During this time of incredible heartbreak and grief, Joe and I are beyond grateful to have our families, friends, colleagues and community to help hold us up. Helpless and hopeless, there is one thing we’d like to do in honor of our daughter, Ava Lombardi. While at the hospital in the beginning of this nightmare, we learned of Griffin’s Giving Fund, which helps families through the grief associated with losing a child. Keep reading to find out how.
Devastated. Numb. Angry. Hopeless. Lifeless.
Words can’t begin to describe how Joe and I have been feeling. At 8 months pregnant, we lost our baby girl. Our second loss. No answers as to why. Just a week ago, after being forced into labor and having to give birth to her, we left the hospital empty handed. She was already gone. No words. Just heartbreak. Taking time away from all of this... unplugged.
At 18 weeks, I went to book a massage and then realized I could no longer lay flat on my stomach and that it was time to book the prenatal. I immediately got nervous and began Googling how prenatal massages are done. I was intimidated to feel uncomfortable on the table with my changing body and didn't want to put myself in an awkward position. Here's everything I learned from my first prenatal massage.
Back when I was 20 weeks pregnant, I had to supply The Bar Method Hoboken with a doctors note stating that I was able to keep up the work out. I didn't announce the news publicly yet and was still able to hide my little bump, but according to studio rules, I needed to start modifying certain exercises. I wasn't ready for that!
Once I started showing, I realized that society doesn't know how to appropriately act around pregnant women. There have been many times where I felt extremely uncomfortable because of somebody else's words or actions. So here are the top five things never to say or do to a pregnant woman. Read and pass on!
When I found out I was pregnant, I looked in my medicine cabinet, tossed my retinol and stocked it with all-natural products from brands I truly love like Tata Harper. However, with a little help from my go-to dermatologists, (who have all had babies themselves), I was relieved to learn that I didn't need to go 100% natural with my skincare regimen. These derm-approved finds are free of ingredients pregnant women need to steer clear of like retinol and salicylic acid.
