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Preparing for a Brooklyn Baby with Cybex

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My Outfit: sunglasses/top/leggings/sandals/bracelet/diaper bag/car seat

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The following post is a sponsored post in partnership with Cybex. As part of this partnership, Cybex reached out to expecting moms who are busy preparing for their new bundle of joy. As part of the journey and experience, Cybex as us to test out one of their most popular items, the Cybex Q Infant Car Seat to see if it was a good fit for our Brooklyn lifestyle. 

While having a child in Brooklyn or New York City would give some people hives, it actually excites us. So many of our friends who have children have raved about having a newborn in Brooklyn. There is so much that is accessible just steps from our apartment. Whether we want to grab a strong iced coffee after a night of little sleep, run errands, head to the playground or meet friends for a beer, it’s all just a few blocks away.

We asked our Brooklyn friends what their “must have” registry items were and everyone said a great carrier and car seat were two of the most important items.

We were excited when Cybex asked us to test the Cybex Q Infant Car Seat car seat even before Baby Girl Diamond arrives. We spent some time testing the car seat both in the car and around the neighborhood. We definitely received some funny looks since we were carrying around an empty car seat, but we definitely benefitted from the trial run, especially learning how to quickly install it in a car.

As soon as we unboxed the car seat we were immediately in love with the sleek design as well as the innovation. Here are just a few of the features that make it a great option for families on the go.

  • It has a full reclining position which means that if we’re at a coffee shop, grabbing a quick bite or out and about, she will hopefully be able to fall asleep easier and more comfortably.
  • The car seat includes an integrated XXL foldaway sun canopy with UVP 50+ to protect Baby Girl Diamond’s skin from the Summer sun.
  • The car seat base has a “load leg” which keeps the car seat in place and protects the baby’s head, neck, and spine in case of an accident.
  • It will grow with our daughter, as it is able to be used with infants up to 35 lbs or 30” tall.
  • They Cybex Q is available in eight different colors, including Moon Dust, the color you can see in these pictures.

Since some people have asked, yes Bo and I definitely plan on sharing an updated review of the car seat/carrier once we’ve used it. In addition, this is one of the reasons that I’m not sharing things like hospital bag, baby essentials or even registry list until after the baby. I think it’ll be more helpful for readers to share what I actually use at the hospital and in the first few weeks with baby.

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 Thank you to CYBEX for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.

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An Unexpected Hospital Visit

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Well, this is not a sight I expected to see yesterday. In fact, when by 8:30 AM yesterday I felt like I was winning at life. Bo and I had enjoyed a sweaty Orangetheory workout together and commuted into the city together before he went to work and I headed to my OB-GYN’s office for my 38 week appointment. While I waited in the waiting room I even reviewed my to do list for the day, realizing that since I’d be home by 9:30 AM I’d have plenty of time to check everything off my list, therefore relieving some stress.

Well, unfortunately, by 9:15 my doctor decided that based on multiple high blood pressure readings at her office after 10 different attempts and swelling, that it was best for me to go directly to the NYU Labor & Delivery triage so they could run further tests.

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I was in shock, to say the least. Other than Pubic Symphysis, I haven’t had any issues this entire pregnancy so imagine my surprise when at 38 weeks and 2 days, I was walking down Second Avenue towards NYU Hospital. As you all know, I LOVE my OB-GYN, Dr Teresa Cheon, and therefore did not question her when she made this decision. At this point in pregnancy, any irregular test results, especially blood pressure, can point to issues that could put the baby or mom at high risk. Elevated blood pressure is one of the symptoms for Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication which impacts 5-8% of pregnancies. While most mothers who are diagnosed with it will still delivery a healthy baby and fully recover, promt medical attention is important. Doctors do not know what causes the condition but often the only cure is to deliver the baby, which therefore if discovered after 37 weeks when the baby is full term, usually results in immediate induction.

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Dr. Cheon’s goal by having me go to the hospital was to have me watched for for hours which would include constant heart rate monitoring, fetal monitoring as well as a thorough panel of blood and urine tests.  Bo and I joked, while checking in on the NYU Labor & Deliver floor that this was our daughter’s way of giving us a hospital trial run. We were able to meet many of the staff and nurses that will most likely be there when we deliver while also seeing the area first hand, a treat since NYU no longer offers hospital tours for expecting families.

