First Trimester Update (Baby #2)
How far along are you now?
As I’m writing this, I’m 17 weeks!
First pregnancy symptoms?
I don’t recall noticing much (I didn’t have any symptoms before I found out I was pregnant β I hadn’t even missed my period yet), until around week 6 when I started getting nauseous and experienced EXTREME exhaustion. Then all the usual pregnancy symptoms kicked in as well.
Migraines have been a huge struggle this time and I’m experiencing anywhere from 1-3 a week. I have chronic migraines normally, so not being able to take my usual medication during pregnancy puts me in a really bad spot. They completely take me out for the whole day and cause me to throw up and be unable to eat or get out of bed for 24+ hours. Unfortunately, as a mom and business owner, the show must go on! My OBGYN prescribed me a headache/nausea medication, but it only helps me with nausea (but hey, a win is a win). I’m still working on finding a solution for my migraines and I’m hopeful I can figure something out. It’s been soooooo discouraging.
I was pretty much a hermit for two full months. I didn’t leave the house, I missed all of the leaves changing and I was on survival mode. I didn’t do my hair or makeup a single time (and as an added bonus: I gag every time I brush my teeth π). Taking care of a toddler when you’re pregnant is so hard! I was (and still am sometimes) exhausted every day, sick and felt like a terrible mom just trying to get by. I know that’s not true, but that’s how I felt. I didn’t really start feeling better until around 13 weeks. To make it through, it was important for me to eat every 2-2.5 hours, take breaks and not move too much or over-exert myself. If you’re going through this right now, hang in there!
Weight gain?
Not much. I lost a few pounds from being sick, but I mostly stayed the same in my first trimester β maybe gained a pound or two.
Maternity clothes?
Nothing fits π I upgraded my whole wardrobe in August just before I got pregnant and now I can’t wear hardly any of those clothes, or anything else for that matter. I’ve been living in my one pair of maternity leggings I have from my last pregnancy + sweats and Justin’s old Christmas pajama pants (lol).
Sleep?
I was sleeping better than expected in the beginning, then I started having hip pain. I toss and turn all night long to give each hip a break, but overall my sleep hasn’t been horrible.
Best moment this trimester?
Nothing beats getting to hear the heartbeat at my doctor’s appointments! Also Clay pointing at the ultrasound and my belly, and saying “baby” is pretty sweet too.
Weird pregnancy moment?
My belly button popped out even earlier this time! I’m not sure how early, but it was VERY early.
Baby movement?
None in my first trimester.
Food cravings?
I’ve been enjoying chocolate milk, just like last time, which I only really consume when I’m pregnant. I’ve also been really loving spicy stuff and anything with carbs this time around. I’ve been eating lots of chicken with buffalo sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s buffalo sauce is my face β I even randomly dunked popcorn in it one night), pickles, Popeyes/Red Lobster biscuits, chips and salsa, and Chili’s.
Anything making you queasy?
Poopy diapers! I have never once had the urge to throw up from changing a dirty diaper before I was pregnant, but almost all are a struggle now. I cover my nose and mouth with my shirt and try to mentally go to another place.
Favorite products?
I used Earth Mama Belly Butter and Bio Oil religiously every night starting at 13 weeks my last pregnancy, but this time around, I think I’ve put random lotion on my belly maybe 3 or 4 times. I heard people say you care way less about this stuff during your second pregnancy, and before I got pregnant again, I thought no way will that be me. I’m lucky if I have the time and energy to brush my hair before bed most nights, let alone but on lotion and oil. I want to be better about this though because I am highly susceptible to stretch marks genetically and I’m satisfied with how my stretch marks turned out from my first pregnancy. I know I’ll feel better and have no regrets if I do what I can to prevent, even if it doesn’t actually do anything. I see it as a form of self care, which I’m always in need of! As for prenatals, Iβve been taking the gummy Olly ones.
Gender?
We found out at 15 weeks via genetic testing. We’ll share soon, so stay tuned! In the meantime, I answered some old wives’ tales prior to finding out:
- Morning sickness/nausea: πβ£β£
- Chinese calendar: π
- Pregnancy acne: π
- Clumsy means boy. Graceful means girl: ?
- Higher fetal heartbeat (over 140) means girl: π it was upper 150s at 13 weeks
- Moody means girl, calm means boy: π
- Carrying high means girl & low means boy: ?
- Wedding ring test: didnβt do this one this time
- Feeling hot means girl & cold means boy: both
- Craving salty means boy & sweet means girl: π both, but more salty foods this time than last time
- Mayan gender predictor: π
- Headaches: πβ£β£
Something youβre looking forward to?
That 2nd trimester energy and hopefully less migraines.
How has this first trimester differed from your first pregnancy?
My skin is WAY better this time (I had breakouts all over my face, chest and back with Clay at this point in pregnancy), I’m craving different things, I’ve thrown up way less this time and I’ve been able to keep weight on better, and I’m having WAY more exhaustion and migraines, like I mentioned (even into my second trimester).
That’s my first trimester in a nutshell! Different than my last pregnancy for sure, but equally hard in its own way β summed up in three words: exhausting, nauseating and painful. π¬ Here’s to a better second trimester, I hope! Look out for our gender reveal soon!