Second trimester... not to be a Debbie Downer, but I felt like shit the entire time last time. I think that's pretty uncommon, though. I don't want to worry you, but I want you to realize it's a possibility. Maybe I'm just bad at being pregnant.
ETA: I almost didn't post this because I really don't want to be a downer. However, I was soooo looking forward to this mythical second trimester last time, and was very upset that I never felt better. I wish someone had told me I might never get that energy boost.
Yea I mean I think second trimester is relative. I remember the nausea going away and not wanting to fall asleep as soon as I sat down, but that's really it. Pregnancy is long, and can be pretty miserable. But as PP said above, 2nd tri is the best of the three.
As a FTM, I'm starting to get the impression that 2nd trimester is like a lie or mirage to get us to force ourselves through first trimester.
"You'll have so much energy... in second trimester." "You'll be able to eat food... in second trimester." "You'll enjoy being pregnant... in second trimester."
The holy grail of trimesters, it seems. I want to believe! Really, I do!
PREACH! Because if it's not, I've got some people to talk to about these untruths and fictions.
For me it was less the second tri and more when the nauseu went away, which didn't happen until about 23 weeks. I felt great after that, and didn't start feeling super pregnant again until I was about 38 weeks.
@justkeeptrying Well said! I tend to feel my best from 20+ weeks to about 32 or whenever my awful back and rib pain kick in. Like I said either DS I felt like a champ (albeit an emotional one) nearly the entire time until said back and rib pain arrived. I was sick with my daughter from 7-23ish weeks. Looks like we are headed that route again.
All that to say, ask me if I would go back. I wouldn't change those days for anything because the misery brought me the best gifts in life. I keep that in the back of my mind every time I wonder how I'll push through another day of nausea and exhaustion. It's. So. Worth it.
@vflux33 as with most things in pregnancy, it kind of follows that "every pregnancy is different" theme. I know some women who are sick through the 2nd trimester, and I know others who have a super easy 1st tri and get more tired in the 2nd.
I'd say overall, the 2nd trimester has always been the easiest of the three for me, but it's important to keep in mind that it's the "easiest" of pregnancy--not like you're a super human with super energy or anything, although that would be nice. There is typically an ease of symptoms from 1st tri because, as you know, the placenta takes over a lot of the work you were doing initially. It's also an easier trimester because you don't have a jackfruit or watermelon sized baby inside just yet
Among friends, I've always maintained that the 1st trimester is the hardest of all. That's not to say that the others aren't challenging in other ways, but I'd say the 1st trimester where you're sick, nervous, uncertain, and not telling anyone is a perfect recipe for the greatest challenge. I'm also a "contractor", so I had contractions for hours on end (2-3 minutes apart) for the 6 weeks leading up to DS's birth, so tri 3 wasn't so easy breezy as I wanted.
Regardless of what it brings for you, I think the celebration of one trimester closer to meeting that little one is reason enough to dawn a big smile and bask in the "glow" of pregnancy, whether that's just sweat or not. It'll be worth it, as @chasingroygbiv so eloquently put it!!
Thanks guys. I hope 2nd tri goes as easy on me (and all of us) as it did for (some of) you! Given the whole twins thing, I'm already bracing for 3rd tri and pretty sure that's gonna be high stress so a little "not as uncomfortable/stressful/scary" break in the middle would definitely be nice. I'm sure it's all worth it, of course, and we did a lot to get here so definitely not complaining. Just thought it's funny how idealized all the second tri talk sounds sometimes.
My second trimester didn't get better until the nausea and everyday sickness went away at week 17. I still had bad times ((like when heartburn and acid reflux set in at 19 weeks)) but overall I felt much better.
@mmom3 - with the puppy, I would suggest playing with his/her ears a lot. Gently rub them, pull on them GENTLY! Get them used to the feeling of being tugged on so that when the child does it, they are already used to it and are less likely to bite. My sister learned that from Cesar Milan and we both have done it with our pit/boxer mixes and it's made a huge difference. When my niece grabs for their ears, they are used to it. (I know this can sound kinda weird and I'm not at all saying pull on their ears hard. Just pet their head and more of like play with their ears.) They get used to that sensitive area being touched so much that it doesn't bother them. My dogs love to have their ears played with now!
