Pregnancy Update

Hello lovelies,

Just wanted to post a little update about my pregnancy since I updated last.

So I have had quite a few hospital appointments since my last update. I passed my 3 hour glucose tolerance test which is great, so naturally I celebrated with some chocolate! I also recently had my 28 week check up, which revealed that baby is lying transverse breech. This means baby is flat on its back with head at one of my hips and legs at the other hip.

At this stage of pregnancy, it was hopeful that baby is in a better positon getting ready for birth. While there is still time for baby to turn, a C-Section is on the cards. But we'll know more at my next appointment check up at 32 weeks.

Sleep has become a major problem for me since hitting my 3rd trimester. I find it difficult to fall asleep, toss and turn all night, and wake several times to pee (I didnt miss that early pregnancy symptom. Devo its back!) I have also taken up snoring, much to my husbands dismay. And I dont mean cute snoring either, I mean full on roaring, wake-myself-up snoring. So attractive!

How come no one explained that while sex gets you here in the first place, pregnancy can be SO unsexy! Seriously!

Another early pregnancy symptom that has returned is tiredness. This could be due to the poor night-time sleep, but im finding myself needing naps in the afternoon and getting pretty emotional if I dont get one. Overtiredness perhaps!

My belly is getting pretty heavy to lug around with me, but have been enjoying long walks to keep active, as slow as i might be. Waddle much?!

Myself and the hubbers went to visit Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort last weekend and it was beautiful. We had such a great weekend away. We visited the beach, walked the golf course at the hotel and took a tour of Russborough House which was great.

We got dressed up and went out for dinner and a couple of Mocktails and a catch up, which we rarely get to do. It was so enjoyable. And SCORE, my Louboutins still fit! Hubby had to put them on and take them off, but still...

You can keep up to date with goings on on my Instagram and facebook Facebook here and Instagram here

Until next time, Conni x

Birth Plans- yes or no?

Hi guys,

So at last weeks yoga class we discussed birth plans. When suggested, my exact response was 'Do Irish people actually write these?' I always thought there was no point in writing one as no one can ever determine how their labour would go... I had visions of crazy women planning out each part of their labour like it was within their control; But then I realised that that isnt the point of a birth plan!

It is there to include anything that you feel strongly about with regards to your labour/ delivery/ aftercare, should you be unable to commumicate it at that time.

So, while birth plans are not a necessity, they can be useful. You also need to remember, that depending on how your labour progresses, your birth plan may not be possible.

10 things to consider when writing a Birth Plan:

1. Who do you want to be present; husband, partner, parent etc?

2. Pain relief preferance. Are you against having an epidural? Do you want to have an epidural as soon as is possible, or would you rather try all other methods of pain relief first?

3. Do you wish to be as mobile as possible or do you wish to stay in bed? Studies suggest that maintaining mobility during early stages of labour can help in the progression of labour, leading to less complications and less chance of having a caesarean section. Just think about it, gravity!

4. Do you have a preferance to a certain birthing position? Squatting, hands and knees, semi-reclined.

5. Do you want to use a birthing pool?

6. Do you want to listen to music during the labour?

7. Do you want your partner to cut the cord? Most hospitals will offer this, but often times if there has been an emergency delivery, it may be forgotten and the doctor or midwives will just cut the cord. If you feel strongly about it, write it down and they will do their best to carry this out.

8. Do you want 'delayed cord clamping'? This refers to the practice of not clamping or cutting the umbillical cord until after it has stopped pulsing or not before 1-3 minutes after birth, as babys blood circulation is still being transferred from the external circulatory system it has maintained in utero (umbilical cord and placenta) into the baby itself, unless the cord is clamped or cut before this transfer is complete.

9. In the event of caesarean section, do you have any requests? Sometimes, you are unable to carry out skin-to-skin after having a C-Section, but while you're being stitched, it is possible for your partner to do skin to skin when you cannot.

10. Do you want skin-to-skin after giving birth, and do you want to initiate first breast feed at this time?

The KEY to writing your birth plan is to keep it in short bullet points, and to be willing to go with the flow. As I said earlier, none of us know exactly how the labour will go, only baby will determine that, so keep in mind that while having a birth plan can be helpful, it is not always possible to carry out each point on your plan!

I will certainly write one up to bring with me, but I dont feel that it will be used. I have no idea what labour has in store for me, what the pain is like, what positions will make me feel most comfortable etc., It is my first baby after all!

