My hope in writing this is that it may bring joy, and clarity to you if you are trying to conceive, pregnant, or simply curious about this journey! Pass it along to any who you think may find it useful. 

Xoxo, Sarah 

Becoming a parent is such a personal journey - so take or leave anything I share.

These are the things that helped me get into a place of peace and confidence with being a mama, childbirth, etc. 

Shoutout to every person who shed some light and lent a book or two! 

I used these resources when I felt like I wanted insight and had peace. (did I follow everything to a T, listen to them all the way through or read every page? No, but they have assisted throughout the journey! )

I stopped researching when I felt anxious and asked my midwife if I had any major questions. Nathan would remind me, “people have been having babies since God created the earth, and they didn't have access to all these books, resources, etc. So we can do what we have peace about doing and not worry about every single detail… This helped me. 

When we learned we were pregnant I knew I wanted to have her in the most natural way with good foods supporting the both of us and stay as active as I felt comfortable. 

I wanted my husband to be involved and incorporated as much as he could be. And I also knew God was the creator of this life and he would be my utmost help in all things! 

All that being said, here are the resources I found most helpful for our Pregnancy.  

First Trimester:

Establishing care

Where we live there are many epic midwives in the area who do home births and that is something we wanted to do. Having friends and family who had gone before us with great experience I moved forward with a midwife I knew here in town. 

I was and am blown away by her care and the ability to get a hold of her with any question or concern that arose. The first trimester for me was such a journey of fear to faith, questions to peace, and a letting go of control. 

Natalie McClusky at Cypress Midwifery is my midwife whom I highly recommend! 

-all visits are done in my home, blood work, heart beat monitoring etc. 

-the one ultrasound I did at 20 weeks we went into an imaging center for, but other than that I have so appreciated the comfort of staying home for these appointments. 

For me I felt the changes in my body right away! Haha no time to process- the ship was sailing and this life inside me was growing and growing each day. 
There is plenty of tough out there to read or stories I was being told - so it was really impactful to talk with other mama’s who had already done this.

Food & Prenatal:

-I was surprised to find that the foods I wanted / craved were not foods I would eat normally- the things I craved were not very nutrient dense - which was quite humbling! Ha :) 

-I ended up starting a prenatal vitamin to help balance out the nutrients I may have been missing on my carb full- lack of variety sleepy nauseous first trimester. 

-I wanted to find a really great prenatal and this is the one that was recommended to me by my midwife and a few others. It is called FullWell. 

I also started taking Beef Liver supplements since I wasn’t taking iron and have been learning the many benefits of eating or supplementing with liver. Do your own research but many folks I know who are really healthy eat raw liver or take weekly supplements for it! So I have enjoyed that and I think it has helped with my energy. 

Water- I tried my best at hydrating because this helped with the nausea and it’s great for the body. 

A food book I loved reading through to learn what would be helpful for me and my baby was Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols.

-The book has such great suggestions for combating nausea, fatigue and other common pregnancy symptoms. 

-There are really simple and approachable steps towards daily eating - and I started following the author on IG. 

The Happy Healthy Littles, Prenatal E- Package: 

-This helped with establishing more insights on pregnancy, nutrition, and supporting each trimester! 

-Plus Dani and Whit are so kind and easy to learn from! 

Nausea*: 

This was tricky for me- I was both tired and nauseous more than I wanted to admit. I looked into what nutrients I may be missing and had some really great days mixed in there- but I rested when I needed to, and ate the simple carbs and plain proteins because that is what I craved. I did learn that keeping my blood sugar balanced helped me combat nausea. (Eating proteins with the carbs).

-grace grace grace in the process

-not eating greasy foods helped 

-resting when I needed 

-leaning into the Lord, Nathan, friends and family when I was feeling low. 

-*My first trimester of off and on sleepiness and nausea lasted till week 13. 

-Random note: I started taking vitamin E off and on to help my body but then learned this was making me nauseous in my second trimester so needless to say I stopped taking that. 

Second trimester:

-I started feeling so much better and more energized after the nausea lifted. 

-I wanted to cook again and found myself making more nutritious foods while still enjoying burritos out- and snack bars when I was on the go. 

