Baby!

Baby! my fertility and pregnancy essentials so far; Q&A Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:31:34 GMT https://carmeninthegarden.substack.com/p/baby Thank you so much for the kind words and support since we shared our exciting news last week. Today’s newsletter is a bit different from our usual gardening topics, as I wanted to take a moment to share some personal insights from my fertility journey and pregnancy so far. At the end, I’ll include a little Q&A from my Instagram box.

I recognize that every journey is unique, and this is simply mine. I hope you find something helpful in it, but please feel free to skip anything that doesn’t resonate with you. My heart is with everyone on their own paths—whether you’re trying to conceive, unsure about starting a family, or navigating pregnancy or postpartum life. This experience has brought me closer to understanding myself, and I’m so grateful for the space we share. Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

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For transparency: most products in this newsletter were personally purchased by me, and no sponsorships are involved. Some links may be affiliate links, which could earn me a small commission if you decide to make a purchase. Trying to Conceive / Fertility Essentials Fertility is a deeply personal journey, and finding the right resources and support is crucial. I recommend starting with a holistic approach that includes nutrition, lifestyle changes, and, if necessary, professional guidance to optimize your fertility.

Functional Medicine / Hormone Evaluation with a Legitimate Practitioner: Working with a functional medicine practitioner can provide invaluable insights into your hormone levels and overall health. They can guide you through personalized evaluations and help identify any imbalances or underlying issues that could be affecting your fertility. I worked with my brother-in-law, Justin Perr MS, RD, IFMCP.

Ritual Prenatals : A fantastic option for anyone looking for a high-quality, easy-to-digest prenatal vitamin. They’re made with clean, traceable ingredients that are designed to support both your fertility and the early stages of pregnancy.

Perelel Pre-Conception Packs : I have alternated between Ritual and Perelel Pre-Conception Packs simply for convenience. Perelel offers a comprehensive, tailored blend of vitamins and supplements designed specifically for pre-conception, making it a convenient and thoughtful option to support your fertility journey.

Perelel Greens Powder: Another great addition to your pre-conception routine. Packed with nutrient-dense greens, this powder helps support overall health and fertility by providing essential vitamins and minerals. It’s an easy way to boost your intake of plant-based nutrients while supporting your body during this important time.

Real Food for Fertility : This book is a great resource for anyone looking to support their fertility through diet. It offers nourishing, whole-food recipes and practical advice that can help you balance your hormones and create an optimal environment for conception. Lily Nichols, RDN recommends optimizing your nutrition and nutrient stores leading up to conception. I also think this book is great in general for learning more about your cycle as Nichols and Hendrickson-Jack suggest viewing your cycle as a vital sign.

Protein!: Getting enough protein is essential when trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Focus on high-quality sources of protein such as grass-fed meats, eggs, legumes, and plant-based options that align with your dietary needs. I also supplemented with Ritual’s protein powder .

Oura Ring + Natural Cycles : The Oura Ring and Natural Cycles app are a great combination for tracking your cycle and understanding your fertility window. The Oura Ring provides insights into sleep, activity, and overall health, while Natural Cycles helps track ovulation and optimize your chances of conception. They sync up together to specifically measure your basal body temperature.

Mira : The Mira fertility tracker offers accurate hormone tracking through urine tests, helping you pinpoint your most fertile days. It’s a fantastic tool for anyone trying to conceive, giving you more data to work with beyond Basal Body Temperature through Oura/NC.

Reducing Alcohol, Caffeine, and Sugar Intake Overall: Cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, and sugar can help optimize your hormone balance and overall health. While it might feel challenging at first, making these changes can significantly support your fertility journey and overall well-being.

More Supplements: Myo-Inositol, NAC, Omega, Vitamin D, CoQ10, Magnesium

These supplements are often recommended to support fertility and overall reproductive health. Myo-inositol, NAC, and CoQ10 are particularly helpful for hormonal balance, while omega-3s, vitamin D, and magnesium support general health. Ritual offers a convenient powdered version for fertility support, but I prefer taking individual supplements for more flexibility.

Having someone you can talk to other than your partner in your same age group: Finding a supportive community or a mentor who can relate to your experiences is invaluable. It’s essential to have someone to talk to who understands the emotional and physical challenges of fertility, especially someone in a similar life stage.

