A lot of growth and development happens in the second trimester that is just amazing to read about. I am definitely blessed to have had a smooth second trimester with all that was happening inside my belly. A lot of people comment on how small my bump is and sometimes it doesn't feel like a compliment. I also don't know how to respond when people say that. People kept making me nervous that maybe she wasn't growing like she should, so I did some research. One article I read said "Having a long torso is more beneficial than a short torso because it helps have a smoother pregnancy experience. Those with longer torsos have more space for the baby to grow upwards, resulting in a smaller bump... the longer your torso is, the more slender of a pregnancy you can expect. The uterus stays narrow, creating a more minor bump. Even when you reach the 8th month of pregnancy, you might not have a big-looking bump, and it might seem you’re still in your second trimester." This is also my first pregnancy and with your first, "women tend to have a smaller bump than the second or third one, and this is because of abdominal muscles and pregnancy hormones." One thing that matters a lot to mothers is their baby bump size. Even though you think you may be giving a compliment, it is how the person receives that compliment that matters. So instead, just let a pregnant mother know that they are looking great (:
Four Months:
The first trimester went by slow, but I was also thinking “how am I already in my second trimester!?” Crazy how time works. The second trimester starts at week 14 making it the 4th month of pregnancy. At week 14, I felt like I could feel my belly (uterus) growing. At 15 weeks, I’d been feeling great - less tired and more energy. The only thing is I got a stuffy nose in the mornings, but usually cleared up after I was up and moving around. At 16 weeks, I still felt great, but with a little bit of nausea. I got to hear our precious baby’s heartbeat (155) that week too. At 17 weeks, I went on a European Cruise with my mom (more to come on that later!). While I was on the cruise, I felt the baby move for the first time!
Five Months:
Starting at 18 weeks I made my way into 5 months pregnant. This week and at 19 weeks, I had been waking up at 7am no matter when I went to sleep, I had been feeling faint, and due to the increased pressure in my nose there has been blood when I blew my nose . All is worth it though for this precious little baby! When I hit 20 weeks, I couldn't believe I was at the halfway point… AND I got to find out baby Hearne is a girl! At 21 weeks, it had been hard not to go crazy buying her stuff (so many cute clothes!), but I’ve had great self control! I’ve been working on selling things in our guest room so it could become the nursery. And I had been finding ideas on what we want baby girls room to look like. 22 weeks is probably the first time I had felt officially pregnant… on Wednesday, it was the first day of school, I came home and my legs were very swollen and red. Every day when I got home, I had to slip on my compression socks, elevate my legs, and I was out of breathe during the school days. Teaching and pregnancy are exhausting on their own, so to combine them is something else.
Six Months:
At 23 weeks, one app says I’m still 5 months pregnant and another says I’m in month 6. I guess this is why the doctors measure in weeks not months. Definitely didn't feel like I was that far along, but also kind of did. The main symptoms I had been feeling were swollen ankles and some backaches. At 24 weeks, I read this in one of my apps, “Around this time or a little after, you may start to actually feel pregnant. Yes, you’ll feel your baby move, which is exhilarating. However, you may also notice swelling start to occur, difficulty sleeping, heartburn, round ligament pain and some discomforts of pregnancy.” Why yes, yes this is true - other than the ligament pain, I was experiencing it all. At 25 weeks, I had just been feeling tired, but that’s to be expected with working and growing a human. I had my monthly doctors appointment that week. She listened for the heartbeat which was between 141-145 and said that was great! That week, Taylor and I went to a Child & Infant CPR class with our friends Katie and Connor who are also expecting a girl. It was a great refresher for me and Taylor said the class was very beneficial and informative.
The last two weeks of the second trimester I felt great. My symptoms these weeks were still swelling ankles, heart burn, and pregnancy brain. I’m starting to forget things, which hasn’t been the best while teaching haha. The last week of my second trimester was our baby shower for our sweet girl! My sister did an amazing job putting it together. It was wonderful and beautiful and I couldn't have asked for a better shower.
As I go into my third trimester, I think about how blessed I have been with my pregnancy. Taylor and I have felt so much love and support these past six months. We know that our baby girl will not grow up without love and I am so grateful for that. I look forward to the next three months of getting her room set up, more doctor visits to make sure her and I are doing well, and of course all the holidays! I wish she could be here for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (even though her due date is Christmas Eve, she may decided to come after), but I love that we will get to experience the holidays with her next year!
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