Time has passed incredibly fast. I’m now nearing my third trimester and things have been… fine. Almost too fine. Almost too easy? I don’t know. I am a worrier by nature. It is what I do best, so this pregnancy has pushed my normal level of anxiety to 11.
It seems like there is always something that I’m not supposed to be doing or that I’m not doing enough of. And seriously? I have 13 weeks left and there’s some crap that I’m just not willing to do anymore.
1. Use different makeup
OK. I read some stuff about switching to “natural” makeup while pregnant because of parabens and chemicals and all sorts of boogeymen inside my foundation. I switched from my trusty MAC Matchmaster to Tarte’s BB foundation because it was the only thing I could find that made me look normal. My skin proceeded to freak out for about 8 weeks. This could have been due to pregnancy hormones, in fact it almost certainly was partly attributable to that. The rest? I can chalk that up to a foundation that made me break out. So I switched back to my old routine. I still get blemishes now and again but not like before. Plus, the color wasn’t a great match. We can do better.
2. Not eat peanut butter or veggie burgers
These two items were a staple of my pre-pregnancy diet. I get not eating peanut butter because you’re afraid of food poisoning (one of my fears), but I read somewhere that eating peanut butter during pregnancy can cause a peanut allergy in your little one. So I kinda panicked and switched to almond butter (sad trombone). When I asked my doctor about it, she had never heard of the concern and said she often recommends women eat peanut butter for energy at the hospital. She’s also a vegetarian and totally poo-poo’d the no veggie burger thing. Moderation is key and almond butter sort of sucks.
3. Worry about my weight
Real talk: I have already gained 20 pounds since I got pregnant. And that’s fine. I started out slightly underweight and it will be fine if I gain a bit more. I bought a used treadmill a couple of weeks ago that I walk on a few times a week in 15 minute increments. If I start getting into the over-35 pounds territory, then I’ll worry about it. Until then, eating healthy most of the time and getting some exercise is fine. I can worry about the weight after I have a healthy baby in my (chubbier) arms.
4. Avoid the salon
I haven’t gotten my highlights touched up since October. I was planning to do it in December and it just never happened, then baby came along. I asked my stylist about getting things touched up in April but she said she thought it was growing out really well and I could probably get away with not updating for a while. I think the time has come. I’m starting to get a more solid line around my head and it’s not a cute look. The medical advice is solidly on my side on this one. Time to make an appointment – Mama needs to look good for the baby shower.
5. Be disappointed when I don’t fit into pre-pregnancy clothes
I know this isn’t a rule but it’s really about body acceptance and I’m still working on this one. I put on a button-up dress yesterday (it used to be big on me) which my husband assured me looked fine but which I was pretty sure I’d hulk out of by the end of the day (baby tends to get a bit larger by suppertime). I put on three more dresses before I found one that worked. I know I shouldn’t expect to still be able to fit into things but it can be tough to accept a new shape, especially when I may never see my old shape again. I’m trying my hardest to brush it off. I’m creating life! It shouldn’t matter if I still fit into my jeans. There’s a whole world of purses and shoes to focus on, right?
To be sure, there’s a host of other paranoia that I’m still adhering to regularly. That post is coming soon. But in the meantime, what pregnancy-related crud are you throwing out the window?