2nd Trimester Pregnancy Recap

I am now 1 week into my third trimester and due in 11 weeks!!! I wanted to do a pregnancy update and fill you in with how the 2nd trimester was for me and to remember some of these details myself for the future.

Symptoms:
-Overall, I've felt awesome this 2nd trimester! I've had energy and could go on doing most things as normal which kind of surprised me.

-Sleeping got less comfortable and I am so thankful for my pregnancy pillow which helps me get comfortable at night. I am still up by 5:30-6 AM everyday but I am okay with that.

-From weeks 26-27, I was waking up in the night with really bad calf cramps. I would stretch out my toes away from me to "help" but I read that that makes it so much worse! You are actually supposed to pull your foot up toward your calf, not down. I actually strained a muscle doing this!

-I definitely have "pregnancy brain". I can be so spacey at time. I have worn 2 different shoes to work on two different occasions. I forgot my wallet at work and thought I lost it (and almost cancelled my credit cards). I forget to do little things that I say I'm going to do. It's horrible- but funny at the same time!

-Lots of lower back pain- I notice this during work mostly. Sitting and standing seem to make it equally as bad. My husband just told me to bring a small pillow to work and put in on my lower back for lumbar support- it is helping a lot!


-Around 20-21 weeks, I was having sharp pains in my stomach. I went to the doctor because of it and the doctor said that it is just growing pains. Luckily these resolved because they hurt a lot!

-A lot of times (starting at about week 25), I feel a lot of pressure in my stomach/uterus. It is not painful but is very uncomfortable.

-Braxton hicks contractions have gotten a lot more noticable starting in week 27.

-I had some acne at the beginning of this trimester but it has gotten a lot better.

-I get up 1x/night every night to pee but it has gotten a lot better than the first trimester.

-No more nausea. I was very lucky not to have any heartburn so far. No food aversions.

-Weight gain- My doctors say that I am doing very well with weight gain. At 28 weeks, I was up 17-18 lbs.

-Belly button popped out at week 19 in Mexico- I can't believe how far out it is!

Favorite Pregnancy Products: 
-Mustela Stretch Marks Care Oil and Summer Sky Momma Belly Oil- I rub one of these two products on my belly every night. Partially because my skin is dry but also to help prevent stretch marks (knock on the wood, I still have none!).

-Leachco Pregnancy Body Pillow- This pillow helps me get comfortable every night.

-Rainbow Light prenatal vitamins- I have tried several brands of prenatal vitamins and this is by far my favorite brand. I do not feel sick when I take them and they are full of many beneficial nutrients.

Exercise:
-Still walking every day! My trusty man Jaxen makes me walk every morning between 6-7 AM and I can't let him down. Most walks are 1-3 miles.
-I have run a couple of times but not much- not more than 1 mile at a time without stopping either.
-Every so often, I do a few planks or my 8 minute arms video.
-I firmly believe that walking has kept me feeling my best during this pregnancy and am going to try to keep it up the rest of my pregnancy.


Cravings/Food:
-I am so disappointed that I have not had any funky cravings! I want to be one of those weird pregnant people who eat odd things haha.
-I had a craving going for awhile for lemonade. I could not get enough!
-Favorite things are pretty much like usual: tons of fresh fruit, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, green smoothies, tons of pizza, etc.
-I have been loving chips more- salt and vinegar, hot chips and dill pickle.
-I eat A LOT but I guess I have always been a really big eater.
-I still drink 1 cup of coffee per day.


Thoughts:
-I am very, very excited to meet this baby and see what she looks like, acts like, etc.
-On the other hand, I am so nervous to be a parent. I'm scared that I won't be able to get the baby to stop crying, know what to do, etc.
-I'm not that nervous for labor at this point. I plan to get an epidural and even though I know that it is not a "cure all" for pain, I know it will help a lot.
-I feel a bit anxious at the amount of stuff we have to do yet, especially since I do not know when the baby will come exactly and if she will be born early.

Clothes: 
-I am mostly wearing maternity clothes at this point. None of my regular pants fit and they haven't for a long time.
-Favorite items include black maternity pants, maxi skirts and maternity t-shirts. I also can get away with wearing a lot of non-maternity longer shirts and dresses.

Best Moments of the 2nd Trimester:
-Finding out the sex of the baby- it's a girl!!
-Having our gender reveal party the grandparents and Aunt's and Uncles to be.
-Choosing a name for baby girl.
-Celebrating our "babymoon" in Mexico
-Completing our registry
-Feeling the baby move for the first time and most days since!
-Having our families get to feel the baby kick.
-Working on the nursery and buying lots of baby items at garage sales.
-We are signed up for a birthing class and a baby care class in July that I am looking forward to!

Overall, the second trimester was really great. I felt great, enjoyed the nice weather and got even more excited to meet this baby. So far, the third trimester has been a lot rougher so I'm hoping it is not too bad.