Pregnancy diaries – Second Trimester is the second post in the three-post series that I am writing about my first pregnancy. You can find the first trimester here. It’s been such a long time. It feels like ages ago I was pregnant. So it is a challenge to write these posts. Now it has become more challenging while taking care of a toddler and working full time to take time to write. Let’s see how much of those nine months I remember.
The Trip
This semester started with my family’s visit. And we went on our first trip together. It was a long road trip with multiple stops. We kept taking breaks for food and drinks and especially pee breaks.
I remember when we were doing the Verner Falls trail, I had a huge urge to pee and there were no working toilets on that trail. And I had to go behind rocks and pee in a bush. I am always going to remember this trip from that incident. Now whenever I think of it, I have a good laugh.
The big reveal
We had our first big ultrasound at 20 weeks. During this ultrasound, we were able to see our little alien’s legs, arms, heart beating brain, little fingers, everything very clearly. And the doctor knew whether we are having a girl or a boy. I wanted to know as I wanted to prepare for her arrival and my husband didn’t. But ultimately, he decided to go along. Based on our daughter’s position, the nurse and the doctor told us we are having a girl.
Decisions, Decisions and more Decisions
During the first trimester and initial few weeks of the second trimester, there are a lot of tests offered. Most of them are to check for chromosomal abnormalities. There is an option given if you want to save the stem cells of your baby, if yes, you want to store them in a private facility and pay for it or donate to a public facility. And a few more that I can’t remember now.
We had all sorts of discussions with the doctor, amongst ourselves, friends, and with Google. These were so many small but important decisions. And these were just the starting in the long line of decisions we were going to have pre-baby and post-baby!
Baby Bump
I had a little baby bump even after 20 weeks and that was worrying a lot of people. And that would worry me and I would turn to google and my friends. Knowing most of them also didn’t show up a lot till last trimester rested my anxiety. Maybe it was my small build or the position of baby and uterus, or any other reason that made the bump more visible later in pregnancy. I would suggest not to heed any of those worrying people. Only listen to the doctor or your friends who are pregnant or were pregnant quite near to you or your family. And stay happy and healthy.
Baby Kicking
I first felt my baby kick around 22 weeks. Maybe. I am not sure. I used to feel her move a lot by 16 weeks. Doctor gave us the required amount of movements or kicking we should monitor in a day. And I would do that religiously, sometimes more monitoring than the doctor suggested!
Peaceful and Regular
I continued my online course, pregnancy yoga, meditation, cooking, walking, etc. My mother-in-law was with us by the end of this trimester to take care of me and the coming baby. Nothing more exciting happened in this trimester. Every checkup went smoothly. There weren’t any more hiccups. Apart from little anxiety about my weight gain, baby movements, and kicks, size of the baby bump, there wasn’t a lot on my mind.
There will always be a little anxiety, a little worry which will be forgotten with those tiny movements, kicks, and hiccups.
I am looking forward to writing the last part of the series.
Till then, stay safe, stay healthy!
Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or share your experiences. I would love to read them.
