In my last update we were still waiting to see our Midwife
after going to our first (and probably only) ultrasound. We have been to see
her twice since then and everything is looking great.
The ultrasound came back looking really good, no
abnormalities, everything is developing well and my size is pretty much right
on. The tech gave a due date that is 5 days earlier than what we originally
said, but since due dates don’t mean much to me, I’m still just saying mid-June
to mid-July.
We also got back blood test results from ages ago when we
tested my thyroid and iron. Both were not doing great pre-pregnancy but I am
very pleased to see that they are near perfect now. I was originally told that
pregnancy would likely make my thyroid worse, so I’m extra pleased to see that
isn’t currently the case.
My belly has measured perfectly at all appointments so far
and baby has continued to have a “female” heart rate, always in the high 140’s
to 150’s.
A lot of people ask me if I have a “feeling” whether it is a
boy or girl and I can honestly say I have no idea at all. I just assume that
anyone who thinks they KNOW what they’re having is just projecting what they
want to have or basing off of wives tales and/or previous pregnancies. I am
fairly certain that I am having a human baby, but that’s all I know.
As of March 5th, 22 weeks + 5 days, I am able to
feel movement even when I am standing or moving, that gives me a good sense of baby’s
growth and increasing strength.
Speaking of size and strength, I had wanted to be more
active all along and finally joined a pre/post-natal gym that I found not far
from where we live. I’ve been going 3 days per week ever since I joined and I
really love it. The first class absolutely killed me, I was so sore the next
day that I could barely walk and it actually made me nauseous, but I’ve been
slightly less red and sweaty each class since then (hoping that means I’m
getting stronger and more fit!) The aim of the classes, I do aerobics and yoga,
are not to lose weight or change my physique, but to remain as strong as
possible throughout my pregnancy. Any time an exercise feels particularly
difficult or long the instructors always remind us that we can do anything for
1 minute and that includes eventual contractions. Little encouragements like
that really go a long way to remind me of what I really can do, mentally and
physically.
Despite my activity level I am certainly starting to feel
bigger and heavier, as I should be. My belly gets in the way of more and more
small tasks like tying my shoes, getting in and out of the car, picking things
up off the floor and washing dishes ( I can’t stand as close to the
counter/sink as I would prefer.) By the end of the second trimester I’m up 10
pounds but still able to wear most of my normal clothes. 10 pounds gained puts
me right on track for what I hope to gain overall, about 25 pounds. Some people
seem concerned that I am working to stay within a certain weight gain, but when
you consider that I was technically overweight to begin with and that there are
potential health risks for babies if Mom gains too much, my midwife and I are
both happy with how I’m gaining. That being said, if anything changes and I’m
told I need to gain more, I will obviously do that. I can honestly say though,
I did have a small fit of sobbing around 26 weeks when I decided that I didn’t
like the scale anymore. Ryan promptly reminded me that I’m pregnant, I told him
that doesn’t mean I have to like it and then I got on with life and all has
been fine since. What can I say; sometimes the hormones get the better of me.
The only new symptoms that have come up in the second
trimester are occasional acid burning my throat (fingers crossed for a full
head of red hair!!) I am feeling much warmer overall and having a harder time
cooling down and I have a rather sore tailbone on some days. Unfortunately, because
I sit in an office all day my tailbone is harder to deal with, but my boss let
me order a ball chair so hopefully that helps.
My other comfort purchase was a Boppy pillow and I can
confidently say, it has been the best thing, ever. I was literally dreaming
about this pillow in my first trimester, before I knew it was real and having
it has been amazing. The little wedge fits just perfectly under my belly when I
lay on my side, almost completely removing the weight and keeping me from
feeling pulled or stretched. I also use it under my hip so I can lay on my back
without feeling guilty (apparently pregnant women shouldn’t sleep on their
backs,) this was actually the reason I wanted it. And its final beautiful perk
is that if I get it wedged just right under my boob/rib/armpit, I can sleep in
my pre-pregnancy side/belly positon! Highly recommend to all.
My final thought of the second trimester is this: I thought pregnancy would be different.
In almost every way, I thought it would be different than it
has been. Media really makes pregnancy and childbirth look so different than
they are. I expected to be much bigger, thought I would have been much sicker
and always sore, thought I would forget what pre-pregnant life felt like, I
thought I would have a deeper connection with baby and I expected myself to be
perfect. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really not complaining, I have absolutely loved
being pregnant, it just isn’t what I thought.
