Let me be the first to say, that second trimester kicks first trimester’s a$$! I finally feel like a normal human again, the bump has really come to play and I can finally eat some things I’ve been turned off from for the last few months. It’s not all fun and games though, this trimester has thrown us a curveball or two as well. My second trimester experience, cravings, product recommendations, hacks and more are all compiled here in today’s post.
Week 13: Starting to see the light
Finally! Some relief. I’d wake up with more energy to get things done, and just in time for some cooler fall temperatures. Last week, I neglected to mention that I got my Innatal/Progenity testing bloodwork done. This test not only determines if there are any chromosomal issues with the baby, but allows you to find the gender. As most of you know by now, it’s a girl!
We held a small gender reveal on the driveway with our parents and a few neighbors. With the virus going around, I wanted to keep it small. I’m saving our big fan fare and celebration for the shower, so until then, all baby related events will be smaller. ICYMI: the video of the gender reveal is here.
Week 14: Second Trimester, second wind
My bump appeared much earlier this pregnancy, around 9 weeks. Being so tired though, I wasn’t really embracing it. Your first trimester is almost like feeling ill for 10 weeks and then one day you’re magically back up on your feet. Pregnancy fatigue is no joke!
We had a quick checkup at the beginning of the week and Baby Girl KICKED the doppler heart rate monitor. We found her heartbeat ever so quickly and all of a sudden we heard a big static crinkle. The doctor said that’s the baby telling us to get lost, ha! We did grab a strong 169bpm heart rate before leaving her be, per her vocal wishes.
Week 15: Baby Registry is well underway
I’ve been knee deep in baby registry work these past few weeks. We’re using Babylist as our official registry because it’s a one-stop-shop for all the major retailers and I can tag items from literally any site, including Etsy, so we can support smaller businesses, too. For anyone who doesn’t know what to choose, we also have a diaper fund. You can set up cash registries for multiple things like college, child care or virtually any reason, it’s so versatile!
Week 16: One small (good) hiccup and a nursery update
We’re seeing my doctor’s office every two weeks on the even weeks, so this week was our week 16 checkup. We had a quick beside ultrasound to see her in between the week 12 ultrasound and the 20 week anatomy scan. Baby girl is growing so well and she even hiccuped right on the ultrasound, she’s the best!
Additionally, this week I secured a partnership with Storkcraft, a wonderful nursery furniture brand of over 75 years. They were eager to help Baby Girl Burk get her nursery furnished with a quality set from their collection, and I was all for it! The crib we choose was the Solstice 4-in-1 Convertible Crib. The back and front convert to a headboard and backboard for a big kid bed one day! They also sent a lovely Graco crib mattress to ensure baby girl is comfortable in her new pad.
In addition to the crib and mattress, Storkcraft sent us their beautiful Moss 6 Drawer Dresser and changing table top. We wanted a dresser that converts to one without a changing table so she has it for decades to come. Plus, they sent us this wonderful table top diaper changing pad for the dresser, too!
Week 17: Officially in cold weather mode
While a lot of women experience sweating and being warmer than usual in pregnancy, I’m the opposite. I’ve been colder than usual and it’s starting to get colder out so it’s really hitting me. No biggie, I stocked up on my favorite maternity leggings (seriously, these are worth it, I’ve invested in FIVE pairs plus two pairs of their maternity shorts).
Finding a pair of leggings that are cut right and comfortable is super important. These are cut right where your bump starts for the perfect cradling fit. I also started thinking about an extra warm winter coat option. I know I won’t fit mine for much longer and this Amazon puffer coat has side zippers that open to expand the jacket. It’s a bit pricier than I’d normally buy but the fact that I can zip those sides back up and use it like normal postpartum was a huge selling point.
Week 18: No news is good news
A relatively quiet week, but we had our usual biweekly checkup and all was well. Just preparing for our big 20-week anatomy scan in two weeks and keeping our spirits high. Our 20-week appointment was when we received our devastating news last pregnancy, so it’s a sensitive one for us. Otherwise, I started to feel what I thought were maybe little flutters, which was very exciting! At the time I wasn’t sure if that was her or just normal body stuff but looking back, it was likely her making little movements. So sweet!
Week 19: Making moves
Kevin got his COVID-19 booster shot so this week was a little more about taking care of him. He was feeling a little feverish but not so much so that he had to miss any work. A sore arm, a little warm, but otherwise just well protected from the virus.
Our adorable pink plastic baby hangers arrived so we got those up in the nursery this week! Mine are already sold out, but these pink baby hangers are incredibly similar if you’re looking for a soft pink plastic baby hanger. I initially liked the look of the velvet/non-slip hangers but I think they’ll be annoying to get baby clothes on and off of, so I went with plastic.
This week, I also started to feel more confident that the little movements I was feeling were baby girl. It’s hard to tell if you’ve never experienced it so I wasn’t sure, but I’ve probably been feeling little kicks for a week or two now. They’re getting more prominent so it’s easy to tell, my little girl ain’t shy!
Week 20: Halfway Home!
We could not feel more blessed to have had our week 20 anatomy scan go so well! Baby girl is moving as much as ever and is in great shape. She is a normal weight, good size and of course, kicked the ultrasound wand multiple times. She may just be the next Mia Hamm, this one.
