Second Trimester Reflections

You’d almost think I planned it, my second trimester coinciding with my favorite three months of the year. With every tradition and festive activity, I kept thinking that next year we’ll have a 9-month-old to share this with.

Physically I can’t say much changed between the first and second trimesters. My bump didn’t really start to show until November, I experienced little discomfort and am still not sure I even “feel” pregnant. If this continues through the last 12 weeks I should make popping out babies my full-time job, because I’m truly a boring case study of a pregnant woman. And I’m not complaining. Rather than an all-consuming pregnancy, the past three months were focused on enjoying the holidays with family and friends, which might as well be the greatest Christmas present ever.

In between travel and N’Sync’s Christmas album on repeat, one thing really surfaced during this trimester. People love babies. I mean I knew I was a baby person, but it’s been a total surprise to experience the excitement that’s been showered upon me from everyone from acquaintances to total strangers. The ladies at my nail salon, coworkers I hardly know, belly glances and smiles from passerbys on the sidewalk – people love a baby bump – and damn does that make a pregnant lady feel good.

And for the sake of remembering it all as a first-time mom, here are some of the other biggest surprises from the second trimester.

Unsolicited commentary. People are legitimately stunned we aren’t finding out Baby G’s gender. The only time I’ve been offended through this experience was a response to saying we are waiting to be surprised. “You? No you’re not, you won’t be able to wait. Especially YOU, you’re such a planner.” I was so taken aback and definitely had one of those ‘screw you, don’t tell me what I’m going to do’ moments.

Laissez-faire baby preparation. I’ve been surprised how little planning and preparation I’ve done for this baby. I’m usually so neurotic about planning. I keep list after list written in black ink with red check marks next to each completed item (I guess the aforementioned person had a point). So the fact that I’ve been so ‘laissez-faire’ for the past six months is shocking to me.

Adjusting to my side profile. It’s been a weird transition to look like I’ve swallowed a bowling ball. No matter how many times I hear “you’re all baby” it’s still hard to see my body change – not to mention outgrow my jeans. Pre-pregnancy I was never someone who weighed herself. The sole determinant of my exercise routine was how my jeans fit. If they felt a little tight, I upped the cardio and laid off the extra servings of carbs. The day I could no longer zip the fly was a sad day.

Limitations on exercise. Changing my exercise routine to accommodate discomforts and pains has been a real annoyance. I miss being able to take boot camp classes at the gym and go on long walks.

Feeling connected to baby. What is that supposed to feel like? I think it’s amazing to feel my baby kick. I think it’s amazing interesting to see my belly get rounder. I think it’s pretty mind-blowing that in three months I’ll be responsible for this little human for a lifetime. But connected? I’m not sure I feel that. [Insert audible gasps here]. I’ve gone to a few prenatal yoga classes and the women are so crunchy and in tune with their bodies. They are having “moments” with their babies throughout class and I just look around and think WTF.

Moms who tell you nothing but how tired they are. I get it. You don’t sleep when you have a newborn and I’m far too much of a realist to think I will. I have to say I’m pretty sick of hearing about how tired you are. Did you honestly go into motherhood expecting to be well rested? Maybe it’s human nature but I wish people would focus on sharing all the great things about having a baby rather than complaining about the challenges.

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I just can’t believe it’s less than 12 weeks until our due date. As someone who’s wanted to be a mom since holding her first babydoll, I’m excited beyond words. Now with the holidays behind us, it’s all baby and preparation has really begun. I’m looking forward to getting the nursery ready, going on our hospital tour and picking out the rest of our baby stuff. And mostly I’m looking forward to finding out if this baby I’ve been carrying is a boy or a girl!

You can read my reflection on the first trimester here.