Today marks Week 21 for me. So welcome to second trimester whoohoo halfway there!! That means baby is size of a Kool-Aid Burst or Endive (10.5 inches from head to toe). I had my 20-week anatomy scan last week. Much to my relief, baby is healthy and right on track for a December 11th due date.
My perception of pregnancy has changed based on my personal experience. I am so grateful that pregnancy has been chill for me. I did not have many of the typical symptoms in the first trimester (nausea, food aversions, etc.), hence I don’t feel the need to write a post on my first trimester experience. I will say the first sign that was suspect to me was my hair shedding and falling out like crazy!! This was before I even missed my period. Somehow I just KNEW I was pregnant. We actually joked that my hormones have made me more stabilized.
I forget I am pregnant most of the time. I just want to throw that out there for anyone who may have misconceptions like I did. It’s been a very positive experience for me so far, and I just allow myself to indulge in the foods I want (to an extent), to sleep in or lay down when I want, to not work out and feel guilty about it. I even have indulged in glutinous raised donuts… that’s been my #1 guilty pleasure during pregnancy.
Now up to Week 20, I did not feel any sort of flutters or gas bubbles rippling across my stomach as many others have reported around Week 16-20. I thought I must have an anterior placenta, which means your placenta is basically in the front of your stomach which could shield the kicks. Turns out I have posterior placenta. Neither means good or bad..it’s just the positioning and not sure if it even matters. Walking out of my doctor’s office last week seemed to be the trigger point. From that day onward, I’ve been feeling baby move, tumble and kick and it’s such an amazing feeling! I look forward to laying down to feel these tiny movements–not at all painful yet as they are very subtle. A lot of times we’re on the go and it’s harder to detect these movements, that’s why I enjoy my downtime to feel them. It’s like a bonding moment.
Weight Gain…
I’ve gained 15 pounds so far halfway through my pregnancy. Well thanks to quarantine, I was eating way more than I should have even before finding out I was pregnant. I’ve finally come to accept the fact that there is no need for me to obsess over weight gain or compare where others are at weight-wise in this stage. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. It’s healthy for me to embrace it and my changing body.
Diet..
Ok so I will admit food has always been the one aspect in my life to where I don’t think twice when it comes to money or time. If I’m craving that amazing vegan donut from Good Day donuts half an hour away, I’ll drive to it. If I want that meal I’ll Uber Eats it straight to my doorstep. I freaked out in the beginning of my pregnancy because I am vegan and thought I was deficient in Vitamin B12 and Folate (Folate is critical in the early stages of pregnancy and helps prevent neural tube defects). That was my biggest angst I had placed upon myself (without having proof I was deficient). I decided to invest in a personal chef who comes out to cook family size meals every other week in my own home. Sure it’s an investment but I can justify this is only temporary while I am pregnant and so that I get all the nutrients I need. Check out Fire & Earth Kitchen if you’re in the Seattle area.
Vitamins..
I take Ritual and plant-based Omega-3. Both are vegan and gluten free. Win win.
Exercise…
Again, another aspect in my life where I felt guilty when I couldn’t find the motivation to work out. I was sooo tired during first tri. To be honest, I’ve only done maybe 7-10 workout sessions using the FitOn app throughout my pregnancy thus far. Actually, just make that during all of quarantine. I do, however, walk my dog at least 3 times a day. I remind myself that walking is just as beneficial and good for both of us–make that three of us!
Stretch Marks?
To prevent any, I am using Sweet Almond Oil. Love this stuff I got from Amazon! I ordered all sorts of products but couldn’t stand them due to the thick sticky feeling. Let’s see, I’ve tried Bumpology and Palmer’s cocoa but couldn’t stand the residue just slathered on my belly. I heard mention of sweet almond oil in the Bringing up Bebe book by Pamela Druckerman.
Pregnancy Apps..
Let me start off my saying that use these apps selectively. (don’t go down a rabbit hole reading some of the negative discussion boards). Depending on your mental state a lot of the discussions posted can trigger unfounded anxiety. We’re all in the same boat, us first time moms. Our anxieties are heightened to a whole new level. I use What to Expect and The Bump and they have super helpful resources.
Sleep/Energy..
I wake up naturally between 5-5:30am every day on the dot. First tri I was waking up at 4am like a psycho and with full of energy. I’ve taken these early morning moments to express and write, as well as spend probably too much time online/social media trying to absorb as much mommy content as I can. I’ve also been in major nesting mode lately and have ordered most of the furniture pieces for the nursery, some books, and baby clothes. This is definitely a self-control muscle I’m practicing not to spend too much money on right now. Baby does not need a pair of Gucci shoes right now…
Pain..
No pain yet, other than some tailbone pain that flared up last week. It’s taken a toll back there with the current work from home situation and sitting on my bum for long hours (or cleaning/organizing around the house when I’m not working). I ordered one of these donuts to sit on while at my desk and it’s helped tremendously!
Cravings..
Nothing super weird other than a random craving for Subway sandwich which I haven’t had since high school and dried apricots and fruit in general. My favorite go-to meal so far has been grandma’s home cooked meals (rice and spicy tofu soup “kimchi chigae”). Frequent cravings are still Chik-fil-A waffle fries and Heavenly Cacao smoothies from Sano Cafe.
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