Surviving Pregnancy Heartburn

      Let me being with a brief statement.... I am not a doctor, and I do not want you to think what I say is Gold. What I will tell you is that I have been suffering with heartburn since around week 25. I had it really bad with both of my pregnancies. I tend to take the non-medication approach, if at all possible (which is not always the case). Here are a few remedies I have personally used that work, and some that I have read "work," but I have not actually tested....

Lets begin with food:

I know, being pregnant, when you read to stay away from trigger foods like spicy foods makes total sense until the only thing you are craving is that enchilada or cheese sauce from your favorite Mexican restaurant, and nothing else will suffice until you have it. SO... I say... Try to avoid trigger foods, but be prepared to suffer heartburn consequences if you do eat something that may trigger your heartburn. I've noticed, lately, with me, every thing I eat seems to be a trigger.

Some foods known to help heartburn are: (I have read that for some people, they still trigger heartburn)

-Bananas
-Pineapple
-Ginger
-Sweet Potato
-Honey
-Apples
-Dijon Mustard (the vinegar used to make it is what actually works)

Personally, I have tried the apples. They work immediately, but very temporary- 30 mins of relief tops. I've tried the bananas, but I haven't noticed much of a difference. Nor,ally, I feel that pineapple causes me heartburn rather than relive it. Ginger is great to relive upset stomach, as well as
 heartburn.

Some odd ball relief strategies:

-Baking Soda
        It will not taste amazing, but it will help. All you need:
        1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed into 1 glass of water. Drink and be merry. The
         soda neutralizes the acid in the stomach.
                                                                

                                                      Image from: www.healthyfoodhouse.com
-Aloe Juice
       Just as we use aloe to soothe burns, it can also be used to soothe heartburn. All you need:
       1/2 cup of aloe juice. *warning: it can act as a laxative, so be aware of that before drinking*
                                                                 

                                                 Image from: www.organicaloevera.com
-Apple Cider Vinegar
       The whole concept of acid to fight acid seems crazy, but many people swear by this technique.
        All you need: 3 teaspoons - 1 tablespoon of Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar mixed in 6-8
        oz of water.
                                                                     

                                                            Image from: www.iherb.com
-Chamomile Tea
        Supposedly the best time for this strategy is to have a cup of tea about 1/2-1 hour prior to bed. It
        will help relax you and reduce inflammation caused by the heartburn
                                                                      

                                                            Image from: bryanallain.com
-Chew Gum
         I was skeptical at first. I read it's best to chew gum for 30 minutes after a meal. The chewing
         motion created increases your saliva and rids your body of the acid that causes heartburn. This
         has become my favorite treatment that I have found. I, personally, buy Trident Sugar-Free
         Spearmint gum. Plus, it keeps your breath fresh after meals :)
                                                                

Image from: nyulocal.com

 

Some medicinal relief:

 

-Tums/Calcium

       This is the first form of "medicine" relief I reach for when nothing else seems to help. It usually

       will start relieving heartburn within seconds, but I find only lasts a few minutes IF my heartburn

       is really bad at that particular moment. Plus, it's a great source of calcium.

 

                                                                 

Image from: www.soap.com

-Zantac

        If all else fails, I will use zantac. It is ok'd for pregnant women to take. I try to only use to only

        use the regular strength (75mg), but lately, that has not been cutting it. I only find relief if I use

        the maximum strength (150 mg). I also like the ones that have the outer mint coating to cool my

        BURNING throat as soon as I take it. (I normally will buy store brand over the name brand to

        save $$)

 

                                                             

Image from: purchase-zantac-cheaprps1.weebly.com

 

-Pepcid Ac

        I have never taken this medicine for heartburn relief. I do not know how well it works. I do

        know it tends to be on the list of pregnancy approved medicine.

 

                                                                

Image from: www.drug3k.com

 

 

Now, I do know there are other over-the-counter pregnancy approved heartburn medications, but several of those seems to work only if you take them on a regular basis.

