Baby #2 - SECOND TRIMESTER:
[symptoms, supplements + Must-haves]
Compared to our first pregnancy, I felt like the second trimester was here before we knew it. It felt Ike the first trimester went by super fast. Now being in the second trimester, it’s starting to feel like things are slowly down lol but I think that’s also because we’re so eager and excited to meet this little one.
SECOND TRIMESTER SYMPTOMS
Constipation:
Initially, I was going to apologize, because who wants to hear about poop? But then again, this blog is meant to be informative, helpful, truthful, vulnerable. Constipation is frankly a very common symptom of pregnancy, so here we are. Cats out of the bag. Pregnancy is allll sorts of fun.
So, I will say that I was never fully constipated. I know, that sounds strange. But let’s just say that I started to go less regularly than normal — more so every 1-2 days rather than daily which pre-pregnancy I was going at least once a day. Now, being pregnant, I would sometimes go to the bathroom, and it felt as if I didn’t go all the way.. if this has ever happened to you, which if you say it hasn’t, chances are you’re fibbing.. but it’s SO ANNOYING. Like one of the most annoying things in the world. You just want to GO, and your body instead is like ehh, nope – you can go a little, but I’m gonna save a little extra for next time.. like wtf, thanks a lot.
More bloating / Gas pain
This happened a lot during the first trimester, and I thought it had subsided, but probably around 20ish weeks or so, it came back. Yay… It’s not all the time, but it’s super uncomfortable when it happens. The hard part is also that I don’t always know what causes it. Sometimes it’s if I have too large of a meal, other times it seems to be that I just ate something random that my stomach didn’t like. Either way, I rarely had this if at all when I was pregnant with Bodhi, so it’s definitely a change and sometimes new this time around.
Back Aches / Ligament Pain
I remember having lower back pains when pregnant with Bodhi, but I do think they started earlier with this pregnancy than they did with Bodhi. I also feel like they’re more severe at times when they do come on. It’s typically more towards the end of the day, and more so if I’ve been more busy and on my feet. Thankfully, resting and popping my feet up helps a ton, and I’m usually good to go after a good night’s sleep. I’m also going to the chiropractor regularly with this pregnancy as well. I had been going prior to getting pregnant, and will continue to do so, pregnant or not. I truly think everyone should go to one! I know it helps a ton for me, and especially when pregnant, as ligaments are so much looser, and things can easily shift out of alignment.
The round / front ligament pain is something I don’t remember experiencing before. I’ll get pains that almost feel like a runner’s cramp, expect they will be located near my lower belly on either side. Sometimes it comes on randomly, other times I’ll notice it a lot if me, Greg and Bodhi go for longer walks. I think it’s sometimes a sign that my body is telling me to slow down. These pains are typically normal, as your belly is obviously growing and adjusting to your little babe growing bigger inside.
SYMPTOMS CONTINUED
Sore Feet
Not to much to say about this, as I feel like it’s pretty self explanatory lol. I just try to prop my feet up as much as possible to give them a break when needed, and to also prevent any swelling in the feet/ankles. Typically the soreness will come after standing for long periods of time, and/or at the end of the days.
An awesome “pose” I like to do is ‘feet up the wall’. You can lay on the floor or even in bed/on the couch, and really you want to just put your feet straight up. I also like to use a yoga block and place it under my tailbone/lower back. You can rest your legs on the wall, on your headboard, etc. This helps to gives your legs a break from pumping the blood back up your body. You can typically even feel this sensation happening as the bloods comes back up your legs towards your heart.
Growing Boobs
When I first started breastfeeding Bodhi, my boobs were huge! This mostly having to do with my milk supply and being engorged a lot of the time because my supply finally regulated. After the milk regulated, and I had been breastfeeding Bodhi for a good period of time, in a solid routine, I noticed that my boobs shrunk. Honestly I was excited for this loll — might be an unpopular opinion, but big boobs are so overrated.
Anywaysss, went off on a small tangent there, but now being pregnant again, I can tell that my boobs are starting to get a bit bigger again. I know this is my body preparing for the baby and breastfeeding again.
Varicose Veins
I had one on my inner left calf when pregnant with Bodhi. It never got too swollen and frankly, after pregnancy #1 it never fully went away. Now, with this pregnancy, I have about 3 — same one on my inner calf, one slightly above the back of my knee, and another towards my groin — all on the left leg. They are slowly becoming more prominent the farther along and bigger that I get — again normal, as the body has to pump a lot more blood through the body. Typically they don’t bother me, but some days I do notice then and they are slightly uncomfortable. With this as well, propping the legs up or elevating them higher than the heart can help alleviate some swelling and give the legs a break from having to pump the blood back upwards.
S U P P L E M E N T S
I continue to take the same ones that I did during the first trimester — prenatal vitamin, vitamin D, CBD, Ningxia Red, and collagen.
As well as the following:
Arbonne Daily GreenS
I’m not quite sure why I didn’t start these in my first trimester, because I absolutely love them. I mix a scoop of the greens powder with a few ounces of orange juice + about a half a cup of water, and it tastes delicious to me. I’m not a huge breakfast eater, I haven’t been for awhile, including pre-pregnancy, so this is typically the first thing I will consume, aside from my lemon water in the mornings. I love that it helps me get in so many nutrients and vitamins, and some of my daily servings of fruits and veggies. Bonus: Bodhi also loves it and drinks some of mine every morning!
2nd Trimester Must-haves:
Comfy Shoes
This goes along with the achy and sore feet — get yourself some comfy shoes, especially if you’re going to be going on a lot of walks and/or be on your feet a lot during the day!
DIGIZE
I had this listed on my first trimester must-haves, but again, this is literally a life-saver so I am talking about it again here! Digits is another Young Living product that has been essential for me during this pregnancy! Any bloat, stomach discomfort or indigestion stands almost no chance against it. It’s a mix of oils designed to help digestion (ginger, peppermint, fennel, etc.). I place 1-2 drops under my tongue when needed and honestly within 5-10 minutes I’m feeling some relief.
O V E R A L L –
Weight Gain:
Honestly, I haven’t been paying much attention to my weight. If it weren’t for being weighed at my midwifery appointments, I wouldn’t be weighing myself at all. I’m not concerned with the weigh gain, although I do have my moments, and it can be hard some days. If I had to guess, I think I’ve gained around 15-20 pounds so far.
Mental State:
Happy. Energized. Hungry.
Workout Regimen:
This hasn’t changed much. A few months prior to getting pregnant, I got the Peloton Bike+ and was doing a lot of rides as well as the strength, cardio and boot camp classes that come along with the subscription. When I found out I was pregnant, I continued to work out as normal, although I took a few extra rest days as needed as I was more tired than usual.
Diet:
I feel very in tune with my body and try to keep a well rounded and balanced diet. I don’t restrict or cut anything out, and I like to enjoy all foods in moderation. I haven’t had any food aversions thus far, so everything has pretty much stayed the same!
Well, that about sums up the second trimester! So ready to head into the third trimester and see what more this pregnancy brings. It’s incredible to see how similar, yet how different each pregnancy can really be. Thanks for following along on my journey!
Xoxo, Alyssa