-IMO I am not loving being pregnant. I really thought I would but I'm just not. I feel bad for not loving it but I just don't.
@crossfitbabybump I was TTC for 16 months and took drugs and had an IUI to get here and I love THAT I'm pregnant and wouldn't trade it for anything, but being pregnant objectively sucks. I don't think there is shame in admitting that so long as we are conscientious about what we say, who we say it to, and don't leave anyone with the impression that we're not grateful etc. etc. Like, I'm not going to complain about MS around people currently struggling with IF, but when I'm talking to you guys I'm not going to sit here and lie to you and act like it's super comfortable to feel sick.
@vflux33 - YES! Much better put that way. Sorry! I am so grateful for this wittle smoosh! I love that I am pregnant but being pregnant does suck. And yes, I am very cautious with who I say these things around. I have a coworker who has been TTC for 13 years now and every time she asks me how I am feeling, I am careful. I guess it's more of the, I don't like the gas, bloating, indigestion, MS, cramps, sore boobs, headaches, fatigue, lack of sleep, weird dreams, I miss my sex life, etc... lol
Some women say, I LOVE being pregnant, but those are the ones that also don't have any MS and can eat whatever. Makes me jello. lol
Re: FFFC* - 8/25
ETA: I almost didn't post this because I really don't want to be a downer. However, I was soooo looking forward to this mythical second trimester last time, and was very upset that I never felt better. I wish someone had told me I might never get that energy boost.
All that to say, ask me if I would go back. I wouldn't change those days for anything because the misery brought me the best gifts in life. I keep that in the back of my mind every time I wonder how I'll push through another day of nausea and exhaustion. It's. So. Worth it.
I'd say overall, the 2nd trimester has always been the easiest of the three for me, but it's important to keep in mind that it's the "easiest" of pregnancy--not like you're a super human with super energy or anything, although that would be nice. There is typically an ease of symptoms from 1st tri because, as you know, the placenta takes over a lot of the work you were doing initially. It's also an easier trimester because you don't have a jackfruit or watermelon sized baby inside just yet
Among friends, I've always maintained that the 1st trimester is the hardest of all. That's not to say that the others aren't challenging in other ways, but I'd say the 1st trimester where you're sick, nervous, uncertain, and not telling anyone is a perfect recipe for the greatest challenge. I'm also a "contractor", so I had contractions for hours on end (2-3 minutes apart) for the 6 weeks leading up to DS's birth, so tri 3 wasn't so easy breezy as I wanted.
Regardless of what it brings for you, I think the celebration of one trimester closer to meeting that little one is reason enough to dawn a big smile and bask in the "glow" of pregnancy, whether that's just sweat or not.
@mmom3 - with the puppy, I would suggest playing with his/her ears a lot. Gently rub them, pull on them GENTLY! Get them used to the feeling of being tugged on so that when the child does it, they are already used to it and are less likely to bite. My sister learned that from Cesar Milan and we both have done it with our pit/boxer mixes and it's made a huge difference. When my niece grabs for their ears, they are used to it. (I know this can sound kinda weird and I'm not at all saying pull on their ears hard. Just pet their head and more of like play with their ears.) They get used to that sensitive area being touched so much that it doesn't bother them. My dogs love to have their ears played with now!
-IMO I am not loving being pregnant. I really thought I would but I'm just not. I feel bad for not loving it but I just don't.
@vflux33 - YES! Much better put that way. Sorry! I am so grateful for this wittle smoosh! I love that I am pregnant but being pregnant does suck. And yes, I am very cautious with who I say these things around. I have a coworker who has been TTC for 13 years now and every time she asks me how I am feeling, I am careful. I guess it's more of the, I don't like the gas, bloating, indigestion, MS, cramps, sore boobs, headaches, fatigue, lack of sleep, weird dreams, I miss my sex life, etc... lol
Some women say, I LOVE being pregnant, but those are the ones that also don't have any MS and can eat whatever. Makes me jello. lol