Back in September of last year, I turned 37. With life feeling far too short I wrote myself a 40 Things to do before turning 40 list. Finally, I can cross one thing from my list. If you missed my original post you can read it here.
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~*This post contains gifted products*~
Natural deodorants that are also sustainable and help reduce your plastic waste, for me is one of those products I’ve been struggling with. Throughout my journey so far I’ve found loads of different types of natural deodorants some in glass bottles but the majority that I’ve tried have been in plastic bottles and when you’re trying to cut down your plastic usage in your home it kind of becomes a bit of an issue if you think about how many you may go through a year.
Don’t get me wrong I’ve found some amazing natural deodorants that do work and that I would buy again, but nothing that ticks all the boxes. Then along came *Wild Natural Deodorants.
I’m not sure why I’m writing this post as yet because looking at the pics I’ve taken of myself I’ve never felt more ashamed of how I look. I’m usually the type of person that is happy in her skin but since having Arlo I’ve noticed that my weight has started to creep up again. I also like to think I’m quite an active person with walking everywhere and keeping in good health but I’ll be honest, it’s completely gone out of the window. I’m eating crap but I am cutting out the caffeine.
Seeing these pics has been a massive kick up the arse for me and I can’t keep living like this. I still breastfeed Arlo and because of the change in my diet I’ve noticed a change in his sleeping patterns, my sleeping patterns have changed also. I just feel like I’m losing myself and very unhappy with my body at the moment. Thankfully, I have some time to do something about it while we’re all at home. This is quite a personal post for me but I want to be able to share my successes and failures with you.
I’m officially only 6 weeks away from my due date and I’m really excited but nervous about having a newborn in the house again. I just hope that the other boys will be able to sleep.
I’m glad you’ve all enjoyed reading my bumpdates but I can’t believe they’re almost at an end. I also finish work a week on Sunday so really excited about being on maternity leave so I can make sure I have everything ready and I can pack my hospital bags. I still don’t feel prepared for this baby’s arrival.
Wow, 32 weeks!! I’m officially on my 8 week countdown until my due date. I’m starting to get really excited but at the same time nervous about having a newborn again.
I’m also really pleased that you’re enjoying my little Bumpdates and following my journey. So what’s been going on this week??
How far along?? 32 Weeks.
Maternity Clothes?? I’ve given up on the maternity clothes altogether now as i only have 8 weeks to go so I’m just living in my baggy jumpers, jumper dresses, leggings and jeggings.
Sleep: Really not sleeping the best getting too uncomfortable I get sore when I sleep on my sides I get back, neck and shoulder ache sitting propped up, but surviving on what sleep I do get.
Miss Anything?? Lately it’s been red wine, I’d kill for a red wine or baileys.
Movement: Still not worked out his pattern but the bigger I get the more I have to monitor his movements so been wearing a little kick counter bracelet from my Dear Bump subscription box. You can really see my tummy moving now and feel a heel or his bum sticking out.
Gender: Most definitely a boy.
Cravings: No cravings at all!!
Labour Signs: Feel like I’ve had a few Braxton Hicks but nope nothing else!!
Symptoms: Lots of lower back pain and pain around my pelvis which is from the growing still. Been getting cramp in my legs aswell and aching neck and shoulders. I’m feeling very heavy and feel like he’s dropping a little. I have been getting odd pains in my tummy too which are from the skin stretching and my C-Section scar is starting to itch like mad. Heartburn, my god the heartburn!!
Belly Button In or Out?? It’s completely popped out now.
Mood: Tired, agitated but trying to not let things bother me. I can cope with the lack of sleep but my hormones are still all over the place, I’m grumpy and emotional. Still don’t feel prepared for anything but at the same time trying not to do too much.
Best Moment This Week: Getting the living room decorated in time for Christmas, we still need to wait on our new fire to be delivered in the new year but yay! Only our bedroom to do now and that can wait!
Looking Forward To: Getting my Christmas decorations up and sorting out baby’s clothes, pram and bedding so that it’s all nice and clean and ready for when he arrives.
I don’t have to go for anymore growth scans they’re happy he’s the size he is, could just be another long boy and they’ve guestimated his weight at 4lb already so we may just have a big boy on our hands. I do have to monitor his movements though and if they are reduced I have to call the midwife straight away.
I hope you all have a fab weekend and can’t wait to hear what your all up to this week.
Lots of Love
Hello Third Trimester!! Wow, 30 weeks!! I’m officially only 10 weeks away from my due date! It’s starting to fly by now.
I’m also really pleased that you’re enjoying my little Bumpdates and following my journey and I’ve really enjoyed recording it this way. So what’s been going on this week?? Let’s jump right into it!
How far along?? 30 Weeks.
Maternity Clothes?? I’ve given up on the maternity jeans but still in need and looking for a good maternity coat! I seem to live in jumpers and jumper dresses now.
Sleep: Still not sleeping well, I had a week or so where I’ve been able to have a good few hours in bed but I’m back on the sofa again and back to not sleeping as much.