The one point we need to wait for more on is if she potentially only has two of the three arteries and veins found in the umbilical cord. Most babies have two veins and an artery and her ultrasound only showed two. The ultrasound tech said it’s possible the MFM (maternal-fetal medicine) doctor may find the third one in the imaging, but if it’s not there, it hasn’t shown signs of impacting her growth at all, and could mean virtually nothing. Her weight was in the 39th percentile which is right at middle average so we’re crossing our fingers it isn’t impacting her, but will know more soon.
This was just the update our hearts needed, and right in time for the holidays, too. We didn’t realize it, but unless anything else comes up, this is our last ultrasound before we meet baby girl. Seems so crazy! She really will be here before we know it.
Week 21: Nursery plans
Now that we’re in the second half of the pregnancy, we really need to get moving on nursery plans. We’re going with a soft pink and white style with gold accents. Very minimalist, very neutral. Pink is a neutral, right??
What Kevin didn’t realize at the time was that his Christmas present was going to be this miter saw he’s been asking for to tackle baby girl’s board and batten wall behind her crib. Aside from the accent wall, I’m hoping to find a feminine chandelier for her room. Right now, there’s a very ‘Kevin’s office’ looking fan in there, with a very office-feeling light. Given she won’t be using a fan for some time and the light does nothing for the space, I’m hoping we can find something more stylish for the first several years. We plan to save the very nice fan/light combo in there now and re-install later once she’s old enough to use a ceiling fan.
Week 22: Winter is coming
We had our biweekly appointment on Monday and got confirmation that baby girl does in fact only have two of the three cords (one vein and one artery versus two veins and one artery) most babies have in utero. This can mean as little as absolutely nothing, and as of right now, it doesn’t seem to be impacting her at all. In some cases, the lack of that third cord can cause growth issues. Thankfully, she is growing right along but to be sure nothing changes, we’ll have growth ultrasounds every four weeks to monitor her weight. As long as she stays in a healthy percentile like she is, we have nothing to worry about!
In other news, it’s gotten bitterly cold so I’m hibernating big time. I’ve already ordered HelloFresh for next week because even grocery shopping is getting pushed aside where I can help it!
Week 23: Peace in the silence
Not much to report on this week. With the surge in virus cases happening we’ve been laying low and just working to finalize the registry because my mom is sending shower invites out in the next few weeks. The quiet and routine everyday life has been refreshing. We’re enjoying quiet nights on the couch to TV, football, video games and lots of baby kicks!
Week 24: The Glucose Test, First Growth Ultrasound and Christmas Week
A big week, indeed! The Monday before Christmas was another big appointment for us. We got to see baby girl again in her first growth ultrasound and it seems as though her two vessel cords don’t seem to be hindering her growth at all. In fact, she’s even measuring a day ahead in growth! I’m obsessed with her and her progress.
Additionally, I had the glucose blood draw to test for gestational diabetes (GD). The flat soda-like drink they have you drink prior to your blood draw isn’t all that bad. If given the choice, I highly recommend the lemon lime flavor. It’s the least sweet of the ones I’ve tasted. Due to the holiday I’ll get the results in about a week.
Week 25: The 3-Hour Glucose Test
Surely the heading gives it away, but I failed my one hour test had to do the 3-hour glucose test. The annoying part? My one hour glucose was one single point above the desired range. It’s protocol though, so the week after Christmas I went in for my 3-hour glucose blood draws. This consisted of me fasting beginning midnight the night before and coming in at 8:45 am for my first blood draw. After the first draw I drank the more highly concentrated glucose drink and wasn’t allowed water in the first hour.
Then, after draw number two I was able to at least drink water again. After that I had two more draws, each an hour apart for a total of four blood draws. My doctor’s office was out of butterfly needles (the small ones you barely feel) so I got four adult sized needles poked in basically the same spot over three hours. My arm is sore and the tech said my vein is definitely bruised. The things we endure for these little babes, but I wouldn’t change it for a thing.
Honestly, the worst part of it all is sitting in an uncomfortable chair for three hours. If you’re able, see if you can wait in your car for some of it. My office is on a large campus and it didn’t make sense for me, personally.
Week 26: Glucose Test Results and Next Steps
Yet again, I failed my glucose test by basically the bare minimum. Out of my four draws, two were a bit high and considered failing. Failing is failing, so that doesn’t necessarily matter, but it does suck.
I met with the diabetes specialist team at the hospital this week and got set up with diet and exercise regimens to hopefully help keep my blood sugar from spiking. This will include pricking myself 4 times a day to check blood sugar. Ya girl does NOT like needles, but this little device is actually super easy to use and you barely even feel it happening, which is great.
Week 27: Closing Trimester Two
It’s crazy to think the second trimester is coming to an end. We have so much to do still and we’re 2/3 of the way home already! Expect lots of nursery, baby shower and baby arrival prep content to hit your inboxes and feeds soon!
In addition to general baby prep, my gestation diabetes blood sugar monitoring has been going well. I’m incredibly thankful for that. My follow up with the specialist team is this week and I’m excited to present the numbers I’ve been drawing knowing they’re largely in range. From there we’ll decide next steps!
How does my second trimester experience stack up to yours? I hear for pretty much everyone the second trimester is one of their favorite times. I know it was for me, so I’m eager to see what happens in trimester three as we prepare for Baby Burk’s arrival!
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