For the next four hours I relaxed on a stretcher and tried to pass the time by reading the book I thankfully had in my bookbag, Paris for One, as well as taking a few naps.

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Every single person that I met while in the hospital exceeded my expectations. The nurses, doctors and entire staff were knowledgable, friendly and did a wonderful job putting our nerves at ease.  They even helped take my mind off things by letting me see our little baby girl via a sonogram, the first time I’d seen a full sonogram of her since 20 weeks. IMG_3424

She was waving to me when we zoomed in on the picture and within seconds it seemed like she was sucking her thumb.

Finally, after hours of waiting, the final lab results came back and that, combined with the fact that over the course of four hours my blood pressure levels had returned to normal, I was able to be discharged. Before Dr Cheon and the staff would discharge me, they gave me a firm dose of reality through a few requests. While working out is 100% okay at this point, they want me to be smart:

    • During the upcoming 90 degree weather that New York City is expecting, stay hydrated, avoid subways, limit time outside and elevate my legs more than often as swelling will increase.
    • Do as much as possible to reduce or limit work stress, including closing out key projects.
    • Reduce other stressors that could elevate my blood pressure.
    • Try and sleep at least eight hours per night and nap during the day if pregnancy bladder and discomfort isn’t letting me sleep well at night.

Both Bo and I are thankful to have a clean bill of health after yesterday’s scare but it was also a quick realization that so much of this pregnancy is out of our control at this point. Baby Girl Diamond could choose to come any day or, if my blood pressure is elevated again when I’m at the doctor next week for my 39-week exam, we could quickly be induced. We are buckled in for the wild ride and looking forward to meeting her whether it’s tomorrow or three weeks from now.

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Baby Diamond – Week 37

 

Week 37

Happy Sunday! I hope you all are enjoying a wonderful weekend thus far. I’m checking in today with a bump update. As you can tell from the picture above, I am definitely in the final stretch. In fact, today we hit the 38 week mark which means that Baby Girl Diamond could greet us anytime during the next three weeks. Her due date is two weeks from today but my doctor induces at 41 weeks. I can’t imagine having her inside me for another three weeks as I’m so excited to meet her and things are starting to get pretty uncomfortable.

This past month of pregnancy has been a whirlwind and while I’ve shared lots of updates on Instagram I haven’t shared as many posts on the blog as I initially planned. This was due in part to the fact that I didn’t realize so many people were interested in addition to just being a bit overwhelmed by work, getting ready for Baby Girl and trying to squeeze the most out of each day and week. But, after hearing feedback from you guys that you’d love to read more about pregnancy, I have a few posts going live this week including my third trimester favorites and a peak into our nursery. In addition, I have lined up ten wonderful guest posts featuring healthy recipes that you all will be able to enjoy later this month when I’m too focused on Baby Girl Diamond and recovery to blog very often.

Let’s dive into the latest and greatest details of this pregnancy, focused on how I felt last week, May 28th through June 3rd during Week 37 of pregnancy.

Baby Size: The most exciting moment this month was when I hit 37 weeks and our doctor shared with me that at this point forward, if Baby Girl Diamond decided to greet us, she most likely wouldn’t have to go to the NICU as she is fully developed! I breathed the largest sigh of relief when I heard this news. As of Week 37 she’s around 6.25 pounds and 18.9 inches or, as The Bump app stated, as big as Romaine lettuce.

Weight Gained: After only gaining around 20 pounds the first two trimesters, I’ve been a bit shocked by the weight I’ve gained during the third trimester. As of Tuesday I’ve gained 33 pounds, which I worried was cause for alarm but my doctor reassured me that I’m right on track. In addition,  the warmer weather and visible swelling could mean that some of this is water retention. Since I’m still staying active and am not experiencing any other side effects, she has no issue with the fact that I’ve gained 33 pounds.

