PUSHINGit

This week we are discussing the secret trimester. The first trimester might be a little secret that you are keeping to yourself or sharing with only a few people. It may be a time of exhaustion or nausea. We are covering all of the possibilities and some of our own experiences. Don't miss Jen's not-so-pregnant brain moment. Don't miss this week's minivan mini as we take a drive and give you all of our thoughts.

Jessica, of Lovevery is our guest this week and talking about baby development. We are covering everything from what toys are helpful in the early days and months, to the importance of playing with pots and pans. We love her judgment-free approach to parenting and choosing what works for you. You'll be sure to love the way she takes the pressure off of feeling like there's only one way to help your baby's brain develop.

Check out Jessica and Lovevery at lovevery.com or follow on Instagram.

It’s okay to listen too but this week we are talking to the sweetie in your life. Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s helpful and how to prepare. We’ve got a solid list of things that will make your honey feel more prepared to support you and support themselves physically and emotionally through this big processes. Want to take this to a whole new level, listen in separately and then discuss your plans for supporting each other at your favorite ice cream shop.

Jen’s got issues with “natural” birth.

Karen is a teacher by day and finding the funny in infertility by night. This week she tells Jen and Alise how she finds humor where so many find heartbreak, as well as wisdom for getting through the journey. Everyone will certainly relate to awkward stories of doctor's visits but what happens when Karen finds out that her husband's sperm are about to get a spa day? Through humor and honesty, Karen tells us what it's like to be pregnant after infertility and even postpartum. You will not want to miss this fantastic guest this week!

1. Pick your birth team. Seriously, not the team your mother in law wants. The one you want!  Do you want a doula? Get one. Finalize your provider (Midwife or OB). It’s not too late to switch if you feel like it's not the best fit (until the final weeks). You don’t owe it to your provider to see birth through with them.
2. Choose self-care. Practice napping. Go to bed early. Surrender to the sleepies. It's hard work growing a human.
3. Figure out how you are a badass! Glowing vagina not necessary. Are you birthing differently than friends or family, making important choices for the health of yourself or baby, deciding to rest after baby is born? Find you badass superpower and own it!
4. Rethink your maternity leave. Do you want to take some time before? Don't let mom guilt get the best of you now. It's okay to take leave early. Working until labor is really, really hard.
5. Find yourself! Okay, okay... learn about your communication style, self care needs, how you thrive in the world. You're not just a mom. You're a person who is growing.
6. Attachment- with your partner. Stop planning how to survive the terrible 2's and start working on communication, conflict resolution, understanding each other's needs. What's your love language?
7. Discuss expectations!!!!! Who's gonna do what? Who is doing the cooking, cleaning and all of the tasks that were split before you were healing and recovering with a baby attached to you 24/7?
8. Research the best birth class for you. Hint: they aren’t all at the hospital
9. Freeze meals. You'll still be eating but cooking gets a little trickier.
10. Put your people in place! You've got people who want to help so let them be helpful. Tell them ahead of time how you plan to reach out to them. They've got your back!

We know that you can always count on your girlfriends for a good cry. So here we are this week, ready to shed a few tears, complain a little, swear a lot and commiserate about how rough it is to create human life. We can also promise you a few good laughs and to change your grocery shopping experiences for life.

Whether it's the cramping and nausea of the first trimester or the waddle and maternity clothes that no longer fit of the third, we've been there. Maybe you're looking for tips to get through those challenging days or a place to complain, Jen and Alise are here. So, grab your tissues, double check your mascara is waterproof and let's get our complain on!

When it comes to hearing the juicy details, we can rely on our friends for a lot of things, but the truth about pregnancy isn’t one of them. Sure, your friends told you about swollen ankles and morning sickness but they probably never told you about finding foods that really worked with morning sickness. You know, the foods that taste the same coming up as they do going down. Body changes, pregnancy clothes, pregnancy sex? Don't worry, Jen & Alise have your back. This week, find out the honest truth about all the things your closest friends should have told you about pregnancy.