Fit Pregnancy vs. Unfit Pregnancy

This pregnancy has been so different from my first. Partly to do with the fact that I am carrying a boy compares to a girl. My symptoms have been so different its kind of odd. The biggest difference is with baby boy I want MEAT...RED MEAT. And with Scarlett I didn't want any meat at all. I couldn't even stomach chicken...let alone red meat.

Besides the vast difference in symptoms  that come with normal pregnancy the major difference between my pregnancies has been my over diet and fitness levels.

With Scarlett I ate whatever I wanted and however much I wanted. I only gained 17 pounds, but that was because I stayed so sick, not because I was being healthy. I stayed sick because I neglected my health and thankfully she did not pay for it. She was and is a perfectly healthy and active toddler...one that stays busy. But I credit that a lot to our new healthy lifestyle. She hasn't been allowed a lot of junk or processed foods and will pick an apple over candy any day.

With this pregnancy I have caught fatigue endlessly, partly because of chasing a toddler all day...and that's a major difference with boys and girls. My OB says it isn't uncommon to be more easily exhausted with boys because of the hormonal differences. But as tired as I have been I have not been sick (knock on wood) and when I have energy...I HAVE ENERGY! Having gone into this pregnancy counting calories has also helped me to control my weight gain so I can continue losing after he gets here as well as making for an easier delivery. I will 20 weeks on Friday and I have not gained a single pound! My doctor only wants me to gain 10 or so and I am right on track.

Knowing what a healthy diet consists of will also aid me in breastfeeding. Nutrition and water are so important for producing milk...which I failed to do adequately with Scarlett. I only managed to breastfeed her for 4 months because I was losing weight too rapidly and not eating enough or drinking enough water...so I quit producing. She had to go on formula. I did not want that but she was hungry and not gaining enough weight.

I can't say enough to reinforce how important it is for us mommy's and mommy's to be to take care of ourselves during and after pregnancy. Our bodies go through so much and need to be taken care of. Now go give yours something healthy or take a walk.