Good morning, friends! A few days ago, I had you guys send in your pregnancy questions via Instastories. I rounded up some of the most popular ones below, but if there’s any topic you’d like me to write an entire post on, let me know in the comment section. I also wanted to start out this post by saying I know that the topic of pregnancy and conceiving can be a very sensitive topic for a lot of people. I am sharing our story with you today. Even though it took us a while to get pregnant, I know there are so many of you who have struggled for longer, gone through fertility treatments, etc. Everyone’s journey and struggle looks different. I may only understand a fraction of what you are going through, but I know what a lonely and hard journey it is – my heart goes out to all of you.
Now, let’s begin.
Q: When is your due date?
January 13, 2021. I’m 15 weeks today and the baby is the size of a navel orange!
Q: Tell us the story of how you found out you were pregnant.
It’s a little bit anti-climactic haha! I am a serial pregnancy test taker – I ordered this box of 100 tests from Amazon and they’re really cheap so I basically tested all the time during the TWW (two week wait). On the cycle we got pregnant, I took a pregnancy test really early on (the morning of 6 DPO – days past ovulation) and saw a very, very, very faint line on the test. I had been taking pregnancy tests for a year and a half and had NEVER seen that before. I got so excited, I ran to Chris’s office and showed him the test and was screaming, “DO YOU SEE IT?! DO YOU SEE IT?!” Unfortunately, Chris did NOT see the line!! He was convinced that I wanted it to be positive so badly, my mind was creating a second line. But he could not deny it when it got a teeny bit darker the next day, and then the next, until there was DEFINITELY a second line! And then he was incredibly happy and we were able to celebrate. But it drove me crazy that he didn’t believe me at first. 🙂
This was a pregnancy test I took that night – can you see the second line?! I definitely can, but you might have to squint a little to see it 😉 Chris and I ran out and bought a package of First Response Early Result Pregnancy tests that night because they’re known to be the best!
Q: What is the first symptom you noticed?
The first symptom I noticed was light cramping (I think it was implantation cramps) on 5 DPO. I was also FREEZING COLD on 6 and 7 DPO. I could not get warm! By days 7 and 8 DPO, I started having all of the typical symptoms: my boobs hurt, my sense of smell was heightened, I was SUPER emotional (and still am 🙂 ).
Q: How long had you been trying before you got pregnant and did you conceive naturally?
Chris and I tried for a year and a half before we finally got a positive pregnancy test. We did conceive naturally. To be honest, it was a very tough, lonely, and frustrating journey. This is a very long story, but I’ll try to condense it here: We got some test results back a year into our TTC (trying to conceive) journey and our doctor told us that we could probably only get pregnant through IVF. He wanted us to get tested again four months later before sending us to a fertility clinic. For the next four months, Chris and I completely changed our lifestyles – we started taking supplements, ate mostly organic and cooked from home, cut out alcohol and soda, replaced all of our body products with pthalate- and paraben-free alternatives, ditched our Teflon pots and pans, and replaced all of the plastic in our kitchen with glass alternatives. Plus a lot more! We got re-tested at the end of the four months and received amazing results – and a few weeks later we found out we were pregnant. It might seem like a crazy story (it still blows my mind a little!) and I know not everyone’s story will be the same as ours, but we feel incredibly grateful. I’d be happy to write a whole blog post on everything we did that ended up working, if you guys want!
Q: How did you keep your spirits up during the “trying-and-nothing-is happening” period?
I have always been an optimist by nature (I think it’s just how God made me) – I will always choose to look at a glass of water and see that it’s half full. But I will say that when we got the test results back the first time, I was devastated. I cried for two weeks straight, questioning God’s plan for us the entire time. If we did end up going down the path of IVF, I realized it could be a very long time before I held my baby in my arms. I know IVF is also a very physically and emotionally draining process. If it came to that, then I would have been ready, but I could not hold back the tears and questions to God. I will never forget that I filled my neighbor in on this information and she cried with me, she hugged me and she said, “Caitlin, God has planned for you to be a mother. It might not be the way you intended, but you will be a mother. And don’t you doubt that. He will be faithful.” This was exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. And I realized that she was right. I knew God would be faithful, I just needed to continue to have hope. I held on to God’s promise that I would become a mother, even if it wasn’t the way I had originally planned. I felt so much peace after realizing this, and I really had to let go of all the plans that I had made for myself and for our family. This was up to God, not me. I think realizing that I wasn’t in control and simply letting go of it really helped me. And whenever I felt down, I prayed and wrote in my journal… knowing that someday I would look back on that journal entry with a baby in my arms.
Q: Were you tracking your cycle? If so, how and did you use an app?
