October 21, 2025 • 34 mins
In this episode, I'm walking you through a practical, faith-filled checklist to help you prepare well during your second trimester—the sweet spot of pregnancy when energy returns and you can finally focus on nourishing your body, mind, and heart for the journey ahead.
Whether you're just starting to feel like yourself again or you want to make sure you're on the right track, this episode covers seven key areas to help you steward this season with intention and grace—without perfectionistic pressure or anxiety about outcomes.
From rebuilding your nutrient stores after first trimester survival mode to understanding how pelvic floor care and chiropractic adjustments can support your body's design, we're covering the practical and the spiritual side of preparing for birth.
In this episode, I share:
🍊 How to rebuild your body with nutrient-dense foods (including a fun fact about vitamin C and your amniotic sac!)
💧 Why electrolytes (like LMNT) are a game-changer for hydration, Braxton Hicks, and swelling
🏃♀️ Gentle movement ideas that support your body without exhausting it
🤰 The importance of pelvic floor PT and Webster-certified chiropractic care
👥 How to build a birth team that sees, hears, and respects you
📚 Why childbirth education helps you surrender fear and trust God's design
✝️ A reminder that you're called to faithfulness—not perfection or control over outcomes
Scripture Shared: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we don't give up." – Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
"Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." – 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Mentioned in this episode:
✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more
✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course
💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education
📖 Recommended Books: "The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin & "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin
🏋️♀️ Body Ready Method Programs: Pregnancy-specific workout programs you can use from home
🧂 LMNT Electrolytes: My go-to for staying hydrated and reducing pregnancy discomforts
🫖 B6 and magnesium supplements for morning sickness - Take 50mg or less of B6 1-2 times a day, and suggests this magnesium supplement.
Coming Up Next Episode: I'll be chatting with Dr. Kate Smith, a pelvic floor physical therapist, about pelvic health during pregnancy—plus I'll share my own journey with pelvic pain and hypermobility. You won't want to miss it!
If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.
Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one faithful step at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:45):
Hey there, mama, and welcomeback to Faith Over Fear, the
Christian Pregnancy and Birthpodcast.
I'm so glad you're here with metoday as we discuss ways that
you can prepare yourself in thissecond trimester.
You're finally feeling thatsecond trimester energy, or
you're just wanting to make sureyou're on the right track.
This episode is for you.
(01:07):
So the second trimester issometimes called the sweet spot.
In pregnancy, it's when you'restarting to feel a little bit
better, less nausea, your energyis returning and you can just
begin to really.
Feel like you can prepareyourself, mind, body, and heart
for what's ahead.
We're gonna walk through afaith-filled practical checklist
(01:28):
to help you make the most.
In this season, we're gonnacover seven key areas,
nourishing your body throughreal food, gentle movement,
pelvic floor and chiropracticcare, building your birth team,
starting childbirth education,supporting your body's natural
preparation for birth.
And then finally, we're gonnaend with managing any lingering
(01:50):
nausea or fatigue.
So let's dive in.
So the first thing on thischecklist is to start or restart
some healthier eating habits.
Now that you're probably feelinga little bit more like yourself,
this is the perfect time torefocus on nourishment, and I
want you to try and do thiswithout guilt for what you
(02:12):
couldn't manage in that firsttrimester.
If you survived on crackers andginger ale, there is so much
grace for that, and you justneeded to do whatever you needed
to do to get through those earlyweeks, and that's okay.
But now.
If you're, you know, feelingbetter, I want you to start
focusing on rebuilding yournutrient stores, and support
(02:33):
your baby's incredible growth.
So even for me personally inthis pregnancy, I had to let go
a lot of my usual standards inthose first weeks and months.
I normally love cooking.
Home cooked nourishing meals,but I could not stomach the
thought of cooking food, and Ididn't have any energy
(02:54):
whatsoever to make meals formyself or my family.
So I gave myself permission toeat what I could, which was
primarily getting food fromrestaurants.
Granted, I always tried myhardest to make, you know,
healthier choices, but now thatI'm slowly adding more home
cooked, nutrient dense mealsback in my body feels.
So much better.
(03:16):
So practical tips.
I want you to begin adding inprotein rich foods.
This can look like eating eggs,meat, beans and fish.
Whatever you are able totolerate.
You can also add in iron andfolate through your diet.
Things like leafy greens,lentils, and.
(03:36):
Really trying to, if you canafford it, grass fed meats if
you can focus on the quality ofthe foods that you're eating,
that's really important.
And then also focusing onhealthy fats for your hormone
balance.
Things like avocado olive oil,coconut oil, nuts and seeds.
And then I love to share thisreally interesting, fun fact,
(03:59):
but vitamin C is a.
Especially important during yourpregnancy because it not only
supports your immune system, butit also can help strengthen the
amniotic sac.
And this can help preventpremature rupture of membranes
sometimes.
This is called prom, PROM,premature rupture of membranes,
and some practical ways tointroduce these types of foods.
(04:22):
Vitamin C is found in citrusfoods, bell peppers,
strawberries, and.
Broccoli.
I actually have, it's so funny,in my pregnancies I crave like
grapefruit and orange juice.
And I don't normally crave thosethings to the degree that I do
except for when I'm pregnant andthen at both of my birth, my
(04:43):
provider had to break myamniotic sac because it was so
tough and my labor wasn'tprogressing until that happened.
And both, with my first being, ahospital birth, the ob GYN, and
then at my home birth with mylast.
Birth, both the midwife and theOB were like, wow, Natalie, your
amniotic sac is super, supertough.
(05:04):
And so I, I would like to thinkthat it had to do with the
copious amounts of citrus fruitsI was eating.
But yeah, so that's just alittle fun fact, but.
But yes, certainly recommendincluding vitamin C, natural
sources of that to help preventthe premature rupture of
membranes.
And the reason why I say this isbecause I see this all the time
(05:24):
and a lot of doulas and birthworkers and everyone will also
agree with me that having yourwater break ahead of labor
beginning can usually.
Lead to more interventions.
And so if you're trying to havea low intervention birth you
know, just doing the best thatyou can.
But please don't becomeobsessive or anxious about your
water breaking before you knowcontractions begin.
(05:48):
I want you to still just trustin the Lord and know that he is
sovereign over your story, butyou can steward well to the best
of your ability, the things thatyou know, and with the rest, you
give it to the Lord.
Another thing that I really liketo highlight is staying
hydrated.
It is so much harder to stayhydrated when you're pregnant.
(06:08):
And one way that I really liketo encourage this is by
introducing electrolytes.
I really am of.
Big fan of the Element brand,LMNT.
I'll put a link in the shownotes for their website.
I find that it's easier to buytheir element packets wholesale
on their website, and it's justcheaper that way.
I drink one packet of Elementevery day, and I definitely
(06:33):
found it to not only reduce likethe cramping in my legs and
reducing the amount of.
Braxton Hicks that I had,'causeI've always had a lot of Braxton
Hicks during my pregnancies.
All three of'em, even this one.
And and so it helps withreducing the amount of Braxton
Hicks that I get leg cramping,especially at night.
