The trimester where you go from not looking pregnant at all to having a football permanently attached to the front of you. I have found this trimester a lot more fun than the last one mainly because the nausea has gone and the secrecy is no more. It’s also when I felt them moving for the first time which was just amazing.
I have been lucky with my pregnancy journey so far and not really suffered from any extreme symptoms or anything that has prevented me from going my day to day life as such which I am very grateful for. The energy boost you are promised did happen which was very welcomed indeed, the tiredness when you stop though – wow. Never had so many naps in my life than I have these past few months. Growing a human is no joke, it takes more out of you than I truly thought it could. And let’s talk about the emotional rollercoaster you go on daily. Due to the amount of hormones going around your body it is no surprise really but I have found I can go from really happy to crying my eyes out at the click of a finger. Mood swings are real and something that I may never have even had a second thought about suddenly becomes the most important thing.
Movement is a massive part of my life, obviously it’s also my job, but I love to workout & move my body. I always thought I would be working out properly throughout my pregnancy. However I did not factor in how much of a toll teaching 10-12 classes a week would affect me physically. Which means my own training is pretty much on hold apart from the odd barre or strength class when I feel up to it & walking. I’m still feeling fit & strong it’s just taken me a little bit more mental space to be ok with this and move forward positively.
When you feel their first movement, there are no words to describe how magical it is
It’s during this trimester that you start to feel them move, the timeline is different for every pregnancy and if it’s your first it’s likely to a little later on. I was expecting it to be a full on kick like you see in the movies when actual for the first couple of weeks it’s more like intense butterflies. I was unsure whether it was actually happening or if it was more like wind because it was really hard to tell. Then when they do start kicking more no one else can feel it on the outside straight away so again it’s just you and the little one. The feeling though … unbelievable. Suddenly you are even more hyper aware of this little human you are growing and they are making themselves known. Now Baby S is kicking or punching (I have no idea what yet) on a regular basis normally waking me up in the morning and just before I go to sleep. Just seeing your stomach move is a really odd but amazing experience.
Finding out the sex do you or don’t you?
We decided we wanted to, mainly for me as I’m a massive planner so this just eases my mind slightly. Not that it affects anything as I’m still planning neutral colours for the nursery and clothes regardless of what sex they are. So we know what we are having and have told family and friends in passing but its not been a big announcement type thing because it really shouldn’t matter to anyone else.
My reasons for finding out were: Time to think about a name, I feel I can bond better with the baby now I know, I am a control freak so needed to know and it feels more personal to me. However these are my reasons yours may be different. I know many that choose not to know for that extra element of surprise at birth, another thing to look forward to.
Celebrations hit differently when you’re pregnant
During this trimester I had a hen do, celebrated turning 30 and attended my friends wedding. Each event was just as special as it would have was I not pregnant but being pregnant does change things slightly. Tiring quickly, swollen feet and sugar highs instead of tipsy antics were just a few of my symptoms. I seemed to swap prosecco for cake and as you can’t have caffeine to keep you awake into the early hours sweets seemed to be the answer. I obviously wouldn’t have changed anything but I am looking forward to when Baby S is here so I can at least raise a glass or 2 of fizz on the next celebration.
It can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster this pregnancy journey as everything is changing, not to mention the constant thoughts about what is to come. It can seem like you lose yourself sometimes that I’m just pregnant or I’m just a mum to be rather than Vicki & all these things. These thoughts are valid and emotions are part of who we are. So let’s ride them out, let them happen & move forward stronger because of them.
It’s so strange to know we are well over 6 months into this journey and before long our little one will be with us and I am so excited.