During my TTC journey, I discovered the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I will be forever grateful for this book because I learned so much about my body and cycle, and I really felt so empowered as a woman after reading it. Early on, I started tracking my cycle according to FAM – the Fertility Awareness Method. This method involves recording your cervical mucus and tracking your basal body temperature (BBT) every morning. I ordered a basal thermometer off of Amazon and used an app called Kindara to track everything. I woke up every morning at 6 a.m. to take my temperature, recorded my cervical mucus, and peed on ovulation strips. The FAM method is really cool because it’s so accurate – I could determine the exact day I was ovulating every month! Ultimately, this helped us to conceive because we were able to time everything perfectly.
This might seem like gibberish to a lot of you – but the above chart is my chart from the month we conceived! The blue lines show my temperature, and I ovulated on Cycle Day 20 because my temperature increased and stayed high afterward.
Q: Have you had any morning sickness? How did you cope? Have you had food cravings or aversions?
The nausea started in my sixth week of pregnancy. Thankfully, it never got so bad to the point where I threw up, but there were plenty of times I really felt like I could have. For the rest of the first trimester, I felt super fatigued and NOTHING sounded good to eat! I also had a lot of food aversions. The thought of eggs, red meat and fish all made me nauseous. My cravings have mainly been for carbs and sugar (which stinks because I’m trying so hard to eat healthy!). I want pizza, potato chips, OLIVE GARDEN BREADSTICKS, and chocolate chip cookies. On days I felt really bad, I ate whatever I could that made me feel better, and tried not to feel guilty about it (even if it was unhealthy). On days where I felt better, I craved fresh fruit and vegetables and ate lots of salads and smoothies.
Q: What worked best for your morning sickness?
Sea bands and ginger chews unfortunately did not work for me, but here are a few things that did:
- Eating several small meals and snacking throughout the day, rather than eating three larger meals. I kept a breakfast bar or saltines right by my bed to eat first thing in the morning.
- Pedialyte freezer pops!! These taste really good, are nice and cooling, and also contain electrolytes to help prevent dehydration.
- I added these pregnancy flakes to my bath a few times per week and I swear they helped with nausea!
- Breathing fresh air. Getting out of the house at least once a day for a walk really helped me.
- Distracting myself! Anytime I could successfully distract myself, I barely noticed the nausea. This could be working on a project or just getting lost in a really good TV show – right now I’m really into Vampire Diaries on Netflix.
Q: Can you take baths during pregnancy?
I would consult your doctor about this, but mine said it was fine. I take several baths per week, it’s one of the only things that makes me feel better when I’m nauseous! My doctor said it was fine as long as the bathwater is not too hot. You don’t want your core temperature to get over 101 degrees. I don’t fill the bath up very much and fill it up with warm (not hot!) water. I also don’t soak for hours… a good 20 minutes is enough for me!
Q: What prenatal vitamin are you taking?
I’m currently taking this prenatal vitamin, I get mine from Whole Foods. This one is also a great option. Make sure your prenatal vitamins contains folate instead of folic acid. Folic acid is the synthetic version of folate and is hard for most people to absorb! In addition to a prenatal, I’ve been supplementing with DHA since I’ve been unable to eat any fish.
Q: How did you hide your bump in the swimsuit pictures you posted?
All of of my swimsuit pictures were taken early on the pregnancy when I wasn’t really showing yet! The below photo was taken at six weeks. You would DEFINITELY notice my bump if I took the same picture now! My bump “popped” at 14 weeks.
Q: Are you going to find out the gender? Will you be doing a gender reveal?
Yes! We chose to do a non-invasive blood test called MaterniT 21, which can be done as early as 12 weeks. It screens for certain chromosomal abnormalities that could affect your baby’s health and development – such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs, abnormal numbers of X or Y chromosomes)… and it can also detect if you’re having a boy or a girl. We just got our test results back and the baby is healthy, and we know the gender! We want to do something for the gender reveal, but probably won’t have a party because we are still practicing social distancing.
Q: Are you exercising like normal?
I could barely work out during the first trimester! I think I worked out once per week, however, I still managed to go on a walk at least once every day (thanks, Winnie!). When you have no energy and feel nauseated, working out is the last thing you want to do! Since entering my second trimester, I’ve gotten some of my energy back and I’ve been able to work out several times this week at a higher intensity. (Side note: I have not started “prenatal” workouts yet. I’m still doing my old favorite workouts, just modifying them for pregnancy and what feels good for my body.)
Q: What are you eating now?
Now that I’m out of my first trimester and feeling a little better, I’m able to make healthier choices. I want to do a whole post on pregnancy nutrition – I really think it’s soooo important for your baby since everything you eat goes directly to them! I read this book early on in my pregnancy and it’s SO GOOD. Some of the foods I’ve been incorporating into my diet now are organic pasture-raised eggs, bone broth, lots of vegetables, organic chicken and healthy fats like nuts, seeds and avocados. I still can’t stand the thought of eating salmon, so I’ll keep taking my DHA supplement for now. I’ve also been craving fruit, so I’ve been making lots of smoothies. These smoothie cubes have been a lifesaver, and they’re formulated specifically for pregnant mommas!
