Preparing For Last Baby But First Sway (Pink!)
Hi all!
I am still fairly new to this site-though I have read its wealth of information since I was pregnant with my last child! I stumbled upon it when I was looking for “clues” to the gender of our fourth baby, and I am so glad I did!
Little background: We have four children in the order of boy, girl, boy, boy! We never cared or gave much thought to gender, especially as we had boy then girl next, until we realized we seem to be more set for boys! All of our children are around 2 years apart give or take by a couple of months. We are tc our fifth and final in a few months, and would absolutely love another girl to add!
I canÂ’t honestly think of many differences between conceiving my girl vs my boys. I have always skipped breakfast and eaten basically LE, though room for improvements. The only differences I can really think of is I gained tons of weight with my first child, and had lost almost all of it before conceiving our girl. With my subsequent pregnancies, I still had a good bit to lose. DD was also a one hit wonder and not sure how many days we were out from O. (We were not TTC at that point, but DH decided to pull out, but went immediately back for round two and enough must have made its way! 😆) The only big difference is I didnÂ’t have the big O, and I usually always do and know for sure I did when DS were all conceived. DS 1&2 were conceived with multiple attempts and around O. DS3 was only one attempt, around 3 days from O.
Regarding diet, I do know I always have been a bit of a grazer, so thatÂ’s a downfall. Never been a big red meat eater, either. I have started the LE diet in the past several weeks, really getting serious the last few, and cut out all the snacking. I usually have at least a 13-16 hour fast, not eating until 1-2pm usually.
I’m going with the knowledge there really is no magic food and nothing is off limits as long as I stay within the guidelines. I am however, worried on the fat and carb part. This last pregnancy, I developed gestational diabetes and had to totally change my diet. I am now prediabetic, so I am still pretty strict with my diet to avoid meds. I don’t do very low carb diet, but stay on lower end (averaging 75-no more than 150/day), and I get most of my carbs from “good carbs.” Since starting LE, I have quit eating as many nuts, and “good fats” like I have been in the past year. I never eat potatoes or white breads. I am a little worried that my blood sugar won’t go low enough just bc I’m prediabetic. I do feel like the fact that I am at my lowest weight since before my first pregnancy due to my diet changes in the past year may help. And since I had started eating lots of meat and now pared back down is a change!
I still BF last DS, who is 9 months old. (I also conceived all children after my first while still BF.) I do drink several cups of coffee a day, though I do a good bit of heavy cream in one of those. I have no other dairy except cheese, so I am hoping if I stay in my limits this wonÂ’t hurt me? I used to drink lots of water, but havenÂ’t done so well with that the past few months, especially since my supply doesnÂ’t seem to suffer and IÂ’m just too busy most days to remember! Haha.
DS3 also is a terrible sleeper at the moment, so I am having to go the couch potato route since I cannot commit to so much cardio.
What else should I be doing? What about DH? I just turned 38 and he will be 41 in a few months. I know there are certain things we should and shouldnÂ’t do with those ages. We have gotten pregnant the first cycle every time we have tried and then my DD as mentioned was a little early! 😁 I know thatÂ’s no guarantee for next time, though!
DH runs 3x/wk and usually skips breakfast. He does like to have a banana or some nuts after a run. He loves red meat, too (heÂ’s willing to eat less.) Does this matter? I have read his diet doesnÂ’t necessarily sway, but he is willing to do what will help and is all for it! Any supplements or suggestions for either of us?
I have read the article on frequency, but still a little confused by what is best except not to abstain? Does e4d mean like Monday & Thursday or is it Monday & Friday?
Sorry for the long post, trying to cover it all!
Thanks so very much in advance!