Second Trimester Reflections

I intended on making this post at 26.6 weeks - the official start of my third trimester. I'm a bit late, but in keeping with tradition here are my reflections on trimester #2.

The Mayo Clinic Guide to Pregnancy, all of my girlfriends and even those "acquaintances" who find it necessary to tell you all about their personal pregnancy experience agreed on one thing: the second trimester is the best. Here is how I fared in the clinical list of symptoms:

• Larger Breasts - I guess. But I don't think they've grown much since the initial growth spurt early on so I supposed I'm just used to it now.
• Growing Belly - Duh!
• Braxton Hicks Contractions - I haven't had any painful or crampy contractions, but I have noticed times where my belly feels significantly harder/tighter.
• Skin Changes - I haven't noticed much. People have told me I have "the glow" but I tend to think that's just the standard compliment you give a pregnant lady.
• Nasal and Gum Problems - Drew tells me I snore these days.
• Dizziness - Not really. Only a couple of instances when I got out of bed too quickly in the morning.
• Leg Cramps - Yes. I've woken up to a calf cramp on occasion.
• Heartburn/Constipation - Neither
• Shortness of Breath - As I grow, I definitely don't have as much stamina and tend to tire out pretty quickly. I find myself sighing quite regularly.

So it's true. The 2nd trimester really is the best. In addition to feeling good, all sorts of exciting things happen in the 2nd trimester. You start to show, in the cute little baby bump way, not the massive pregnant woman way. You can feel the baby move - which for me put (almost) all my anxieties to rest. And eventually your hubby can experience those movements with you. We found out we were having a boy. The planning, shopping, decorating and preparing all started full force. I had my first shower. In other words, the pregnancy stopped feeling like a fantasy and started becoming very, very real. And it was fantastic.

So as I said 12 weeks ago, I really can't complain! The first two trimesters have been a breeze. I'm planning to stay the course these last 10 weeks...and before we know it, we'll be a family of three!