Q: How has pregnancy during COVID been?
Very weird! When you’re pregnant, your immune system is lowered (so that your body doesn’t reject the baby), and that makes you more susceptible to viral infections, including COVID. We have been taking social distancing precautions extra seriously, while still trying to maintain our sanity. For instance, we cook at home most nights but occasionally will eat at a restaurant if we’re able to dine outside and we know that they’re practicing safe measures. Doctor’s appointments are definitely different with COVID – Chris is not able to come with me to most appointments, including the one where we heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time! Chris was sitting in the car right outside the doctor’s office and I Facetimed him in so that he was able to hear the heartbeat as well.
Q: How did you deal with anxiety between first trimester appointments?
The first trimester was full of anxiety for me… especially leading up to the first few doctor’s appointments! I had some bad cramping at first and was really concerned for the baby’s health. I prayed A LOT and reminded myself over and over that the baby was going to be okay. I’ve also been doing this daily devotional every morning, and it helps me to keep a positive outlook and reminds me every morning of God’s faithfulness.
Q: What was your first baby purchase?
Y’all! I have not purchased ANYTHING for the baby yet! I was waiting to find out the gender. Now that we know… I guess I can start ordering things! I am a little psycho and like to do a lot of research before ordering anything… so it will probably take me a while to create an entire registry. I am really focusing on buying organic/non-toxic baby products when I can.
Q: What cream are you using to moisturize your bump?
I’ve been researching pregnancy-safe creams and lotions to use (this website is great for that, by the way). So far I’ve been using this organic shea butter, it’s nice but VERY thick. I also placed an order for this one in hopes that it goes on a little easier. This is what I’ve been using for chapped lips.
Q: Likes and dislikes so far?
Likes: that everywhere I go now, I know I’m not alone 🙂 I talk to my baby all day long. And secondly, my boobs are HUGE! (Well, compared to my A cup before lol!) I love them!!! I told Chris we will just have to keep having babies so that they stay this size for a long time.
Dislikes: My body doesn’t feel/look the same anymore. It is a strange feeling to not have control over your body, even though pregnancy is such a blessing! And obviously I dislike the morning sickness and fatigue. I also have to pee all. the. time.
Q: Healthy yet satisfying snacks or protein bars that are safe to have when pregnant?
I recently discovered THE BEST protein bars, I have re-ordered them twice. They’re Jonesbars – they contain very few ingredients and are 100% organic. The peanut flavor is my favorite but you might want to check with your doctor before ordering – some doctors don’t recommend having peanuts while pregnant. (If you’re wondering, I have still been eating peanuts and peanut butter.) Some other snacks I’ve been enjoying are carrots and hummus, fresh fruit, organic popcorn and raw almonds.
Q: How many children do you want to have?
We want at least three, but maybe we should see how it goes with the first one. 😉
That’s it for today’s Q&A post, but let me know if you have any more questions! I have a few posts in the works, including my “First Trimester Essentials” and some mocktail recipes. By week two I was already sick of drinking plain water! Oh and thank you AGAIN for all the love and support for Baby Dorsch!
And on one final note, I want to emphasize this again: if you are struggling to conceive, my heart goes out to you. Know that I am praying for you, and don’t lose hope.
Xoxox
💗💗💗 I’m so happy for y’all! Congratulations to both of you and i hope everything goes well!
Congratulations!!
Sounds like you may do a full post on this but can you please share the supplements you went on when trying to conceive? Thank you 🙂
Congratulations! What an incredible journey you’ve had. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for a year now and it’s so comforting to hear of your story and your success. Thank you for sharing, it gives me hope. You are going to be a wonderful mother.
Would absolutely LOVE a blog post on all the products you switched to and everything that ended up working for y’all after being told you would need IVF! Currently in the same season of struggling and looking to clean up our products 💕
Hey Caitlin, if you are willing to share, I’d be interested in knowing more about the testing you had done, the specific challenges you faced, and what you did to improve your overall health. I’m in a similar situation and your story has brought me so much hope!
Xoxo,
MB
Congrats Caitlin! This is an amazing post and story.
Would love to know what you guys did to live a healthy lifestyle and get your body prepared to TTC! And also wondering what test did your doctor do that they saw a huge change in after your lifestyle changed?
When are you going to announce the gender? Do you have any names in mind?
We don’t think we can hold it in for very long, so probably within the next couple of weeks! We do have some names in mind but we are having trouble narrowing it down to one! The name is the hardest part!!
Caitlin congratulations to you and Chris on baby Dorsch!! I’ve been following for a long time and I am so excited to watch you become parents, what a blessing! My husband and I are hoping to become pregnant very soon as well, so I really enjoyed reading about your journey. Also I can totally see the faint second line, you are not alone 🙂.
I would love to hear about the lifestyle changes you made while trying to conceive!
