Today makes 27 weeks and the start of the second trimester! This pregnancy is just flying by and I can’t believe the third trimester is already here! Part of my can’t wait to meet Baby Schrank but part of me loves being pregnant and doesn’t want this phase to end!
Announcing!
One of the most exciting things about the second trimester was finally announcing our pregnancy! We waited until I was about 16 weeks pregnant before we announced. The main reason was that there were lots of people we wanted to tell in person before we put it on social media. The last people we really wanted to tell in person were my grandparents, so we drove down to Kansas to visit and tell them, and it was very special!
Once I put it on social media, the cat was out of the bag at work of course! The same day as the announcement I brought in donuts to work and on the inside of the box I wrote, ‘don’t let me be the only one with a belly, Baby Schrank due in August’ and everyone loved it!
The best part about announcing your pregnancy is FINALLY being able to share the happiness with everyone around you. For so long it’s this little secret and then you can finally celebrate! So fun!
Getting Ready for Baby
Tony and I waited until the second trimester to do any shopping for the baby. We were both just a little nervous about getting too excited too early. Once you enter the second trimester, your risk for miscarriage goes down to 5% so it’s generally considered a viable pregnancy. We received a few gifts before this point, but we really wanted to wait before we truly got ready for the baby.
Tony and I went shopping (just the two of us) and bought around 5-10 things for the baby. We bought mostly newborn sizes in greys and whites. During our long journey to get pregnant I avoided baby stores like the plague. I wouldn’t let myself even look! It was very special for us to finally be able to shop and pick out items that Baby Schrank will get to wear!
Just a few weeks ago we started prepping our second bedroom to be a nursery. Tony took down everything that was in that room and spackled it all. We haven’t painted it yet, but it’s on the to-do list! We also picked out the crib, changing table, and light fixture. We obviously have a lot to do still, but it’s fun that we finally started! We’re keeping everything really neutral, I am loving white, ivory, and grey.
Thinking About Names
We *think* we have the names picked out. The boy name is a name we’ve loved our entire pregnancy (and even before that) and I think we’ve settled on it! The girl name wasn’t necessarily our top name, but it was on the short list. When we were in Hawaii (at about 20 weeks) there was the cutest family at the hotel and their baby had this name. Tony really feels like it’s a sign that this has to the girl name! Tony and I have a hard time committing to things (just in general), so we may change our minds!
Appointments
I am still going to appointments every 4 weeks, so during the second trimester I went at 16 weeks, 20 weeks, and 24 weeks. The 20-week appointment is the anatomy scan where they measure the baby and look at every organ, artery, etc. The baby was moving so much that a lot of the images are super blurry. This baby is on the move! The baby also had their hands in front of their face, so the ultrasound tech was not able to rule out cleft palate at that appointment. We had to go back the next week to look at the face and it looks perfect! The baby looks great and all the measurements are perfect. Baby’s profile looks just like Tony right now, so we’ll see!
Besides for trips to the OB, I also went to the dentist and the dermatologist. It’s good to go to the dentist more often during pregnancy. Your gums are typically more inflamed and may bleed more during pregnancy, so it’s good to get it all cleaned out. Also, I just want to keep everything clean and healthy for baby! At the dermatologist, the doctor removed two moles and they were not cancerous, but they were both dysplastic. These are the types of moles that can become cancerous. I highly recommend going and getting checked out whether pregnant or not! The doctor wants to see me again in August after the baby is born to check my moles again.
Babymoon
At around 20 weeks, we went on a 9-day babymoon to Hawaii. I did an entire blog post on the trip, so go check it out here if you want to hear more! In short, we had the best time ever and I highly recommend a babymoon. I think that the 20 to 30-week range is the best time to go. You look pregnant but still feel good, so it’s the perfect time.
High Blood Pressure
The only real risk in my pregnancy is that I have developed gestational hypertension. This is essentially high blood pressure during pregnancy. It’s not super high but has creeped up over the past 8 weeks. I am doing numerous things to work on lowering it including a low sodium diet and trying to relax with frequent massages and acupuncture visits (I plan on doing a whole blog post on this!) I also bought this dry brush so that I can do dry brushing on my feet and legs if they ever swell.
High blood pressure in pregnancy can be fine (and no big deal really) but can also be an indicator of pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is dangerous and can lead to seizures in pregnancy and slower growth for the baby. My OB is monitoring it closely and may want to induce me early if it gets worse. I am optimistic but keeping an eye on it!
Other Symptoms
- Sciatica pain: At about 14 weeks, I developed sciatica pain which is literally ‘a pain in the butt.’ It’s only on the left side but is quite painful sometimes. I’ve been trying to stretch more, and I bought this foam roller which I think helps too. The prenatal massages have also really helped.
- Fast heart rate: My heart rate has gotten fast and I also feel it so much more in my chest. My doctor said it’s because there is so much more blood in your body and your body is working so much harder to pump it. She said that some people are more sensitive to this than others, but that it’s common.
- Bad sleep: Not sleeping well is extremely common in pregnancy. I bought this pillow which has helped a lot! I also try not to drink a lot of water at night so that I don’t have to get up and go to the bathroom!
Onto the Third Trimester!
I am excited that we will get to meet Baby Schrank in about 13 weeks! I know the third trimester can be rough, but there are so many fun things that are about to happen too! We get to get the nursery ready, have our baby showers, go to classes, and get excited for the baby’s arrival!
