So it's been a while since I've blogged about my pregnancy. I'm sure I'm annoying half the world with my bump dates and belly pictures but my life went from bikini competitor to mommy to be and what can I say? I'm excited. I had planned to journal each week so I would have it to look back on (although I've been keeping a belly book for the baby) but life got in the way. It seems like yesterday we were just announcing the gender of our precious baby boy and now here I am almost 29 weeks. With work and life, it has flown by so quickly. Between my career and my training and nutrition clients I have been so busy that I didn't even realize it had gone by so quickly. Fortunately, I've had an amazing pregnancy and have still been active, hitting the gym 5 days a week with general modifications for pregnancy. I haven't had any "unhealthy" cravings. The only thing I've really craved is fruit, specifically watermelon and berries. As a competitor my fruit use to be limited during competitions so I'm loving the fact that I can add more in. Of course, I still track my macros and overall Cals so I know I'm getting enough for the baby but also so I can watch things like my sugar intake from fruit and to make sure my fiber intake is always up. I feel really fortunate to have been able to carry over my healthy habits during my pregnancy- well expect one. I'm about to tell you how I ended up in the Hospital on a Friday night and I could have totally prevented it.
I have really wondered whether I should blog about this because I know a million people will think it's from me working out or continuing my normal routine but I figure if I can help one mommy-to-be avoid this mistake then it's worth all of the comments and messages I will receive saying all kinds of stuff about MY pregnancy. Before you go there let me just say that this had zero to do with any gym time, pushing myself, or not resting. All of my workouts are doctor approved and believe it or not, I have slowed down during pregnancy. If you had ever seen me in the gym before pregnancy, you can tell that I go slower, rest longer and modify much more because it's just not worth it to me to push myself and risk the healthy of my little boy. I don't even do pull-ups or anything that could stretch or cause me to pull anything. Bottom line is-Exercise has helped me feel great during my pregnancy. Others may feel better resting and that's okay too. Each person has to go through their own pregnancy. Ok now that I got that out of the way, here is what got me in trouble- water! Nope, not a lack of it combined with the Georgia heat. Keep reading for the full story.
I had felt a little crampy since the Wednesday of the week that this happened. I took a rest day and took it easy. Thursday I felt a little better but when I woke up Friday, the baby wasn't moving like he normally does. I asked some friends about what they thought but they said it is probably normal. I thought I could be having some Braxton Hicks since I really didn't know what they felt like. Something told me it just wasn't right. I called my doctor and they had me come in. I left work a little early and went in, thinking they would check me out and tell me everything was normal and I was just being overly cautious. I was taken back right away and hooked up to a machine that monitors contractions. First, they found his heartbeat and the little goober started to move soon, making me look like a liar lol. I was so relieved. I thought they would just send me on my way but they monitored to see if I was having contractions. The nurse came back in and said "oh honey you're contracting." They suspected it was dehydration since the heat was awful outside but I immediately told them I drink a gallon and a half of water a day ( I carry it around with me for Pete's sake). They really didn't believe me but I couldn't understand how I would need more than a gallon and a half. As an aside, I've always drank this much and during pregnancy I'm even more thirsty. My sister drank 2 gallons a day during pregnancy- no joke. It's just what we do. We are just thirsty people lol. Anyway, they sent me down to Northside in Atlanta to be monitored and to receive fluids. They tested me for pre-term labor (the swab) and let me tell you that this will freak a mommy-to-be out. They were talking pre-term labor, bed rest, you name it. I was sitting there thinking- how can this be happening? I couldn't believe I was having contractions.
The doctor finally came in around 11:30pm and told us that it was a false alarm. My pre-term labor swab test had come back negative. He then explained the blood work results and how the amount of water I drink a day was flushing out my electrolytes and since you lose more water when pregnant, the loss of electrolytes could cause it to happen more rapidly and this causes contractions. So essentially, I needed to supplement with electrolytes. He literally chalked it up to "it's just one of those things that happens". Of course our next question was what about exercise?! Do I need to stop exercising? And he told me absolutely not. He said just to make sure I stayed hydrated and replace electrolytes especially since it's so hot outside. His only concern was doing anything that could make me fall. He then told me to rest up over the weekend and if I happened again to rest and get in fluids. Well I was determined that it wasn't going to happen again so I've added in electrolytes and I've felt amazing ever since. There's no telling how long I've needed to supplement them. As a competitor I consume low amounts of sodium to begin with. During pregnancy this has to be higher along with potassium and other electrolytes. Now, on top of my macros, I track my micronutrients even more obsessively to ensure that I get enough sodium and potassium.
So far, no more contractions and it seemed to be a one time thing ( that I never want to experience again). Who would have thought that my H20 habit would cause me to have to go to the hospital to be monitored with contractions at 27 weeks. Almost two weeks later I'm feeling great and still pumping electrolytes like nobody's business lol. If you know anyone who drinks a ton of water like me, let them know! Below are a few things that I've been using. Gatorade has too much sugar for me so I use a naturally sugar free alternative ( disregard the iron in the pic. Had to add that in after my blood work came back a little low which is common in the third trimester).
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