 

My goal is to give you pregnant moms out there find some ideas and ways to relieve your heartburn. I hope these remedies help you the way they have helped me. I hope you find some relief... I know how much it sucks having a constant burning feeling in the back of your throat. Remember, please call your doctor, if you have any questions or concerns about taking a medicine or the severity of your heartburn.

Information resource for some of the post: http://everydayroots.com/heartburn-remedies

Baby Update... Week 32 (almost 33)

      As you all know by now, this has not been a smooth pregnancy for me. In fact, at this point... April 20th can't come soon enough (but I definitely want the baby to wait until then to come). I feel sorry for my husband, family, and friends that have to listen to me complain all the time. I have to bargain the hubbs to type out any posts here lately because I am still having awful arm, neck, and back pain. It seems to only get worse the more and more pregnant I become. Thankfully, my physical therapist thinks some of the pain should ease off after delivery (again, looking forward to April 20). However, the PT and my primary care doctor both think there may be an underlying cause for my arm pain that has been probably irritated by pregnancy. I am still having asthma issues, as well. My OB said that the bigger the baby gets, the harder it can become to breathe. I'm essentially what people call a "HOT MESS".... and everyone around me can vouch for the "hot" part of that.... I seem to always be hot... even when it's 30 degrees outside. --Not kidding. I had the window cracked in the car today because the sun was beating in on me making me sweat, but it was only 32 degrees outside at the time.
        Actual baby update information... Most of my apps say the baby should be around 3-4 pounds by now and around 17-19 inches long. I have not had my last ultrasound to confirm any of that just yet, but from the kicks and punches I constantly feel, I can believe that. The baby should be practicing her breathing and sucking by now. She can suck her thumb now... how sweet! I had an OB appointment earlier in the week, and the doctor said that I measure exactly where I should be (at 32 weeks). He listened to her heartbeat and had to move the stick like 3 times because she is so active. He even made a comment that she must be really active. He, also, noted that the heart sounds great. Every thing looks great on the OB side. He said I've only gained about 9 lbs overall, and he didn't sound to thrilled about that. However, he understands that I ended up losing about 10-15 in my first trimester because my nausea and morning sickness was so bad. OH, and speaking of that, I'm only of the lucky few moms-to-be that the nausea has returned for me in the 3rd trimester. Thankfully, he said I can start taking my nausea medicine again to help alleviate it. I have definitely been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions this time around. With my first pregnancy, I didn't know what a contraction felt like until I was in active labor. Now, that I'm a little more experienced, I can tell when I am having those now. They seem to become more frequent the more pregnant I become, but they are not constant and always infrequent enough not to cause me concern just yet.
        I've got to say, I am so happy to know that everything seems wonderful on the OB side of things. I do wish I haven't had such a troubling pregnancy with all the other stuff that has surrounded it. However, I wouldn't change it for the world. I cannot wait to meet our baby girl! I am so blessed to actually be pregnant and made it this far even with all the other problems surrounding this pregnancy. Any time I find myself complaining too much about being pregnant, I make sure I take a step back and remember that day when I was 11 weeks thinking the worse was about to happen. I am truly blessed in so many ways.
       Update on Big Bro... He seems to be understanding a little better now and seems to be getting excited. However, I know he won't totally understand until she's here (and stays here). I've heard so many stories about siblings asking about when will we take the baby back to the hospital, and I will not be shocked if I have that conversation at some point with him. I just truly hope he really really loves "his fishy" as much as he says he does now. He love to feel her move and kisses my stomach all the time. He will even tell us he loves baby sister.

       I am thoroughly looking forward to this new journey in my life that God has blessed me with.

#LifeOfAMommy.... The Adventures of Parenthood

      There is no possible way to totally prepare yourself for parenthood. No amount of baby sitting or sibling watching compares. I find myself constantly saying (either to myself or out loud)... #LifeOfAMommy. I know in our society today, the phrase "hash tag" has become a fairly normal saying. Back before social media... I know mom's still said "Well, that's the life of a mommy" when reflecting on the crazy things we end up doing with and for our children. I, also, constantly see my parents (and my husband's parents) giggling at  the seemingly crazy things I tell them I had to do that day--They've been there before, and now they are having a blast watching us deal with it.