It even helped with reducing myswelling, which you would think
(06:54):
would be the opposite becauseit's so much salt.
But it balanced my electrolytesso I had less swelling.
And yeah.
Definitely look into that.
So many other brands out there,but just be careful of all the
added things in it.
That's why I really likeElement,'cause it's really
clean.
But anyway I just again, want toreiterate.
That nourishing your body is notabout perfection, and I am
(07:16):
extremely prone to theperfectionistic kind of mindset.
It really is about partneringwith the Lord.
You are stewarding to the bestof your ability, the body that
he's given you to bring lifeinto the world.
In one Corinthians 10 31, itreminds us.
Whether you eat or drink orwhatever you do, do it all for
(07:36):
the glory of God.
And so that's what I want you toreally focus on as you're, you
know, adding in the nutrientrich foods and hydrating
yourself and all these things isthat it's not a thing that you
need to be obsessive over oranxious about a certain outcome
if you do or don't do thesethings, it's.
(07:57):
It's just giving glory to God byjust faithfully stewarding the
body he's given you.
I.
And then next we're gonna talkabout starting or ramping up
gentle movement.
So this second trimester is sucha beautiful time to reconnect
with your body through movement.
Maybe you did have to take itreally easy, that first
trimester, but your energy iscoming back a little bit more
(08:19):
and your body is like, I need tobe strengthened.
I need to move.
So some tips here for movementwalking is actually an
incredible.
Exercise I, that sounds, youknow, super low impact, but
that's okay if you do one tothree miles a day or very
regularly, that's gonna be sohelpful for your body.
Gentle stretching.
(08:40):
And even like workouts, likePilates, like I did a ton of
Pilates with Ellie's my firstbirth and.
I loved the low impact workout,but it was very strength
training.
And then if you're looking forsomething there are tons of like
pregnancy specific workoutprograms and things like that.
If you are looking for one, Ialways recommend the Body Ready
(09:01):
Method.
They have different programs andthey're all available online, so
you can do these workouts fromthe comfort of your own home.
And do you own them for life,which is also really cool.
So say you plan to have morepregnancies beyond the one
you're currently in.
You get to just reuse thisprogram, put in your due date
and work through that programanother time, another pregnancy.
(09:23):
So check that out.
I'll have the link in the shownotes for that program and then.
You know, just realize too, thatmovement doesn't need to be
intense.
I want you to really listen toyour body and move in ways that
feel supportive and notstressful to your body.
For example, before I gotpregnant, I was doing a body
pump class at the YMCA twice aweek, sometimes three times a
(09:46):
week.
And it's an hour long strengthtraining class.
Like it is pretty intense and.
I was starting to already modifythe class to where I wasn't like
doing as much weight, I was justfocusing on form and reps, and
then I even had to downshift alittle bit more and I end up
dipping out of the class at the30 minute mark.
(10:06):
So I'm not doing a full hour,I'm doing 30 minutes.
And I have just found that forme, doing low weight.
High reps with good form for ashortened period of time for my
body is the best.
Because then I feel like I, Ifeel a little sore from the
workout.
Like I pushed myself, but Idon't feel so tired that I can't
(10:28):
function the rest of the day,which was the point that I was
getting to before I, I modifiedso.
Modify your existing workout,,regimen or program if you're
already doing something.
Just so that it accommodatesyour changing body and your
limits that are changingconstantly.
Some of the benefits ofmovement, and this is again,
just some of the benefits, butmoving regularly in your
(10:50):
pregnancy will help support yourblood sugar and blood
circulation.
It will help reduce aches andpains, which.
For me is huge.
'cause I always really strugglein this area.
It helps improve your posture,which can also help fetal
positioning so that baby canfind a more optimal position.
It can boost your mood andsleep.
(11:11):
You know, obviously just themental physical benefits in that
way.
And then there are so manystudies that show that, you
know, moms who are exercisingthroughout their pregnancy, they
often experience betterpregnancy and labor outcomes.
So like shorter labors, fewercomplications, smoother
recoveries.
And who doesn't want that?
I mean, we all want to be ableto feel our best and do our best
(11:34):
so that our babies can grow andbe as healthy as possible.
I wanted to point out Romans 12,one, and it's a, and it just
like basically encourages us topresent our bodies as a living
sacrifice, wholly and pleasingto God.
And really when we move ourbodies especially with, again,
that mindset that this is just away that I can present myself as
(11:57):
a living sacrifice.
Even movement, it becomes an actof worship.
It becomes a way to just glorifythe Lord.
And you know, just seeing it asa way to even just nourish your
yourself spiritually as well.
Number three on our checklist isscheduling pelvic floor and
chiropractic care.
This is one area in which I wishI had known more about with my
(12:21):
previous pregnancies, but theimportance of pelvic floor
therapy, especially if you werenoticing you were having pelvic
floor issues heaviness on yourpelvic floor.
Pain with sex you're leakingthose are signs of dysfunction.
And so if you are noticing theseissues, it is so much better to
(12:41):
address these during yourpregnancy, not only for your
pregnancy to be more healthy,but also for the labor and
delivery process to be smoother.
And then the postpartum recoveryafterwards.
And then, same with chiropracticcare.
I did not understand theimportance of this really.
My first pregnancy, I was seeinga chiropractor very
sporadically.
But I took it much more serious.
(13:02):
With my second pregnancy andI'm, you know, doing more of
that with this pregnancy aswell.
But it is ideal to start evenearly.
So even before there'sdiscomforts, that's bringing you
in for care.
It just helps strengthen yourpelvic muscles, which again,
helps sustain you during yourpregnancy and then prepare for
the birth and just ask yourprovider as well if you are
(13:25):
looking for pelvic floorphysical therapy in your area,
another.
Great resources asking othermoms whether that be like
personal, you know, people inyour area or like on, on mom
groups.
There's so many greatrecommendations out there.
And then when it comes tochiropractic care, I touch on
this all the time, but you know.
(13:46):
The body comes out of alignmenta lot of the day, the way we
move our bodies and you know,different injuries and things
that happen.
And so when you're getting anadjustment, it's helping align
the pelvis and the spine.
It helps create just a betteropportunity for baby to find a
more optimal position.
Which can significantly play arole in how smooth or rough the
(14:10):
labor goes.
And again, don't becomeobsessive about it, but just do
the best you can in this regard.
And I always recommend lookingfor a Webster certified
chiropractor.
This is somebody who specializesin pregnancy and sometimes it
might take you a fewchiropractors to figure out what
the best fit is.
The cost varies widely.
(14:31):
Some take insurance.
Some don't.
As well as the amount ofadjustments they recommend.
Some chiropractors here will saywe're gonna do four adjustments
a week for four weeks, and thenthey kind of taper down.
But again, there's a cost bothto your, you know, your wallet
and also to your time for thosetypes of models of care, which
(14:52):
for some, that is absolutely thecorrect.
Like path, you need to go downthat path.
But for others it that might notbe feasible or needed.
And shop around essentially fora good chiropractor, a good
pelvic floor therapist, and findthe right fit for you.
And sometimes that does meanlooking for a little while.