All I know for sure, is that I'm getting more and more excited as time goes on to meet my little one and nursery preparations are well and truely underway. Keep up to date with me on Instagram @Theaverageirishmammy

The Average Irish Mammy

Until next time, Conni x

Pregnancy Yoga

At 15 weeks pregnant I began attending a pregnancy yoga class once per week in Trim, Co. Meath. I have loved every minute of every class and will definately be going to the mother and baby yoga classes once baby arrives!

The classes I have been attending are in Trim Castle Hotel each Wednesday at 7pm, and last for about 1 hour 20minutes, and is a 6 week course. 5 weeks of yoga classes, and 1 week of a couples class where the partner will join you to discuss being a birthing partner and to be shown different massage techniques to use on mammy during the labour.

The classes are held by mother and daughter yoga team Swan Lane Yoga, Carmel and Naomi Finnegan.

Carmel is a yoga and pregnancy yoga tutor, and Naomi is a midwife and pregnancy yoga tutor also. With Carmels experience and Naomis midwifery knowledge, the classes really focus on your pregnancy needs; stretching muscles which can become tight with the added pressure of baby, creating space in the chest cavity which can become a bit cramped during pregnancy, and my favourite, relaxation.

The classes usually begin with some centring- breathing and arm stretches to regulate the breathing, relax the body and prepare the mind for the class. While we do work the full body, each week, will focus on a different part of the body; such as legs and hips, shoulders, pelvic floor, hands and arms, etc. Then for about 15 minutes at the end of class, we all lay down on our mats for some guided meditation. Which, let me tell you, is the most relaxing thing ever. I had never used guided meditation until I did it with the ladies, and its just fantastic. Each week im finding myself able to relax easier and easier. It took some getting used to at first, trying to 'switch off', but now, I fall asleep almost straight away each time. Which, I can imagine will be invaluable to me during labour. I genuinely have an 'I can do this' attitude towards labour since beginning the class.

So if you're thinking of doing a pregnancy yoga class, my only advice is DO IT. You wont regret it!

Swan Lane Yoga Facebook Page Here Swan Lane Yoga Website Here

10 Benefits of Pregnancy Yoga:

1. Increase Strength and flexibility of muscles

2. Decrease stress and anxiety

3. Decrease back pain and headaches

4. Reduce shortness of breath

5. Improve sleep

6. Learning invaluable breathing techniques for use during labour

7. Lowers blood pressure

8. Being in a positive supportive environment, meeting other pregnant mums

9. Time to connect with your baby

10. Reduced oedema/ swelling

If you've attended pregnancy yoga classes and found them beneficial let me know.

Dont forget to follow me on Instagram and Facebook at The Average Irish Mammy

Chat soon, Conni x

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10 Things People Dont Tell You About Pregnancy

Since becoming pregnant, my body has started to do some pretty crazy things. Things that no one tells you are part of pregnancy until you begin researching 'is this normal'.. We've all done it!

So, here are 10 things about pregnacy I discovered since becoming pregnant:

1. The Tiredness.

You'll feel tired ALL THE TIME. I never really understood just how tired a human body could feel until i got pregnant! I mean, so tired, that even in work, I would have to take a nap. When you feel tired, you gotta sleep and thats just it. I even joked to my co workers that i thought i was narcoleptic before I found out i was pregnant, as my eyes would just not stay open. Probably the most difficult early pregnancy symptom as its difficult to hide it from people; Just take it easy!

2. Sore Boobs

And by sore, I mean so SORE.. Like having to wear a bra to bed, and it hurts to even turn around too quickly. This was personally my first pregnancy symptom. I thought it was my period hormones kicking in, but nope; Pregnant :) It lasted for a couple of months, and i found those stretchy training bras from Primark so handy, even doubling it over my regular bras some days.

3. Gas. All Day!

This one, while I had been aware of it, I was somehow still unprepared for just how much gas there would be! Seriously... You'll fart. You'll burp. You'll have trapped wind. Painful trapped wind at that. Theres not much else to say about that one!

4. Constipation.

Another unpleasant side effect of pregnancy is constipation. I have never been constipated like i have been pregnant and constipated! It is SO BAD! Its all down to that lovely hormone 'Relaxin' It slows down your bodys functions by up to 30%... 30%, thats a huge amount. So food travels much slower through the digestive tract, so if you dont drink enough water, the stool becomes dried out, and will not move through the intestines with ease. It is not pleasant! All I can say is stock up on prune juice!

5. Sneezing.

Now this one, was what surprised me most. No one ever mentioned the fact that you sneeze a lot when pregnant. What is that about? We can thank hormones estrogen and progesterone for this one. They cause congestion and swelling in the nose. Some people even find their lips swell. Kylie Jenner anyone?

