Now that I’m 24 weeks pregnant, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on how I have felt during my second trimester. In the hope that it may help another person as I’ve found it helpful reading other people’s experiences online and also I can look back at these little updates in the future.
I’m wondering where the last 5 months have gone. Time is really beginning to fly. I heard that in your second trimester you feel amazing, get your energy back and you can start to enjoy food again. In my case, this was true! Looking back, things definitely started to get easier for me after 10 weeks. Just a reminder though never compare your journey to somebody elses as everyones experience can be different.
One of the highlights of my second trimester was going for our 20-week scan and seeing our baby girl move, hearing her heartbeat and being told she is healthy. YES, it’s a girl! We were both over the moon. Another highlight has been feeling the baby move a lot, it started with with a feeling of bubbles moving around, this started around 18 weeks properly. Then at around 20 weeks I started to feel significant movement and little kicks in which Jonny could feel too. It really is such a surreal and amazing feeling.
Before I was pregnant I was running four times a week, however if I’m totally honest I haven’t felt like doing any strenous exercise during my second trimester. I’ve listened to my body and have slowed down when I’ve felt like I needed too. I’ve been making sure I move most days by getting my steps in. I have read a lot that this helps with labour and the run up to it, so will continue this right till the end. Exercise is a very personal thing and there’s no right or wrong, whatever suits you best 🙂
Most women will need more sleep during pregnancy, I need around 11 hours at the moment and prefer not to nap as it effects my sleep at night. There have been a couple of nights where I just can’t get comfortable and I feel like I’ve been awake most the night, luckily it’s just been a couple of times though. Definitely invest in a pregnancy pillow!
I also had my whooping cough vaccination at 23 weeks, in the UK this is accessible and a free service which I feel incredibly grateful for. Remember, you cannot vaccinate your newborn and you pass your immunity to your baby in those crucial first few weeks. I’ll also be getting my flu jab in a couple of weeks time.
It hasn’t all been rosy, there have been a couple of days where I’ve stayed in bed and eaten multiple bowls of crunchy nut cornflakes. It really is a rollercoaster somedays I’m full of energy and then other days I feel completely wiped out. Anyone else almost feel bad for some days achieving, well nothing out of the day?! I have this guilt that I could be doing something productive, but then remind myself I am growing a baby and it’s important to listen to your body and slow down when you feel you need it.
We are also moving out of London after living here for ten years, which will be a big step, an exiting one though! I’ll keep you all updated on the moving plans once we have any updates.
I know a lot of you are also pregnant, I feel like there’s a little community of us on Instagram and I’ve had lots of lovely messages where we can chat about all things pregnany which I’ve loved doing!
I have shared with you below some of my second trimester purchases that I have really enjoyed using. I’d defintely recommend purchasing one of the Bbhugme pregnancy pillows and the Elemis Japanese Camellia oil, it’s the best oil I’ve used and my body soaks it up. I apply it morning and night to help reduce any stretch marks, so far so good! Also been loving my baggy, comfy loungewear set from M&S.
