Pregnancy without Adrenal Fatigue
Hey, friend! I know it’s been quite a long time since you’ve heard from me and I promise there is very good reason for that! After several years, we have decided to take on the journey of having another child. I’ve taken a tremendous amount of time in between our first two kids to build a new business and to address thoroughly the chronic adrenal fatigue I was suffering from.
At the end of last year I spent 3 months re-evaluating my health and IT IS OFFICIAL... I am 100% recovered from Adrenal Fatigue. ALL my levels are “great” and I feel better than ever. It was very happy news to be 100% certain that I was fully recovered so that I can continue to improve my physical wellbeing moving onward.
I want to share how my experience of pregnancy without adrenal fatigue compared to the first two pregnancies with adrenal fatigue, as well as how I’ve been keeping up during this process because is the same approach for any life-change that imposes more daily stress; be it a new home, new baby, new job, etc. As we review the story of each pregnancy, maybe you’ll be able to identify some key differences that effected each outcome.
During the first pregnancy I was young, in my early-mid twenties. I didn’t know what I was doing and I thought I was invincible. For a lot of us, during that phase of life we were used to abusing our bodies: late nights, little sleep, junk food... and we kept going and going... until we reached those later years where we hit some kind of massive wall — for seemingly no reason. Sound familiar?
So here I am, in my twenties, pregnant, and I thought this baby wasn’t going to slow me down. I kept forcing myself to exercise, despite feeling exhausted, and sticking to a restricted, vegan diet. Unsurprisingly, I was eventually put on bed rest due to the risk of pre-term labor. Not only was life warning me to slow down, my body was begging for it... needing it.
After giving birth, I really had a tough time adjusting to it all. Our baby had colic and at that time I had no idea I was struggling with a physical health deficit, so I thought “I need to stop being lazy and get my mindset straight”. I assumed I was suffering from childhood PTSD triggered by the experience of becoming a mom or starting a family. And although there were definitely things I had to address due to my traumas... it wasn’t the real reason I felt completely overwhelmed.
My second pregnancy was very different. I didn’t want to risk any of the complications I had in my first, so I re-created my environment and spaces. We moved to Utah and I had a completely new birth team and different lifestyle that was more slow paced and grounding.
I began to prioritize my health by creating a daily self-care schedule with morning yoga, daily walks, meditation, specific nap times and bedtimes... as well as a more flexible diet, omitting only major food sensitivities. I also had weekly therapy, to address my mindset, and some of the fears I had over starting a family and my role as a mom.
Despite having these “to-do’s” there was always room for flexibility or free-flow. Some days yoga would look like 15 minute of passive stretching and then I’d fall asleep on my mat. Or, I’d make it two blocks on our morning walk before having to turn around because it was too exhausting to continue… My sole goal (aside from creating a balanced and supportive lifestyle) was to listen to, and, honor my body.
This was the first time in my life I was learning to do that and the effects were pretty magical. The birth of my second child was unreal... It was simple, quiet, and peaceful. It was 100% pain-less.
Despite this remarkable experience, I did not maintain this daily balance or perspective. My second daughter had colic that lasted several months and reached a peak when both kids got sick and my husband ended up in the hospital with an emergency surgery. Long story... But at this point, I was drowning and stacked up on my exhaustion, furthering the chronic fatigue.
If you’ve been around the last few years, you’ll recognize this brand has been all about my journey to rehabilitating energy, balance, and health in my life since then... which leads me to right now. 100% recovered and pregnant. So how does it all differ?
To be honest... not that much... But in the grand scheme of things it’s totally different! Let me explain.
I still feel the same feeling of exhaustion and fatigue. Not to the extreme or the constant as before, but definitely moments of it. As you become more “fine tuned” with your body, it becomes more sensitive. It tells you, complains to you, warns you... sooner, when things start getting out of balance. So the truth is, the feeling of tiredness and fatigue feels similar a lot of the time.
The reason it’s different is because my lifestyle is nothing like my first two pregnancies. I’m currently working full time, I haven’t taken any leave (yet), aside from holidays and some much needed rest days... I have a full blown social life, weekly family events, a rigorous schedule of study and exercise, five acres of property with gardens and animals, and two homeschooled children - who also have extracurriculars and a schedule of their own.
There is NO WAY on earth I would have been able to keep up with this lifestyle, while I had adrenal fatigue, let alone being pregnant. And yet, here I am, and I feel better than ever before. This has nothing to do with my own talents or skills... it has everything to do with how remarkable the human body is when it’s supported, cared for, and in-balance.
Although I follow the same principles as I did my second pregnancy the major differences are: I don’t burn out as fast, I recover quicker, and I have some leeway to “push” myself when times call for it. I now know how to support it and maintain balance. I also know now, how do identify when and what is off balance and what to do about it.
So here’s the process: Restore. Eat. Move. The 3 steps that I discuss in the Level Up Program that are required to support growing energy and maintaining balance.
You must restore your body equally and substantially compared to the efforts it produces. In pregnancy, or abnormal stresses, you are going to need to restore more. That’s just how it is. You have to adjust and accommodate to the changes of life so you don’t fall into a deficit.
Eat. Food is your fuel and the quality of your fuel determines the quality of your output. This cannot be overlooked. Plan ahead, feed yourself well, don’t skip on meals, and stay hydrated. Also, implementing the practice of minimalism... cut out the things that don’t serve you. That means getting tested to not only make sure you’re keeping up with healthy nutrient levels, but to understand your unique system and what foods may cause more stress or irritation to your body.
Lastly, Move. The hardest week of my current pregnancy was dealing with the most debilitating migraine I’ve ever experienced in my life. I discovered, it’s because I had stopped moving... as much and as vigorously as I’m used to moving daily. And while that’s understandable, I mean... I’m pregnant... the body requires movement to maintain it’s flexibility and health. I incorporated more yoga and gentle, but active exercise. The migraine was gone within a couple days. It may not be the same intensity as pre-pregnancy, but the idea is to keep movement in your life. Find your threshold, meet it, and then learn to expand it as you gain more energy and momentum in your life.
So that’s really it in a nutshell... Restore. Eat. And Move.
Sometimes we look at our past performance and neglect how we feel in each moment, expecting more out of ourselves. And while I am a firm believer of showing up and being your best, you can only truly be your best when you are supporting yourself in all the best ways.
Overcoming fatigue and increasing energy isn’t a passive occurrence. Intentionality and presence are necessary. What can you do to become more intentional with how your care for yourself or support your energy?
Let me know and I’ll continue to look for ideas and more info to help.
Until next time!
With gratitude,
~ MJ