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Workouts: I am still enjoying working out and moving daily whether that is in a class setting or getting out of the house for a long walk.  I took one preantal pilates class at Aline Pilates, three Orangetheory Fitness classes, did one at home YouTube Prenatal Strength workout and enjoyed two long walks. This week was the first time that I chose to use the spin bike as my cardio during Orangetheory versus incline walking as Friday my body just wasn’t feeling the incline. I love that Orangetheory has so many options (elliptical, treadmill, rower or spin bike) for the cardio portion. Based on how swimming felt today when I went to the pool,  I have a feeling that Week 38 will include at least a few swim sessions as the weightless feeling and the ability to get my heart rate up while staying cool was a welcome change.

Cravings: I am craving ice cream EVERY single evening. Luckily, as I discussed on Instagram stories last night, there are many wonderful, local ice cream shops within walking distance of our apartment. I am really enjoying the evening stroll each night around our neighborhood while cooling off with a scoop of ice cream. While some people have questioned this amount of sugar, I have no issues with it since it is far less processed than other options and it’s what I’m craving. After this pregnancy I think I have done enough research to share my favorite South Brooklyn ice cream locations as I’ve done plenty of research. Until then, I can say that right now Milkmade is my absolute favorite spot! Other than ice cream, I’m craving smoothies and yogurt for breakfast, salads or sandwiches for lunch and trying to ensure that both lunch and dinner have plenty of protein.

Food Aversions: Since the warm weather is causing my entire body to swell, I’m trying to avoid salty foods as much as possible. Other then that, I’m not really having any aversions other than the fact that I still can’t manage to finish a cup of coffee which blows my mind. I find it easier to drink iced coffee than hot coffee but I’m still not finishing a small iced coffee until hours later.

Symptoms: If you’re pregnant, and REALLY want to know the symptoms I’m experiencing, then read this section and click the links. If not, skip over to sleep. During brunch today, I joked with my friend Mary, that ignorance was bliss. I didn’t know many of these symptoms existed until I reached the Week 37 and 38 section of pregnancy books or apps this week. Sure enough, I’m experiencing many of them including lovely things like lightening crotch and cheeseburger crotch.  I’m thankful that Doctor Google, and my doctor, both recommended Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads for quick relief.  In addition, I’ve had some contractions this week, but nothing at a regular interval.  When I visited my doctor on Tuesday she said that my cervix was fully softened but I wasn’t dilated yet. It seems like Baby Girl wants to keep baking, but we’ll see what happens.

Sleep: Sleep has been either amazing, like last night’s ten hours, or horrible. I have started listening to my body and taking a nap around 3pm each day. At this time each day I feel as if I could fall asleep standing so instead of having caffeine or trying to push through, I move from my home office to the bedroom and close my eyes for 30 minutes. The three days I was able to do it last week were amazing and this short nape left me feeling energized for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Wearing: Anytime I see people multiple times in a week, I laugh to myself as they are most likely seeing me in one of three outfits – this versatile yet stylish black dress, this striped dress, or these soft, thin leggings and a v-neck t-shirt. I am so thankful for these pieces as they are comfortable and somewhat flattering. I’ve stopped wearing my underwire bra and instead am wearing nursing bras as they are more comfortable at this point while also providing support. As I’ve shared on Instagram and Insta Stories, my ankles and size 10 feet are a thing of the past, so I’m wearing compression socks at night and one of three shoes during the day – my Rose Gold Birkenstocks which can thankfully be adjusted, my new Sperry shoes which I’m loving and my Brooks PureFlow 6 which I ordered in a larger size during my second trimester.

Other Random Thoughts: Now that her nursery is fully stocked and we have finished everything on our list, I am so excited to meet her and can’t imagine waiting another three weeks, if I have to get induced at 41 weeks. We are really hoping that she comes sooner versus later but until then, we plan to take everyone’s advice and enjoy as much sleep and relaxation during the weekends and evenings as possible. I am so thankful with how wonderful this pregnancy has been thus far. I know so many people who have experienced difficult pregnancies and had no clue what to expect when we started this journey. Some weeks have felt longer than others but the joy of the journey and sharing it with Bo and our friends and family has been incredible.

Your turn – I want to make this as helpful as possible for you guys so please let me know if you have any questions at all. As you know, nothing is off limits.

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