I want you to see this as a wayto partner with God's design of
(15:14):
your body and just supportingthe work that he's already doing
because he is doing all thiswork in your body.
It's not like you're directingyourself, okay, today we're
gonna.
We're gonna form the heart orno, like God is in charge and
he's sovereign over all of this.
But this is just you supportingthe growth that he is making
inside of you.
And then number four, I want youto continue building and
(15:37):
refining your birth team.
So this is a great time to checkin about your provider and just
ask yourself, do I feel seen,heard, and respected by this
provider?
If something doesn't feel right,you can always choose a
different provider, even if itis that the very, very tail end
of your pregnancy, you alwayshave.
(15:59):
Choices and options.
And so I have a free guide ifyou sign up for access to the
Christian Mama birth preplibrary.
I have a handout called Top 10Questions to Ask a Prospective
Provider.
So that is a great way to gaugewhether or not you are with a
provider that you're alignedwith.
You don't have to ask them allof the questions, but it's just
(16:21):
a great way to guide theconversation so that you can
feel supported.
Another thing to consider isadding a doula or a virtual
birth coach for extra emotional,spiritual, informational
support.
And I am a in-person doula herein Jacksonville, Florida.
But I also do virtual birthcoaching for mamas here in town
(16:42):
and then also, you know, allover the world.
So if you are interested in theidea of virtual birth coaching
or you're like.
I wonder what that would entail.
I would love it if you wouldfill out my free 15 minute
discovery call to see if I'm agood fit for you and if you're a
good fit for me and my services.
(17:02):
But I would love for you tocheck out my other services as
well.
If you go to my website,faithoverfearbirth.com or you
can also go into the show notesand you can find links for this
information as well.
But yeah, so check out that freeguide.
Top 10 questions to ask aprospective provider.
And that will also be in theepisode show notes.
(17:24):
I love this verse in proverbs.
It's Proverbs 1114 and it says,where there is no guidance, a
people falls.
But in an abundance ofcounselors, there is safety, and
I love that.
It just points to the fact thatGod uses people in our lives to
help, guide us through thisjourney with peace and also with
(17:45):
truth.
I think it's really importantthat the people that you're
choosing to speak into youthey're telling you the truth
and they're telling you they'retelling you true and wise and
good things.
And again, I think you know, noteveryone.
Needs to hire a doula.
It's not what I'm saying, oreveryone needs to choose a
provider that is also abeliever.
That's also not what I'm saying,but I think it is important that
(18:06):
we are utilizing the wisdom andthe guidance of others to be
able.
To navigate this journey andthere is so much more just joy
in that.
And I say it to my clients allthe time, we were not meant to
do this alone.
Like we absolutely were not.
And so if you do feel, there'sjust a little bit of a support
(18:28):
gap there.
Emotionally, spiritually,informationally.
I would love to be able to walkalongside you.
If that looks like virtual birthcoaching, childbirth education I
would love to just support youin this beautiful season.
So next this kind of ties intothis as well, but the second
trimester is also a really greattime to educate yourself about
(18:50):
birth.
You obviously, you know, arestarting to have more energy,
maybe more focus, and just moretime to prepare your mind.
And childbirth education is oneof the best ways to set a
foundation so that you're not sofearful of the process.
I also highly recommend you haveyour partner, your husband, or
(19:12):
maybe you have, you know, yourmom or your sister, some,
whoever your birth partner is.
Invite them into this birthjourney and have them learn
alongside of you.
I actually offer an onlineChrist-centered childbirth
education class.
It's called Faith Over FearChildbirth Education Online
Course.
And I talk, you know, verypractically about the physiology
of birth and labor and we goover, you know, interventions
(19:35):
and things like that.
But also I tie in a lot of justlike the spiritual aspects of.
Birth and what the Bible saysabout birth postpartum,
breastfeeding, and again, justreframing this season so that
it's about the Lord and it's notabout ourselves and us
controlling outcomes and all thethings.
I also highly recommend a coupleof books.
(19:58):
I have a whole list ofrecommended books on my website
and in the resource library, butI, these are like two of my
favorite, but the first is thebirth partner.
By Penny Simkin, and this isespecially great if the partner,
like your husband or you know,mom, sister, whoever is gonna be
your birth partner wants to knowhow best to support you.
(20:19):
That's one that I recommend, butalso it's really helpful for mom
to hear it too.
And then one for mom that I loveto suggest is Ina May's Guide to
Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin.
Both of these I will have listedin the episode show notes for
you to find them.
These ways of., Just preparingyourself whether it be the books
(20:40):
or childbirth education, thisisn't about arming yourself with
knowledge so that you can haveultimate control over the
outcome.
That's not what it's about.
It is really about building aknowledge base so that you are
confident and how the Lorddesigned your body and this
process, and then having thewisdom to navigate.
And surrender the outcome to theLord.
And so it's really justpreparing practically and
(21:02):
spiritually trusting that theLord will meet you in this
process because he will, he hasalready written this baby's
birth story and and he loves youand he loves your baby so much.
And so just being able to takeaway fear through knowledge and
just trust in the Lord is so, soimportant and then the next one,
this is number six on thechecklist, is supporting your
(21:24):
body's natural preparation forbirth.
And so this isn't about, youknow, trying to do things to
start labor early or anythinglike that, but it's really about
preparing your body naturallyover this time.
So that.
When your body is, like, when itis time to go into labor, your
body has already done a lot ofpreparation.
I actually have an entireepisode about this.
(21:45):
It's episode three.
So go back and listen to thatone if you haven't already, or
it's good to re-listen to toremember all the things.
I even have a handout that, thatgoes over them in detail.
You know, drinking red raspberryleaf tea, you can start that at
20 weeks.
And then even at the end of thepregnancy eating dates.
Those are just some simple waysto prepare the body for labor.
(22:06):
I mentioned it once before, butI'll say it again.
Staying hydrated withelectrolytes.
Element is by far my favoriteright now.
You know, maintaining aconsistent you know, like
regimen with pelvic pt,chiropractic adjustments.
And then you can even do thingslike prenatal massage, which to
me feels super indulgent'cause Ilove massages, but it is also
(22:27):
very practical and helping mybody relax and help with stress
reduction.
So those are all reallyimportant things you can
continue to do to prepare yourbody.
And then if you're noticingyourself feeling really anxious
in this season I want tochallenge you to not just ignore
this and just be like, oh, it'sjust gonna go away.
I shared this in the last bonusepisode where I like talked
(22:49):
about just like feeling likeI've, I'm feeling as a mom and
just the struggles that I've hadmentally, emotionally,
spiritually in this first.
Trimester.
And you know, the thing that theLord keeps bringing me to is how
he again does not want us to dothis alone.
He has given us people he canutilize prayers and pills,
(23:12):
people prayers and pills tonavigate the struggle in our
mind.
And so again, you're not alone.
I want you to know that I am.
Fighting this battle everysingle day.
And I just want to encourage youto really give that the
attention it needs, not that itneeds to take over your whole
life, but ignoring it and justoh, it's just gonna go away on
(23:34):
its own.
A good chance it won't.
