The easiest way to explain my second trimester, is that it was the complete opposite of my first trimester. When I was super sick the first few months, I kept hearing ‘just wait til the 2nd trimester.’ It was definitely hard to see the light at the end of the nausea tunnel at the time. But, turns out (for me at least) it was so true.
Most of the pregnancy symptoms I’ve dealt with the last few months are really just normal things for me. Heartburn – I’ve lived most of my life with (self diagnosed) acid reflux. Cravings – all I’ve wanted to eat is sweets and more sweets. But again that is nothing new; I have always had a sweet tooth. And really no weird cravings like you hear on tv. Crying – I can blame the pregnancy hormones all I want but its pretty well known that I’m a cryer. I cry watching Publix commercials. (btw as soon as I typed that I made the mistake of looking to see if there was a new one for the holidays. I watched this one and now I am writing this with tears in my eyes.
Growth and Changes
It’s pretty interesting to see how my body has changed since getting pregnant. I look back at pictures from our trip to Myrtle Beach, very soon after we found out I was pregnant, and realize just how puffy and bloated I was. I remember on that trip being frustrated that my clothes already didn’t fit. I thought I was just going to be a HUGE pregnant lady. But then I threw up constantly and lost 13 pounds.
As my second trimester started, I kinda sorta started to look pregnant. At first my weight stayed the same. My doctor and I were both just happy that I stopped losing weight. And then eventually I started to gain about 3 pounds a month. It’s definitely a strange and new feeling to be happy about seeing the number on the scale get higher.
Medical Things.
At around 20 weeks, it could be normal for your doctor to send you to see a specialist or a high risk pregnancy doctor (even if you’re not high risk) for the anatomy scan. It’s basically an ultrasound where they take a whole bunch of measurements of the baby. Some doctors might do this themselves, but mine sends their patients to the specialist.
I love having ultrasounds and seeing baby’s cutie little nose. But I’m very spoiled by how nice and communicative my doctor’s office is. And I guess had I known what the appointment entailed, I would’ve planned better and made the appointment when I had more time and didn’t have to get to work. After the ultrasound was done they told me to go back to the waiting room without explaining what I was waiting for. The longer I waited the more frustrated I got. When I asked what I was waiting for at the front desk, the woman said “she’s on the phone.” Like who is on the phone? Why am I still here? So I left.
Well, turns out I probably should’ve waited. I got all the info from my doctor a week later, but they thought I already knew everything they were talking about. Thankfully, baby was perfectly healthy and measuring/growing right on track. But I was informed that I had a low-lying placenta. (Reminder – I am very obviously not a doctor, just explaining my experience and my understanding of my personal medical situation). So there’s something called placenta previa, which is where your placenta is completely blocking your cervix and the baby can’t get out. A low lying placenta is when the placenta is within 2 centimeters of the cervix. It’s mostly just something to monitor and, like in my case, when it’s early enough the placenta should move and be fine.
I had to go back to the specialist a couple more times. I started at 1.6cm, then 1.8cm and I’m happy to say its now over 3cm away.
The Best Parts.
Feeling this little baby move inside my belly is the best feeling in the world. The movements started out small, like little tickles and I could only feel it on the inside. For a while I would just lay with my hand on my stomach trying to tell if I was feeling the movements on my hand or just on the inside. Every time I would feel something, I would tell Jon to put his hand there, but he wouldn’t feel anything. And on the morning of our 2nd wedding anniversary, it felt like baby was having a little dance party in my belly. Jon put his hand on my stomach and felt our baby move for the first time. It’s like he knew what day it was, and wanted to celebrate with us.
Only a few more months til we get to meet our little guy!
