Chapter One: Preparing to Become a Mother – Intentionally, Emotionally, and Honestly

A Blue Almonds x Kira West Collaboration

Every pregnancy journey begins long before the test turns positive — and for Kira West, wellness creator, marathon runner, and now-mum-to-be, that beginning was paved with intention, healing, and a whole lot of self-awareness.

In this first chapter of our new collaboration, we’re exploring how Kira prepared for conception and pregnancy — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually, too. Her thoughtful, honest approach offers a refreshing and deeply useful perspective for anyone thinking about motherhood, whether now or in the future.

Life Before Pregnancy: Purposeful Living and Conscious Shifts

Originally from Brooklyn and now based in London, Kira describes her life pre-pregnancy as full, fast-paced, and intentionally structured. Travel and movement were — and still are — cornerstones of her identity. “I’ve run the London, NYC, Berlin, and Chicago marathons,” she says casually, as if completing four of the six World Marathon Majors is just a normal life milestone.

But a couple of years ago, Kira began to re-evaluate her time.

“I started to shift how I allocated my energy,” she explains. “I wanted to give more to my family — at that point, that meant my husband and our dog. I’ve always believed that marriage is a partnership that needs regular investment, and that investment requires time.”

 

This slower, more intentional pace paved the way for something bigger: the journey to motherhood.

Healing Before Trying: Preparing the Mind and Body

After experiencing a miscarriage, Kira approached conception the second time around with clarity and care.

“I started preparing about five months before we wanted to try again,” she shares. “I wanted to make sure my body was as ready as possible for a healthy pregnancy, but also give myself time to mentally transition.”

That preparation was multi-layered. Kira took a holistic route — balancing Eastern practices like acupuncture with Western medicine, bloodwork, and therapy. She revamped her skincare routine so it was pregnancy-safe, adjusted her supplement intake (prenatals and pregnancy-safe probiotics), and swapped intense workouts for strength training she could maintain through pregnancy.

Her app of choice? Ladder, which she describes as “a trainer in your pocket” with an excellent prenatal program focused on functional strength.

She also stopped drinking alcohol in May 2024 — not just as a physical prep, but because, as she puts it, “I realised it didn’t really serve me.”

Involving Her Partner: A Team Effort

Kira didn’t take the journey on alone.

“We often forget that conception is a two-person process,” she says. “My husband limited alcohol, took men's health supplements, and focused on improving his semen quality. It’s such a key part of the process that isn’t talked about enough.”

The couple, long-time fans of couples therapy, used the months leading up to pregnancy to deepen their communication and align their vision of parenthood.

“We were proactive,” Kira explains. “We talked more and more about what kind of parents we wanted to be. We gave ourselves time to enjoy each other and this chapter of our life.”

She also found inspiration in The Blend, a book by British author Tobi Asare about balancing motherhood and career growth. “It helped me realise that I could still pursue my career ambitions — that motherhood doesn’t mean choosing one or the other.”

Redefining Wellness Through Pregnancy

For someone whose life has long revolved around wellness, pregnancy offered a humbling shift.

“Wellness, to me, isn’t about products or routines — it’s about what makes you feel like your best self,” Kira says. “But pregnancy is a whole new version of yourself, so that definition has evolved.”

Her current wellness pillars? Movement (even if it’s a walk instead of a run), whole foods (when she’s not surviving on crackers), and rest — lots of it. “Rest has become my top priority,” she says. “I’ve also learned the power of saying no. Saying no to others lets you say yes to yourself.”

Sharing the News

Thanks to cycle tracking through acupuncture, Kira found out she was pregnant early. “I couldn’t keep it a secret — I showed my husband the test right away and texted my best friend a photo.” A few close friends in London, many of whom are also parents or pregnant, became her early emotional anchors. Family found out via FaceTime — cue joyful reactions across the board.

What’s Next

Now in London and surrounded by incredible maternal resources, Kira is stepping into this new chapter with confidence, curiosity, and a deep desire to share the real side of pregnancy — the one that goes beyond bump shots and baby names.

In our next chapter, we’ll explore the first trimester: how she’s feeling, what’s changed, and what she’s learning as her pregnancy progresses.

Because at Blue Almonds, we believe every pregnancy is unique — and every mother deserves to feel supported, seen, and never alone.

Follow along on Kira’s journey with us here on the blog and over on @bluealmondssw3
 Next up: The First Trimester — Real Talk About the Early Days.