Here's just a few examples of what I'm talking about.... Things there is no possible way to prepare for until you are right in the middle of it. (WARNING: It's not all glorious-There are poop stories.)

The other night, we had just gotten the toddler into the bath tub. He was playing great, and I was able to get his hair shampooed (not rinsed). He started, as he calls it, "pooting" in the water. He thought it was HILARIOUS. Then, he said the dreaded words... "Uh Oh..." I knew what that had to mean. Since he's a big bubble bath lover, I had to push back the bubbles to confirm my suspicion. There was a tiny little poo ball. Grabbed the kid, soapy and all, out of the tub,  pulled the plug, and proceeded to clean out the bath tub. Then, after explaining to him that it is not ok to do that in the tub, I refilled the water and finished his bath without further incident.

This morning, I had to get up at 8 am to see if I could make it to my doctor's appointment at 9:30. Due to the snow and ice, I determined there was no way I would chance getting out in the weather. After calling to reschedule my appointment, I crawled back into bed and prepared to fall back to sleep, while cuddling my "lil man." I, first, rolled over and poked my husband on the arm to tell him it was currently snowing outside.... That must have been the MAGIC WORDS! The toddler's eyes popped open and he immediately started asking to go outside and play in the snow.... AT 8 AM! I was able to negotiate a postponement because we had to get up and get ready to play in the snow. He was fine with that for about 2 hours. Then, I had to legitimately get ready and go outside with him.... I was happy that I succeeded in postponing the play session to 10 am. -- Now, I know how our parents felt.... Sorry!

We are in the process of potty training. (Something no one can prepare you for.) He is doing great with it. He's reached the point which if anything accidentally ends up in his pull-up, it must be taken off immediately (unless he's playing and can ignore it for a while). He did not tell me that he had used the bathroom in his diaper, nor did he tell me he had taken it off. I was in the living room, and noticed he was very quiet to be playing in his room. I jumped up, walked into his room, and saw that he tried to switch out diapers.... In the process, there was poop everywhere!!! (Cue horror music) I grabbed him and put him in the tub to rinse him off, cleaned up the diaper that hadn't made it to the trash can yet, picked up all the poo I could find, and finally, mopped the floor from where he tracked it all. I have a feeling, this won't be the last time I have to deal with an episode like this. (Especially, since there's another baby on the way.) *I have also already dealt with poo in the undies he's wearing... That particular pair became so weighted down, it all started falling out as he was walking to the changing table.*

Last week, the whole family ran though a sickness. I did take "lil man" to the doctor just to make sure it wasn't anything serious like the flu. The doctor said it seems to be allergies, and prescribed him a daily allergy medicine. That night, we were sleeping, and he rolls over and tells me he needs tea- It's 3 am! I don't want to give him tea at this time of night.... And for that matter, it's his grandparents that always have tea made, not me. I rarely have any pre-made. So what did I do? I got up and made him some DECAF tea. He insisted, I sit up with him and watch cartoons while he drank his tea. What did I do? Went along with it... Not only was he feeling bad, but I was really too tired to argue at this point. After his "spot of tea," I talked him into drinking water instead. Finally, about an hour later, he was ready to lay back down in bed... but not ready to sleep. That was probably another 30-45 minutes of him tossing and turning. Once your little one sleeps though the night regularly, it seems to take a harder toll on your body when you have to get up in the middle of the night with them. I felt more tired that next day, than I ever remember feeling when he was a newborn. (I know I'll eat those words in 2 months when our baby girl arrives.)

