13 Weeks Bumpdate: The Second Trimester

13 Weeks Bumpdate: The Second Trimester

Women say that they start the second Trimester at different weeks.  Depending on how you’re calculating your pregnancy dates, (whether it is in weeks or in months) the second trimester will begin between weeks 12 & 14.  I decided to say week 13 will be the beginning of my second trimester (it’s in the middle, and it’s a week after the “safe” 12th week).  So, as of Monday, March 28th, Hello Trimester #2!

Now that I am up-to-date with all of my other pregnancy posts, everything you read will be what I’m going through as it happens and posted at the end of each week.  What has been new in the past couple of weeks?

Symptoms

Well, my nausea is definitely easing up a bit.  I don’t feel the constant urge to be sick anymore.  It now only comes in waves and usually just once or twice a day.  I find it happens the most often while I am cooking.  Yes, I have finally been able to cook again!  Nothing too amazing, but at least I can work with raw chicken or fish and not want to be sick right away!  I do continue to feel dizzy quite often and the worst I feel is after being over a hot stove.  This is why, we have had more takeout than I’d like to admit lately- but I’m working on it!  I have read that it is normal and I make sure I sit down/get cool (overheating is a terrible feeling) or drink water/juice right away.

Food

I have been trying to eat as healthy as possible and it’s not hard to do.  All this baby seems to want is tomatoes, chicken, and lettuce.  I also had a huge craving for salmon so I made baked salmon with roasted tomatoes, onions, and garlic.  Baby seems to love garlic as much as I do so I enjoy catering to what he/she seems to want to eat.

I can’t get enough salad lately but that doesn’t mean I haven’t indulged in McDonald’s here or there.  I always try to get healthier options, no matter which restaurant we visit.  Sometimes a girl just needs a burger, you know?  Tim Hortons has been incredibly disappointing and I don’t think we will be eating there anymore.  I tried their chicken salad sandwich since I heard good reviews and it was pretty terrible (not to mention how overpriced it is).

The best meal I’ve had at a fast-food restaurant has to be from A&W. I got their original burger and with the fresh lettuce and tomatoes, it was exactly what I needed.  The runner-up would have to be Subway with their grilled chicken and veggie salad.  I always get whatever I eat Roasted/Grilled to kill any bacteria, and if I feel like they didn’t do a good enough job, I pop it in my oven for a bit longer.

I haven’t been eating much junk food and the only sugar I have been craving is Chocolate Milkshakes (Hello Calcium) and Cadbury Mini Eggs  (Thank Goodness for Easter).  Overall, fresh fruit and veggies are wanted- I hear you loud and clear little one!

Baby Bump?

I am still not showing enough for people to think “baby” and not “bloat” but the changes are noticeable to me.  Believe me, my tummy is feeling it.  While I don’t do it often, laying on my tummy is much different and it feels like it is constantly stretching.  It aches quite a bit so I usually have a warm shower or use a hot water bottle to ease those feelings.  I know every ache and pain is worth it.

Nightmares

Other than that, I seem to slowly be getting my energy back which is nice.  I try to get to bed at a reasonable hour.  Thankfully, I have been getting at least 9 hours of sleep each night.  I am having pretty bad dreams lately though.

A few nights ago, I had a dream that I got into a fight with people I went to High School with.  There were also people I worked with mixed in.  We were all at an event being held at my CEGEP and they ganged up on me.  I then had a dream I was fighting in World War II and let’s just say, I didn’t last too long.  I’ll leave out the details.

Dreams

I’ve had several pregnancy-related dreams too.  I had a dream that my next Doctor’s appointment was at a clinic I used to go to when I was a young child.  No one knew what to do with me.  I ended up just sitting on the floor near the reception desk until the entire clinic was cleared out.  The nurse who was taking care of me said it was my fault for not being seen.  She said it was because they didn’t get my Medicare card.  I had given it to them 10 hours before.

When they finally saw me and did an Ultrasound, they said, “Okay so you’re about.. 5 weeks along.”  I said no… at this point, I’m 13 weeks.  They argued with me, and said “Wow, this baby is big for being at 5 weeks”.  I said “No, it’s a normal-sized baby for being at 13 WEEKS!”

It frustrated me and I woke up feeling upset.  I always have at least one dream a night in which the baby is sending me a sign that he/she is okay.  For example, one of my “dream sessions” ended with being able to hug the baby gently during an ultrasound. I know that sounds gross but it’s hard to explain how beautiful it really is.  I think I feel good knowing that I am the one responsible for taking care of its health and safety during this time.  Once it is born, there will be so much more danger surrounding it that I just want to enjoy holding it as long as possible.  That might sound strange but I can’t help how these hormones are making me think!

Does anyone else have memorable dreams/nightmares from while they were pregnant?  Are you currently pregnant and going through the same thing now?  Let me know below!

Announcing to Big Brother

We also told my SO’s son, my future stepson, about being a big brother.  The plan was to wait to tell him after we knew the gender of the baby. That isn’t for another month and we were too excited to tell him.  He smiled the entire time, and talked about his cousin who is also a baby.  When we asked him if he wants a brother or a sister, he said Brother (no surprise there)!  That was a week ago and he hasn’t mentioned it since.

He had talked to me about wanting a sibling several times, so I knew he would take the news well.  I just didn’t know how he would register that I will be the Mommy and all that entails.  I don’t speak of or write about my stepson-to-be often in my posts because I want to respect the privacy of him &  his Mother etc.  I’m sure it will become more real for him once he sees my belly get bigger. At least now he can start to understand why I’ve been so tired for the past while!

On the same day, he found out that we will be moving.  It was a lot all at once for a six-year-old!  It was a big day but I am happy it all went smoothly.

Coming up next week: My second Doctor’s appointment, asking my Sister and my Brother-in-law to be the baby’s Godparents, telling my nieces & nephew they will have a new cousin, & the rest of the changes happening during Week 14 (my diet went a bit downhill)!