'Cause, you know, if we continueto keep things in the dark, like
gross things grow in the dark,so bring it to the light.
Bring it to people that you loveand trust and that are going to
point you to Jesus.
When it comes to anxiousthoughts, fearful thoughts
depressive thoughts, like all ofthose things and seek counsel.
(23:55):
So that's a big part of thepeople aspect is going to
counseling as well if that'swhere you feel like the Lord is
leading you.
And that seems like anappropriate next step.
But I just want you to rememberthat, you know, the Lord he
perfectly created your body.
And yet we are also so subjectto sin and brokenness that
happened as a result of thefall.
(24:15):
And so I.
I have to fight myself all thetime feeling blame for myself,
for the ways that I fall shortin my body and my mind.
But that is from the enemy.
And I'm going to choose tobelieve that the Lord does want
abundance.
He wants real fruitful life forme.
And so that sometimes comes witha lot of struggle and that's
(24:38):
okay.
He is so faithful to us, evenwhen we're struggling.
And then, finally we're gonnatalk about managing nausea and
fatigue.
So this is the last thing on ourchecklist.
Speaking of, you know, battlingthings.
But even in the secondtrimester, some moms, myself
included, are still battlingfatigue or even, nausea.
(24:59):
And I've actually had morenausea and fatigue with this
pregnancy than I did with myfirst two.
And that has.
Kind of thrown me for a loop.
I like really figured that Iwould just be past it at 12
weeks and I'm 18 weeks and likestill somewhat feeling like
waves of nausea and like reallytired.
But I'm learning to accept mylimits instead of getting down
(25:20):
on myself for not feeling betteryet.
Like I mentioned, I modify myworkouts.
Sometimes I, you know, stillneed to choose rest over
practical things like doingdishes or laundry, and that's
okay.
Remind yourself that this is aseason and you will not always
feel this way.
Some practical tips here iscontinue to eat regularly, like
(25:40):
every two to three hours andalways pair a protein with a
carb.
Sometimes our blood sugar canget really out of whack when
we're eating a lot of carbswhich can then make the nausea
worse.
So make sure you're pairingcarbs with a protein.
That's really important.
And then if you need to continuedoing the vitamin B six and
(26:01):
magnesium combo magnesiumglycinate is a really gentle and
effective form of the magnesium.
That's helpful.
I will have a link to that thetype that I'm referring to here
in the show notes and then keepelectrolytes.
Balanced and hydrate steadilythroughout the day.
The amount of water you used todrink pre-pregnancy, you're
(26:21):
like, I'm drinking that much,but you might need to increase
that a little bit more.
And then even introduce smallintentional naps.
Even a little power nap, like a20 minute nap can just really
help reset your energy.
So if you have the ability to dothat.
By all means do that.
I remember whenever I wasworking a corporate job when I
was pregnant with Ellie, I wouldgo to my car and I would just
(26:43):
like rest in my car for 20minutes with the air
conditioning on.
But just being intentional inany ways that you can just, you
know, praying regularly,bringing everything to the Lord
your victories, your defeatsyour concerns, all of that.
Like he wants to hear that.
You can even, bring in somebreathing techniques and just
practice those for the labor asa way to just help your nervous
(27:06):
system down regulate.
And then even starting the daywith an attitude of gratitude.
I've been trying to do this alittle bit more.
I used to find myself as soon asI would turn my alarm off, you
know, from my phone, I wouldlike immediately go to looking
at emails or whatever, and.
I was like, this is such a, likean addictive way to start the
day and to start my brain.
(27:27):
And so I, after I turn off myalarm, I.
Just try to thank the Lord for afew things.
I don't have a specific number,but I just try to start like
rattling off things that in myheart I am just so thankful for.
And I'm just hoping and prayingthat will just help shift my
heart and my mind as I start theday.
Instead of it being about likeemails and logistics and like
(27:50):
whatever, like it, it needs tobe about focusing on what the
Lord.
Is doing who he is, all thosethings to start my day.
So just a little tip there,maybe you would like to start to
do that as well.
And then now I would like tojust take a moment to meditate
on Galatians six, nine.
And this verse says, let us notgrow weary of doing good for in
(28:14):
due season.
We will reap if we don't giveup.
And I love this verse because itreminds me that pregnancy is
both a physical and spiritualact of sowing.
So when you're eating a meal,when you are moving when you're
praying over your precious baby,all of those things, they're a
seed.
(28:34):
And you may not see the harvestof that for a while, but God
promises it will come and doseason.
So if we continue to, you know,sow, but not grow weary.
In due season when the Lord seesfit, we will reap that harvest.
And then here's what I want toremind you of today as well.
(28:55):
That you are not responsible forthe outcome or the fruit of your
labor, like literally yourlabor, but also the preparation.
So you are respons.
Only for your faithfulness tothe Lord.
And so I want to encourage youand also challenge you to listen
and obey what the Lord has givenyou to steward.
(29:16):
In the parable of the faithfulservant the one that Jesus
tells, it does not say, welldone, good and fruitful servant.
Instead, it says, well done,good and faithful servant.
So to be faithful is.
Being faithful with nourishmentand rest and preparation and
surrender and trust in the Lordthat he is sovereign over the
(29:40):
outcome and he is sovereign overthe fruit and that's not your
responsibility.
I feel the Lord, you know,continually challenging me in
this because everything in ourworld wants to tell us you are
responsible for the outcomes ofyour life, of your work, of your
children, of your labor, ofeverything.
And.
To an extent, yes, we cansteward well or we can
(30:04):
completely mismanage the thingsthat the Lord has given us.
But I want you to not bestressed about the perfection of
that, but that, Lord, inwhatever ways you are giving me
knowledge, information, wisdom,to do what is best in your
sight, I want to just faithfullydo that.
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And then you're responsible Lordfor the outcome.
And it's not a reflection on me.
So I hope that's anencouragement and also a little
bit of a challenge to you.
I'm gonna close today's episodewith a prayer of encouragement
for you.
So let's go to the Lord inprayer.
Dear Lord Jesus, I just thankyou so much for the mama
listening right now.
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I thank you that you are somiraculous and that you are
forming a miracle within her.
Lord, I just pray that in thissecond trimester you would renew
her strength in her mind and herbody and in her spirit, and that
when she does feel weary, I praythat you would remind her that
you are the one that issustaining her.
(31:07):
I pray, Lord Jesus, that youwould help her to see every act
of care, whether that's eating anourishing meal or moving or
praying to you, Lord, that is aseed that she is planting in
faith.
And then, when the fatigue anddoubt creeps in and the enemies
whispering to her I pray thatyou would just speak truth into
(31:27):
her and that in due season shewill reap a harvest of joy.
I, I ask Lord Jesus, that youwould teach her.
To release the outcomes of herpregnancy and of her labor and
birth to you and that she wouldrest in your faithfulness.
I ask, Lord Jesus, that youwould help her to trust in you
that you are working in allthings for our good and your
(31:50):
glory, Lord Jesus, and that youare shaping both her and her
baby to be whatever you havedesigned it to be.
And Lord, I just thank you somuch that you are faithful to
complete the good work that youbegin in us.
