Expecting My First Baby: The Second & Third Trimesters
If you follow me over on Instagram or subscribe to my email newsletter, you’ll already know that my husband and I are expecting our very first baby!
I know that not everyone is able to have children, so I’ve definitely not taken this journey for granted. Friends, I gently encourage you to not continue reading if pregnancy stories are difficult or painful for you – I am simply sharing my own story and experience for those who are interested, and I don’t wish to cause anyone pain.
Below are my experiences in my second and third trimesters. Read more about Trimester One here!
Second Trimester
Everyone said this would be the easiest trimester, and in some ways they weren’t wrong! I was finally able to start cooking again, and stomach more than potatoes in their various forms. My biggest food memory from this trimester was making the best minestrone soup of my LIFE and consuming giant bowls of it. My body craved broth and veggies. I actually made a few different soups during this trimester!
I was able to start walk again during this trimester too, and watch my belly start to grow. Maternity clothes did not excite me, but it was quickly obvious that nothing I had was going to work for very long, so I began looking around for maternity options. And in the process, I learned that many stores have started discontinuing their maternity sections! Most likely due to the declining birth rate here in the US, which is very unfortunate. Understandable in some cases (the high cost of living, anyone??), but unfortunate. I was able to find a few pieces at Walmart, briefly at Target before they completely disappeared, and online. I also purchased larger sizes of things than I would normally wear, in order to accommodate my growing belly.
My sister and I took a girls’ trip to Florida during this trimester too, and that was a lot of fun. We did lots of walking, and it was after this trip that I first started experiencing pelvic girdle pain. Basically your hips and groin muscles hurt like the dickens, and it is very painful to walk, and you have to hold both legs together to get in and out of the car or out of bed. I began doing prenatal stretches and yoga routines that seemed to help, but it’s all part of the process - your body has to shift bones in order to make room for the growing bebe.
I definitely recommend taking a trip during the second trimester if you can! This is when you will usually feel your best.
We had our 20 week scan as well, and found out we were having a baby girl! My husband somehow already knew, and it was a special moment when our technician looked at him, smiled, and said, “You’re right.” It was really incredible to watch her wiggling around on the scan, and hear the technician explain each measurement and detail to us. Little love was healthy and growing!
During my second trimester, I ate as healthily as I could, and I went back to bouldering once a week when I could (with the approval of my midwife). It felt so good to hang off the wall and do lots of traverse (horizontal) climbing.
Third Trimester
Now we are in the third trimester! At the time of writing this, I am 39 weeks and one day.
During the third trimester, we went to get sushi a few different times. I do not regret this at all. My husband and I did lots of research, and as long as you eat at a reputable sushi place and stay away from high-mercury fish, you will be just fine. And let me tell you: those salmon rolls? Absolute heaven.
I also haven’t worried too much about typical pregnancy no-no’s, such as uncooked lunchmeat, fermented foods, kombucha, or even the occasional Italian sub sandwich. We decided that not worrying about what I was eating would be better for my mental health (which affects the body so, so much), rather than overthinking every food decision. The only thing I have really given up has been alcohol (read: the occasional hard cider that I enjoyed pre-pregnancy). Otherwise, I have tried to keep as normal a food routine as possible, and eat as much nutritious food as I can.
I truly believe that if you are low-risk, do your research, and maintain a goal of making healthy choices for yourself (which will then be healthy choices for your baby), you have very little to worry about. Of course everyone is different, and you may decide that certain choices are not for you, and that’s completely okay! I am just sharing what worked for me.
It is definitely so interesting to research how your body cares for your baby. The moment you become pregnant, your body immediately prioritizes the baby’s well-being. That goes for energy, nutrition, hydration, everything! If you don’t take care of yourself, you are the one who suffers - not the baby - because your body prioritizes the baby instead of you. It’s really crazy.
At 32 weeks we moved to a new apartment surrounded by beautiful oak trees and kind people, both to be closer to my husband’s job and to our families as we enter this new chapter of our lives.
Take a look at my gorgeous new weaving studio space, and our little baby area!
We are all moved in, set up, and settled in now, and gentle early labor has started over the last few weeks. Braxton Hicks contractions have been strong, especially after standing or walking for long periods of time.
A few late 3rd trimester symptoms I have been experiencing are congestion, nausea, and sadly the pelvic girdle pain is back as my body works with baby girl to position her for birth. Sometimes I get painful Charley Horses in my calves too. My goal these last few weeks has been to relax as much as I can by consciously dropping my shoulders, deep breathing, warm showers every night before bed while doing deep squats with the soothing water on my back, and continuing to do my prenatal stretching routines.
I’m also staying busy by doing things I enjoy, such as walking gently, gathering berries & produce from the garden, baking, preserving, and knitting/sewing (though much less voraciously than I have in past years, as my energy levels are so different now). Mayonnaise is also taking very good care of me!
I did have the goal of weaving a baby wrap, but I have been too tired to reassemble my warping reel and thread my loom for a project. However, I have heard that setting a big goal or starting a big project can help trigger labor, so maybe I’ll still try…
Perhaps tomorrow.
Thank you for reading along! My first pregnancy has been blessedly uneventful and I am so grateful. Soon baby girl will be here and I can’t wait to share all the things I love with her.
