My second trimester has been going so smooth! This is what everyone had told me, yet I didn’t believe. After the hormonal acne, constipation, headaches, restless legs, food aversions and more in my first trimester I thought maybe I’ll just be one of those women that just doesn’t enjoy pregnancy.
Then came week 14! *insert angels singing* My skin cleared, I could eat salads again, my energy started to come back, digestion wasn’t too bad…it seemed like a different pregnancy as soon as the second trimester started. So if you are feeling down in your first trimester just give a little time. It may change!
15-18 Weeks Symptoms:
-Headaches still come and go. Some are splitting headaches. I decided to start having a little caffeine to ease the pain and it works wonders. Doctor said that is totally fine.
-I felt baby kick!! At the beginning of week fifteen I felt the softest little poke. Kind of felt like a little gas bubble. I wasn’t even sure if it was baby until a few days later when I felt it again but a tad stronger. The most amazing thing!
-Close-to-perfect skin. I am SO relieved. Not to say it won’t act up again later in pregnancy, I’m praying it doesn’t, but right now I’m enjoying the pregnancy glow everyone talks about. I didn’t change ANY of my skin care products. I just waited it out.
-I still feel a bit nauseated at night every few days. So I just eat a light dinner and sip on some seltzer. Then go to bed 🙂
-At week 17, restless legs had pretty much subsided.
-Also at week 17 the baby movements had gotten so strong and noticeable my husband got to feel baby kick! YAY! I feel him or her rolling, kicking, hiccuping, and who knows what else. But it is such a neat feeling! Some say it feel like butterflies at first, I say gas bubbles and popcorn. haha
-A little bit of tightness in my belly. Whether it’s the skin or muscles or both I make sure to lotion up every morning like I have been doing for 10 years now. But now with double the amount on my belly, hips, thighs, bum and boobs.
-Speaking of boobs…OUCH. They are only getting heavier and are still so tender. My favorite bra is this nursing bra from Motherhood Maternity. Keeps everything in place while not squishing or flattening them too much like a sports bra would do.
-My sense of smell is pretty sensitive. Steak being eaten makes me want to gag. Same with wings, strong fish, anything with a strong meaty scent.
-I am still out of breath at times. It’s worse when I have not eaten or am dehydrated. Resting and a snack helps a bit.
-Weight gain! Only 2 lbs so far. I was surprised when the nurse weighed me and said I had only gone up 1 lb. since a month ago. Feels like 10!
-I have been quite HUNGRY. Thankfully I can’t fit much in my belly so I just have small snacks to keep me full. No midnight snacks, that has never been my thing even now that I’m almost halfway done with pregnancy.
-No crazy cravings, caramel chews and vinegar on my veggies is about it.
-Heart palpitations which the doctor said is normal as long as they aren’t long, frequent or painful. Which mine are not.
-Very slight cramping every couple of days for a few seconds which is just my uterus contracting back a bit after stretching to grow. Totally normal.
Well that’s pretty much it! Nothing too crazy or uncomfortable. The baby movements have been my favorite! And watching my belly grow.
He or she is almost around 5.6″ and weighs about 6.7 ounces.
My husband and I got to hear the heart beat for the first time at our 17 and 1/2 week appointment last week and it was strong!
We find out the sex of the baby on November 3rd. I am getting so impatient at this point! I will be 20 weeks and one day when we find out. We have a girl’s name picked but NO boys names haha. None have clicked yet or stood out, so we will see if we think of any before we find out what little babe is.
NONE of my pre-pregnancy pants fit anymore so I ordered maternity jeans and have been wearing leggings or dresses with sweaters and boots. Here are some of the items I have been loving so far the past 18 weeks.
-Maternity bras from Motherhood Maternity. I got 2 black, 2 white in size small and I have room to grow. No pinching, squishing, itching, or straps falling down. They are great.
-Gap full panel maternity jeans. Specifically these ones (in size 2). They fit perfect. I measured according to their size chart.
-Liz Lange Maternity tanks, leggings and tops from Target
-Vaseline Cocoa Butter lotion. Been using it for 9 years and it’s been hydrating enough so far for my growing belly.
-Fruit smoothies for breakfast made with mixed frozen fruit, banana, yogurt and water or OJ.
-Baby Bump app.
–Baby List Registry You can add items to this registry from any website!
-Seltzer with OJ. Rather than gingerale, which is loaded with sugar, this is a great alternative. Refreshing, helps with my nausea, and gives me something to sip on at night that is somewhat healthy.
Stay tuned for my next month of symptoms and updates as well as baby’s gender reveal!!