On a mission to make high-quality, sustainable skincare accessible to all, Priscilla, founder of cocokind, is about to become a mom.

Today on Babe, this superfood-based beauty brand’s leader reflects on why pregnancy has made her a more compassionate CEO, postponing her wedding due to Covid and planning to follow a modified version of “the first forty days” Chinese practice. Plus, her surprising new craving for coffee. 

Feeling?

I’m due in two weeks and feeling very big. Although, I imagine that’s not unique to me and more or less how everybody feels at this point. That said, I was born nine pounds and two weeks early, so while I’m tracking average on every metric of my pregnancy, including my fundal height, I can’t help but wonder, ‘am I about to have a huge baby?’

Path to pregnancy?

We had a really interesting 2020 (I know, I know, who didn’t?). My husband and I were supposed to have a large, traditional wedding with 100 plus people in July of 2020. However, when the pandemic hit hard in March, we hit pause on the big wedding, had a small civil ceremony instead, and decided to have a baby! We both come from families with three siblings and also want three kids of our own, so we didn’t want our decision to postpone the wedding to prevent our starting a family. Therefore, straight after the civil marriage, we got on it! Of course, I assumed it would take months, but to our surprise and good fortune, it happened immediately. While it’s definitely not what either of us had imagined, we’re so excited about it and very much looking forward to having our eight and a half-month-old baby at our wedding.

In light of last year, we adapted as much as possible personally and did our best to control what we could. And, you know, here we are.

Pregnancy through COVID?

Pregnancy through COVID has not been without it’s challenges, but I have to say, working from home while I was really nauseous was pretty great. Not going to physical office meant I was able to prioritize comfort which made all the difference in the world, even if I’m still on back to back calls.

Additionally, having this experience has made me a more compassionate CEO, especially toward expecting moms at work. I’m better able to relate and understand how we can support our people through pregnancy.

Plans for taking a maternity leave?

As a company policy, we have three months of paid leave, although I think I’m going to take a modified version of that for 8 to 10 weeks or so. Seeing as I’m going through this for the first time, I’m hesitant to commit to anything as I have no idea what recovery will be like for me. cocokind has been a part of me every day for the past five years. I know I will really miss being away from that and anxious to get back, but I’m trying to avoid having any expectations.

Will you follow “the first thirty days” Chinese practice?

While I’m not planning anything formally, my mom will come and cook traditional meals with herbs sent from her friend in Taiwan. She’ll be making recipes with healing qualities, like Sesame Oil Chicken and a few others that seem a little more daunting, but I’m going to let her do her thing. Beyond the food, I will avoid having cold beverages immediately after birth; my mom is adamant about this.

Cravings, much?

I have an epic sweet tooth and honestly, expected my cravings to be much worse, but it turns out I’ve had more aversions than cravings. I usually eat meat and couldn’t be near it, plus random things like salsa, which I’m typically obsessed with. Otherwise, I’ve mostly reached for anything refreshing and totally hydrating, like fruit and sparkling yuzu beverages. Also, I’m Chinese, so Chinese food has been super comforting and a staple in our house.

Wellness hacks?

It’s been a hard year when it comes to wellness; I’ve not excelled in this area of my life with everything happening at work. But, I try to take the small wins as much as possible, like going on a walk to the grocery store to pick up something or being able to take the time to cook a healthy meal. Other than that, there have been weird things like coffee! I never used to drink coffee and now I’ve been drinking it every day throughout my pregnancy.

Plus, I started taking tennis lessons in my third trimester because I wanted to have more formal exercise activities. However, I’ve had pretty bad pelvis pain the last 8+ months, and I was finding the recovery too painful after I played, so I’ve paused and mostly walking instead.

Thoughts on raising the next generation?

We have a real chance as parents to educate and shape the next generation based on what we’ve learned and what we hope to see of the future. My mom realized the true American dream; she immigrated from Taiwan, worked extremely hard, and eventually owned her business. Watching her my entire life empowered me in my career. I want to instill the same values in our kids that I was brought up with: hard work, nothing’s a given, and the power of earning things for yourself. The only way I know how to do this is to lead by example. My mom did this really well. She would bring us to various work events and seeing her in action gave me confidence. I plan to do the same. 

Any advice you can leave us with?

There’s amazing content out there from pregnancy to parenthood, but equally, there’s a lot that can shock you when your life doesn’t mimic that. While dealing with all these mental, emotional changes, seeing others’ perfection on Instagram can be a lot, for sure. I broke out on my belly, on my face, and all over my body, which impacted me when I would see these beautiful images of pregnant women on social media. Therefore my advice is to have acceptance versus comparison. Also, know this too shall pass.

