2011 New Year's Resolution's

Moving into a new year with a completely new outlook on my life is probably one of the most exciting times I've ever experienced. Last night it occurred to me that this was the last New Year's Eve that I would have on my own for the rest of my life without being a parent to a beautiful child.

Wow...that is really something to take in!

I've never been big on new year's resolution's but this year is very different.
No longer am I completely responsible for only myself. Each and every choice I make this next year will directly affect and reflect in my unborn baby. So, not only am I making a new year's resolution of great magnitude this year I am making a huge life change.

I think the changes I am now resolving to make to what I eat and how I take care of myself physically, mentally and spiritually will be easier than expected. I'm only in the middle of week 6 right now and these changes are already naturally starting to take place. I've always been very self aware but it's amazing at how it seems just in the last 2 weeks that awareness has heightened significantly. I'm taking the time to really notice the changes that are happening to my body from the subtle cramps and breast tenderness to how my body is responding to the different foods I am eating. Knock on wood....I have not started feeling any morning sickness yet but I know it could happen at any moment.

From the second I found out I was pregnant I started drinking this amazing Organic Yogi Mother To Be tea twice a day. I've started making sure I'm eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains every day. (something I have to be honest I have not been very good about doing for the last many years of my life even with the intentions to do so) My appetite seems to have gotten smaller but not due to nausea. I've been in the habit of only eating when I feel very hungry so I need to pay close attention that I am eating enough each day to give both myself and my baby enough nutrients.


Please be sure to share any tips or products you've found that you love during your pregnancy. There are so many different opinions and products out there I am loving learning about all of them and being able to make the best choice for me.

Well...I'm signing off and heading over to watch the new OWN network...I'm excited to finally have a resource on TV that is smart, thoughtful and educational!! Yeayyy Thank You Oprah!!!

Starting the Search for a Midwife

     So yesterday I decided to start my initial search for a midwife in the Bronx, NY. Not as easy of a process as I thought it would be. It seems like there are a TON of midwives to chose from that are located in Brooklyn. Why is that? What is it about Brooklyn that is so appealing to NY midwives? If you don't live in New York you might not think it would be that big of a deal but living in the Bronx and having to commute to Brooklyn on any kind of a consistent basis is not something you want to do. Yes most of these midwives are willing to travel for the actual birth but not for all of the pre-birth meetings and check ups. For each of those it would take hours in commute time alone...needless to say...not something you want to deal with ever, let alone when you are pregnant.

I have found a few options in Manhattan and a couple in Westchester County so we'll see how the rest of this process goes. I'm sure it will all work out exactly like it's supposed to.

Today's mission: Find my first pregnancy book
After a long conversation with my girlfriend yesterday, who had two very successful home births in the last few years, I have a small list in hand for some to start my search. I would normally just order a book my friend suggests on Amazon but I really wanted to take the time to go through some books and get the perfect one for me and this major change in my life. So off to Barnes & Noble I went....I thought there would be a bigger selection to choose from! It seemed like there was only a very small handful of books that were Holistic, Midwife, Home birth based. Nothing was speaking to me. Then, just as I had put all of the books I had pulled out back onto the shelf and was ready to walk out of the store, I spotted one that I had somehow missed and it turned out to be one from my friends list!

 

Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives
By Deepak Chopra M.D., David Simon M.D. and Vicki Abrams C.C.E.

I was so excited. Just one look at it and I knew it was the one for me!!
I started reading it as soon as I sat down on the train for my 30 min ride back to the Bronx.
I'm only 1/4 of the way through the book but I already know this is one that I am going to suggest to anyone who is pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

Nature Creates within you and entire person complete with all his parts in just forty weeks. Throughout pregnancy your body is your unborn baby's universe. You are the rivers, sunlight, earth, atmosphere, and sky for this being growing within you. Your baby's body, mind, and soul are intimately intertwined with your own. Together you express the creative flow of life.

In each moment, your unborn baby is immersed in the sounds and vibrations of your heartbeat and breath. He feels your stress, tension, and fear along with your joy, happiness, and peace. Whenever you move, laugh, cry, eat, eliminate, or rest, your unborn baby responds. The potential of your child's life is encoded in each of his cells, while the environment of your body can either nurture or disturb this growth. Accept this responsibility with joy, for each healthy choice that you make on behalf of your unborn baby nourishes you as well. Your pregnancy can be a magical beginning for both you and your baby.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!
This is exactly what I was looking for and I am so inspired and excited for this new journey I'm embarking on. I highly suggest you pick this book up.

Update on physical symptoms (4 weeks + 5 Days):
Yesterday early morning started feeling subtle but consistent cramping. It has continued off and on through today. From what I have read this could be from the process of the egg embedding itself into my uterus.
Will keep an eye on it and see what happens. Also have started feeling a bit more tired than usual. May or may not be related. We'll see.