Pregnancy Journal: Week Fifteen

I don't tend to think of myself as being very far along in the pregnancy because at only fifteen weeks you don't have the big recognizable pregnant belly, you can't feel the baby moving around all the time, etc. But I actually realized that by the end of this week, that's fifteen out of just forty already done!

This week we have had beautiful mild weather, and we took advantage of it by spending a lot of time working out in our garden. Our house has a large (and previously very overgrown) vegetable patch that we want to have cleared and planted for the spring. We picked weeds, pruned back bigger plants, and pulled out enormous root systems for stinging nettles and brambles. We turned over the soil to get it ready for new plants.

Regular exercise is recommended during pregnancy, and garden work is a great way to get that. However, you should always be sure not to overexert yourself. Strenuous exercise can actually cut off blood flow to the placenta, so if you begin to feel out of breathe or overly tired, stop for a rest. Luckily, we had our inquisitive toddler out working with us (she loves being outside and has her own little set of gardening tools). We had frequent stops to admire the things that she found to show us, including worms, stones, and even a bone that had been in the soil. We also found an old bird's nest, and she enjoyed learning about that.

I believe that being outside in the fresh air and getting some sun is good for you. However, make sure to stay well hydrated, especially if you're working outside. Also, although I normally like feeling the earth and plants on my hands, I wore gloves all week when working outside. Pregnant women should wear gloves and then thoroughly wash their hands afterwards when working with soil because of the risk of toxoplasmosis in the soil. This is usually harmless to adults (in fact you probably won't even notice that you've been exposed to it), but it can be really dangerous for your little baby.