What I Want to Do Different During My Next Pregnancy

 

My husband and I are at that point where we are starting to plan for baby number 2. No, we aren’t pregnant yet, but we know when we want to be and when we want to start trying. This results in me, being the control freak that I am, trying to get organized and really think things through the second time around. We have a six-year-old son, but that pregnancy wasn’t quite planned, so having more control this time around puts me at ease. Here’s what I want to do different:

1. Keep up with my workout routine

I’ve been working really hard to increase my workout routine to five days a week to drop some extra pounds so that I will have an easier transition after I get pregnant and give birth. It’s so important to me this time around to make sure that I keep up with it. I did a lot of walking with my first pregnancy and that was great, but this time I know that I need to do more.

2. Prepare meals for after the baby is born

I didn’t have to think about this at all during my first pregnancy because I lived with my parents until my son was five weeks old (Chris was on active duty in the Army until then so mom and dad pitched in). This time, my goal is to get a couple weeks’ worth of freezer meals prepped and ready for simple crock pot meals, making life easier for our whole family. Plus, this will help me move right back into healthy eating after coming home from the hospital instead of ordering Chinese food the first month of our sweet baby’s life. I will first turn towards Barley + Oats for the very beginning weeks for meals for myself during the day because everything is organic, vegan, and lactogenic – perfection from a meal delivery service! Learn more here.

3. Prepare to breastfeed

I had a breast reduction when I was 17, leading every doctor to tell me that there was no chance I could breastfeed. To my surprise, I had a seemingly full milk supply come in when Branden was 10 days old, but at that point I was already on a good formula feeding schedule. This time around, I want to take a class and learn some ways to stimulate breast milk to come in sooner so that I will be able to breastfeed my second child. But, if I’m not able to breastfeed, that’s okay, too. 

4. Accept help

I didn’t do much of this after Branden was born, but things are different now. With our busy work and school schedules, I know I will need to ask for—and accept—help. I need to stop being a hero and instead say yes when friends and family offer to bring over food or pick Branden up from school. We don’t have many family members close by, so knowing that I will need some help (other than my hubbs), will definitely require some additional planning. (Hint: here’s some postpartum must-haves that will help you body after giving birth.)

5. Have a pregnancy project that involves B

When I was pregnant with Branden, my pregnancy project was a custom scrapbook that I made so that we could insert appropriate pictures during each month and first year milestones. This time around, I want to do a project that will get Branden involved and excited to be a big brother. (We’re still brainstorming but are open to suggestions!)

Are you pregnant or planning to be? What are you doing differently this time? Share with me!

Fashionably Yours,

Allison

This piece was originally published in Mommy Nearest Magazine.