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10 seconds after this pic we had a nuclear meltdow 10 seconds after this pic we had a nuclear meltdown as Hendrik kept pulling on Gabrielle’s necklace. 🤦🏼‍♀️ 

Reminds me of the awesome motherhood advice I got from a stranger while pregnant on our babymoon. Barbara, a 65-year old grandma of 7 from Chicago was tanning next to us by the hotel pool. Naturally, we got to chatting. ✨

She said in her awesome midwest accent “Sweetie, it all goes fast. You wanna know the secret? Here it is.”

1️⃣ Laugh 
2️⃣ Don’t try to be perfect. 

That’s it. 

God bless you Barbara from Chicago. It’s been years but I still remember your words. 

Did you need this reminder today?
 I sure did!! ✨

And thanks for the incredible twinning pjs @medusekids! I’m obsessed, and excited to be doing a giveaway with you soon! 

#momlife #mothering #honestmotherhood #honestlymothering #momtruth #momadvice #momsquad #mumsofinstagram #mumandbaby #motherhoodjourney #parentingtips
PRE & POSTNATAL CORE This workout is a fantastic PRE & POSTNATAL CORE

This workout is a fantastic one to connect to your deep abdominals during pregnancy and anytime postpartum. ✨

All you need is a flex band & crib, door knob, or stair bannister! 

✨SOUND ON FOR CUES ✨

1️⃣Golf Practice - it will improve your swing if you care! 🏌️‍♀️
2️⃣Core Lunge 
3️⃣Forward Pulls 
4️⃣Tricep Press
5️⃣Kneeling Pullbacks 

I’m #9monthspostpartum here but you can do these moves in early postnatal rehab to help you connect to your transversus abdominis. And they’re ideal throughout all pregnancy too. 

Go for 3 rounds, 10 reps each! Our live 8-week pre & postnatal classes for March and April start now! We will show you how to safely progress your moves to GET RESULTS. No more leaking. No more heaviness. Just strong & functional ❤️ 

Link in profile. Just read the testimonials highlight ✨
Questions? Just ask! ⬇️

Wearing @bomaternity nursing sports bra and @aura_yoga_wear leggings! 

#thebellemethod #postnatalfitness #pregnancyworkout #fitbump #fitmomsofig #postnatalworkout #prenatalworkout #fitspo #athomeworkouts #flexbandworkout #prenatalpilates #postnatalpilates
BREASTFEEDING JOURNEY My breastfeeding journey h BREASTFEEDING JOURNEY 

My breastfeeding journey has been bumpy. In fact, I pumped exclusively for 10 months with my first daughter Gabrielle. 

She would not latch, and I’d be lying if I didn’t share how devastated I was. 

There were so many moments I remember sitting in the nursing chair pumping while trying to bottle feed her at the same time. 

So redundant. So frustrating. So much extra work. So awkward. So many tears. 

Here are a few things I have learned. 

1️⃣ Show yourself grace. My second kid latched like a champ. I did nothing differently. Try not to blame yourself. ❤️

2️⃣ Get help sooner. I wish I had seen a Lactation Consultant right away. It could’ve saved a lot of problems. From latching, positioning, painful nipples, low milk production, they help with it all. Now you can actually find one virtually using the @getmaple app.  You can get help while staying physically distant and in an environment that’s comfortable for you and your baby. If you have insurance, the cost may be covered by your health benefit plan also.

3️⃣ Mastitis is real. Do not try to “tough it out “. Get help. I have literally never felt sicker. 

4️⃣ Do not compare yourself to the mom who makes it look so easy. Maybe breastfeeding has gone well for her, but chances are she’s dealing with struggles in another area. Nobody has everything “perfect “. Trust me on this. 

5️⃣ Do NOT feel guilty if you decide breastfeeding is not for you. It is OK. You & your mental health matters. Your worth as a mother is not measured in ounces. 

Sending love to all the mamas out there! It’s the toughest job. And you are doing amazing. ❤️

#ad #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #exclusivelypumpingmama #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingjourney #mothersmilk #lactationconsultant #momssupportingmoms #motherhoodunplugged
WEIGHT GAIN IN PREGNANCY Let me share a story. W WEIGHT GAIN IN PREGNANCY 

Let me share a story. When I was 16, my high-school boyfriend cheated on me. In my teenage brain, I decided to get “revenge” by getting skinny. I started aggressively dieting, counting calories and even throwing up after meals. It made me feel in control of something when my world was falling apart. 

