And just like that, my second trimester is completed.
I remember writing all about my first trimester and thinking, “Whew that flew – hopefully I can take time to really enjoy the second!” Now, with the new year around the corner and baby’s March due date hurling toward me at lightning speed, I’m wondering, “What just happened?!” Trimester two is done. Completed. On one hand it’s such a relief, and on the other, I’m feeling totally underprepared!
As I dive head-first into all things baby prep, it’s nice to take some time to pause and reflect. More than any other feeling, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that this pregnancy has been relatively complication-free. It’s not lost onto me how fortunate I am to even be pregnant, and that thus far the baby and I have been healthy. While there’s lots of emotions and at-times stressful to-do’s associated with baby prep, that doesn’t and should never cloud my great fortune for being in this position. I want to acknowledge that in the upfront, because truly, I feel so incredibly blessed and lucky.
With that, who’s ready for a second trimester pregnancy update? 🙂
Here’s all that’s going on currently, how I’ve been feeling, what’s new with baby and the family, and all we still have left to do in trimester 3!
Second Trimester Pregnancy Update
How’s Baby?!
He’s wonderful! So far, all tests, ultrasounds and check-ups have pointed toward him being perfectly healthy.
The 20 week ultrasound was, in a word, surreal. Doug and I got to see our little guy, rolling around, and the incredible amount of detail that the ultrasound provides. The inflow and outflow of blood in his veins, his little heart working hard at beating, the vertebrae on his spine, the chambers of his brain.
I start to tear up just thinking about how much of a miracle it is that my body is somehow creating a human being. Totally unconsciously. Somehow, this little miracle is growing inside of me, and in just a short time period is going to be his own person. Our baby. Even though this is my third time going through it, it’s never something you get “used” to or take for granted.
How’s Mama?
I’m doing great! Staying busy with business, the kiddos, nesting, taking care of myself and life in the mix. I’ve been trying to regularly work out, rest, and eat healthy — while allowing myself that occasional indulgence too, because that’s good for the soul, you know? (At least that’s what I tell myself when I nibble on extra holiday cookies, ha!)
My whole second trimester I had lots of energy, but would typically crash in exhaustion at the end of the day. Recently – in the past week or so as I enter my third trimester – I’ve been hit with big waves of exhaustion during the day. Pretty expected though, with all that’s going on!
The only qualm is that my feet have been absolutely throbbing lately. Also, sleeping is getting pretty uncomfortable because no positions seem to be comfortable anymore. But the fact that that’s the worst of it is actually fantastic, in my mind.
In terms of dramatic happenings, I’ve had a few minor set backs. A bout of food poisoning which was terrible, occasional times when I got intense Braxton Hicks contractions where I needed to prioritize really taking it easy, and I had to go to the hospital for a proactive ultrasound on my arm to ensure there wasn’t a blood clot recently. All are scary situations, but all have turned out to be okay so far. Again, I’m very lucky. Just trying to stay calm, collected, and allow myself to rest as much as possible.
Have You Felt The Baby Move Yet?
Yes! I definitely felt him sooner this pregnancy than with my girls, I think because I knew what to pay attention to. I’d say it was around week 17 or 18 when I first felt him move. Little jabs that were inconsistent at first, which have now grown to definitive movements and motions that I can’t help but smile at.
One thing is certain: He’s SO ACTIVE. We’re talking what feels like jumping jacks and somersaults on the regular. His most active time is at night, right around 9 pm, when you can usually see elbows rolling around, foot kicks, a butt rolling, and everything in between. I’ve started to play a game where I try to rub his limbs when he’s moving — I’ll feel a kick and rub the area where I felt him to see if he’ll repeat the movement in the same spot. I like to think he knows I’m out here, cheering him on; that it’s our special inside joke together as mom and son!
Are Grace and Josephine getting excited?
SO excited. They’ve both felt the baby kick, which I think definitely makes everything more real for them. Baby dolls are all the craze in our house lately, especially with Joey. They are so sweet in how they regularly ask about the baby, and when he’s coming. We’ve been talking a lot about baby name ideas and how life will change when he comes. The bigger my belly gets, the more real it all becomes, especially because…
Have the girls started sharing a room yet?
YES! Well, yes and no. Every night, we put them to sleep in their shared room, to which they succeed in falling asleep together about 50% of the time. Sometimes, if it gets too late, we’ll move Joey back to her own room. We are going to “cut the cord” on that soon, though. Sink or swim, they’ve got to learn how to start sharing their room successfully! (And ACTUALLY go to bed at a reasonable hour!)
All of Josephine’s things still need to be “officially” transferred out of the nursery, which we’ll probably do in the next few weeks. We’ve been taking our time with the transition so far, but now that I’m done with trimester 2, it’s time to make things official!
Is the nursery done?
Uh…yeah…about 10% of the way. Ha! The only thing we’ve gotten for it is the rug. Need to find a free weekend and dedicate more time to it. First we’re working on officially having the girls share their room, and then will come the nursery. Soon!
Are you and Doug going on a babymoon?
Heck yes we are – It’s tradition at this point! (Joey’s babymoon was in Los Angeles and Newport Beach. Grace’s was in Captiva Island and Miami!) We’re heading to a fun destination the second week of January. This time, instead of somewhere warm, we’re going to the mountains. It’s a surprise on exactly where — but I’ll give you this hint: We’ve been calling this baby our “cowboy” because of how active he is in the womb, and his babymoon destination is very fitting for his nickname. 😉
What will you be doing to prep as you near the due date?
We’re doing all of the classes! We have a refresh course on infant CPR, and also a labor and delivery course we signed up for. I’m also going to be taking a breastfeeding refresh course. (Had a tough time at first with both girls with breastfeeding, so I’m hoping the third time will be smoother!) We also are going to do a tour of the local hospital, to make sure we know exactly where to go on game day.
What kind of delivery do you hope to have?
I’ve been thinking a LOT about this lately. With Grace I had an epidural, with Joey I was induced and also had an epidural. This time around, I think I want to have the baby all natural without an epidural OR induction, if possible.
I know some of you may think I’m crazy, but I feel mentally and physically prepared to tackle this feat, and it’s something I think would be amazing to experience. (Though painful!)
All that being said, I do believe that the best plan for birth is a loose one. To go in with an idea of what you want but to also remain flexible because, man, birth is a crazy thing! So many factors and variables — it’s nearly impossible to “plan” it all out exactly how you want. Getting my baby delivered in a way that’s best for him is priority #1, so if that means getting an epidural or my hopes for doing it all natural falling to the wayside, that’s okay. I have a lot more prep work, research, and exploring to do here, plus life itself will naturally take course, so we’ll see! But, an all natural birth is my intention as of now. 🙂
Heeeere we go, third trimester! March 13 will be here before I know it, I’m sure. So excited!
PS – Baby boy’s first trimester pregnancy update + Gender reveal announcement + Pregnancy announcement!