Every one talks about how demanding newborns are because of all their needs (I 100% agree)...However, I'm starting to realize, It never changes... the demands just change (I'm not talking about just the basic ones like: food, sleep, shelter)... but they become different or more complex demands.                            
       I was getting my coffee the other morning, and briefly made the mistake in mentioning we would be going over to Mimi's house later that day. His ears only heard, we're going to Mimi's house! I sat down and started to drink my coffee while choosing which favorite cartoon of his  I wanted for the 1000th time. He walked over to me, grabbed my hand. I knew he wanted me up to follow him some where. So, I did... He walked me into my bedroom pointed at my clothes, and said "Get Ready!" I was a little startled a how blunt his demand was, but amused that he already knows my "we'll leave when we get ready" trick. He meant business that day. Going to Mimi's home was nothing to take lightly apparently.


With all this being said... I absolutely love being a mother. I wouldn't change it for the world. I find it to be the most rewarding, challenging, and enjoyable thing I've ever done. Even the moments that aren't so glorious (like cleaning poo out of the tub), I often look back and laugh because it's #LifeOfAMommy!! (Oh, and you may get more of these adventures posted on here :) )

                                          Here's a picture of our morning snow adventure.

Bath and Body... Focus on relaxation...

      Since I've been having so many problems with my arm, neck, and back, I haven't been able to post in a while. Like I said on Facebook... if I make a post on here, Paul is the one that has to type it out for me, then I edit it.
      I just wanted to make a short post to say... Valentine's Day is drawing near. My friend, Brittany and I, are working on branching out our Etsy shop. We now have a bath and body line. We have plenty of items in our shop that would be perfect as a gift for your loved one (or to treat yourself). We are coming out with new things often, so keep checking our shop for new items please. We also have a Facebook page. We are working on getting it set up for ordering.

 Our Etsy shop is: Geekedoutcrafts.etsy.com 

Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/geekedoutcrafts?ref=hl

Here's a few of our NEW bath and body items:

Flu Prevention

    Well, seeing that that area I currently live in is the worst for flu right now, I figured I should do a quick post about flu prevention. Here lately, I've been terrified to go out any where. When I do, I make sure to sanitize everything and try to stay away from people (if at all possible). I did log on to flu.gov to see some of their flu prevention ideas...  (I'm really hoping this doesn't end up jinxing me :) )

-Vaccination: I know there is a ton of controversy that surrounds the flu shot or mist. Honestly, from all the doctors and nurses I've talked to over the years, it truly is the best way to prevent the flu. As you may have heard on the news, this year there is a strand of the flu that is not covered in the shot this year--Thus, resulting in such an epidemic. For the past 3 years now, I have made sure that I get a flu shot almost the second they become available. I have to admit, I have never felt any of the flu symptoms after getting the shot. I, also, have noticed that I tend to be overall healthier during the winter. (I am not saying there is a correlation, but I have actually noticed I do not get nearly as sick with colds, sinus infections, or hardly anything when I get the shot.)

-WASH YOUR HANDS: I cannot stress this enough. I have to admit, I become OCD about washing my hands during this time of the year more than ever. My hands are almost always cracked and dried out because I wash my hands so much. One thing I do if I've been out at the grocery store, I grab one of those Purell wipes on the way out of the door or make sure I have something with me that either has hand sanitizer or 91% rubbing alcohol. I NEVER immediately open food and eat it when leaving the grocery store, unless I have sanitized my hands some how. My son even understands the need to wash his hands more now, or sanitize them. He thinks it's so cool the way sanitizer drips off his hands.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth: This goes along with the whole hand washing thing... Unless you know for certain that your hands are clean... If you are out in public or just got home from being out in public... DO NOT touch your eyes, nose, or mouth until you have washed your hands.It's not the easiest thing to remember, and I know I do not always remember this rule. I definitely make a conscious effort to remember this though.

-Try to avoid close contact with people: If it's not necessary to go out in public... Then, don't. I had to go to a doctor's appointment today with my primary care doctor, and the nurse asked me to wear a mask in the waiting room since I was pregnant, she didn't want me to catch the flu. In my opinion... the worst places to go to right now are doctor's offices, the ER, pharmacies, and large public places, like grocery stores.

