Sunday, March 24, 2013

Preparing for pregnancy

I have been preparing for this pregnancy for  over a year. I guess it all started when I was actually pregnant with my daughter in 2010/2011. When I was pregnant with my older son, I wasn't exactly a model pregnant woman - I ate whatever I wanted and didn't work out. I didn't experience any complications however and delivered a healthy 9lb 11oz baby at 42 weeks gestation.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was seeing a midwife who helped me understand my nutritional needs better and encouraged me to make better choices for my baby. I ate better during this pregnancy than I did ever in my life and I felt amazing... well, as amazing as a pregnant woman could feel with nausea and constant aches and pains. I was still a lousy exerciser, lol. I again had a complication free pregnancy and delivered a 10 pound baby girl at 42 weeks gestation - my babies just like to hang around! ; )

After I had my daughter, I was already 20 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight (thanks morning sickness). I kept up my healthy eating during breastfeeding and joined a gym around nine months after she was born. After she weaned, my healthy journey really began to take shape. I worked out harder, ate better and committed to making big life changes. By the end of last summer, I was down 65 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight with my daughter.

After seeing a midwife, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle became very important to me which was why I was working so hard to better myself.

When I found out I was pregnant, I was absolutely thrilled. I always knew I wanted three children and knowing that our third was on the way was so exciting for our family. I was ready to face the morning sickness I had experienced with my last two and to continue my new-ish healthy lifestyle. To my surprise, the sickness stayed away and I had a happily uneventful first trimester. I was able to get my certification completed to become a Zumba instructor - something I had been longing for!

Overall, my pregnancy has been a dream and I fully believe it is because of the changes I made. I became a better and happier person who was very much looking forward to my final pregnancy journey : )

Monday, March 11, 2013

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! I decided to start this blog after learning that our third child will be born with a cleft lip and possibly a cleft palate. His cleft was discovered on Valentine's Day during our routine 20 week anatomy scan.

I wanted to blog our experience firstly for me - writing is very therapeutic for me. Secondly, I wanted to put our experience out there for others to find and read. I was so lost after our son's diagnosis and sometimes still am (I am by no means an expert here) but I want to help others understand what this could mean for their family should they encounter a cleft at some point.

Our son's cleft is considered a random occurrence meaning he is/was not genetically pre-disposed to a cleft. After 3 ultrasounds, we know his cleft lip extends up to and possibly into his nose. Our specialist thinks his palate is intact though it is common to be told this during pregnancy and for the baby to be born with a cleft palate as well. So, for now, we're just playing the waiting game. Waiting for more ultrasounds, waiting for more meetings with specialists and surgeons and, most importantly, waiting for the birth of our sweet new little boy - we are so excited to meet him!!