And it's in your precious namewe pray.
Amen.
Mama I hope that you know thatyou're doing such a beautiful
(32:12):
job.
One step, one day, one faithfulact at a time.
And if you haven't already Iwould love for you to go to grab
all the free resources andthings that I mentioned in this
episode inside the ChristianMama Birth.
Prep Library.
If you go tofaithoverfearbirth.com or go to
the link in the show notes, youcan find all that as well.
(32:33):
And then next week I have a veryspecial guest, Dr.
Kate Smith.
She's a pelvic floor physicaltherapist.
And we're gonna be diving intosome practical wisdom about
pelvic health during pregnancy.
And then I'll also share about,you know, my own journey with.
Pelvic pain and hypermobility,and I just know that this is
gonna be such a helpfulconversation for you.
So please don't miss it.
(32:54):
But until next time, remember,you were made for this.
I'm believing that the Lord willprepare you for all that's
ahead.
So until next time, goodbye fornow.
Hey there, mama, and welcomeback to Faith Over Fear, the
Christian Pregnancy and Birthpodcast.
I'm so glad you're here with metoday as we discuss ways that
you can prepare yourself in thissecond trimester.
You're finally feeling thatsecond trimester energy, or
you're just wanting to make sureyou're on the right track.
This episode is for you.
(01:07):
So the second trimester issometimes called the sweet spot.
In pregnancy, it's when you'restarting to feel a little bit
better, less nausea, your energyis returning and you can just
begin to really.
Feel like you can prepareyourself, mind, body, and heart
for what's ahead.
We're gonna walk through afaith-filled practical checklist
(01:28):
to help you make the most.
In this season, we're gonnacover seven key areas,
nourishing your body throughreal food, gentle movement,
pelvic floor and chiropracticcare, building your birth team,
starting childbirth education,supporting your body's natural
preparation for birth.
And then finally, we're gonnaend with managing any lingering
(01:50):
nausea or fatigue.
So let's dive in.
So the first thing on thischecklist is to start or restart
some healthier eating habits.
Now that you're probably feelinga little bit more like yourself,
this is the perfect time torefocus on nourishment, and I
want you to try and do thiswithout guilt for what you
(02:12):
couldn't manage in that firsttrimester.
If you survived on crackers andginger ale, there is so much
grace for that, and you justneeded to do whatever you needed
to do to get through those earlyweeks, and that's okay.
But now.
If you're, you know, feelingbetter, I want you to start
focusing on rebuilding yournutrient stores, and support
(02:33):
your baby's incredible growth.
So even for me personally inthis pregnancy, I had to let go
a lot of my usual standards inthose first weeks and months.
I normally love cooking.
Home cooked nourishing meals,but I could not stomach the
thought of cooking food, and Ididn't have any energy
(02:54):
whatsoever to make meals formyself or my family.
So I gave myself permission toeat what I could, which was
primarily getting food fromrestaurants.
Granted, I always tried myhardest to make, you know,
healthier choices, but now thatI'm slowly adding more home
cooked, nutrient dense mealsback in my body feels.
So much better.
(03:16):
So practical tips.
I want you to begin adding inprotein rich foods.
This can look like eating eggs,meat, beans and fish.
Whatever you are able totolerate.
You can also add in iron andfolate through your diet.
Things like leafy greens,lentils, and.
(03:36):
Really trying to, if you canafford it, grass fed meats if
you can focus on the quality ofthe foods that you're eating,
that's really important.
And then also focusing onhealthy fats for your hormone
balance.
Things like avocado olive oil,coconut oil, nuts and seeds.
And then I love to share thisreally interesting, fun fact,
(03:59):
but vitamin C is a.
Especially important during yourpregnancy because it not only
supports your immune system, butit also can help strengthen the
amniotic sac.
And this can help preventpremature rupture of membranes
sometimes.
This is called prom, PROM,premature rupture of membranes,
and some practical ways tointroduce these types of foods.
(04:22):
Vitamin C is found in citrusfoods, bell peppers,
strawberries, and.
Broccoli.
I actually have, it's so funny,in my pregnancies I crave like
grapefruit and orange juice.
And I don't normally crave thosethings to the degree that I do
except for when I'm pregnant andthen at both of my birth, my
(04:43):
provider had to break myamniotic sac because it was so
tough and my labor wasn'tprogressing until that happened.
And both, with my first being, ahospital birth, the ob GYN, and
then at my home birth with mylast.
Birth, both the midwife and theOB were like, wow, Natalie, your
amniotic sac is super, supertough.
(05:04):
And so I, I would like to thinkthat it had to do with the
copious amounts of citrus fruitsI was eating.
But yeah, so that's just alittle fun fact, but.
But yes, certainly recommendincluding vitamin C, natural
sources of that to help preventthe premature rupture of
membranes.
And the reason why I say this isbecause I see this all the time
(05:24):
and a lot of doulas and birthworkers and everyone will also
agree with me that having yourwater break ahead of labor
beginning can usually.
Lead to more interventions.
And so if you're trying to havea low intervention birth you
know, just doing the best thatyou can.
But please don't becomeobsessive or anxious about your
water breaking before you knowcontractions begin.
(05:48):
I want you to still just trustin the Lord and know that he is
sovereign over your story, butyou can steward well to the best
of your ability, the things thatyou know, and with the rest, you
give it to the Lord.
Another thing that I really liketo highlight is staying
hydrated.
It is so much harder to stayhydrated when you're pregnant.
(06:08):
And one way that I really liketo encourage this is by
introducing electrolytes.
I really am of.
Big fan of the Element brand,LMNT.
I'll put a link in the shownotes for their website.
I find that it's easier to buytheir element packets wholesale
on their website, and it's justcheaper that way.
I drink one packet of Elementevery day, and I definitely
(06:33):
found it to not only reduce likethe cramping in my legs and
reducing the amount of.
Braxton Hicks that I had,'causeI've always had a lot of Braxton
Hicks during my pregnancies.
All three of'em, even this one.
And and so it helps withreducing the amount of Braxton
Hicks that I get leg cramping,especially at night.
It even helped with reducing myswelling, which you would think
(06:54):
would be the opposite becauseit's so much salt.
But it balanced my electrolytesso I had less swelling.
And yeah.
Definitely look into that.
So many other brands out there,but just be careful of all the
added things in it.
That's why I really likeElement,'cause it's really
clean.
But anyway I just again, want toreiterate.
That nourishing your body is notabout perfection, and I am
(07:16):
extremely prone to theperfectionistic kind of mindset.
It really is about partneringwith the Lord.
You are stewarding to the bestof your ability, the body that
he's given you to bring lifeinto the world.
In one Corinthians 10 31, itreminds us.
Whether you eat or drink orwhatever you do, do it all for
(07:36):
the glory of God.
And so that's what I want you toreally focus on as you're, you
know, adding in the nutrientrich foods and hydrating
yourself and all these things isthat it's not a thing that you
need to be obsessive over oranxious about a certain outcome
if you do or don't do thesethings, it's.
(07:57):
It's just giving glory to God byjust faithfully stewarding the
body he's given you.