6. Headaches.

By headaches, I mean blinding migranes! Some ladies get them more than others, some not at all. I have been lucky to suffer perhaps once a month. This one can have a million and one causes, but is most likely caused by increased blood volume and circulation. Or dehydration.

7. You get fat.

And i dont mean a cute little bump. Before that cute bump stage, you will just look like youve piled on the pounds. The bump wont be solid and rounded. Your belly will be squidgy! You'll basically just look fat. I, personally had to increase a pant size, then another pant size as maternity pants just didnt fit my squishy belly properly. My bump popped at about 17 weeks to that nice rounded belly, and by 20 weeks I was in my maternity jeans. I picked up some fab pairs in Next. Only in the past week or so, I have been unable to wear my size 10 uniform tunic for work so have been in pants and tops.

8. The ravenous hunger.

So, it seems pregnancy is not an excuse to eat what you want all the time. Who knew? You dont need extra calories in the first trimester, 200 calories extra in the second trimester, and another 200 calories extra in the third trimester (On Average.. Dont quote me, Im not a doctor.) Its really difficult as you just feel so darn hungry. Well, I do anyway... Thanks to the fact that i havent had morning sickness. Some women actually loose weight at the beginning of their pregnancy. First trimester eating more is so easy as youre just so tired. I used to come home from work, have dinner served up to me by my husband, and sit on the couch for the evening until bedtime. I felt unable to do anything more. Week 14 hit and I had a little more energy and began cooking again. My poor husband! He was so good looking after me during that time. So, if you have a significant other, do a deal that you'll do the grocery shopping if he cooks it up for you.

Its so important to get in lots of fruit, veg and protein so look up easy meals that wont take too long. I like Jamie Olivers 30 minute meals. Baby will go through growth spurts at different stages where youll feel so hungry that you cannot fit enough food into your face... Like when you're due your period. Dont deny yourself your treats. Mine is Loop-the-Loop icepops. Too good!

9. People will rub your belly.

For me, the belly rubbing doesnt bother me. When the person knows me. If a stranger came up and started rubbing me, I'd have no problem telling them not to. Luckily, it hasnt happened me yet! If you feel uncomfortable with people rubbing your baby bump, tell them. Its your body, its your personal space. Rubbing their belly back is usually a good one!

10. Inappropriate remarks/ Advice.

This is the worst one of all for me.

Since becoming pregnant, everyone has something to say about it. Whether its family, friends or colleagues, or even strangers. Mostly its words of congrats.. But you will get a lot of advice that people have gained from their own experience(which is great, helpful and i'll smile and nod and take it on board. But no baby is the same, and I will learn how to parent my baby when they arrive) The worst one is "You'll know when you have kids", and im sure i have no idea how tired you can be, how difficult going to the shops can be, etc. but this is so insulting.

I also got several "Hi Fatso"... Yes, seriously. I got several "Wow, youre all there arent you?" and even a few "OMG, Youre so big"! Which, let me tell you, is not what you say to a hormonal pregnant lady. I already feel so big, so squishy and so fat. I dont need you to remind me!

But none of this matters when youre home with your own new little family, taking wonder in all of the fun and tiredness and dirty nappies that are to come. Little one, I cannot wait to meet you.

Until next time, Conni x

Things I'm loving:

(*Not my images) Loop-the-loop ice pops. Next maternity jeans. Prune Juice. Penneys stretchy bras.

Pregnancy Number One :)

At 21 weeks pregnant, finding that there was not as much 'real' information, T.M.I's and all, about pregnancy as i would have liked, I have decided to write my own!

This blog, Im planning, will be collective... My pregnancy. My fashion. My makeup. My motherhood. My family. My interests. My life.

Feel free to follow me on Instagram at 'theaverageirishmammy', and snapchat at 'theaverageirishmammy' too.

Pregnancy Update Number One

So, I am now 21 weeks pregnant. 40 weeks married, and 19 weeks (hopefully) away from meeting the love of my life. Baby number one :) I have been really lucky with the pregnancy so far- very little morning sickness, or all day sickness as i called mine. I only had nausea for about 4 or 5 weeks and got sick only once, lucky me.

I have been growing steady since Day One, and my bump popped at about week 17. It has doubled in the past 4 weeks since then! Im hoping the growth will even out soon, as my husband was quite a large baby weighing in at 10lbs something, although I was a mere 5lbs something, so hopefully the babys weight will come to a compromise!

I felt those flutters first of all, and baby has been properly moving about for 2 weeks now. My husband felt movement for the first time last week which was an emotional experience.

I have had a couple of scans so far, but the big one will be on Tuesday April 5th, where we will find out babys gender. Then, let the baby clothes shopping commence :)

Until next time, Lots of Love, Conni x