How I prepared for pregnancy

A few people have asked about our 'detox' we did before I was trying to get pregnant and I remembered that I couldn't find much info on that when I was looking, just lots on what to do when you are pregnant or actively trying. For me, I always knew that I wanted to be ready in every way before having a baby, I knew it would be something we planned and prepared lots for. So for anyone interested heres a bit on what we did and why.

Food - I was brought up on a very strict healthy diet and eating well is something I just do without really trying (I know how lucky I am!). The things we changed in the 4 month detox were no take-outs, we might have had one every 2 months or so. I made sure to bake nearly all our bread and add extra nuts and seeds. I snacked on nuts and seeds when I was hungry. I took folic acid and Al took zinc everyday we both took a multi vitamin too. We had fresh vegetables with every evening meal, we eat a lot of simple meals like fish, carrots, peas and spuds or sausages stir fry vegetables and cous cous. Salads or healthy sandwiches for lunches. I cut out caffeinated drinks altogether for the last 2 months (easy because I only drank tea and I swapped that to roibos) Al doesn't drink coffee but cut down on tea. I swapped normal chocolate for green and blacks organic - my vice :) We both cut out any regular extra snacking like before bed cereal or toast.


Alcohol - I did used to drink every now and then but over this last year I just cut that out all together, I don't know the scientific details but I figured toxins stay in your system for a while so best to have none. Al has a few beers at the weekend, when watching the football or socially - not a big drinker by any means. We learned that sperm takes 4 months from when it starts to form until it... leaves the body. When we found that out Al decided that he wanted to 'detox' for 4 months before we started trying, the way he saw it was I was going to be super healthy for the next year at least (I hope to breast feed so my diet will be just as important after baby is born) that it was the best, and only, thing he could do nutritionally or that would help our baby physically before its born. I thought it was a lovely thing to do for our baby and it kinda shows me what kind of father he is too - although I already knew :)

Smoking - Neither of us have ever smoked so no need to quit!

Exercise - Now this area I do feel as though I could have done slightly more in but I'm still happy with what we did because we were both in the 'ideal' bmi/weight range and really active compared to most people. My job (pre school room leader) keeps me fit and after a 10 hour day it was hard to go for a run/do yoga but I did manage a few sessions a week, either runs or yoga or hikes. Al works long hours too when you add his commute but he's naturally athletic and kept up the exercise as well. I think for us, because we didn't need to loose weight and we didn't want to burn ourselves out that was enough - we felt fit and healthy and thats what counts.

From the top of Slieve Donard, Mourne Mountains.

Castlewellan forest park 10k hike, Mourne Mountains

Mentally - I think being 100% sure this is what you both want and it's the right time for you is probably the most important thing, we were 1000,000% sure :) We talked so much about starting a family, about everything from our own childhoods to what first solid food our baby might try first! I feel like this bonded us (me al and our unconceived baby!) as a family already. Because we talked about everything as it came in our heads there was never any worries or concerns and we were both just filled with excitement and happiness.


So thats about it, I know it may sound extreme to some people but it was a really easy and enjoyable transition for us and making these changes to be extra healthy/ready to start a family just felt like such a natural thing to do - it was so exciting and fun!

Also it worked perfectly! I'm 10 weeks pregnant, having the most wonderful pregnancy and feel amazing, no sickness or pains at all :)

21 comments:

  1. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    That is just the best news ever!

    Sft x

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    1. hahaha thank you! I wondered if you'd missed my pregnancy post lol xx

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    2. I certainly did, what lovely parents you will both make and how cute will the baby be!

      Sft x

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  2. Well done for the detox : )

    That picture from the top of Slieve Donard has brought back so many memories. A crowd of us used to go down to the Mournes often as we liked to go walking round there and we saw that view many a time. Just wonderful. We'd often stay at Slievenaman which was a youth hostel that was VERY basic and therefore cheap. We liked it as well because only people who actually wanted to go walking would take the trouble to go there and it was quieter.

    I still need a "fix" of mountains on a regular basis. Where I live now is pretty flat. A slight incline and the people round here think it is a big hill : )

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    1. Thanks Jo, that hostel sounds like a gem I'm gona have a look for it :)

      I need my mountain fix too, there's just something about them!

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    2. I think they must have closed it. I googled it and couldn't find it. We are life members of YHANI and I didn't find that either.

      I must be getting old : )

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  3. Wow I missed this post during my crazy last week of term!

    What amazing views of the mountains.

    I'm sure after all this thought and prep you and Al will make fantastic parents :-)

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    1. Thanks sarah :) The mourne mountains really are spectacular and not too hard to climb either, the biggest one is around 820m i think and takes about 3.5 hours up, only the last bit is really testing - shaking legs stuff lol

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    2. I really think a trip to Ireland is going to be factored into my places to visit list! Your pictures always look so stunning :-)

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  4. Congratulations! And well done on the detox! Might try it myself ;)

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  5. Thanks so much kerry :) and best of luck with your detox - more babies yay!!!

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  6. Please accept a 'One Lovely Blog' award from me

    Sft x

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    1. Of course I accept! Thanks very much for thinking of me :)

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  7. 'I know it may sound extreme to some people'......it sounds the most perfect way to begin to bring a baby into this world, extreme...nah...perfect most definitely, well done to both of you!!

    This is going to be one very loved and lucky baby, and whatever you wean him/her onto first will be the most perfect food for him/her I'm sure of that.

    Sue xx

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    1. Aw thank you sue, I really appreciate you saying that :) xx

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  8. Hey not 'seen' you about for a while, hope all is well xx

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    1. Hi Sarah, am about to write a post now, thanks for thinking of me, all is well - in fact everything is perfect :)

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  9. Preparing for a pregnancy is a major step in the lives of any couple. There are so many things to get ready for. There are more than enough things that are beyond your control so you want to get a firm handle on the things that you can control.

    pregnancy after miscarriage

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    1. thats exactly it, you cant plan everything but you can give yourself and your baby a much better chance of a happy and healthy pregnancy and thats what we wanted - and got :) x

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  10. Wow- I adore you. I found your site in a google search for "DIY watering can" and I am completely in love with your photos and your ethos. I'm not trying for a baby yet but I too want to do a really good detox before trying. I'm so excited to see someone else who was thinking like this! It must have worked from you - your son is really gorgeous and looks so healthy even right after birth - amazing and really uncommonly here in the States. Your life looks really lovely and I appreciate all your sunshine!!

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    1. :) thank you so much Lucy, Im so glad I shared this info because I couldnt really find any info on how to prepare your body BEFORE trying but your right it really worked and im sure its part of the reason i had such a beautiful and enjoyable pregnancy also how i looked after my body during pregnancy, its so so important and yet so many people eat worse than they ever have before and do far less exercise - its crazy to me! Thanks for the lovely comment and I love your instagram btw - im your new follower! x

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