Clean Up My Beauty Routine: When preparing for pregnancy, cleaning up your beauty routine is essential. Switching to clean, non-toxic beauty products can help reduce exposure to chemicals that may interfere with your hormone health. Let me know if you want a roundup of my favorite products so far!

Podcasts: The Functional Fertility podcast by Kalea Wattles is an amazing resource. She shares practical advice and holistic approaches to fertility, including lifestyle, nutrition, and hormone health, making it a must-listen for anyone on their fertility journey.

Pregnancy Essentials Nurture : A good read for expectant mothers, offering a holistic approach to pregnancy that emphasizes the importance of nutrition, self-care, and mental well-being. It provides evidence-based advice on how to support both your body and your growing baby throughout pregnancy. I find that this book takes a really positive, empowering approach to pregnancy. I personally was not a fan of Expecting Better and would not recommend to people prone to anxiety, worry or likes to search WebMD.

Real Food for Pregnancy : From the same author as Real Food for Fertility, A fantastic resource filled with nourishing, whole-food recipes that promote optimal health during pregnancy. It emphasizes nutrient-dense foods that support both you and your baby, focusing on the importance of real, unprocessed ingredients.

Reading!!! and Reduced Screen Time to Prevent Doom Scrolling/Anxiety: Taking time for reading that is not pregnancy related, is a great way to relax and disconnect from the stress and/or worry. Reducing screen time, especially to avoid doom scrolling, has been really helpful in managing anxiety and maintaining a calm, focused mindset.

Meditation: The To Be Magnetic meditation practice has been a game-changer for me. It focuses on manifestation and deep emotional healing, offering guided meditations that help you align with your goals. I like that these meditations are proactive. (You can use code CARMEN for 15% off).

Affirmations: Using affirmations like “In this moment, I am healthy…” has been a powerful tool for managing stress and fostering a sense of peace. It helps me stay present and grateful for the journey, reminding me that each moment is a step toward the future.

Ritual Prenatals : Continue to be my go-to for supporting my pregnancy. These vitamins are easy on the stomach and packed with essential nutrients.

Supplements: Collagen, Electrolytes, Protein, Choline During pregnancy, I’ve added collagen for joint and skin health . I use the Needed brand and add it to my morning coffee. I also use the Needed brand of electrolytes for hydration . I use the Ritual protein powder for pregnancy/ postpartum to support muscle and growth. And, on days where I do not consume eggs, I take a choline supplement for brain development.

Having someone you can talk to other than your partner in your same age group! Having a friend or support system who’s going through the same life stages has been so comforting. For me, this has been my sisters and online message boards.

Clothing: Men’s Levi Jeans, Hatch Pants, Uniqlo. Comfort is key when it comes to pregnancy clothing! I’ve found that men’s Levi jeans have been a great fit, offering both comfort and style. I also love my Hatch pants , which are super comfy and perfect for my changing body during pregnancy.

NA Alternatives: Exploring non-alcoholic (NA) alternatives has been a nice way to enjoy drinks without the alcohol. There are so many great NA options available now that mimic the flavors of cocktails, and they’re perfect for staying hydrated while also feeling part of the social experience. I just make sure to read labels to avoid any sort of adaptogenic herbs or unsafe ingredients for pregnancy.

Clean Beauty Essentials: Continuing to clean up my beauty routine has been important during pregnancy. I also have stopped getting my nails done to avoid toxin exposure.

Pregnancy Q&A How are you feeling? This question has been coming up a lot lately, and honestly, it’s been a mix of ups and downs. Some days are great, and others are tougher. Right now, I feel physically good but mentally a bit drained by anxiety and worry. During my first trimester, I had a variety of symptoms that were a little unsettling but also helped reassure me that my hormones were working as they should. In addition to the nausea, I also experienced fainting spells, light-headedness, and extreme exhaustion—next-level fatigue that’s been hard to manage, especially since I’ve always tied my sense of worth to being productive. I've also had some intense mood swings where I'll cry for no apparent reason, which, again, I chalk up to hormones. But around 16 weeks, things started to improve, and I felt a surge of energy again.

