For a lot of pregnant people, and for me too, the second trimester was the reward. The prize to celebrate surviving the first trimester, and to give a bit of a well earned breather before the third comes trundling in. These were the three months when I could say easily, dreamily, one hand resting on my medium-sized belly, "I could be pregnant forever."
If you're curious, here's how this pregnancy has been going lately:
I started nesting in earnest during my second trimester, putting final touches on our kitchen and guest room – plus other projects like organizing all our son's baby clothes by size; making a trip to IKEA; and planning, making, and buying Christmas presents. I also knitted up a hat for the baby to wear home from the hospital (the only project I've completed so far from this list). What a lovely respite this energy rush has been!
The baby is so active, his movements sometimes take my breath away (I actually asked my doctor yesterday if there's such a thing as "too much" fetal movement; the answer is no). He wakes whenever I get up to pee in the night, and kicks and spins for 30 minutes or so before quieting enough so I can fall back asleep.
My belly is tight and neat. A few people have mentioned that, from behind, it's not obvious I'm expecting. (I'm carrying this baby just the same way my mother carried my brother – could that old wives' tale about boy pregnancies being all belly be even a little bit true?) It's easy to see the baby move, which is strange and wonderful.
Here are a few products I've been favoring the past three months.
PS: Please please please talk to your doctor or midwife before using any of the remedies on this list. I'm not a medical professional, and every pregnancy is different!
- As the baby and my belly grew, I started to experience pain in my rib cage as it opened a bit to temporarily house displaced organs. In addition to regular visits to a genius physical therapist/doula who taught me how to adjust my posture when driving or sitting on the couch, ice packs helped a great deal!
- To help control swelling in my feet and ankles, I installed this foot hammock under my desk at work. It's easy to set up, only $8, and has truly helped. I don't keep my feet propped on it all the time (it puts a little pressure on my lower back), but it's a lovely way to give them a break.
- I know, I know, I don't write enough about my nipples on this blog. Well, here you go. Nipple balm has really helped with dryness and discomfort, and it's safe to use when breastfeeding, too.
- Oh, hormones... A few very dark, very thick hairs have sprouted on my chin since getting pregnant. These facial razors are my new good friends.
- For some reason in my second trimester, I started to quickly feel that everything around me was dirty. I keep this hand sanitizer spray in my purse and love it especially because it smells like lavender.
- Tylenol-resistant headaches have continued to bother me a bit over the past three months, and Kristie was my hero when she brought home from work a (lavender-scented) gel eye mask that can be kept nice and cool in the fridge. This one is similar.
- Regular body lotion has been enough to soothe the itchy, stretching skin on my belly, but I've been using this belly balm instead on my breasts and hips, where a few stretch marks have erupted. I don't mind them – they're rather inevitable, aren't they? – but I do think this helps those sensitive areas stay well taken care of.
- How lucky I am to have a vintage Coach backpack of my aunt's! It's been getting extra play lately since toting a heavy purse on one shoulder seems to make everything ache a little bit more. I love having the weight balanced evenly.
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