Thanks for sharing! I would love to hear more about your TTC journey and the various things you tried if you don’t mind sharing on a blog post.
Just curious, what was your diagnosis? We also were told we could only conceive via IVF and had a successful IVF round in 2018, but we so badly want another one and hubby is against another IVF cycle (we sadly don’t have any embryos left). Wondering if maybe the changes you implemented would work for us too. I’d love a post all about your journey!!
All the best for the next months of your pregnancy and congratulations again!!
Congratulations! I am so happy for y’all. I really look forward to all your posts regarding pregnancy. I have a 4 year old, but still love reading this stuff and remembering those times.
I used and loved Burt’s Bees Mama Bee belly butter twice a day throughout my whole pregnancy. It went on smooth and I had no stretch marks, itching, or dry skin. LOVED it!
Yay! This is so awesome! Congratulations! 💕 I would definitely love to read a post about everything you and Chris did to conceive naturally! I am not pregnant nor am I trying to be, but I just think the changes you mentioned sound so intriguing!
I just had a baby boy January 13th of this year-best time to have a baby! (I live in Wilmington, NC so similar climate to you) congrats 🎉
Congratulations Caitlin!! Such an exciting time for you both! You’re the first influencer I ever started following a loooong time ago and always enjoy your content and personality. Good luck on this journey!
Congratulations to you and your husband! We actually have the same due date 💕 So blessed to bring in the new year with our first babies!
Please write a blog post on everything you did to create a healthier lifestyle when you were trying to get pregnant!
As a mama that has had a long infertility journey and gone through IVF 3 times, I’m curious to know what your first test results were…if you’re willing to share? I’m really impressed by the changes you made and how quickly it has helped you. I know that it probably doesn’t work for everyone but I would love to know! Thanks!
Great job!!!! Enjoyed reading all of this! Blessings for all!!
Robin Clinton
Hey Caitlin- so happy for y’all.
Would LOVE to hear more about what y’all did during those 4 months to detox your lifestyle! I’ve started that process with Branch Basics etc but would love to hear yalls story.
Maybe too personal, but were you on any form of birth control before TTC? If so, how long did it take for your cycle to come back and stabilize?
I would also love to know this. I am on BC and am so nervous that coming off it I won’t have a regular period or it will take a while to come back. Did you have this experience?
I’m TTC right after BC (Nexplanon) and the first two cycles thus far were a bit long (33 and 42 days), hoping the next one gets back on track. I found the tryingforababy subreddit helpful as there’s compiled info of cycles after BC. I kind of ignored this myself (and coranvirus interfered with getting it removed anyway) but many recommend going off a few months early and using another method during that time for less stress with potentially irregular cycles. It’s hard to TTC when they’re not regular!
Thanks, Anna — will def check out the subreddit.
Congratulations! 💕💙 reading this, I could FEEL your excitement, joy and all the emotions – I actually teared up reading the conversation you had with you neighbor. His timing is PERFECT. I love how you let yourself feel the emotions but never gave up. You two are going to be the best parents, I can’t wait to follow along your journey!! Thank you for being so open and honest about everything- anything you want to share i’d love to know. Congrats again xo😊
I would absolutely LOVE if you would do a post on everything you did that ended up working while TTC. (What you cut out/why and some of the stuff you learned along the way to add in or avoid!) There’s so much information out there that’s so daunting, I know it can be different for everyone but I would love to hear more about your specific journey and what you found out! CONGRATULATIONS!!! SO happy for y’all! <3
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing. I’m so happy you’re pregnant! I was honestly praying for you to have a baby. It will also be so fun to see how you style the bump.
Just curious, are you planning to nurse? I’m also pregnant and researching the topic all I can and looking for cute ways outfits that are nursing friendly that I can wear before and after the baby.
God is so faithful through our suffering and our joy. May we trust him with all our hearts and seek to bring him glory throughout all of life, especially in this new chapter of motherhood.
Hey babes!
I am so dang happy for you and your husband!
My husband and I have unfortunately been trying for 2 years with 3 cycles of IUI fertility done, it is been extremely hard psychically, emotionally and mentally!
I am most definitely going to buy that book you recommended!
Congratulations Caitlin! So happy for you!!
We’re pregnant with our first boy after trying for 6 years. It took a surgery and IUI for us to finally get our beloved miracle and we are so excited! I’m currently 25 weeks and due October 30.
Really looking forward to your pregnancy content! And I would love to see what you’re thinking for registry if you can do that soon. 😉
I am on an instagram break so I missed your announcement!!!!!! Oh my GOODNESS!!!!! I am so so thrilled for you, friend!! Xoxox
Congratulations! I truly believe in the lifestyle changes you mentioned for improving health. I would love to know what cooking pans you use now instead of the Teflon?
Congrats on your pregnancy! Would love to hear more about the lifestyle changes you made. You should also check out Karalynne Call @just.ingredients on Instagram, she promotes a non-toxic/organic lifestyle and just did a post about non-toxic baby products!
