As my baby grew from a jalapeno to a tropical coconut, the second semester was filled with many milestones. Baby and I took a trip to France to see Daddy, and Daddy got to feel his little nugget move for the first time. I thought hearing the heartbeat for the first time was cool, until I saw the look on his face when he felt his little baby kick, and that was really really cool.
I have taken two trips so far this pregnancy (two flights for Boston and six flights for France). Overall, flying during the second semester was not that bad, but I do have a few tips to help make it even more tolerable.
- Walk as much as you can in the airport. Pregnant or not, I think everyone should do this before a flight. Then, you’ll actually feel tired when you board your plane, and it will help you relax.
- Drink lots of water!! This is my golden rule. There are so many things that being hydrated can simply enhance. Yes, it means you’re getting up and annoying the people around you to use the bathroom, but water helps with jetlag and other things (I’m sure).
- Embrace your pregnancy. I had no problem telling flight attendants that I was pregnant, because what it got me was an entire row to myself, both ways, on my international flight. Don’t be afraid or feel guilty, let people help you when they offer (another golden rule, throw all pride out the window and let people help you, because it won’t last forever).
- If you line your carry-on with Poptarts, security is going to stop you and assess why you have so many reflective goods. Fret not, there is no reason for security to confiscate your treats, the only thing they can do is give you a judgmental questionable look.
At my 20-week appointment, the doctor wrote down what the baby’s sex was, and put it in the card (sealed). I gave the card to my cousin, who then went out and purchased an outfit, and then put it in a box and gave it to me (also sealed). I took this box in my carry-on, and delivered it all the way to Lorient, France, where my husband and I opened it up together. It was such a special way to find out what we were welcoming, and I believed it would be a boy, but to my surprise we will be welcoming a mini me in less than 3 months!
The hardest part about the second trimester: As my body continues to grow, it is important to listen to it. Which means there are things I cannot do anymore. My resting heartrate used to be a 59BPM. Now, it is a solid 78BPM. What does this mean exactly? That I get so winded and out of breath from just walking, which makes working out rather difficult. Oh, and I forgot to mention my abs are starting to split (Diastasis Recti, look it up on the google) so I have had to stop any “intensive” working out, which means I am limited to walking and a slow slow slow elliptical work out.
I miss sweating. I miss having such a good workout that my muscles can barely move, and I feel like I am about to collapse. I miss sitting in a sauna and sweating out all the toxins and feeling refreshed. But I know as soon as this little girl is out of me, I’ll miss the hiccups and kicks of my active little girl. So, for now, I take long slow walks, but soon, it’ll be long stroller rides.
Things that have helped me in the second trimester: Bubble baths. Pre-pregnancy, I used to take a bubble bath 1-2 times a year when I was trying to tap into some good ol “self-love”. But now, taking a bubble bath every weekend at my parents’ house is what I look forward to. As I pack on more weight, and my hips start to spread, the more I love a good bubble bath. Also, because my hips have started to really hurt, I bought a yoga/workout ball for my desk, and it has helped my body feel much better!
As far as a name, we have that picked out, and we are waiting until her arrival to “announce”. And when it comes to feeling prepared, well, we have absolutely no idea what we are doing. We have taken a few courses at Youtube University (i.e. I have gone thru countless wormholes of Youtube videos that start with “what to pack for the hospital” that somehow leads me to watching some Youtube star’s “birth video”) and still have much to learn.
But I think that is the true essence of being a parent, just figuring it out as we go. I feel like we will be more prepared after our baby showers (PSA Cyber Monday applies to registries and things like the stroller and changing table are $100 cheaper and $40 cheaper than normal), but until then, we continue getting our education from Youtube University, and family and friends.
February 18th will be here before we know it. We’re in the home stretch now.
Be yourself; everybody else is taken,
Mama Miranda