Oh hey, third trimester.
Yep, I just entered the home stretch of pregnancy – and I can’t believe it! I just had my glucose test last week – I bombed the 1-hour test, which was pretty stressful. I thought that I was healthy enough that it wouldn’t be a problem, but I’ve learned it’s really common for healthy women to fail it. I had to go in last Friday for the dreaded 3-hour Glucose Tolerance Test, and while it was rough (I hate having my blood drawn!), I got the news yesterday that I passed with flying colors. So, yay! I definitely have a lot more appreciation for my own mom after experiencing pregnancy for myself. Between the morning sickness in the beginning, the crazy emotions, body changes, and all of the medical tests, I’ve realized just how much my mom went through to get me here. Thanks, mom!
Today I want to share with you some of my favorite things from my second trimester. The trimester that my midwife lovingly refers to as “the honeymoon”, and I can see why. It was pretty amazing, especially after experiencing the ridiculousness (so.much.nausea.) of first tri. I felt oddly normal aside from my growing bump, but with 200% of my energy back. I also got 200% of my appetite back…fighting off dairy-free ice cream is a real struggle. I also hit a few milestones – the baby now responds to my voice which is so cute, and I was finally asked by a stranger recently when I’m due. That makes it real! 🙂
1.) Gabrialla Maternity Support Belt
If you follow my Instagram, you know I post a lot about running during pregnancy. Staying fit while you’re growing a human is hard work, and with that comes a lot of aches and pains as your body stretches to accommodate the little one. I started getting pretty severe round ligament pain on my left side around 16 weeks, which made running really uncomfortable and not to mention the weight that the baby puts on your bladder makes it feel like you’re going to pee yourself with every stride. Sexy, no? A friend and fellow runner recommended this support belt, and it has been LIFE CHANGING (thanks, Michele!). It can be worn right under my running tops without chafing, and really holds the belly in place. Right now I only wear this for high impact workouts, but I can see myself in it more often once I get to the middle/end of the third trimester. Highly recommend, but go with one size up for comfort.
2.) Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow
After the first trimester is over and your belly starts growing, you’re not supposed to sleep on your back anymore to avoid putting too much pressure on the blood vessels going to your legs, and the baby. Jeremy surprised me with this amazing pillow at the beginning of the second trimester as a way to help with this. It is super comfortable, and has a washable slipcover. True story: he steals it in the morning if I get out of bed before him…he (not so secretly) wants one for himself!
3.) Gap Maternity Leggings
So, the Gap is pretty much the holy grail for affordable, quality maternity clothing. Once I had a visible belly, I hated the way that my normal clothing fit and felt on my body. I picked up two pairs of their Pure Body Leggings – in black, and charcoal – and love them. I bought the demi panel leggings, and was worried that the band under the belly wouldn’t be comfortable, but I was wrong. The band is wide and very elastic, so these have become a staple in my closet. The best part is that these don’t *look* like maternity clothing, which means I’ll keep wearing them after the baby comes. The Gap almost always has a 35-50% off + free shipping sale running, which keeps their clothing even less expensive than Target or Old Navy. You can sign up for their emails here to be notified of upcoming sales, and get 25% off your first order.
4.) Cindy’s Kitchen Balsamic Vinaigrette
I get asked pretty often what weird things I’m craving, and the truth is I don’t really have many cravings, I just want more of what I liked to eat before pregnancy. If I had to pick one thing that I really want most of the time, it would be this vinaigrette. I want to put it on just about everything – chicken, salads, peaches, drink it straight from the bottle – which is a little unusual I guess. This stuff is SO good, though.
5.) Suzanne Bowen Barre Workouts
In my first trimester favorites, I mentioned that I’d been doing some Jillian Michaels workouts – which were great! I love HIIT workouts, but pulled an oblique muscle around 14 weeks after one of these workouts, which was a clear sign that my abs could no longer handle that kind of strain. A minor tear in an oblique is one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced, because you use your core for EVERYTHING. I had to take a full two weeks off of any exercise, and if we’re being honest, most movement. During that time, I researched more challenging prenatal workouts and came across the BarreAmped method. I’ve always equated prenatal workouts with being too easy, but these (especially the Sleek & Toned DVD) are TOUGH. I vividly remember having to stop every 45 seconds during the first workout because my muscles were being burned out so quickly…there may also have been some swear words. If you are skeptical at all, just take a quick glance at any Barre instructor’s butt. That should be enough evidence that these routines work. This + running 5-6 days a week has kept me feeling really fit!
6.) La Croix Curate’ – Watermelon
I don’t have a problem with La Croix, you have a problem. I can stop drinking it whenever I want. Okay, not really…this stuff saved me in the first trimester, and I’m still addicted now.
7.) Mindful Birthing book
As someone with a type A personality who struggles with anxiety at times, I’ve used a lot of mindfulness techniques over the years to get myself into a healthy, comfortable headspace. So when I found this book on Amazon (which also came highly recommended by my doula), I snatched it up quickly! The author applies the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction technique to the process and pain of labor and childbirth. I just finished the book, and while I can’t yet attest to it’s effectiveness during labor, I’m already finding the meditation and mindfulness exercises to be extremely helpful in everyday life. I’ll offer a full review once this little one arrives!
8.) Pregnant Chicken Blog
Let’s get real for a second, shall we? Pregnancy is beautiful, and amazing, and a miraculous journey. But it’s also pretty weird and gross, sometimes. Now that I’m in the beginning of the third trimester, I’m starting to transition from “oh yay, baby kicks!” to “NO ONE TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE CANKLES”. Amy, the author over at Pregnant Chicken, has a hilarious way of delivering otherwise serious information. I love how she keeps it real, honest, and throws in a few swears here and there – it feels like you’re listening to a friend talk. I especially love her weekly emails, and baby registry suggestions. If you’re newly pregnant, please do yourself a favor and hop over there for a read. So refreshing!
What were your favorites during the easiest trimester?