-Practice Good Health Habits: Getting plenty of rest, washing your hands, exercise, drink plenty of water, and eating healthy can help your immune system to stay strong. My husband, son, and I are eating oranges like they're going out of style. They're a great source of vitamin C, which helps keep your immune system strong.

-Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze: The flu.gov website says to cover it with a tissue and then, immediately throw it away to prevent spreading germs. If you do not have a tissue handy, sneeze or cough into the elbow of your arm (the Dracula cover). That way you do not directly contaminate your hands. Even if you do not think you are sick with the flu, this is still a great thing to practice.

-If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine: This is so important!!! If you are sick... Please stay home. Try not to get others sick. If you have been exposed to someone that is positive with the flu virus... Try to avoid being in public. There's a huge possibility that you could end up catching the flu.

                                                      Image from: www.myaccesshealth.com

Night night fish...

   We are working with Braeden to make sure he gets the idea of a sibling on its way. We will point at my stomach and tell him there's a baby in there. Also, we talk about his baby sister on the way. He'll lean over and kiss my stomach and say "wuv you." His most recent thought on the baby is rather hilarious. I pointed to my stomach the other day and said, "There's a baby in there. It's a little sister." He said, "No, fish." I proceeded to argue with him for a few minutes that it's not a fish, that it is his sister. It was a pointless argument, and ended with me saying, "Ok, think what you like."

     Two nights later, we were saying good night to everyone. He had said, "Night night Braeden (yes, he tells himself goodnight), night night mommy, night night daddy, night night moke moke..." Then, he paused, and said, "night night fish." I started laughing so hard and told him that his sister is not a fish! All he said was, "No, fish." 

      Every night since then, he's said, "night night fish." Every night, I laugh but I don't argue anymore. I think it's sweet he tells her goodnight, even if he calls her a fish. I think he's now doing just because it makes me laugh. I look forward to seeing how he acts when his "lil fishy" finally gets here. I love him and his "lil fishy" so much!

Baby update... Week 25

I'm getting closer and closer to my third trimester... Yay!!  Well, baby girl is around 13 1/2-14 inches long (according to my baby apps). That about the size of a rutabaga or big stalk of cauliflower. 

     Really though, who has the job of coming up with the food to relate to the size of the baby.... I'd go with something more realistic or relatable, like the length of a large butternut squash. Even though it says she's only about a pound and a half in weight, I feel like she's a large butternut squash weighing in at 3 or more pounds. I'm know she's not that heavy yet, but the best is yet to come ;). She's very active too! I feel her kicking or punching ALL THE TIME. 

    As for me, the doctor told me I need to work on gaining weight... Yeah, that's right. For the first time in my life, I've been told to GAIN weight. In my first trimester, I was so sick I lost about 10-15 pounds. I've only gained 2 pounds from my pre-baby weight. The doctor told me that I need to catch up on my weight gain. So, I have a legit excuse to eat more. Don't worry, I know I need to do it the healthy way. 

       I'm still dealing with a ton of neck, shoulder, arm, and back pain. The bigger I get, the worse it will probably become. I was having such bad pain 2 weeks ago, my doctor had me come in to make sure it wasn't pre-term labor. It wasn't, just the way the baby is bouncing on my cervix. For comfort, I've had to limit the amount I walk. I never experienced any of this during my pregnancy with Braeden. It's totally different this time around. I'm definitely looking forward to April! 

     We had to do a re-scan last week so the doctor could see the nose bone and bladder (she had emptied it before the last ultrasound). We got a great profile picture, and we were able to see the nose bone. However, she wouldn't be  MY daughter, if she wasn't stubborn.  She emptied her bladder, yet again. We have to do another ultrasound next time too. (Darn, more pictures!) The doctor did say that my amniotic fluids were normal, which means the baby is peeing... They just HAVE TO see the bladder. She's such a stinker already! :)