Pregnancy: when slowly, the feet disappear!

 Pregnancy: the second trimester when slowly, the feet disappear!

So there's a lot that happening to your body right through pregnancy - but the second trimester is when you can possibly enjoy the experience the most and also feel multiple changes. My earlier blog on the second trimester covered eating, shopping and music - basically indulging in anything that you love! Here, you will also prepare for what is to come next - the third trimester. 

Enjoying the moment and the movement: So we are watching and learning from the baby's movements now, is it a quieter day, or is the baby excited and really mobile? Or maybe sometimes, just very hungry! So how do you respond? Often, actually, just eating helps. Through both my pregnancies, I found that the movements actually increased closer to a mealtime or when I had slightly delayed eating a meal. Actually, the movements are just supposed to be a reflection of the mother's hunger, that the baby reflects. Sugar levels probably dropped and yes, they too might be hungry. So the big point to remember here is - your baby depends on you for health and feeding. It's not about 'Your' food or meal. Do make an extra effort to have regular meals with smaller meals in between to ensure that there is a constant supply going out. No you don't eat junk food or extra-fat food. Just regular, healthy, diverse meals.  

Image by Please Don't sell My Artwork AS IS from Pixabay 

What not to eat: And while on the subject of food, there's a long list of what NOT to eat. I quit practically all junk food - aerated drinks, extruded snacks, highly processed foods etc. for two whole years - during pregnancy and nursing (yes, I know, it was terrible) but somehow after that phase, I never really felt that  same level of craving for junk. So it all worked out well in the end. The other bit is about sweets. In any case, some women can't stand the sight of sweets during their pregnancy, but there are some who develop a sweet tooth along with gestational diabetes. I would just recommend to stay off sweets and chocolate. When you do have a craving, maybe a small portion of whatever you crave just to ward off stress, but that can't be a pattern. There are conflicting studies on eating small amounts of chocolate etc. but frankly, I would just stay - keep your hands tied. I was a confirmed chocoholic before my pregnancy, but stayed away for two years - for each baby! By the end of that phase, I had kinda been deaddicted! So even now, it's just an occasional chocolate once in a very long time for me - although I'm a mom of two teenage boys now! And oh, zero tobacco, alcohol or drugs please.   

Pack those bags: It was my gynecologist who literally drove us when we were expecting our first child. Go away, she said, and take a trip somewhere. She then added wisely, that's the one bit of travel and personal time you will get in a loong time! 

When the baby comes, be prepared. And yes, this is in a very nice way. Life does change when you have a child in your midst. 

But you do have more flexibility of picking destinations and itineraries at this time. Find a place with relatively easy access - flights, trains, short drives are all recommended. Also, places where the weather is not too different from your regular hometown. Pack in also a slow, relaxed schedule, late mornings, lazy walks and basically a lot of peace and quiet. Later with kids in tow - travel will be very different as I note in my blog on travelling with children! 

Again, pack those hospital bags: The third trimester is now coming up fast, so will recommend putting together what you need for that hospital trip. Yes, it does seem a little early now, but now's when you are a bit more mobile, you can also get it out of the way because by the time you hit the third trimester, you would be happier with rather less to do.Also you might want to shop just that little bit for the baby-to-be including for things you need at home and yes, you would much rather do it yourself. Adds a little bit of pleasure and expectancy and you can pick things up the way you like them. Some people do feel a little sentimental about doing this in advance, which is ok, so you might want to postpone it till after. I would still recommend, however, at least organizing or putting together your things so you mentally also start getting ready. 

Friends & family: Every woman's experience is a bit different when it comes to pregnancy. However, there's a lot you can learn by talking to different people. Run from the pessimists and those who constantly spring horror stories on you. Experience and personal stories, can help a lot however. More than anything, you  might just want to hang out with people who make you feel positive, yes pamper you, maybe and also those who can help you out with some of your essential activities and plans. You cannot do everything yourself and you must keep that in mind as you rope in a support group. Listen also to meditative or soothing music and positive sounds - all of these have a huge role in your and your baby's preparation for the life ahead.    

In the meanwhile, hope you are going through your regular medical check-ups including any recommended tests and vaccinations, besides additional iron or other supplements as required. Stay healthy, stay happy as you step into the third trimester, 

  

Pregnancy: The second trimester (Or the time you can actually move...)

Pregnancy & the second trimester

Or the time you can actually move...

