6/2/2021
Part 2: Journey towards parenthoodAs the weeks continued to pass the nausea began to subside and the energy returned. The only challenge I faced was an increasing urge to pee… lots! I found that whilst I could ‘hold it, mostly’, being in the company of anyone other than my husband was really emotionally challenging. Admitting you need to pee for the second or third time on a jog isn’t easy, no matter how wonderful the friend. So, I began to hibernate and enjoy the company of the natural world more and more. I also found that this helped me to remain intuitively listening to my body’s callings, and keeping a lid on my own ego. I no longer felt that I needed to keep up with anyone, just tune in and go with the flow. I continued to exercise, perhaps even more than during the first trimester, but never hard nor pushing my body too far. However, at our twenty week scan I was informed that our little one was scanning, well, a little bit little. I was again advised to reduce my energy expenditure to ‘a couple of short jogs a week plus a little walking’. Again, I have interpreted this in my own language and definitely reduced my output, picking up less intense forms of exercise such as swimming and cycling. I truly believe that there is a fine line between doing too much and doing enough. I have other friends who are going through or have been through this pregnancy journey and whom stopped everything, only to find their emotional wellbeing begin to downward spiral. As a dear friend and mentor said to me, ‘whilst you must stay safe and humble in this journey Han, you must also remember that your Kiddo chose you and your state of health.’ Through the first and second trimester I continued to work. Through the first I found it easier to work from home as I was able to monitor my energy expenditure easier as well as manage the waves of nausea with less trouble. Furthermore, in those first twelve weeks very few people knew about the journey we were on and I felt a strong urge to hibernate. Once the news was shared and the nausea subsiding I found a new energy for people. In fact, I almost craved being around others who made me feel buoyant. I remained on the retail floor over the busy festive period and found great joy in this work. However, I stuck to the routine of only 4 day working weeks, something I began pre-pregnancy as a successful method to maintain hormonal, emotional and physical wellbeing. I have found that work has really helped keep me connected and balanced, as well as helping me to visualize the bigger picture of our new world just around the corner. I think had I stopped too soon I would have pined for the stimulation and inspiration that comes from helping others thrive.
WEEKS 13-21 Status: Feeling better and better as the weeks progress. Three running tours departing during this time with myself and my husband as guides. Still not really showing and feeling capable of normal’ish volumes albeit at a lower intensity and needing to pee… lots! Approach: Continue to avoid a watch and return to a normal’ish exercise routine, albeit at low aerobic intensity. To reduce discomfort of bladder, run on the uphills and flats, and gently jog-walk on the downhills as required. Continued strength training with a focus on safe body weight activities as guided by an exercise physiologist. Including 1-2 swim sessions per week up to 60-minutes in length and swapping some morning runs for a hilly ride on quiet roads. No longer doing a middle of day walk or jog, but active commuting to and from work instead. Continue meditation, journaling and art to harmonise myself. Example: Minimum 75-minute morning exercise as either jogging, swimming, riding or strength training. Really strong focus on hills. Working frequently on retail floor. Guided three trail running tours but was always to ‘sweep’ guide. Also took 1 week off work and we missioned and played hard in the mountains every day. Ran the Triple Tops mountain event course (19km) which was a great goal. WEEKS 22-28 Status: Belly growing lots. Some days feel very comfortable and some days Kiddo seems to be in an awkward position. Going with the flow and trying to take life each day as it comes. Sleep is becoming very disrupted due to restless legs and itching skin. However, surprisingly not too tired yet. Approach: Continue to avoid a watch and return to a normal’ish exercise routine, albeit at low aerobic intensity. Aiming to always move stronger uphill and gentle on downhill. Running 4-5 days per week, and walking or swimming on the other days. Using e-bike more and more to gently exercise or get fresh air in after a day at work. Including 2 swim sessions per week up to 60-minutes in length. Gentle jog-walk beforehand to help warm up before getting in the water. Evenings now quiet unless craving the fresh air. Continue meditation, journaling and art to harmonise myself. Example: Minimum 75-minute morning exercise as either jogging, swimming, fast walking or combination of all three. Really strong focus on hills and aerobic swimming. Still working on retail floor 3 days per week. Some long walks with Graham on mountain during our days off (ie. up to 3hrs in length). Main mission of this period was an 85km ride from Lake St Clair to Queenstown with husband. |
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June 2022
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