I.
And then next we're gonna talkabout starting or ramping up
gentle movement.
So this second trimester is sucha beautiful time to reconnect
with your body through movement.
Maybe you did have to take itreally easy, that first
trimester, but your energy iscoming back a little bit more
(08:19):
and your body is like, I need tobe strengthened.
I need to move.
So some tips here for movementwalking is actually an
incredible.
Exercise I, that sounds, youknow, super low impact, but
that's okay if you do one tothree miles a day or very
regularly, that's gonna be sohelpful for your body.
Gentle stretching.
(08:40):
And even like workouts, likePilates, like I did a ton of
Pilates with Ellie's my firstbirth and.
I loved the low impact workout,but it was very strength
training.
And then if you're looking forsomething there are tons of like
pregnancy specific workoutprograms and things like that.
If you are looking for one, Ialways recommend the Body Ready
(09:01):
Method.
They have different programs andthey're all available online, so
you can do these workouts fromthe comfort of your own home.
And do you own them for life,which is also really cool.
So say you plan to have morepregnancies beyond the one
you're currently in.
You get to just reuse thisprogram, put in your due date
and work through that programanother time, another pregnancy.
(09:23):
So check that out.
I'll have the link in the shownotes for that program and then.
You know, just realize too, thatmovement doesn't need to be
intense.
I want you to really listen toyour body and move in ways that
feel supportive and notstressful to your body.
For example, before I gotpregnant, I was doing a body
pump class at the YMCA twice aweek, sometimes three times a
(09:46):
week.
And it's an hour long strengthtraining class.
Like it is pretty intense and.
I was starting to already modifythe class to where I wasn't like
doing as much weight, I was justfocusing on form and reps, and
then I even had to downshift alittle bit more and I end up
dipping out of the class at the30 minute mark.
(10:06):
So I'm not doing a full hour,I'm doing 30 minutes.
And I have just found that forme, doing low weight.
High reps with good form for ashortened period of time for my
body is the best.
Because then I feel like I, Ifeel a little sore from the
workout.
Like I pushed myself, but Idon't feel so tired that I can't
(10:28):
function the rest of the day,which was the point that I was
getting to before I, I modifiedso.
Modify your existing workout,,regimen or program if you're
already doing something.
Just so that it accommodatesyour changing body and your
limits that are changingconstantly.
Some of the benefits ofmovement, and this is again,
just some of the benefits, butmoving regularly in your
(10:50):
pregnancy will help support yourblood sugar and blood
circulation.
It will help reduce aches andpains, which.
For me is huge.
'cause I always really strugglein this area.
It helps improve your posture,which can also help fetal
positioning so that baby canfind a more optimal position.
It can boost your mood andsleep.
(11:11):
You know, obviously just themental physical benefits in that
way.
And then there are so manystudies that show that, you
know, moms who are exercisingthroughout their pregnancy, they
often experience betterpregnancy and labor outcomes.
So like shorter labors, fewercomplications, smoother
recoveries.
And who doesn't want that?
I mean, we all want to be ableto feel our best and do our best
(11:34):
so that our babies can grow andbe as healthy as possible.
I wanted to point out Romans 12,one, and it's a, and it just
like basically encourages us topresent our bodies as a living
sacrifice, wholly and pleasingto God.
And really when we move ourbodies especially with, again,
that mindset that this is just away that I can present myself as
(11:57):
a living sacrifice.
Even movement, it becomes an actof worship.
It becomes a way to just glorifythe Lord.
And you know, just seeing it asa way to even just nourish your
yourself spiritually as well.
Number three on our checklist isscheduling pelvic floor and
chiropractic care.
This is one area in which I wishI had known more about with my
(12:21):
previous pregnancies, but theimportance of pelvic floor
therapy, especially if you werenoticing you were having pelvic
floor issues heaviness on yourpelvic floor.
Pain with sex you're leakingthose are signs of dysfunction.
And so if you are noticing theseissues, it is so much better to
(12:41):
address these during yourpregnancy, not only for your
pregnancy to be more healthy,but also for the labor and
delivery process to be smoother.
And then the postpartum recoveryafterwards.
And then, same with chiropracticcare.
I did not understand theimportance of this really.
My first pregnancy, I was seeinga chiropractor very
sporadically.
But I took it much more serious.
(13:02):
With my second pregnancy andI'm, you know, doing more of
that with this pregnancy aswell.
But it is ideal to start evenearly.
So even before there'sdiscomforts, that's bringing you
in for care.
It just helps strengthen yourpelvic muscles, which again,
helps sustain you during yourpregnancy and then prepare for
the birth and just ask yourprovider as well if you are
(13:25):
looking for pelvic floorphysical therapy in your area,
another.
Great resources asking othermoms whether that be like
personal, you know, people inyour area or like on, on mom
groups.
There's so many greatrecommendations out there.
And then when it comes tochiropractic care, I touch on
this all the time, but you know.
(13:46):
The body comes out of alignmenta lot of the day, the way we
move our bodies and you know,different injuries and things
that happen.
And so when you're getting anadjustment, it's helping align
the pelvis and the spine.
It helps create just a betteropportunity for baby to find a
more optimal position.
Which can significantly play arole in how smooth or rough the
(14:10):
labor goes.
And again, don't becomeobsessive about it, but just do
the best you can in this regard.
And I always recommend lookingfor a Webster certified
chiropractor.
This is somebody who specializesin pregnancy and sometimes it
might take you a fewchiropractors to figure out what
the best fit is.
The cost varies widely.
(14:31):
Some take insurance.
Some don't.
As well as the amount ofadjustments they recommend.
Some chiropractors here will saywe're gonna do four adjustments
a week for four weeks, and thenthey kind of taper down.
But again, there's a cost bothto your, you know, your wallet
and also to your time for thosetypes of models of care, which
(14:52):
for some, that is absolutely thecorrect.
Like path, you need to go downthat path.
But for others it that might notbe feasible or needed.
And shop around essentially fora good chiropractor, a good
pelvic floor therapist, and findthe right fit for you.
And sometimes that does meanlooking for a little while.
I want you to see this as a wayto partner with God's design of
(15:14):
your body and just supportingthe work that he's already doing
because he is doing all thiswork in your body.
It's not like you're directingyourself, okay, today we're
gonna.
We're gonna form the heart orno, like God is in charge and
he's sovereign over all of this.
But this is just you supportingthe growth that he is making
inside of you.
And then number four, I want youto continue building and
(15:37):
refining your birth team.
So this is a great time to checkin about your provider and just
ask yourself, do I feel seen,heard, and respected by this
provider?
If something doesn't feel right,you can always choose a
different provider, even if itis that the very, very tail end
of your pregnancy, you alwayshave.
(15:59):
Choices and options.
And so I have a free guide ifyou sign up for access to the
Christian Mama birth preplibrary.
I have a handout called Top 10Questions to Ask a Prospective
Provider.
So that is a great way to gaugewhether or not you are with a
provider that you're alignedwith.
You don't have to ask them allof the questions, but it's just
(16:21):
a great way to guide theconversation so that you can
feel supported.
