I’m officially 2/3 of the way through this pregnancy! You guys were right; things really did get better in the second trimester. After a fairly typical, rocky first trimester, I was pretty skeptical that things would magically improve, but I guess it’s not called “the golden trimester” for nothin’.
The highlights were abundant and the lowlights were sparse. Here we go:
The Good
- No more nausea. When I was still vomiting at 17 weeks, I thought I might be doomed to nausea for the whole shebang. Things quickly turned around and by our 20-week ultrasound, I was feeling fine.
- Tons of energy. We’ve been moving furniture and sorting through boxes to prepare the nursery. I’ve been consistent with my Bradley Method exercises and walking anywhere from 1-5 miles a day. I’ve been cooking and cleaning again, and generally enjoying my place back among the living.
- Things got real. For us, the reality of the pregnancy really hit once we found out we were having a baby boy. Perhaps this would have happened at that point in the pregnancy regardless of whether we found out, but our world seemed to really turn upside down (for the better) once we could envision a little man coming into it.
- Kicks. How could I forget kicks?! Right around week 20 is when I finally started to feel movement. Now, he’s kicking like crazy. It’s amazing and weird and mind boggling.
- I’m finally looking pregnant. And not just, you know, extremely well fed.
Source: Wee Mail App
The Not-So-Good
- Nothing fits! I guess this is the downside of being pregnant. Duh.
- Awkward conversations. This is probably not a universal “symptom,” but as we prepare to have a baby, we’ve had to have some conversations we would rather not have with the people that are closest to us about issues like vaccinations, baby names, and the like. Warning to first-time parents: you will be questioned about every decision you make.
- The glucose tolerance test. Fasting, chugging a sickly sweet syrup, and getting my blood drawn three times in the span of two hours was not a pleasant experience. Enough said.
Other than that, it really has been an exciting and happy few months. I’m thrilled to be in the last trimester, but also a little sad that these months were “as good as it gets,” as far as pregnancy goes.
Moms, what can I expect in the third trimester?
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay! Happy things got better! Your nails look great by the way! 🙂
Thanks Rene! I’ve been so freaked out to get a manicure while pregnant, but finally broke down and bought some Butter London nail polish, which is “3 free.” It’s fun to feel girly again 🙂
Glad you are feeling better!
Thanks Lisa. Me too 🙂
Wow I can’t believe you only have 13 weeks to go. It truly does seem once you get over the first trimester hump things start moving along more swiftly! We are gearing up for our 20 week scan in two weeks and I can’t wait, much like you I think that is when everything will feel very “official”.
Keep it up Mama!
How exciting about your scan! Can’t wait to hear about it.
Lara,
First time around, I felt great during my 3rd trimester. I really think staying active helped, and I never felt completely uncomfortable or anything. Prenatal yoga and walking saved me. With this pregnancy, I’m 30 weeks along and still feeling good. Not much longer to go for either of us. So exciting, and happy to hear you’re feeling more like your old self. Finally, huh!?
I’ve been pretty good about walking (kind of comes with the territory of being a dog walker 😉 ), but I’m still intimidated by prenatal yoga :/
I’m so glad you are feeling good at 30 weeks. You look amazing! Such an exciting time 🙂
Glad the second trimester was as good (or almost as good!) as I told you it would be! 😉
You were so right 🙂 Now, could you please just give me a run down of what the next 18 years will be like? 😉
Seriously wow, you know you’re never been pregnant when you see “kicks!” and you think sneakers 🙂 Sounds like you’re feeling pretty amazing! I’m really happy for you bby! xo
Hehe. Thanks Erin 🙂
I refuse to believe it’s downhill from here on out. Yes, maybe it’ll start getting more uncomfortable, but it’ll be balanced out by the knowledge that we are getting that much closer to meeting our little ones 🙂
Very true! I’m going to try to mentally slow down this trimester and enjoy it all a little more.
