I’m Pregnant! And Eating For Two!

This was one of the first things that popped into my mind when it sank in my head that I was pregnant. Yes, eating and food are usually forefront on my mind. I love food and eating.

Things changed quickly when I realized that what I ate directly affected another person.  “The food I eat  goes directly  to the baby in my tummy.”
#PregnancyThoughts

I became immediately aware of what I eat and how it would affect my baby.

I could not eat much during the first trimester of my two pregnancies. I lost weight because I could hardly keep any food down. I suffered from nausea and vomiting that subsided in the late morning with my first pregnancy. However, with my second pregnancy, my nausea was more all day.
I wrote about my experience with Extreme Morning Sickness here.

Concerned About Nourishing Baby

I worried and wondered if the baby was getting enough nutrition.
My stomach rejected everything.

I felt I was prepared and ready for pregnancy. I waited for almost two years before I got pregnant. During that time, I read and researched in anticipation. But somehow, I wasn’t.
I had more Questions than Answers.

I searched the internet and referenced my What To Expect app for answers. The information was conflicting. I asked my doctor about Eating for Two. She informed me that I was NOT eating for two. I just needed about 300+ more calories per day.

It was great to have my expert medical doctor’s word confirming that I should not be eating for two. And even better – for her to explain that I just needed additional calories.

However,…

I felt I was eating for two…

AND, YES! I ATE FOR TWO WHEN I WAS PREGNANT

MY CHOICE & APPROACH – Make Yours Too

Of course, I was eating for me and my baby. I had to nourish my body as “the baby making vessel”.  As well as eat food that would help my baby develop and grow healthy and strong.

The Important Distinction

However, I’m a grown adult and my baby was about the size of blueberry when I found out I was pregnant.
How many calories did my little berry need from my body?

I understood that I was not to DOUBLE the amount of food I eat. And I definitely did not – when I finally could eat again.

MY GOALS – when eating for two

1. Have a healthy baby.  I kept thinking – 10 fingers and 10 toes…
2. Nourish my baby to develop and grow healthy and strong.
3. Nourish my body to be able to carry a healthy pregnancy. I honestly was afraid to gain an excess amount of weight.  I was over 30 years old. And, I knew it would be a challenge for ME to do the work that would be needed to lose the weight.

This statement stuck with me:
The foods you eat are the main source of nutrients for your baby.
Talk about pressure! I felt this same pressure as a breastfeeding mama.
Of course, we are eating for two!

How I Ate for TWO When Pregnant

• Took my Prenatal Vitamins Everyday – except when I couldn’t keep them or anything down
• Tried to eat healthily – the most of the time
• Did not focus on or count calories
• Ate a lot of fruits and veggies
• Drank water – my biggest challenge during my pregnancies
• Ate food high in iron – my iron level was low with both pregnancies
• Eat as much food in its natural form as possible
• Kept things simple. I mainly ate fish, some seafood and poultry
• Did some form of movement. Walking, Swimming and Keeping up with my 2-year-old (2nd pregnancy) were my thing
• Google was a great friend each day – when I wasn’t sure about eating something 

Eating for an Adult Versus a Tiny Baby

Yes, You’re Eating for Two! But not for Two Adults. You’re Eating for You and a Tiny Baby.
I loved keeping track of the size of my baby each week – in comparison to a fruit. It gave me a visual.

Think about how much more nutrients YOU and YOUR body need to grow a healthy little person.
Food Insight does a wonderful job with breaking down Eating for Two. And Getting the nutrients you need when pregnant. 

If you’re feeling confused and getting stressed about the Dos and Don’ts of eating while pregnant.
Review the Office on Women’s Health Information on Staying Healthy and Safe – when pregnant.

Are you pregnant and Eating for Two?  I heard the term been used throughout the years, and never gave much deeper thought to it.
I just took it as – someone is pregnant.

However, when I got pregnant and thought more about the fact that I was now eating for another person.
And that person’s development was affected by what I eat. I became more aware and probably awaken.

The Perspective that Clicked in My Head

As pregnant women, we are not eating for ourselves and another adult.
We are eating to sustain ourselves and nourish the demands of our pregnant bodies and growing babies.

I ate for me and my babies in both pregnancies. I focused on what my body and the babies needed.
So, yes, I ate for TWO when I was pregnant.

I was able to achieve my goals. I’m so grateful to have had two healthy pregnancies and babies.
I was able to gain the right amount of weight for my body and babies.

Do what works for you, your body and your baby.

I hope by sharing my perspective on “Eating for Two”, you can create your own.

Cheers to happy and healthy pregnancies!

Yamiek, aka, Tallawah Human