My Second Trimester Thoughts

I’m currently just over 30 weeks, in my third trimester and thought I would reflect on my second trimester.

We were super lucky to do a few baby moons in the second trimester which were all really lovely. One short stay at Sopwell House, another at the Artist Residence in Oxford and a week away in the Canaries for a bit of relaxation and sunshine.

I’ve definitely felt a lot of challenges in this trimester. One being that I have a low lying placenta – which blocks baby’s exit route, so if the placenta doesn’t move up by the 32 week scan, which at the moment is looking unlikely, I will need a C-section.

Due to all my previous surgeries and complications with endometriosis, past stomas and reversal this makes me a bit more “high risk” when it comes to C-section. It comes with its own set of challenges of further bowel or bladder injuries. Which, I’m hoping I’m going to be in safe hands when the birth comes around to prevent this from happening. The midwifes are pushing for a natural birth if placenta moves up due to all the complications I’ve had.

I’ve also had so much sickness and still going past 30 weeks. Some other mums have said you can have sickness all the way through pregnancy and to be honest it’s been such a ball-ache. I’m currently on anti-sickness medication which I feel is helping but still being sick here and there.

I’ve also been in contact with “Triage maternity unit” a lot for concerns from reduced baby movements, Braxton Hicks experiences, thought my waters had broken early, spotting and other anxiety pregnancy concerns. The anxiety during pregnancy has been crazy for me.

A weird health concern that I’ve developed in pregnancy is having Sleep Apnea, which is terrifying. My breathing stops and starts when I’m sleeping. I had to wear Sleep Apnea equipment the other day to monitor things at night and I’m awaiting to hear back from them to see the next steps.

The good sides to the second trimester are that I’ve had energy to do longer walks and go to the gym. Sticking with treadmill walks or light weights for strength training. Although my energy levels are getting low again from around 28 weeks, so I am finding things a little more difficult. Even silly things like I can’t put my left sock on easily, it takes me a couple of minutes. Or I need Joe to put my trainers on! Also I’m really having to keep an eye on my heart-rate ensuring I don’t go above 140 bpm on walks or exercising.

My appetite has been a bit all over the place, however, I am eating SO much. I’ve been craving so much sugar, junk foods, decaf coke and have been avoiding salmon and rich tomato sauces because those make me sick for some reason.
I was told I had high cholesterol on a recent blood test, so I have been trying to eat more fruits, nuts and what not. Joe has been cooking for me a lot more recently as I’m struggling with the energy to cook a nutritious meal.

In other news, we did a 4d scan very recently, which was a lovely experience. We got to see a glimpse of what she looks like and she most definitely has Joe’s cute features and looks like Joe as a baby. Oh and we found out baby is a girl from our private scan at 18 weeks and also confirmed at the 20 week scan!

We’ve been decorating and organizing baby’s room, you may have seen little snippets on my Insta. We went with a sage green colour and a jungle theme. We bought our cot and bedside drawer from Mamas & Papas and went for the Snuzpod for the bedside crib to go in our room for the first six months.

I’m definitely getting into the “nesting mode” with washing all the 0-3 months clothes and organisation. Plus been on a cleaning frenzy the past three or so months.

There is still SO much stuff to buy, but I feel somewhat prepared. I just need to get my hospital bag sorted as a top priority, but I have been chipping away at it.

We have most of the essentials such as push-chair, car-seat, clothes, bedding, baby carrier, but I still need to look into breastfeeding and bottle feeding options, as well as a few other things.

Perhaps I’ll do a separate post on the baby essentials you will need and what we have bought so far. Would that be any use to any expectant mums?

Moving on to events.

We had a super small gathering for our gender reveal. We invited just the parents and my grandad. My lovely friend made a cake for us which revealed the gender. Followed by a lovely roast at our local pub.

We also had one of our baby shower’s a few weekends ago with Joe’s family. We’re due to have my family one very soon!

We decided against doing a friend’s one as we feel we have so many friends scattered around the UK. Plus we didn’t like the expectation that everyone needs to buy us gifts. So, we kept it simple with close family members, with one in Joe’s home-town and one at ours.
However, family members did buy us some really gorgeous gifts. Everyone was super generous and thoughtful.

Organising your own baby shower is hard work and we should have got someone else to sort it all, but we are quite particular and really bad for asking for help, anyway baby shower no.1 came together nicely in the end.

The balloon arch was pretty but took over 4 hours and was super fiddly. We had lots of cute decorations but wasn’t really used much as people were catching up with one another. And we did have a last minute panic with the afternoon-tea styled foods. Morrisons cancelled my food order at 2am the day of the baby shower, so it was a bit stressful rushing around the shops, then preparing everything within the space of an hour ahead of starting. I was on the verge of tears rushing around Morrisons that morning but snapped myself out of it as we had shiz to do.

We did of course have help from Joe’s mum who made scones, sausages rolls and last minute sandwiches, as well as hosting, and Joe’s dad and step-mum brought some games as well as providing the soft drinks and Prosecco. Joe’s cousin’s wife Claire also made a gorgeous Vicky sponge and some brownies!

We are hosting my family’s one and I’m not going to organize any more events after this apart from maybe meeting the baby and her birthday parties, because it’s too stressful haha. Plus not looking forward to spending another couple of hours on more balloon Arch’s.

I’m sure the event will be lovely though, I’m more excited about seeing my family and celebrating our little one than anything else.

I have been documenting my bump since 18 weeks pregnant with Instax snaps every two weeks. The bump is really bumpin’ at the moment.

The snaps go up to 30 weeks pregnant, so well into the third trimester. I will be continuing this Instax journey until she arrives.

The Insta’s photos have been really fun to do and I wish I took snaps from around 10 weeks pregnant. But, never mind.

I’m excited but really nervous about the next ten weeks, more so nervous about the actual birth experience and any complications that may arise then and after.

We’re also trying to prepare Archie for what’s to come as much as possible and I’m hoping he will be the best furry brother.

I’m SO excited to be a mum though. I know I’m the best dog mum but having a child is completely different.
It’s been one hell of a journey if you’ve been following along for years! I can’t wait for Summer!
Hope you’re all ok and catch up with you all soon!

In case you missed it, you can read my first trimester blog post here!