Second Trimester Recap
I am writing this in disbelief that I am already in my third trimester.
What is time and how did we get here!?
I’ve been told that the second trimester is bliss compared to the first trimester, and I have to admit, I agree with this. (You can read my first trimester recap here.) All of my aversions went away, I could drink coffee again, and we experienced some pretty special moments and milestones along the way.
MY SECOND TRIMESTER ESSENTIALS:
There were some definite essentials I grew to love during Trimester #2. For one, maternity clothes became a must as the bump grew (and grew). Thankfully, I work from home, so I haven’t needed to purchase too many items of clothing, but considering the second trimester occurred during the summer, shorts were needed. I grew to love Target’s maternity selection including these shorts, these jeans, and this maxi dress (which I purchased in floral and black options), all from the brand Ingrid + Isabel. I also purchased maternity biker shorts from Amazon, which are so comfortable for days where I lounge around the house or go to the gym.
In terms of books, I’ve been slowly reading through two. The classic go-to of every possible symptom and scenario imaginable, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, has been super helpful and informative. Cribsheet by Emily Oster was recommended by a friend and I’ve enjoyed it so far, although it’s data-heavy so it’s taking me a while to get through it.
Alka Seltzer gummies have been another staple in my diet and overall second trimester essentials list. Heartburn has been a major symptom lately, and these gummies have been doing wonders to help ease the discomfort, especially at night.
Not product related, but definitely worth mentioning in this roundup: eating smaller meals more frequently (which helps with said heartburn) and exercising regularly. My workouts look a bit different these days, but moving my body a few days a week has been helpful.
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS:
Every pregnancy is different, so I definitely cannot complain when it comes to physical symptoms. I mentioned heartburn, which has been a big one. I experienced Charley horses/leg cramps almost every night for a few weeks, but they have thankfully stopped for the most part. I’ve also had nonstop nasal congestion for months, which at first I didn’t realize was related to the pregnancy, but then soon discovered that it is a very common symptom. Who knew!? I also have a harder time getting up and down from sitting or laying down positions, which is to be expected as my center of gravity is changing and my belly bump is growing!
CRAVINGS:
Pregnancy cravings are famous for being weird and random. I haven’t craved any odd combinations of food, but I have gone through spurts where I can’t get enough of something or something tastes really good. A few examples of cravings include Raspberry La Croix (sparkling water), soups (especially vegetable and minestrone soups), sea salt almonds, and fruit (especially mangoes, apples, and blueberries).
HOW I FELT:
I felt generally really good during the second trimester. There were moments where my mental health wasn’t great, especially when it came to body image and adjusting to being bigger than normal. I’ve been trying to keep it all in perspective and remember that body changes are necessary because a human being is growing inside me. Of course there are going to be changes! Generally, though, I learned (and am still learning) to appreciate all the things about pregnancy and look forward to meeting her in just a few short months.
NOTABLE BABY MILESTONES & MOMENTS:
There are a few baby milestones and moments that stick out about the second trimester. The first was officially finding out the gender and seeing Baby Girl wiggle and move around during ultrasounds.
The second was feeling her kick for the first time, which was an odd sensation that I quickly grew to love and look forward to. She’s most active in the evenings, but sometimes I feel her during Zoom meetings and it’s a great surprise.
The third was knowing she’s growing on target and on track for my due date (which is mid-December). Knowing that she’s healthy and everything is looking good and as it should be is comforting and a blessing.
Other highlights of the second trimester include planning the nursery, ordering her crib, and creating our registry! We cannot wait to meet Baby Girl in just a few short months. Crazy how time has flown!