Another thing to consider isadding a doula or a virtual
birth coach for extra emotional,spiritual, informational
support.
And I am a in-person doula herein Jacksonville, Florida.
But I also do virtual birthcoaching for mamas here in town
(16:42):
and then also, you know, allover the world.
So if you are interested in theidea of virtual birth coaching
or you're like.
I wonder what that would entail.
I would love it if you wouldfill out my free 15 minute
discovery call to see if I'm agood fit for you and if you're a
good fit for me and my services.
(17:02):
But I would love for you tocheck out my other services as
well.
If you go to my website,faithoverfearbirth.com or you
can also go into the show notesand you can find links for this
information as well.
But yeah, so check out that freeguide.
Top 10 questions to ask aprospective provider.
And that will also be in theepisode show notes.
(17:24):
I love this verse in proverbs.
It's Proverbs 1114 and it says,where there is no guidance, a
people falls.
But in an abundance ofcounselors, there is safety, and
I love that.
It just points to the fact thatGod uses people in our lives to
help, guide us through thisjourney with peace and also with
(17:45):
truth.
I think it's really importantthat the people that you're
choosing to speak into youthey're telling you the truth
and they're telling you they'retelling you true and wise and
good things.
And again, I think you know, noteveryone.
Needs to hire a doula.
It's not what I'm saying, oreveryone needs to choose a
provider that is also abeliever.
That's also not what I'm saying,but I think it is important that
(18:06):
we are utilizing the wisdom andthe guidance of others to be
able.
To navigate this journey andthere is so much more just joy
in that.
And I say it to my clients allthe time, we were not meant to
do this alone.
Like we absolutely were not.
And so if you do feel, there'sjust a little bit of a support
(18:28):
gap there.
Emotionally, spiritually,informationally.
I would love to be able to walkalongside you.
If that looks like virtual birthcoaching, childbirth education I
would love to just support youin this beautiful season.
So next this kind of ties intothis as well, but the second
trimester is also a really greattime to educate yourself about
(18:50):
birth.
You obviously, you know, arestarting to have more energy,
maybe more focus, and just moretime to prepare your mind.
And childbirth education is oneof the best ways to set a
foundation so that you're not sofearful of the process.
I also highly recommend you haveyour partner, your husband, or
(19:12):
maybe you have, you know, yourmom or your sister, some,
whoever your birth partner is.
Invite them into this birthjourney and have them learn
alongside of you.
I actually offer an onlineChrist-centered childbirth
education class.
It's called Faith Over FearChildbirth Education Online
Course.
And I talk, you know, verypractically about the physiology
of birth and labor and we goover, you know, interventions
(19:35):
and things like that.
But also I tie in a lot of justlike the spiritual aspects of.
Birth and what the Bible saysabout birth postpartum,
breastfeeding, and again, justreframing this season so that
it's about the Lord and it's notabout ourselves and us
controlling outcomes and all thethings.
I also highly recommend a coupleof books.
(19:58):
I have a whole list ofrecommended books on my website
and in the resource library, butI, these are like two of my
favorite, but the first is thebirth partner.
By Penny Simkin, and this isespecially great if the partner,
like your husband or you know,mom, sister, whoever is gonna be
your birth partner wants to knowhow best to support you.
(20:19):
That's one that I recommend, butalso it's really helpful for mom
to hear it too.
And then one for mom that I loveto suggest is Ina May's Guide to
Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin.
Both of these I will have listedin the episode show notes for
you to find them.
These ways of., Just preparingyourself whether it be the books
(20:40):
or childbirth education, thisisn't about arming yourself with
knowledge so that you can haveultimate control over the
outcome.
That's not what it's about.
It is really about building aknowledge base so that you are
confident and how the Lorddesigned your body and this
process, and then having thewisdom to navigate.
And surrender the outcome to theLord.
And so it's really justpreparing practically and
(21:02):
spiritually trusting that theLord will meet you in this
process because he will, he hasalready written this baby's
birth story and and he loves youand he loves your baby so much.
And so just being able to takeaway fear through knowledge and
just trust in the Lord is so, soimportant and then the next one,
this is number six on thechecklist, is supporting your
(21:24):
body's natural preparation forbirth.
And so this isn't about, youknow, trying to do things to
start labor early or anythinglike that, but it's really about
preparing your body naturallyover this time.
So that.
When your body is, like, when itis time to go into labor, your
body has already done a lot ofpreparation.
I actually have an entireepisode about this.
(21:45):
It's episode three.
So go back and listen to thatone if you haven't already, or
it's good to re-listen to toremember all the things.
I even have a handout that, thatgoes over them in detail.
You know, drinking red raspberryleaf tea, you can start that at
20 weeks.
And then even at the end of thepregnancy eating dates.
Those are just some simple waysto prepare the body for labor.
(22:06):
I mentioned it once before, butI'll say it again.
Staying hydrated withelectrolytes.
Element is by far my favoriteright now.
You know, maintaining aconsistent you know, like
regimen with pelvic pt,chiropractic adjustments.
And then you can even do thingslike prenatal massage, which to
me feels super indulgent'cause Ilove massages, but it is also
(22:27):
very practical and helping mybody relax and help with stress
reduction.
So those are all reallyimportant things you can
continue to do to prepare yourbody.
And then if you're noticingyourself feeling really anxious
in this season I want tochallenge you to not just ignore
this and just be like, oh, it'sjust gonna go away.
I shared this in the last bonusepisode where I like talked
(22:49):
about just like feeling likeI've, I'm feeling as a mom and
just the struggles that I've hadmentally, emotionally,
spiritually in this first.
Trimester.
And you know, the thing that theLord keeps bringing me to is how
he again does not want us to dothis alone.
He has given us people he canutilize prayers and pills,
(23:12):
people prayers and pills tonavigate the struggle in our
mind.
And so again, you're not alone.
I want you to know that I am.
Fighting this battle everysingle day.
And I just want to encourage youto really give that the
attention it needs, not that itneeds to take over your whole
life, but ignoring it and justoh, it's just gonna go away on
(23:34):
its own.
A good chance it won't.
'Cause, you know, if we continueto keep things in the dark, like
gross things grow in the dark,so bring it to the light.
Bring it to people that you loveand trust and that are going to
point you to Jesus.
When it comes to anxiousthoughts, fearful thoughts
depressive thoughts, like all ofthose things and seek counsel.
(23:55):
So that's a big part of thepeople aspect is going to
counseling as well if that'swhere you feel like the Lord is
leading you.
And that seems like anappropriate next step.
But I just want you to rememberthat, you know, the Lord he
perfectly created your body.
And yet we are also so subjectto sin and brokenness that
happened as a result of thefall.
(24:15):
And so I.
I have to fight myself all thetime feeling blame for myself,
for the ways that I fall shortin my body and my mind.
But that is from the enemy.
And I'm going to choose tobelieve that the Lord does want
abundance.
He wants real fruitful life forme.
And so that sometimes comes witha lot of struggle and that's
(24:38):
okay.
He is so faithful to us, evenwhen we're struggling.
And then, finally we're gonnatalk about managing nausea and
fatigue.
