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Sauce editor Zeenat Wikinson said that although her second pregnancy was unexpected, she found support in family and friends.
Zeenat Wilkinson was surprised to find out she was pregnant. This led to an unexpected emotional journey. After the birth of Aaliyah, her first child, 37-year-old Sauce editor, she was feeling a little better and was beginning to feel normal again when she discovered she was pregnant with her second.
Although she felt overwhelmed, she was also extremely grateful. It’s possible to feel intensely overwhelmed by the amount of things that happen in your body during pregnancy.
It also included severe morning sickness. Zeenat says, “When people talk of morning sickness, nobody actually tells you what it can be.” “I was sick all the time, every day, and couldn’t function.” It was a lonely and alienating experience for her. It’s hard to explain what it feels like, and we as a society seem to ignore it. Men would be literally in bed all day if they had to experience “morning sickness”
Zeenat was not only challenged by the physical obstacles, but also emotionally. “It was a difficult time for me and many others. I experienced fears and traumas at my first birth. A mourning period where I felt like I didn’t have control over my own life.
Zeenat was very unhappy in her first two years of motherhood. She felt isolated from her family in India, where the Covid pandemic was raging. Luke Wilkinson and Zeenat were both excited, but also overwhelmed, by the prospect of having another baby. They felt more secure once they shared their news with friends and family. She said, “I think deep down, we always wanted to be able to have two.” “Leaning on family and friends was an essential part of this process.
Zeenat ate intuitively to help her cope with the additional demands of pregnancy. She was also mindful of maintaining her health. After having had pelvic issues during her previous pregnancy, Zeenat attended regular osteo and physical therapy appointments and took aqua natal classes.
She also learned how to slow down and reduce her expectations. “The most important thing is that I get rest when my body needs me,” she said. I am always on the move and thrive on deadlines. It was difficult to learn how to be more aware of my commitments and to say no to jobs I would not normally accept.
Zeenat, who has only two more weeks until her due date is, is “leaning into the new season of her life” and relying heavily on her friends, colleagues, and family. “It was challenging to navigate this pregnancy, while managing my own business and taking care of a toddler,” she says. “On the outside you’re expected to go to work every day and carry on your daily life. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming.”
She is thankful for all of the learning and growth and she and Luke look forward to the arrival of the little one in their lives. “Really, it’s a leap in faith, just like everything else about motherhood. We are eager to embrace it all.
SUPPLIED
Elevit’s 19 vitamins & minerals were created to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women trying to conceive.
Elevit is a pre-conception or pregnancy supplement with 19 vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. It is designed to meet the higher nutritional needs of women who are trying for a baby or are pregnant. Always read the label carefully and only use as directed. Bayer New Zealand Ltd., Auckland.
The first 1000 days of a baby’s life (from conception through age 2) are crucial to ensure that your baby is healthy. Also, adequate nutrition during this time can have a positive impact on the baby’s health and longevity.[1]
Elevit is the only pregnancy multivitamin with more iron and folic acid than any other.[2] It is New Zealand’s top-rated pregnancy multivitamin, meeting the recommended dietary intakes of iron, folic acid, and iodine.[3]
Menevit is a male fertility product that contains an antioxidant to support sperm and preconception health.
For more information about Elevit and Menevit, visit elevit.co.nz/products/elevit and elevit.co.nz/products/menevit. For helpful pregnancy planning information, click here.
Always read the label before using any vitamin or mineral supplement. Supplements of vitamins and minerals should not be used as a replacement for a balanced diet. For babies with Spina Bifida/Neural Tube Defect/Spina Bifida, you should seek medical advice. Bayer New Zealand Ltd. Auckland. [TAPS NP19121]
1: www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/ccchdev/CCCH-The-First-Thousand-Days-An-Evidence-Paper-September-2017.pdf
2: https://www.elevit.co.nz/products/elevit/product-comparison
3: MAT 02 APR2022