I’ll never forget my varsity field hockey coach yelling at me “Nikki, what is WRONG with you?!” when I started losing my breath during practice. My body could no longer perform like an athlete. 

It took a few years, but thankfully I was able to overcome disordered eating and body dysmorphia by my early 20s. 

My experience taught me something I’ll remember forever - health & strength are what matters. It’s not about weight or the number on the scale. 

Fast forward to being pregnant. 
In this photo taken 10 months ago, I was 36 weeks pregnant and had already sailed past the “recommended” maximum 35 lbs. weight gain and still had a month to go. This happened in both pregnancies. 

But baby and I were healthy. I felt strong. 
So I did not let “excessive weight gain” get to my head. 

I urge you to approach your pregnancy weight gain with grace. I am asked often in private DMs about pregnancy weight gain and many women feel anxiety about it. 

Are you healthy? Are you nourishing your body? Are you feeling strong? 

That’s what matters ❤️

You are a glowing vessel of life. Take up space mama. You will eventually be able to see your feet again - I promise. Now please embrace the fact that your body is pure magic. ✨

How did you feel about pregnancy weight gain? Did it impact you psychologically? 

#pregnancyjourney #pregnancyweightgain #pregnancydiary #8monthspregnant #bodydysmorphia #pregnancyweightloss #bodylovesquad #prenatalhealth
I did a recent postpartum poll in stories: 83% of I did a recent postpartum poll in stories: 83% of you would rather sleep than have sex. 😆

I think we need to normalize low libido during the postpartum period. Nobody warned me of this!  At my six week postpartum checkup, my OB told me I was “good to go” with the sort of wink. I was like um, really? Cause I sure didn’t feel ready. 

I felt something was wrong with me because I wasn’t excited to go have sex again. It kind of messed with me to be honest. 

BUT the truth is, there’s a reason 83% of us would prefer to sleep! Motherhood is exhausting, not to mention prolactin hormone levels from breastfeeding are causally linked to low libido. 
 
I’ve learned to speak up about how I’m feeling, and to ditch the guilt. Also, understanding what’s going on with your hormones is SO important. 

I’m also a fan of finding your orgasm again, on your own. Side note: orgasms are amazing for your mood, your pelvic floor & I just learned they stimulate collagen through the release of HGH (human growth hormone). Say what?!

Get a vibrator ladies. And a good one. 
You know I love the Australian company Vush. They just released their Generation 2 technology with “The Rose.”She is now waterproof! + she bends and flexes to your body!  She will make you blush...

Use the code NIKKI for 20% off + free shipping❤️ 

#moreselflove #breakthestigma #sexafterbaby #libido #hormones #breastfeeding #momtruth #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #momsofinstagram
PROLAPSE RECOVERY This might seem like a strange PROLAPSE RECOVERY

This might seem like a strange photo to post given the title - but let me share a story. 

It’s a story of me feeling “different” down there after my second vaginal birth 9 months ago.  There was heaviness. Something felt like it was coming down where it wasn’t supposed to be. I freaked. I got out a mirror. I googled stuff. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I went to my Pelvic Physio @dr.sinead at 6 weeks postpartum. She said I had a low “bladder neck. “ She suggested a disposable bladder support (it’s called the Poise Impressa - kind of like a temporary pessary). 

I was like WHAT IS HAPPENING?! I teach this stuff. How did I get a low “bladder neck”?! What does that even mean? I had no leaking - just heaviness. 

My PT explained it was “mild”. She gently told me to take a spoonful of my own medicine. “Nikki, do the pelvic floor rehab exercises you teach everyone else to do.”

I was upset - and a little embarrassed to be honest. How the eff does this happen to someone who has made a career of pelvic health focused fitness?! FML. You can do everything right and these things can still happen. 

Note: I don’t recommend getting bronchitis in your 3rd trimester like I did.  Coughing is causally related to pelvic organ prolapse - especially when heavily pregnant. 

Well, the story has a happy ending. The exercises work. ✨

It’s been 7.5 months since my low bladder diagnosis and this week I hiked an hour through snow banks carrying my 2 kids totalling 53 lbs.

No heaviness. No support devices. No anxiety. Just me, feeling strong. It felt like sweet victory. My 39 year old body can do this. 

Trust in the process mamas. And remember there is no shame in any of this. You are NOT BROKEN. Here for you every step of the way ❤️

#prolapse #pelvicfloor #pelvicorganprolapse #cystocele #womenshealth #momlife #momsofinstagram #bladderproblems #incontinence
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