So this is the last thing on ourchecklist.
Speaking of, you know, battlingthings.
But even in the secondtrimester, some moms, myself
included, are still battlingfatigue or even, nausea.
(24:59):
And I've actually had morenausea and fatigue with this
pregnancy than I did with myfirst two.
And that has.
Kind of thrown me for a loop.
I like really figured that Iwould just be past it at 12
weeks and I'm 18 weeks and likestill somewhat feeling like
waves of nausea and like reallytired.
But I'm learning to accept mylimits instead of getting down
(25:20):
on myself for not feeling betteryet.
Like I mentioned, I modify myworkouts.
Sometimes I, you know, stillneed to choose rest over
practical things like doingdishes or laundry, and that's
okay.
Remind yourself that this is aseason and you will not always
feel this way.
Some practical tips here iscontinue to eat regularly, like
(25:40):
every two to three hours andalways pair a protein with a
carb.
Sometimes our blood sugar canget really out of whack when
we're eating a lot of carbswhich can then make the nausea
worse.
So make sure you're pairingcarbs with a protein.
That's really important.
And then if you need to continuedoing the vitamin B six and
(26:01):
magnesium combo magnesiumglycinate is a really gentle and
effective form of the magnesium.
That's helpful.
I will have a link to that thetype that I'm referring to here
in the show notes and then keepelectrolytes.
Balanced and hydrate steadilythroughout the day.
The amount of water you used todrink pre-pregnancy, you're
(26:21):
like, I'm drinking that much,but you might need to increase
that a little bit more.
And then even introduce smallintentional naps.
Even a little power nap, like a20 minute nap can just really
help reset your energy.
So if you have the ability to dothat.
By all means do that.
I remember whenever I wasworking a corporate job when I
was pregnant with Ellie, I wouldgo to my car and I would just
(26:43):
like rest in my car for 20minutes with the air
conditioning on.
But just being intentional inany ways that you can just, you
know, praying regularly,bringing everything to the Lord
your victories, your defeatsyour concerns, all of that.
Like he wants to hear that.
You can even, bring in somebreathing techniques and just
practice those for the labor asa way to just help your nervous
(27:06):
system down regulate.
And then even starting the daywith an attitude of gratitude.
I've been trying to do this alittle bit more.
I used to find myself as soon asI would turn my alarm off, you
know, from my phone, I wouldlike immediately go to looking
at emails or whatever, and.
I was like, this is such a, likean addictive way to start the
day and to start my brain.
(27:27):
And so I, after I turn off myalarm, I.
Just try to thank the Lord for afew things.
I don't have a specific number,but I just try to start like
rattling off things that in myheart I am just so thankful for.
And I'm just hoping and prayingthat will just help shift my
heart and my mind as I start theday.
Instead of it being about likeemails and logistics and like
(27:50):
whatever, like it, it needs tobe about focusing on what the
Lord.
Is doing who he is, all thosethings to start my day.
So just a little tip there,maybe you would like to start to
do that as well.
And then now I would like tojust take a moment to meditate
on Galatians six, nine.
And this verse says, let us notgrow weary of doing good for in
(28:14):
due season.
We will reap if we don't giveup.
And I love this verse because itreminds me that pregnancy is
both a physical and spiritualact of sowing.
So when you're eating a meal,when you are moving when you're
praying over your precious baby,all of those things, they're a
seed.
(28:34):
And you may not see the harvestof that for a while, but God
promises it will come and doseason.
So if we continue to, you know,sow, but not grow weary.
In due season when the Lord seesfit, we will reap that harvest.
And then here's what I want toremind you of today as well.
(28:55):
That you are not responsible forthe outcome or the fruit of your
labor, like literally yourlabor, but also the preparation.
So you are respons.
Only for your faithfulness tothe Lord.
And so I want to encourage youand also challenge you to listen
and obey what the Lord has givenyou to steward.
(29:16):
In the parable of the faithfulservant the one that Jesus
tells, it does not say, welldone, good and fruitful servant.
Instead, it says, well done,good and faithful servant.
So to be faithful is.
Being faithful with nourishmentand rest and preparation and
surrender and trust in the Lordthat he is sovereign over the
(29:40):
outcome and he is sovereign overthe fruit and that's not your
responsibility.
I feel the Lord, you know,continually challenging me in
this because everything in ourworld wants to tell us you are
responsible for the outcomes ofyour life, of your work, of your
children, of your labor, ofeverything.
And.
To an extent, yes, we cansteward well or we can
(30:04):
completely mismanage the thingsthat the Lord has given us.
But I want you to not bestressed about the perfection of
that, but that, Lord, inwhatever ways you are giving me
knowledge, information, wisdom,to do what is best in your
sight, I want to just faithfullydo that.
(30:24):
And then you're responsible Lordfor the outcome.
And it's not a reflection on me.
So I hope that's anencouragement and also a little
bit of a challenge to you.
I'm gonna close today's episodewith a prayer of encouragement
for you.
So let's go to the Lord inprayer.
Dear Lord Jesus, I just thankyou so much for the mama
listening right now.
(30:45):
I thank you that you are somiraculous and that you are
forming a miracle within her.
Lord, I just pray that in thissecond trimester you would renew
her strength in her mind and herbody and in her spirit, and that
when she does feel weary, I praythat you would remind her that
you are the one that issustaining her.
(31:07):
I pray, Lord Jesus, that youwould help her to see every act
of care, whether that's eating anourishing meal or moving or
praying to you, Lord, that is aseed that she is planting in
faith.
And then, when the fatigue anddoubt creeps in and the enemies
whispering to her I pray thatyou would just speak truth into
(31:27):
her and that in due season shewill reap a harvest of joy.
I, I ask Lord Jesus, that youwould teach her.
To release the outcomes of herpregnancy and of her labor and
birth to you and that she wouldrest in your faithfulness.
I ask, Lord Jesus, that youwould help her to trust in you
that you are working in allthings for our good and your
(31:50):
glory, Lord Jesus, and that youare shaping both her and her
baby to be whatever you havedesigned it to be.
And Lord, I just thank you somuch that you are faithful to
complete the good work that youbegin in us.
And it's in your precious namewe pray.
Amen.
Mama I hope that you know thatyou're doing such a beautiful
(32:12):
job.
One step, one day, one faithfulact at a time.
And if you haven't already Iwould love for you to go to grab
all the free resources andthings that I mentioned in this
episode inside the ChristianMama Birth.
Prep Library.
If you go tofaithoverfearbirth.com or go to
the link in the show notes, youcan find all that as well.
(32:33):
And then next week I have a veryspecial guest, Dr.
Kate Smith.
She's a pelvic floor physicaltherapist.
And we're gonna be diving intosome practical wisdom about
pelvic health during pregnancy.
And then I'll also share about,you know, my own journey with.
Pelvic pain and hypermobility,and I just know that this is
gonna be such a helpfulconversation for you.
So please don't miss it.
(32:54):
But until next time, remember,you were made for this.
I'm believing that the Lord willprepare you for all that's
ahead.
So until next time, goodbye fornow.
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