When I look back at my childhood, becoming a mum was something that I always dreamt of but you don’t realise until you get older that it really isn’t as simple as “let’s have a baby”. There are so many moving pieces to the puzzle of motherhood – far beyond meeting the right person, looking after your body (both of you!), and eventually starting to try (or like we said, being welcome to it happening). Depending on your family set up, it looks differently for everyone.
By my mid 20s, my career had taken off and my relationships had fallen off. I was thriving professionally, but that seemed to be the main part of my life that I seemed to be in the driving seat of. I channelled all my energy into my career and spent some great years learning to enjoy my own company. When I met my now partner, it all started to make sense. Then I found myself navigating something new again, life as a self-confessed workaholic that lived on her own, all of a sudden having to consider not one, but two more people in my life – my partner and his beautiful daughter.
Preparing for Pregnancy
When we became open to starting a family, I researched what I should consider on that journey. My health and wellbeing the main focus. If I were fortunate enough to fall pregnant and eventually become ‘Mum’ to a little human, am I in the best position possible to not only try to make that happen, but also look after them as I wanted to when they arrived, and as they deserve? It’s a big mental battle to face – “Am I ready?”, “Are we ready?” and ultimately “Will we be fortunate for it to happen, and when?”
I felt lucky to have amazing friends and family around me who had spoken openly about their conception journeys and falling pregnant, even without me telling them I wanted it to happen for us. I had already learnt about Proceive Women through my client, a parenting expert and mum of 2, long before I even needed to. Another thing that I didn’t think I would understand much about, but before long seemed to understand it all (or as much as my brain could fathom). We’re often told about Folic Acid but this product provides you with comprehensive nutritional support for female fertility. I also liked the fact that they have no fillers. For anyone who is sat there wondering what this means, No fillers means a tablet or supplement is free from inactive, non-essential added ingredients like artificial binders, bulking agents, flow aids, or chemical dyes. For those who are conscious about what they are putting in their body, this is a no brainer.
I feel extremely fortunate that we fell pregnant after 3 months, I know and appreciate that this isn’t the case for a lot of couples. It went through my mind a million times, “will it happen for us?”. While it's impossible to attribute falling pregnant to any one factor, I’m pleased that Proceive was part of my preconception routine. I had just purchased another box of Proceive Women just before finding out I was pregnant. Perhaps I should have waited, but I was so convinced we would be trying for longer. With this next chapter came a transition to Pregnancy Trimester 1, a trimester-focused nutrition that includes 29 nutrients including folate and B12. I also paired these with Proceive’s Omega 3 supplement, but had to put those on the backburner during my ‘surviving, not thriving’ era.
Navigating the First Trimester
This moves me nicely onto Trimester 1, boy, was I not ready for that? I’ll be honest, I don’t think I had it half as bad, or even a quarter as bad as some women do but the fatigue, nausea and hormone effects were hard. However, a beautiful journey that I’m so grateful to have experienced. My one piece of advice for anyone experiencing the same is ‘It’s ok to feel every emotion that comes your way.’, it’s not you being ungrateful, it’s you navigating real feelings, emotions, as well as chemical and physical changes preparing your body to grow a baby – another human (something I’m not sure my brain can process even now!). With another Trimester, came a transition to Proceive Pregnancy Trimester 1.
Nothing else in my life had changed, except for the fact I was now pregnant. I still had to keep on top of housework, run a business, go on a family holiday, plan what to have for dinner…things that can be hard at the best of times, let alone when you’re experiencing massive hormonal surges specifically of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and estrogen. Yes, I had to google those to get the spelling right! This meant a natural transition, Proceive Pregnancy Trimester 1
Taking tablets during this period was hard, I felt sick the moment I placed it near my mouth but I knew my body, and prioritised taking the ones my baby needed most. I’ve now entered Trimester 2, 5 days earlier than I had thought too. Seems I’m not as hot on data as I thought I was. With that change comes a shift to Pregnancy Trimester 2. Don’t worry, you get to grips with it quickly even if it feels overwhelming at first.
Taking Each Day as It Comes
I’m still figuring it out, remember, it’s ok not to have all the answers at this stage. Take each day as it comes. My best friend has been my rock since I told her and I feel thankful to have such a supportive partner, friendship group and family around me as a I navigate this next chapter in my life. Something that I will never take for granted. I’ll sign off this blog with a quote she shared with me; “Today, I am pregnant. I will focus on today!”
I hope that quote will help you as much as it did me and I hope to update you on my journey when I enter Trimester 3.
Leanne x