Work:

-I have been able to continue working for Bethany Hamilton & our ‘Ohana Experience Team the entire time and while busy it has been a total blessing. 

-I have also been working with coaching clients I keep up with and really enjoy that. 

-When I return to work post maternity I will be working part time Life Coaching and a few hours with the ‘Ohana team helping facilitate small groups. (interested in locking in some life coaching sessions? Inquire here) 

-Work sitting positions: I found my back and hips so uncomfortable if I sat for long. SO standing, or sitting on an exercise ball have been the best thing! (I wish I would have gotten the exercise ball earlier. I started using it on the third tri.)

Exercise: 

-I was a bit overwhelmed in this arena at first. I knew I wanted to stay active and had been mostly mountain biking, hiking, and walking before we found out we were pregnant with occasional strength training and now that we were pregnant I didn't want to hurt my body or the baby. 

-I asked around for a straightforward place to start, my midwife recommended a few exercise apps for pregnancy, and the one I used and have loved is, Move Your Bump.

-IT has SUCH a large variety of workouts and trainers while also having consistently monthly challenges I would just follow along with. 

-I did a few of these each week along with a hike or two and walks. Moving my body helps SO much with joy, energy, the baby, and birth! :) 

Making a Registry/ List of useful things:

-I used Babylist.com to build my registry and called a few close friends who sent me so many recommendations for things. 

-I shared my list above in case the things on it help you build yours. 

-We knew we wanted just the very basics since we don’t have a ton of room and didn't want too much stuff- but SOOO grateful for that list, and the generosity of friends and family who are not only supporting us emotionally and spiritually but also in supplying us with resources for the new little person! 

Helpful books for all trimesters:

-The Healthy Pregnancy Book, given to me by a friend, this slowly integreates helpful info for you week by week of your pregnancy.

-It wasn’t an overwhelming amount of info and shared things in an easy to read way. 

-The book integrates medical, physical and emotional support. 

-The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth, 

-This was also a really easy to read week by week pregnancy book. 

-This one has even shorter chapters with more natural recipes, partner support suggestions etc. 

-I enjoyed having both of these week by week guides to answer questions as they arose for me. 

Third Trimester / & Childbirth Resources:

A Birth Course: Built to Birth e course, By Bridget Teyler

-This is course is an epic go at your pace e course. It was something both Nate and I have listened to to prepare for birth and postpartum, breast feeding etc. My sister had gone through this course with her husband and they loved it too! 

In person Birth prep course:

- I did couple hour in person training done by the Sunshine Doula in SLO. 

- Nice very active and visual learners 

Book: Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, 

-Lots of great birth techniques to calm the mind and body, birth positions, stories and insights to birthing naturally. 

-For me there were a lot of spiritual elements in this book that I didn't totally jive with- but I did find her tips for birthing and letting go of fears very helpful! 

Following: Pain Free Birth on Instagram

- so encouraging!! Love the birth stories she reshares, and the tips she has to offer. Another recommendation from my sister. 

A Doula 

-We decided we feel most comfortable laboring without a doula. Once I am in active labor the midwife team will join us! 

-I have heard wonderful things about doulas! But, Nate is on board to help with the laboring which I am so honored to have him by my side for support, care, and encouragement. 

Chiropractic Care

-My hips and pelvis have been misaligned off and on in my pregnancy I finally decided to go in for adjustments from a Webster certified Chiropractor who specializes in prenatal. These appointments have helped ease pain and are setting me up for a great and strong labor.

All of this being said I have not yet labored before, but I feel excited and ready. Our baby girl is due July 20! 

I know it will be intense but it will be one day and I am so thankful for the Lord and Nathan by my side along with a rad and decisive midwife. 

We plan to labor at a birth center nearby. Knowing God created us to give birth and most everything I read or listened to re-iterates this very helpful truth: “relax, you were built to do this. Peace over fear literally opens up your body in the process.” 

Thank you for all of your incredible words of encouragement, ears to listen when I felt burdened, prayers, and stories of your own personal journeys!

If you have any more questions above feel free to leave a comment below or share a resource you have with others !! 

Much love,

Sarah