Are you having any food aversions to garden produce? Thankfully, I haven’t had any major food aversions to garden produce. Everything’s been pretty manageable on that front!

Plans or recs for postpartum meal prep? Yes! I’m planning to prepare nourishing meals in advance and will share a list of dishes with friends and family so they can help out. I’m leaning heavily on Real Food for Pregnancy and The First 40 Days as resources for recipes and meal planning.

How far along are you/when are you due? I won’t be sharing the exact number of weeks, but I’m due in June!

Did you discuss gardening recommendations with your OB/GYN? Yes, we had a thorough discussion about gardening. I’ve always been cautious about gardening and take precautions like wearing a mask around airborne things and gloves when handling my garden. I also hired someone to clean the chicken coop for the duration of my pregnancy. I highly recommend consulting your own doctor for tailored advice, as each pregnancy and situation can be different.

Were you trying to conceive for a long time? This is a very sensitive topic, and I want to acknowledge that everyone’s journey to motherhood is unique. For me, yes, it took longer than average. But I’m honestly grateful for the extra time to prepare—both mentally and physically. I spent that time focusing on improving my nutrition and getting to know my body and its rhythms better, which in hindsight has made me feel even more ready.

Would you share about your trying to conceive journey? I’m happy to share what I feel comfortable with. In 2022, I hit a major burnout and was dealing with physical manifestations like shingles, which made me take a step back and reassess things. After working with a functional medicine practitioner , I learned that my cortisol levels were depleted (too much stress for too long). I focused on replenishing my cortisol, reducing alcohol, and making changes to my diet, particularly following Real Food for Fertility . In August 2024, I committed to prioritizing my health and fertility for the rest of the year, cutting out alcohol and sugar, and diving deeper into my fertility-focused diet. I started using tools like the Oura ring with Natual Cycles and the Mira device to track my cycle. It was shortly after making these changes that we found out I was pregnant.

Will you find out the gender? Yes, we know the gender, but we’re not sure yet when we’ll share it with everyone.

Has the baby on the way changed your vision/plans for the garden? Yes and no. I know that as my pregnancy progresses and I enter the postpartum phase, I won’t be able to spend as much time physically in the garden. I’m adjusting my gardening goals and timelines accordingly, but I’m excited for how the garden will continue to grow alongside this new chapter. I’ve had vivid dreams and meditations about holding my baby in the garden - so I hope to spend a lot of time outdoors.

How would you describe feeling your baby kick for the first time? At first, I wasn’t sure if it was real! It felt like a little gas bubble moving around, or a tiny twitch.

Have you had a lot of nausea/vomiting? How are you handling it? Luckily, the nausea has gotten much better. I’ve had some experience with nausea in the past due to anxiety, so I was familiar with the feeling. Here’s what has helped me: eating small, frequent meals, making sure to eat first thing in the morning (or else I’ll be nauseous all day), and limiting exposure to foul smells (I carry perfume or essential oils to mask any strong odors). I sip water throughout the day rather than drinking it all at once. Everyone’s nausea is different, but for me, it tends to be triggered randomly—like bending over too quickly, when I’m trying to fall asleep, foul smells, etc.

Did you do any prenatal nutrition/meal prep? Yes! I’ve focused on a nutrient-rich diet and have been mindful of reducing toxin exposure as much as possible. I’ve been listening to my body and doing my best to nourish myself and the baby. Lots of greens, a diverse selection of protein sources, seeds, berries, etc.!

We need a reaction video to the basket! (How we told our families) So, we actually told my in-laws pretty early on by sending them a text of the positive pregnancy test. The basket I made was more about cheering them up after they were displaced by the LA wildfires, so I didn’t film their reaction. When it comes to sharing news, I told the people I felt comfortable sharing with at the time, and I wanted to make sure I had the support I needed if anything went wrong. For example, I told my sister the same day I found out.

What vitamins did you take to get pregnant? I took a prenatal, omega-3, vitamin D, myo-inositol, CoQ10, NAC, and magnesium. Please consult with your healthcare provider before starting any supplements to discuss dosages!

What type of parent do you hope to be? I hope to be patient.

Are you going to be a SAHM (stay-at-home mom)? I plan to continue working part-time after taking a maternity leave.

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