Next-level gorgeous and kind beyond, mega-watt mama, model, and musician Cassie Ventura Fine, is expecting her second. Here, she shares the oh-sh*t-moment of finding out she was pregnant again, her workout routine between babies, trying for a VBAC, and one hope she has for the next generation. Plus, cool whip, naturally! 

Feeling?

I’m feeling good. Overall this pregnancy has been easier than my first. I haven’t gained as much weight, and I’ve had far less back pain. I’m already seven months, due in March! I assumed it would go by slowly because we’re home due to the pandemic, but it went by really fast, surprisingly.

Path to pregnancy?

I’ve joked about this with my family, but I feel like I’ve been pregnant for nearly three years! I had a four or five-month window between the two pregnancies where I remember drinking wine and then back to being pregnant. Before COVID, I was casually talking to my doctor about birth control, but once the stay-at-home order went into effect, I was lax about going to the doctor because I didn’t don’t want to go out of the house unless necessary. Of course, I had no idea how fertile you are after having a baby, so I delayed. And, here we are, seven months later!

Finding out was definitely one of those oh-shit-moments! It was totally unexpected, but we’re so excited! I love that Frankie’s going to have a sibling super close in age. Plus, we’re home so much now anyway, and my entire house is all “baby,” so, in that sense, the timing is ideal. But after this, I need my body back for a minute before even considering another. 

Recovery between babies?

Between pregnancies, I started training regularly, eating super clean, and I felt amazing. I was more fit after having Frankie than I was before getting pregnant with her. Everybody told me that I could get back in shape after having Frankie, but I didn’t believe them; I had gained 70 pounds! It’s truly incredible what our bodies can do. 

Just after Frankie was born, my thyroid was off which was kept me from losing the weight. I felt so unhealthy and was frustrated. Finally, I consulted a doctor to regulate the thyroid. Based on my bloodwork, I began to follow an AIP diet (autoimmune protocol) to pinpoint what foods were causing inflammation. I learned that things like tomatoes are not good for me and the small act of removing them from my diet made a huge impact; I immediately saw results. Between monitoring my bloodwork monthly and Alex’s custom prenatal workout (link below), everything worked in tandem, and the weight started coming off.

Now that I’m pregnant again, I maintain a healthy diet wherein I’m not restricting myself, but I still avoid certain food that cause inflammation. And, of course, the key to it all…everything in moderation.

Cassie’s Prenatal Tighten And Tone Workout Here

Craving, much?

Cool Whip, naturally! Actually, better yet, the other day I had Cool Whip with old-school Nilla Wafers.

What about wellness and working out?

With Frankie, I ate everything. Literally, whatever I craved, I ate. In contrast, with this one, I’m making smarter choices. I’m prioritizing eating salads with lots of protein (my doctor is adamant about protein). Plus, I walk in the hills around the house to get the blood flowing, and once in a while, I’ll work out with Alex in the gym, but I don’t do anything strenuous. And, of course, there’s running after Frankie everyday, the biggest workout of them all. 

If your pregnancy were a song?

Hands down: Body by Megan Thee Stallion

Birth Plan?

I haven’t fully decided. With Frankie, I was so opposed to having a C-section before going into labor, but after struggling for two days, I ended up having to have one. With that, I got over my fear of having the surgery and learned that I could heal. This time, I was planning to try for a VBAC, but I’m not so sure as I get closer to the due date. I’m still weighing my options.

With the state of the world (and hospitals), there’s something to be said about knowing when I’m going to the hospital and going home. Either way, my top priority is that the baby is healthy and comes into the world stress-free.

Keeps you up at night?

Right now, I can’t imagine what it will be like to have two babies in the house. We have our little routine: we wake up, eat, play, nap, and I’m trying to wrap my mind around how it will be to add a new person to the mix. Everybody says, ‘it just falls into place.‘ But, like, for real, how does it work?

Also, recently Alex’s grandmother said to me, ‘You love Frankie so much, and you’re wondering how you could possibly love another baby in the same way?’ And, she was right, I think about this often. However, from what I gather, the love is infinite and different for each child. Another girlfriend of mine is pregnant with her fourth, and told me that you love all your children differently. Each baby taps into an unique aspect of your personality as a woman, almost as if they all have different moms. I love this concept and think it’s a beautiful way to look at it.

One hope for the next generation?

I hope there’s a massive social and emotional shift. I believe the next generation will be more sensitive, practical, and in tune with others. Plus, less selfish. Overall, I think they’ll be aware of not wanting to repeat our mistakes.

Any advice you can leave us with?

Prioritize time for YOU everyday. I find that even if I can grab 15 minutes to read alone or use a meditation app while Frankie is napping, I instantly feel recharged. Tending to my spirit helps me maintain balance in my home. As moms, it’s easy to spread ourselves thin, but I think that finding moments, even if they’re brief and or interrupted, is essential for your mental health. Truth is, I’ve never appreciated a hot cup of tea and a guided meditation more!