Second Trimester
This one flies by so fast! Entering the second trimester is accompanied by a sigh of relief for expecting moms. Generally, you are considered to have passed the high risk period of miscarriage. This is also when you may plan to share your exciting news with friends and family. Not to mention - in most cases - you are almost through the morning sickness phase. For me, the nausea, exhaustion and a strong aversion to coffee carried into my second trimester, lasting all the way to week 16 before I started to feel the promised boost in energy and that “pregnancy glow”.
My other second trimester symptoms included:
Breast tenderness - Not nearly as severe as the first trimester.
Increased appetite - Like, twenty minutes after a full meal I would swear I was starving. I was hungry all the time!
Round ligament pain - This was intense and continued into my third trimester. Rolling over in bed and climbing stairs were both exceptionally uncomfortable experiences.
Braxton hicks - “Practice contractions.” I had them multiple times a day from 12 weeks on - they were never painful, but I could feel the tightening of my uterus and it was uncomfortable to bend over or walk while they were happening
Tailbone pain - As your body releases relaxin and other hormones to help your pelvis to expand, and your pelvic floor to flex - which in turn moves your coccyx. Generally, lower back and hip pain is actually considered tailbone pain (a pregnancy belt during the day and a pillow between your knees at night may help relieve discomfort).
Second trimester to-do list ideas:
Create your baby registry (my favorite baby items blog to come).
Research and hire a Doula - I highly recommend having one (wink wink).
Create your list of baby name.
Set up the nursery - if you plan to paint, do this as early as possible so the fumes clear out before your baby sleeps in that room.
Plan freezer meals.
Sign up for child birth and infant education classes.
Plan a babymoon - even if it is just a staycation where you explore your own city. Just spend quality time with your partner before life changes.
