He's Here!
A Little Break from the Usual Newsletter Vibes
Happy Monday From Me!
After sharing lots about training through pregnancy and how this has looked and felt for me over the last 9 months - I wanted to break from my usual newsletters (I will be back with these in the next few weeks as I slowly return to coaching and writing/ normal life). Taking this issue to share a few thoughts on the last week as insights for anyone on, or about to embark on this crazy, wild ride!
3 Thoughts on Birth:
I am simply sharing my thoughts - I am extremely mindful that everyone’s experience is different - I have countless friends who have gone through this, and every story varies. However - I wanted to share a few thoughts in the hope that they might be useful, comforting or reassuring for anyone about to go through this or been through this:
Staying fit and continuing training put me in the best possible position for labour and birth - I firmly believe that keeping my body strong and calm throughout pregnancy helped support me during those hours. It reconfirmed what I believed throughout, what my training as a pre-natal PT and research around the subject for the writing I have done - that keeping your body and mind strong will have a hugely positive effect - regardless of your story.
All about the breath - if you are reading this and you are pregnant - I cannot say this enough - daily. breathwork. practice. Either yourself or with some guidance - I am using the DE app and have just downloaded Breathe With James - daily breathwork calms the nervous system and cultivates inner calm as well as provides you with breathwork tools for labour.
Labour and birth is an example of female power and strength - I went home from the hospital feeling like I could do anything (it was a similar feeling to that I got when waking up the morning after running a 100km ultra-marathon in 14 hours). It is empowering and shows you that strength is innate and that women are built for this - anyone feeling anxious about what’s to come - I see you and I felt this almost daily from about 6 months pregnant - you’ve got this!
4 Things I have Used to Support My Mental and Physical Health This Week:
Breathwork - still banging on about it, still doing it, still prioritising it.
Walking outside - once well and able enough, this is an enormous mood booster for me - it usually involves a chai and a great pod.
Slow mornings - making no plans, laying in bed drinking ginger tea and reading/ lots of newborn cuddles. Slowing down has been really important for me to try and replenish my energy stores.
Nutritious food - I have been trying to fuel my body with lots of nutritious food - homemade meals, smoothies, herbal tea, and a gallon of water a day (combined with brownies and Tony’s chocolate to curb the sugar cravings).
I will be back in a few weeks with more of the usual fitness, health, and wellness content - please get in touch if you have anything you would like to see featured in these weekly drops, and thanks for the support in continuing to read and share my thoughts and work.
Iona x