Miss Anything?? Just the same old sleep.
Movement: Feeling him all the more now which is great and you can see my belly moving now when he does, still trying to figure out his pattern but he doesn’t seem to have one.
Gender: Most definitely a boy.
Cravings: No cravings at all!!
Labour Signs: Nope!!
Symptoms: Lots of lower back pain and pain around my pelvis which is from the growing, I think. I’m feeling very heavy and achy too. I have been getting odd pains in my tummy too which are from the skin stretching and my C-Section scar is starting to itch like mad. Heartburn, my god the heartburn!!
Belly Button In or Out?? It’s completely popped out now.
Mood: Tired, agitated but trying to not let things bother me. I can cope with the lack of sleep but my hormones are still all over the place and I can’t wait to start to feel normal again.
Best Moment This Week: Finally starting to get things organised and seeing light at the end of the tunnel with all the decorating going on and getting the house back into some kind of calm order!
Looking Forward To: Seeing the baby again, I’ve got another growth scan lined up so waiting to see what they say and hopefully everyone will be happy that even though I’m big, baby is going to be fine.
I’m finally on my iron tablets so will be taking those over the next 4 weeks to see if that makes a difference, I’ll have a blood test in 4 weeks time. Fingers crossed it’s all fine and I won’t need to keep taking them.
I hope you all have a fab weekend and can’t wait to hear what your all up to this week.
Lots of Love
Being pregnant is a magical and wonderful thing, especially when you think about how much a woman’s body changes and what it actually goes through to grow a tiny human. But, like most things it does have it’s a few downfalls……Some of them are really rather unpleasant and others are things you can deal with and pretty much keep at bay at home yourself.
Today’s Tip is how I keep my Heartburn at bay. I suffer really badly with is and I did during my first pregnancy. However, I’ve learnt this time around what I can do at home to keep it at bay without having to go to a chemist and buy medication for it.
What is Heartburn??
Heartburn happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) becomes weakened or relaxed without the presence of food or beverage passing. When this happens, the contents of the stomach can flow back into the oesophagus, resulting in the burning sensation along with other symptoms.
So what are my favourite at-home remedies that I have tried and tested and still use??
1. Drinking Ginger Tea or Adding Ginger into my Smoothies
If you’re pregnant then you know that ginger is great for easing those waves or nausea you get but it’s also great at easing heartburn. I find adding it into my smoothies or even drinking ginger tea help to keep heartburn at bay, I’m quite partial to reaching for the ginger tea at night when I find I start to get some symptoms in bed while I’m trying to sleep. Ginger is a great all round spice that can be used for a number of things including migraines. However, do use ginger in moderation as it could potentially cause contractions.
2. Chewing Gum & Mints
Chewing on gum or mints after a meal can also help to ease heartburn as it increases saliva production and any acid that accumulates in your stomach is quickly washed away and cleared much quicker. Also drinking peppermint tea after meals can help if you don’t have gum or mints. I chew gum or mints more when I’m in work. I have to say Peppersmith are one of my favourite natural gum and mint brands so it’s safe to say I’ve been stocking up.
3. Yoghurt & Milk
Yep, these really can help to ease heartburn however, they are different from person to person. For me if I don’t have ginger tea or mints I like to add yoghurt to my smoothies or even have some yoghurt with fruit especially grapes and banana which are also great for easing heartburn. Make sure that you’re choosing fat free options and drinking a skimmed milk. I’m completely off dairy so I find Soya milk helps for me.
4. Eating Little & Often & No More Than 3 Hours Before Bed
Since being pregnant, I struggle to sit and eat 3 big meals a day so I find myself grazing a lot more. I noticed that whenever I ate something a couple of hours before bed I found I had my worse heartburn attacks that I’ve never experienced before. I realised that before going to bed your stomach should be given time to empty itself. So by eating in smaller quantities and then making sure I don’t have anything after a certain time I’ve been able to curb one of my bigger triggers.
5. Drinking Water
This one was bound to make the list, whether you’re pregnant or not you should always make sure you drink water as part of a healthy diet. I found that since I can’t drink coffee I was substituting for fizzy drinks and that gave me heartburn, I didn’t realise it at the time but then after one of my appointments I was told to try and lay off the fizzy drinks and try and drink 2 glasses of water slowly before my meals. I’ll be honest since laying off the fizzy drinks I don’t have heartburn as much.
6. Prop Yourself Up
Lastly, if non of these seem to be easing your heartburn especially at night time when you’re in bed try propping your yourself up. I use my pregnancy pillow most nights for this and sleep sort of sitting up. It’s really helped ease my heartburn (because I just can’t keep away from eating foods I know I shouldn’t that give me heartburn!) I find that because I’m so big and I’m uncomfortable in bed at night that this is the only way I can sleep that doesn’t make my body ache and definitely eases the heartburn. It has something to do with the acid not being able to come back up as easy lying this way.
I really hope these tips help you and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my post. If you have any of your own tips and remedies for easing heartburn please feel free to share them in the comments.
Lots of Love