I remember wanting another few weeks to enjoy my pregnancy … I know it sounds funny, but I didn’t want her OUT the way my other friends (pregnant at the same time) were feeling. I delivered in December anyway, so I felt like she could stay in there as long as she liked! My OB thought otherwise 😉
Yay, I’m so excited for you!!
I don’t think I really ever hit that “wow I’m so uncomfortable/get this baby outta me/I’m going to be pregnant forever” stage. But I truly loved having the big belly! I was so proud of my bump. The day before my water broke we walked around all day shopping, out to dinner & back home to play volleyball on our Kinect. All the jumping definitely did something cause 4 hrs later ::POP!::.
I want to see some bump photos!
That’s great to hear, Jessie! I am already so impatient but not yet physically uncomfortable. As my due date gets closer, we’ll have to remember to break out our Kinect 😉
Yay Lara!! Look at that progress–a cucumber 🙂 I had that app too (and like five others) and loved reading each week what was coming up.
I felt REALLY good in the third trimester — up til maybe the last 3 weeks, when I was advised to cut back on the working out by my OB (this isn’t a normal rec; just b/c of my circumstances). I finally looked pregnant, and I put on a good and healthy 15 lbs in the third trimester (compared with just 10 prior to that). And I felt sexy and strong. I sometimes miss that feeling of being “big” but feeling sexy. Weird, I know.
I hope your third trimester is amazing, friend! This is where the real fun begins!
So good to hear you had a great third trimester! Thanks for all the support and positive vibes, Lissa!
I think the third tri is different for everyone but I have been feeling more tired, more heartburn, more big baby movements and have been taking more naps (see more tired). I have heard from various moms and my doula that often women experience symptoms similar to the first trimester for a few days or even a few weeks and then they feel great. All I know is that I have 9 (give or take a few weeks) left and I can’t wait to meet this baby! Congrats on entering your third trimester!
9 weeks is nothing! Yay! Thanks for the congrats 🙂
3 times in 2 hours? Lucky! When I did mine, I got my finger pricked 6 times in 3 hours. My fingers were sooooo sore. I started getting panicky at the end of it. NO MORE FINGER PRICKS, PLZ!
Wow! not long left for you! it’s been a loooooong time since i’ve been pg [my boys are 15 & 23], but i remember all too well all the “advice” i got regarding EVERYTHING [especially names… ha ha everbody has a comment]… i really really really [REALLY] try not to give my unsolicited advice now LOL… at least i learned SOMETHING from it! good luck in your 3rd trimester… it will go by in the blink of an eye 🙂
Thanks Lara! Yes, I’m learning the same lesson, too! 🙂
1) cute nails! I LOVE THAT COLOR, and have been wearing something similar!
2) yay for kicks! that is sooo exciting!
3) glad you have more energy!
4) fact: every time I see something nautical I think 1) I LOVE/want, and 2) LARA’S NURSERY! 🙂
hugsssssssssssss
Aw, thanks GC!
Third trimester will continue to be good….things will continue to not fit unfortunately, but becoming a parent will continue to get more exciting and real :). Drink lots of water in the last couple months, especially because of your due date (being summer.) As he gets bigger, the “kicks” and other movements will begin to feel more real (and weird.) In the last few weeks, it may become uncomfortable only because the baby is so big at that point and there is no more room for him inside you! If you can, try to get sleep. I was so excited about my kids being here that it was almost impossible! Oh, and keep your walks up, it will help you feel like “getting bigger” is okay because you are exercising 😉 SOOOOO excited for you!! Glad your pregnancy is going so well!
🙂 Thanks, friend!
Were your blood sugars high?? Just wondering if that test was standard – I remember I had gestational diabetes, which went away after I had Hannah, but then I ended up diabetic 10 years later.
Hope you are feeling great!!
The test was standard, but normally it’s just a one-hour, no fasting test (and then if you “fail” that, you get a three-hour test). For some reason my hospital just does a two-hour test initially, I think because it’s more accurate than the one-hour. Luckily, all came back normal! Yay!