Aww I love reading your posts! I’m so made up for you both on your amazing baby news! Thank you for sharing your journey and tips on pregnancy it’s really helpful to know lots of stuff you have mentioned in this blog! Wishing you a healthy and happy pregnancy and lots of family fun to come 😊💗💙
Another first time mama here, we have the same due date 😊 Congrats!
First of all congratulations 💕💕💕💕
It is so sweet of you to acknowledge that it is a sensitive subject because it could be for many.
I am so happy for your family and glad that you put your faith in God, everything happens when it is supposed to happen 🙏
Hope your pregnancy continues to be a wonderful experience!!!!
I loved this Q&A, very honest!!!
Congrats!!! So excited for you and Chris. I would love to hear about all the things you and Chris changed before you conceived that your doctor recommended.
So wonderful! I’m so happy for you. Infertility was one of the hardest and darkest times in my life. I totally relate to your post about feeling devastated after getting bad results from the doctor. We did end up doing IVF and I’m now pregnant after 2 rounds. Glory be to God! Congratulations!
Congratulations! I struggled for years with infertility. I was told by my ob at one time that he didn’t think I would be able to conceive a baby. My heart goes out to all those who struggle. I just want to say to those who struggle, don’t give up! I am now a proud mother of 6…yes 6 children, all of which I gave birth to. I did fertility meds with my first 2, then got twins for 3 &4! I thought I was done but had 2 more unplanned surprises. What a joy they have brought to me. God bless you.
Congratulations!! I’m so happy for the both of you 😀 Thank you for sharing your TTC journey and being so honest. It took my husband and I some time to get pregnant and this is exactly the type of uplifting post I would have appreciated at the time. I loved what your neighbour said to you about how it might not happen how you think it will but it WILL happen and that He will be faithful. I’m a couple of weeks behind you and I’m looking forward to your pregnancy posts 🙂 xx
Thank you for sharing! We have been TTC for two years now so hearing success stories always helps give me hope. I’d love to hear more about what testing you had done and why you made certain changes. I think it’s important for us to share information and hopefully be able to help one another. Infertility is incredibly frustrating and lonely.
Congrats!!! I would love to know more about the tests you had done, the challenges you both faced, and everything you all did to change your lifestyle to conceive naturally.
Thanks for sharing your story 🙂
I would love to hear more about the lifestyle changes you made that you believe helped you guys getting pregnant. Congratulations!!
Congrats again!!!! So happy for you both! Just out of curiosity, I started taking ritual vitamins once I saw them on your blog and I noticed you weren’t taking their prenatal ones. I am in the process of looking for a prenatal and wondered if in your research there was something that made you choose the ones you linked above instead of ritual? Can’t wait to follow your journey!
Congrats again! Another vote for the Burt’s Bees cream – I used it all through my first pregnancy and it is a lovely texture (and no stretch marks, although everything I’ve read says that stretch marks mostly come down to genetics). It’s available everywhere, affordable, and low on the EWG scale. I’m now 23 weeks pregnant w/my second and using it again!
I’d echo the other comments that I’m curious to hear about the test results you got and the lifestyle changes you made. We struggled to conceive #2 and did some testing, but everything came back normal. I tracked my cycles and knew I had a short luteal phase, so I started taking a Vitamin B6 supplement after reading that it can help with that – and we conceived on the next cycle! Obviously it’s impossible to know for sure whether it helped, but we had been trying for almost a year with no luck and were ready to start fertility treatment. So I can’t help but think it made a difference.
Hi! I was just wondering what vitamin B-6 you took? Thank you!
Congratulations!
Thank you for posting this! I’m looking forward to seeing your recommendations on safe products nutrition and workouts for mama and baby.
As for your bump I’ve done a little research and a great organic oil you can use is called everyday oil. They make an unscented too because their regular has clary sage in it.
