favorites below. I look forward to sharing a few more posts before the baby arrives, like the nursery and what’s in my hospital bag! Afterward, I’ll be sure to do a ‘fourth-trimester’ recap and updated nursing/pumping bra guide.

xx CMK