Second Trimester

Welcome to the second trimester, baby. We’re one third of the way there, although it doesn’t feel like it. From a preparedness standpoint, I’m still working on wrapping me head around being pregnant and haven’t really begun the whole preparing for an actual child coming into this world.

I have started looking at (stressing about) all the “equipment” required, but really haven’t narrowed anything down yet or purchased anything. I did purchase some maternity clothes on two separate occasions. The first day, I purchased a pair of work pants (my parents and C kept telling me the rubber-band trick was ridiculous and unprofessional), some tops, and two bathing suits because they were a great price. Within a week of that, the weather changed and I needed capris. One huge word of advice on Destination Maternity – the front part of the store has designer clothing items that a much more expensive then I would want to spend for maternity clothes, but the back part of the store has the off-brand “Motherhood Maternity” clothes that are much more reasonable. I nearly gave myself a panic attack when I spent twenty minutes going through every rack in the front and couldn’t find a pair of bottoms for less than $90! Before finding this store, I had tried the maternity sections in Kohl’s and Target, but couldn’t find anything I liked. OK, in reality, I was probably just too chicken to actually try on anything and left too quickly. By the third attempt, I got desperate and made my mom come with me to force me to take the whole maternity clothes buying more seriously.

I have told most people I care about telling. It’s been mostly casual, when the moment seems right, and there really haven’t been any theatrical announcements. I do have a cute idea for a facebook announcement, but might just be too lazy to actually put it together. I’m generally not a fan of having a big fuss made over me, pregnancy included. The one person I have left to formally tell is my pseudo-boss who is the head of the department I consult with but has no real control over me (she just pretends she does). After this, I need to set my patient schedule for the fall and stick to it. This means I will soon be turning down all new referrals and I don’t expect this to go over well with some of the staff that rely on me. Oh well. 

Slowly, and intermittently, I’ve begun to feel more human. I only get nauseas when it’s been too long from the last time I’ve ate. The heartburn is still problematic, but not daily. There are many days when I don’t have the desire to crawl into bed at 6pm immediately upon getting home from work, but then there are still days when this is necessary. I have begun exercising again, but not at the same level of exertion as previously. It still feels like my heart is pounding out of my chest with a brisk walk! I have also noticed that I will feel a burst of energy and want to exercise, but then it is quickly followed by exhaustion so sometimes I miss my window. The one relatively newer symptom is lower back pain. There are moments it hurts so bad that I feel my legs are going give out on me. Usually this is after I’ve been sitting too long, or standing too long, or laying down too long. Changing positions is a good thing. 

Approximately twenty six weeks to go, should the little one decide to follow the prescribed timeline. Onward and upward!