I came to a somewhat startling realization yesterday. I have less than a week remaining in my second trimester. As my third trimester rapidly approaches, I’ve noticed a definite increase in discomfort. While I realize I’ve still had a reasonably easy go of it compared to plenty of people, I’m only in my own body, so I can only relate so much.
My belly is getting rather large, the funny side of which being that I find myself running into things before I think I will. Especially counters. It’s gratifying to really feel like I “look pregnant, not just fat,” and I may even take a belly shot one of these days. We’ll see…
The downside to the large belly is primarily sleep. Or, rather, lack thereof. It’s getting harder and harder to get comfortable. I sleep with 4-5 pillows at all times, and my poor husband has more or less relegated himself to the guest room so as not to wake me up any extra times. Sleeping exclusively on my side is annoying, and I wake up frequently to switch sides (which is quite an endeavor) or go to the bathroom. But I’m definitely to the point that, if I lie on my back for more than a minute or two, the weight of the babies cuts of circulation. It’s not pleasant. So, sleep is becoming increasingly erratic, and I certainly don’t anticipate it will get any better as I get larger.
The belly is also feeling downright heavy, especially as the day wears on. Even though I don’t do much other than sit at my desk and walk 30 feet to the bathroom, it starts to feel heavier by the afternoon. And despite my lotioning, it gets a bit itchy by the evening. I’m not even going to talk about the stretch marks…
The babies are moving around a lot, which is really great and reassuring. Assuming they’re both on the same sides as they were (we’ll see this afternoon), I find that they frequently alternate who is more active at any one time. And despite any worries about her size, my little girl is small but quite fiesty! Lots of jabs to the ribs and other places. While it’s immensely reassuring to feel them both each day, I will admit it’s getting kind of uncomfortable. It really feels like my insides are constantly flipping around. But hey, I’ll take that over nothing any day of the week.
Other than that, the reflux is hanging around but hasn’t dramatically worsened. Feet get tired quickly, heart palpitations come around if I haven’t had enough water, and I don’t think my back is quite going to fully recover from Tuesday’s spasm.
And, just for a little extra fun, it’s getting good and warm here in New England. Friday was over 90 degrees. I was good and chugged my 3+ quarts of water, and therefore managed to still have discernable ankles by the end of the day. But it’s definitely a little preview of what is to come this summer. I’ve always been someone who gets pretty uncomfortable in the heat, but the added belly and its side effects are going to make this extra fun.
Do forgive the whining. All things considered, I’m doing well. No contractions or cervix shortening, no increase in blood pressure. I did fail the 1-hour glucose test last week, so on Tuesday I get to take the three-hour. Other than that, though, things really are going well. I just couldn’t help but notice the changes in the last week or so, and the realization that things may go rapidly downhill from here. Hey, I’ve only got a max of about 10-12 weeks left! I can make it through that…