This is such wonderful and refreshingly real content. I have been TTC for 16 cycles (who’s counting right haha)…I waited 10 months before seeing a doctor, then I read everything I could, researched the most organic way to live, supplements, diet-juicer, smoothies, kale, spinach, salmon, fertility tea and on and on, cut tons of things out, glass and cast iron cookware, tracked alllllll the body stuff too which is dedication and makes you a little obsessive crazy about the timing, LH sticks, bought the AVA Bracelet (would not recommend), baths with epsom salt at night (to support removal of stressors from body), acupuncture weekly, remove romance in favor or perfectly timed sex. Anyhow after all those months and those things still no baby, back to doctor, hormonal testing for me, HSG and transvaginal ultrasound..doc says my womb and tubes are perfect and functional. Sperm testing for him – good. Diagnosis unexplained infertility it felt like the saddest moment of my life. Nothing is wrong with me or him yet I don’t conceive. I too cried and cried for days on end. But the thing is I ovulate late—which seems like so do you and my doctor said that makes conceiving just so much harder bc the egg doesn’t have enough time to get implanted and settled in before the body kicks off another period. My doctor stressed IVF was likely the only way I’d ever have babies unless I miraculously figure out how to normalize/rebalance my cycle so that I ovulate earlier. So we tried forcing ovulation early with clomid and that was yuck also no baby. But the thing is I’m not ready for IVF I really want and always have wanted a baby truly given by God, crafted in my womb fearfully and wonderfully made. That IVF journey is scary too bc of the medical procedures so I’m learning to continue my patience with natural and PRAY PRAY PRAY. And why would God give us a mother heart, such a strong desire to be a mom if he only intended to dangle such beautiful hope right in front but never give. He wouldn’t do that. So I’m loving what you said about choosing to BELIEVE and rest in Gods will that I will be a mother according to his Plan and His timing (and his way). I’m so dumping all this out there eek Sorry! Your story gives me ever more Hope to continue and maybe just maybe I’ll get that faint pink line instead of another heartbreak. 16 cycles and still TTC 🙂
Have you tried vitamin B6? I ovulate late too and have a short luteal phase, and I think taking a B6 supplement helped me conceive naturally (see my comment above). I’m not a dr and ymmv, but I wish I had tried it sooner!
IVF isn’t as bad as you might be thinking! I had a great experience with it and my doctor was wonderful. There are many good experiences with it too. Once you get pregnant this way, you don’t even remember that you had to do IVF.
I am in happy tears for you. I am so thrilled for you and am so grateful that you are including us in your journey.
Congratulations! So happy for you all! I have been TTC and would love to see a post about the foods you ate, products you switched to, and supplements that you took. Your post gives me so much hope!
Congratulations!! We went through a lot of struggles with unexplained infertility and miscarriage but I had my healthy baby boy in April. Being a Mama is the best! If you’re looking for a belly butter that isn’t thick and very natural check this out: https://paxpotions.com/products/gaia-belly-butter
I used it throughout my pregnancy and it did WONDERS! It also supports a small business in NC!
All the best for a healthy and safe pregnancy!
So excited again for you and Chris!!! This is why your my favorite blogger, I love your transparency and honestly. I am sure all of this will be so helpful for those on the TTC journey.
Also, thank you so much for sharing your lifestyle changes you have made in eating healthier and Monday Motivation posts. I too made many of the changes with you as we were preparing to start trying for a family and I know they made a difference. I read the Real Food Pregnancy book, switched to all organic, cut out the plastic when you shared your glass tupperware, switched to healthier skin products and household cleaners and ordered your pots and pans. I know much of this helped and are excited to read along with your journey and recommendations as we too are expecting and due in February 🙂
Sooooooo so so so excited for you!! I remember when you mentioned you were trying a while back, and I was thrilled when I saw your announcement! Long time follower and I really think you are wonderful and I seriously can’t wait to follow your pregnancy journey!! Congrats congrats congrats 🥰🥰
Congratulations! My husband and I are trying to conceive and I’m curious if the ovulation test strips you were using lined up with the FAM method? Would also love a post on the healthy lifestyle changes you implemented.
I loved reading this. Huge congratulations to you both!!
Omgoodness! Congratulations! Looking forward to a baby registry blog at some point! Xoxo your insta friend, gabriellaaaaa
Hey! So excited for you and Chris, this will be an amazing journey and next chapter in your life! I am just 4 weeks behind you!! Our baby is due February 12 🙂 I can relate so much to many things you are experiencing now. I swear reading about your pregnancy so far I was like omg me too! I’ve been super tired (I’m still in the 1st tri), nothing at all sounds good to eat ever, but when I do want something its always carbs carbs carbs :/ Before pregnancy I barely ate carbs so I feel super guilty eating breads and pastas now but I keep telling myself to just not stress out about it now. I’m hoping once I get to the second trimester I’m feeling better and eating better too. I also haven’t worked out at ALL which is very unusual for me. Hearing you say you’re back in track now is reassuring that I’ll be the same way in a few weeks 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story. I also research products like crazy so I’ll be following along and really looking forward to your baby product recommendations! I hope you’ll share the ones you choose/ love. Congrats again!
Xoxo
What pots and pans did you replace the Teflon with?
And congratulations. Prayers for a healthy pregnancy and baby!
–
Taking Charge of Your Fertility is amazing and life-changing. I used the same book to help me get pregnant. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Your life will never be the same! 😊
Our journey sounds very much like yours. After a year and a half of TTC I prayed so hard and told God that it was okay. That if it was in His will not to make me a mother that I would accept it and truly accepted it in my heart. We got pregnant that same month! I’m only 3 weeks ahead of you. Be strong mamas and don’t lose hope!
My guess is girl according to your chart! 💕💕💕 Congratulations on your pregnancy… I appreciate your honest and informational post…. we used the FAM method to conceive our third.
