Second Trimester – Part 1

Phew! First trimester is done!

I have to say, I did not enjoy most of the 1st trimester. I think it’s important to be honest about that. Not many people talk about it and I was feeling like there was something wrong with me. Why wasn’t I this glowing, radiant, mother-earth-goddess that was loving being pregnant?? Am I the only one not feeling great??? I think there is this pressure for pregnant women to project that image. Don’t get me started on the added pressure of not gaining much weight, competing in crossfit events up to the day you give birth, and getting your “pre-baby body back” the second you give birth. Unrealistic expectations = mothers feeling inadequate when they are not inadequate at all.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to be pregnant and looking forward to the baby, and I don’t want to come across as complaining–but those first few months were rough. Crazy hormones and mood swings, crying a lot (um hello kitten videos and videos of babies and puppies….so much cute!), feeling sick all the time. Being scared of miscarriage and birth defects…it was a lot of stress. I was wondering when the wonderful part of pregnancy started…

I will say that once the morning sickness stuff went away, I was starting to enjoy the process a lot more and the wonderful part finally kicked in! I wasn’t feeling sick, I wasn’t having food aversions, I was getting my appetite and my energy back and I was feeling happier about the whole thing. The second trimester so far has been much better and I’m actually looking forward to all the pregnancy STUFF. I’m happy being pregnant now that things have calmed down a bit in my body! They say the 2nd trimester is the honeymoon period and it sure is!

Updates 

Week 14

I ran a 5k!  And it was great and I am proud of how I did and the fact that I didn’t walk much. The downside? I think my body has officially started to do that whole relaxin thing. 🙁 I was so incredibly sore. More sore than I’ve been in a really long time.

Thankfully the morning sickness subsided a few weeks ago. I’m getting my appetite back, wanting to eat healthier foods and craving vegetables again (thank goddess!).

Symptoms this week: headaches, acne (still), appetite increase.

Cravings: lemonade, Brussels sprouts, bacon.

Week 15

It’s weird, SOMETIMES I look like I’m showing. Sometimes I just look a little chubby. I think it depends on what I wear. I am sort of wearing maternity clothes here and there. I am down to only 1 pair of regular pants that fit and I’ve started rotating maternity jeans into my wardrobe (big thanks to a friend who gave me a giant sack of her maternity clothes!!!!).

We shared our news with the world this week. Overall it went really well and positive. I told both my bosses at work and they were super supportive and excited, too. It’s the first pregnancy in our office in years–like maybe 5 or 6? That same day my boss gave me our first gift:

Symptoms this week: Not a ton, I think I might be starting to have the “round ligament pain”?? But I’m not really sure. It’s low, not quite in my groin area, kind of around my pelvis and where the ovaries are on the sides–before the hip bones. If that makes any sense. Felt some aching, painful pulling and almost like bruising.

Cravings: Craved Chipotle for some reason. Got a carnitas salad for lunch one day at work and that satisfied that craving. Also craving ice cream sandwiches.

Week 16

Got our results for the 2nd trimester genetic screening. Our risk for spina bifida is 1 in 17,400. The doctor says these are reassuring numbers! Went to yoga this week and it was hard–my balance was suddenly crap! And doing certain moves was not working (like cobra).

Finally admitted to myself I needed a new bra and underwear. Went up one size in both. Boobs are definitely way bigger. It was such an ODD feeling, looking at bigger bras. I had some mild flash-backs to the days when I was much bigger and wore giant bras. Thankfully not to that stage yet, but I’m sure they will just get bigger as I go along…..!

Symptoms this week: Round ligament pain. Lots of pelvic discomfort, pulling/stretching/aching feelings.

Cravings: Croissant sandwich with cheese, ham and egg. I’d been craving this for a month! Sunday morning Michael surprised me by buying some croissants and making me this masterpiece:

One scrambled egg, cheese, bacon on a croissant. It was PERFECT. I want 10 more of these! Also craving milk and orange juice like crazy.

Week 17

This week the baby is the size of a pomegranate — which seems fitting for October!

My standing desk at work is getting uncomfortable. I’d gotten to the point where I was spending about 80% of my day all week standing. It was working well and my back seemed to be happier for it. Lately it’s been getting more and more uncomfortable. My legs and feet are very fatigued. I’m tired from standing. I am going to have to ease back into sitting more. I think I might go to the stand for an hour, sit for an hour, alternative like I did when I first got the standing desk. I imagine it’s just going to get harder and harder to stand all day. 🙁

My brother and his wife saw the Oregon Ducks onesie and had to remedy that. 🙂 Too funny. It’s pretty adorable though:

Symptoms this week: Headache, round ligament pain, nasal congestion!

Cravings: Still craving milk and orange juice. I have no idea why. I stopped drinking my calories years ago so it’s very odd. But I’m giving in and drinking it in small doses pretty much every day. Discovered gelato this week! I think I’m going to have to limit how often I buy it because it’s dangerous having it in the house…

Doctor Appointment: Had my monthly appointment. Basically just getting weighed, they checked my blood pressure (114/70) and answered some questions. I got a flu shot and will be looking into the hospital tour and childbirth classes. We listened to the heart beat–150!

Week 18

This week baby is the size of a croissant. Mmmmm croissants…..

Talked to my doctor about calories. She said it’s time to bump it up to 300 extra calories a day. Yikes. But ok. I’ve been starting to feel hungrier on some days (not every day) so I will be increasing my daily intake. I just need to make sure it’s not 300 calories in candy corns (damn my office!).

Have to admit, kinda like that I’m getting a little bigger and starting to show. It feels more “real”, unlike the first trimester which felt so…weird…and disconnecting. I am anxious to feel some movement to make it even more real!

In other AMAZING NEWS…my employer announced they are now offering paid maternity leave! This is HUGE. I was so stressed out about not having enough sick and vacation time saved up for maternity leave and was getting depressed about at least half (probably more) of it going unpaid. Half of my maternity leave with be paid leave right off the bat and then I will have to use my sick/vacation time. I shouldn’t have to go unpaid for any of it (or very little). So thankful and happy!!

Symptoms this week: Getting hungrier. Like wake up in the middle of the night with a growling stomach. Also, dizzy. Lightheaded, dizzy, heart racing a little bit. Supposedly that’s normal for this part of the pregnancy. It’s a little unnerving to be honest–feeling like you might faint!

Cravings: No real cravings right now other than the same old same old–orange juice! And sushi. Dammit. 🙁 🙁 🙁

Previous Posts:   

Secret Keeper

Behind the Scenes

First Trimester

Let’s Talk About Weight

I’ll post part two in a few weeks but next week….we find out what we are having!! 🙂 Any guesses?