Congrats! I’m curious did you start the prenatal pills once you knew you were pregnant? Or were you taking them along with other daily supplements to ensure you we’re getting enough folic acid (and all that other good stuff)?
I’m so happy for you!! It took my husband 2 years for us to conceive our second and I’m due January 18th! I also did the 10 week prenatal test and found out we’re having a girl! I know the frustration and loneliness you felt especially, when people say “when are you having another? Don’t wait to long”.
I’m so so excited for you, girl! I’ve been following your journey for quite some time, and when I saw your announcement on IG, I almost cried hahaha. I can’t wait to watch you become a mama! <3
Can you post more about being pregnant while having struggled with anxiety in the past? I struggle with anxiety and am really nervous to get pregnant because I’m not sure how I would do. Do you feel like the hormones make it worse, better? What can you take to help with it while pregnant?
PS I am just SO EXCITED for you!!!!! ❤️❤️
You offered to get more into the part of what worked best for you especially more into these details:
For the next four months, Chris and I completely changed our lifestyles – we started taking supplements, ate mostly organic and cooked from home, cut out alcohol and soda, replaced all of our body products with pthalate- and paraben-free alternatives, ditched our Teflon pots and pans, and replaced all of the plastic in our kitchen with glass alternatives.
I would love to learn more as we are trying since 8 months!
Heartiest congratulations Cait! I have been following you since 2013 so I have witnessed everything you share and this is the most beautiful change! Lots of love to your beautiful family! Cheers from India ❤💕💖
http://www.docdivatraveller.com
I’M SO BEYOND EXCITED AND HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS!!!! I had been praying for you to have a baby!! Can you please share what facial toner your using during pregnancy? Also, facial moisturizer and other beauty products? Thanks so much and CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!! Ahhh!! I can’t wait for all the pregnancy everything haha! 🙏🏼❤️😍🤩🤰🏼🎉🎉🎉🙌🏼✝️😇😊😘❤️
First off all, congratulations!! I am actually due January 16 : )
I’d just like to add that while getting sick during pregnancy is always a cause for concern, if it does help to make you feel better, research so far has shown that pregnant women are not more likely to get infected with SARs-CoV2 than non-pregnant women and they’re not more likely to get a more severe disease than non pregnant women. Of course, more studies need to be done but as a scientist, it has helped me to be less stressed, more relaxed and more open to travel and experiences during pregnancy.
Hope at the very least it makes you feel better : )
Congratulations Caitlin!! Thank you for sharing and I’m looking forward to more pregnancy related posts! My husband and I are also trying TTC. I know you’ve always been a fit and active person. Did you have to change your workout routine or put on some extra weight while TTC? I’m rather petite and my BMI is naturally on the lower side (even though I’m not super skinny or unhealthy). I do cardio HIIT training 5-6 days a week and while my GYN said there are no restrictions on exercise, I’m wondering if this is hindering my chances for conceiving and whether I should take it easy and also try gaining a few extra lbs… Looking forward to your post on lifestyle changes while TTC!
I love that people believe she would ever comment about her weight. She weights about 100lbs and probably gained 12 pounds through pregnancy – the minimum of placenta and baby. Girl is anorexic as hell.
hi Christina— I’m wondering who raised you? – to speak that way about another human being. We haven’t earned the right to hear Caitlin’s story regarding anything in her life and being mean on the internet reflects some own internal judgement of your own body. Every body is individual and you cannot view the state of someone’s health via their appearance whether in a large, small, short, tall etc body. It’s simply not possible. Get curious about the judgement and wonder what is trying to be taught to you via the harshness.
I hope you eventually find peace and do remember that businesswomen like Caitlin, are human and deserve kindness & respect. Give yourself some of the grace she has shown.
Thank you for sharing!! I am due January 9 and relate to a lot of your answers, especially the aversion to salmon!! My husband and I used to eat salmon every week and now I just make it for him and end up eating something else! I would love to hear more about what foods that you are eating and enjoying…I have found eating meat has been super difficult.
Congratulations on your sweet baby!
Congratulations! We just delivered our second baby girl back in late March. I pray that you have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Can’t wait to see the fun baby related posts 😊
Hi Caitlin,
Congratulations to you and Chris!! Such exciting news :). I just became a mom myself. My daughter turns 3 months old today. I was fortunate enough to have an easy journey to pregnancy, but my sister and brother-in-law received similar news to you and Chris last year – that they would likely only get pregnant with IVF. My sister is still holding onto faith that they can conceive naturally, and I know she would really benefit from hearing what you did that finally worked. Thanks for sharing this huge life news with all of us, and I’m wishing you all the best!
I also meant to add: I found the website Lucie’sList.com to be super helpful when researching baby stuff, especially while creating my baby registry. Good luck! 🙂
Congratulations! You guys will be the best parents, I just know it!! I am personally curious about the lifestyle changes you all made. Specifically, the cookware you purchased when you got rid of your Teflon!
Caitlin this was so fun and also incredibly informative to read! Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us. I will honestly be referring back to this when we start trying to conceive and when I am early on in pregnancy!
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
Please do a post on all the changes you made! The organic food, switching to glass over plastic, changing to paraban free etc!
Congrats!! This is very exciting and I am particularly excited for you because we have almost the sam due date!! Twin pregnancies! I’m due January 10th! The way you guys changed up your lifestyle to improve your chances sounds amazing and I would love to hear more!
Congratulations!! Would love to hear more about what you did to improve your overall health and how it changed your test results!
I am starting an IVF journey in August, and I’m wondering if you could recommend some essential beauty regime items that worked for you. I usually do Rodan/Fields Redefine line hurts apparently I can’t used this products due to their ingredients. Suggestions for safe face wash, day and night creams? Congrats!
I am so happy and excited for you both! Congratulations! This was such a fun read! Looking forward to more content like this!
Congratulations! Such a happy time 🙂 You need to try Lush’s Therapy massage bar. https://www.lushusa.com/body/massage-bars/therapy/9999903865.html
I rubbed this on my bump every day. 2 babies and never one stretch mark!
I love that you used Kindara and TCOYF! I am using the FAM method as a form of birth control and am seriously amazed at our bodies and how they work. I’m only on my second month charting.
XO
https://moosmusing.com
Hi Caitlyn! Congratulations on Baby D! I am so excited to follow your pregnancy journey. I posted a comment on your birthday post about struggling to conceive and the journey we have been on…obviously not knowing you were pregnant! 🙂
After our crazy past few years. my husband and I are really ready to make some MAJOR changes like you guys did around your house and in your eating. I would LOVE for you to do a whole post on what you guys did around the house and how you changed your eating.
Congratulations again! I’m so excited for you guys and can tell just how much you truly want this! I know what it feels like waiting month after month to see those two pink lines and I truly believe it makes it all the better once you finally see them! God has the right plan for you. Sending love from Wisconsin! <3
Congrats again!!! What kind of birth are you planning?
Congratulations Caitlin! You mentioned that you make significant lifestyle changes to help with conceiving. Can you please share the cookware you replaced your Teflon with? I use a lot of Teflon and need to find a safe alternative for cooking. Especially when TTC. Would really appreciate it! 🙂
I love your content and I’m so excited to see what you post during this exciting time in your life! Congrats, to you and Chris! Though I’m not TTC, I was so inspired by your lifestyle overhaul I was hoping you could share more details! For example, in the kitchen did you replace any plastic measuring cups, kitchen utensils, etc. do you have any recommendations on which is best if so. Also what type of reuseable water bottles do you use? Thank you! 🙂 xo
I’m not pregnant, but WOW did I enjoy reading this post – it definitely made me tear up too! So over the moon thrilled for you & can’t wait to read more pregnancy posts!!
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
I totally see the pink line! I’m so happy for you, Caitlin. Would love to hear more about the testing you did and how you made changes to your lifestyle.
I absolutely loved this post! I’m so happy for you both! Definitely interested in a post about the lifestyle changes you and Chris made. ❤️
Congrats !! Thanks for sharing! Can you link the chemical free cooking pans ?
Congratulations!!! So very happy for y’all!!! Curious, why do you think you ovulated on CD 20? I started charting recently (and am still learning!) and keep looking at your chart and think it might have been closer to day 18? Would love to learn more about this and thanks for sharing so much with us all.
Can you do a while blog post about the changes you guys made health wise? My husband and I will be trying in the next couple of months and I would love to know more about what worked. Thanks!!
Can you please do a blog post about the eco-friendly products you switched to?
I am currently going through IVF. Can you explain more about the changes you made to conceive. Your diet. what you got rid of in your house and why.
I would love to know asap.
so happy for you and chris! could you do another blog post on non toxic baby toys and feeding items?
First of all, congrats!!!! Thank you so much for sharing! My husband and I are currently TTC and have been for 6 months. I would
Love to hear more about your diet and lifestyle changes you mentioned!
So happy for you! 💕 I would be so interested in a post about all the changes you and Chris made in your lifestyle and household!
So many great questions! Thanks for taking the time to answer and share with all of us! <3
xx
Key
https://storiesbysuddreth.com/
Congratulations! I am so happy for you both and appreciate you sharing the tips that helped you conceive. Many blessings for a smooth pregnancy 🙏 💓
Hi, thank you so much for sharing everything! My husband and I are currently trying to conceive and I, like you, have been reading everything and researching everything on the best ways to conceive. I am just wondering how often you would “try” during your cycle? I have read so many different answers, I have read every other day, I have read just for 2-3 days at ovulation? I have tried both ways, I also check my temp and ovulation, but so far we have had no luck. Thank you!
We tried a lot of different things, but what ended up working for us was trying every single day, even 2-3 days past ovulation!