The good news is this is the best time of the entire pregnancy. Doctors heave a sigh and you do too. Most of all, be prepared - as my doctor said "Do what you want now - travel, go for walks, eat what you like"... I was just beginning to think this whole pregnancy bit was not such a difficult thing. Then she goes "Because in a few weeks you can't do any of that!" Talk about premature celebrations! 

 

Go away morning sickness:  The biggest relief at this time is that usually other irritants like 'morning sickness' or loss of appetite are now slowly out of the picture. Of course there are women who have been nauseous till they were in the last week of pregnancy (horrors!) but those amazingly patient creatures are quite rare. Most likely, if you are troubled by nausea at this time, the doctor will help you with some mild medication. However, throughout your pregnancy and this is one IMPORTANT rule - avoid any type of medication at any time, unless it is prescribed as absolutely important and safe. 

Hopefully you are going for a regular check-up to the doctor, at least once a month, more often if required. Some of what I'm writing here will be mentioned by the doctor, but it is good to keep in mind and understand what is happening.

 

Anemia: The additional supplement you must be taking will be iron-folic acid. In case you are diagnosed as anemic, you might be advised some additional iron supplements. It is likely that even if you are generally healthy, some levels such as your hemoglobin levels etc. change at this time. This is perfectly usual since babies absorb necessary nutrients from the mother, but the mother's health still needs to be tracked so that she can safely continue the pregnancy and the baby continues to get necessary nutrients. More than half of Indian women are anemic. Babies growth and development is affected when the mother is anemic, therefore this is an extremely important concern to address.Diets and supplements can definitely help at this time. 

Food glorious food! Again, for all foodies, or even those who are not foodies, this is like the best time. Basically your hunger shoots through the roof, which is fine, but then your tastes also sometimes totally change. This might be unusual for you, but it's all part of the journey. 

During my two pregnancies, my tastes were totally different when I was expecting the first time and totally different during the second. I sometimes think my children imbibed their tastes when they were still in the womb! 

Whatever it is, without analyzing too much, try different types of food cooked by a variety of people - savour the taste (believe me, now's the time when everyone is interested in the mother, so make the most of it!) and if you are doing the cooking experiment a little with new dishes. I'm saying this from experience because during my second trimester I completely went off my usual foods and it took me several days to figure out what I actually wanted to eat. Since you need to be eating well at this time, you better figure out quickly what you like to eat. Eat healthy, eat diverse and focus on iron and calcium-rich foods.   

But I'm not diabetic: Maybe not. But gestational diabetes (that comes during pregnancy) is as common as anemia at this time - almost as common. A simple effect of this is that the babies grow bigger and faster. So doctors do check frequently for diabetes and if the levels are higher than ideally what they should be, they will take appropriate steps to control this. Remember through this journey, it is you and the baby. Whatever is happening is keeping in mind the best interests of both, most of all, you as the mother who is the centre of everything and precious as you should be.  

    

Did I mention shopping?? So, yes. If you have not been shopping yet, you will now. Most women start feeling that their clothes don't fit at this time. Of course you must shop. Loose fitting, comfortable clothes that can also be useful when you need to start nursing the baby post-pregnancy are great things to have. Now there are a range of clothes - from simple and functional one pieces to elegant and dressy clothes that can also be worn for some outing or engagement. Most of all, your skin and your face undergoes a transformation. I've never much been into skin care etc. but found quite happily, that there were many good things that happened to the texture of my skin. Very often people might say 'you are glowing' and indeed that's how it is for most women. In case the reverse happens, that is your skin becomes more tired and you also look more strained, don't worry too - both are temporary. So just go with the flow. 

The baby moves!: This is also that exciting time when you can feel the baby moving. Some mothers feel it a bit earlier, especially if it is their second child, but all mothers should feel something like a bubble really at first and it's quite fascinating. As the baby grows the movements becomes more and more prominent. And sometimes you can feel that they are communicating with their movement. My second child was a stickler for time, so when I was expecting, used to kick like crazy if my meal was delayed - what do you do? Run and eat. 😄 The baby is king / queen. In fact through the weeks, this movement becomes very important to track, especially in the next trimester. 

What's your groove?  It is really a good system to play music, use maternity chimes or small objects that make a sound when you run them over your belly. The baby doesn't just move, it also listens. So speak up, speak nice and listen to different types of music, languages etc. It really does make a difference. Studies have proven that listening to the mother's (and dad's voice) while in the womb calms them down later when they connect with the voice. And believe me, you will need calm! It also helps in the brain development. Mozart, they say helps. I listened to a variety of music - from religious chants, to Indian and Western classical along with contemporary and popular music. We can't quite prove how that helped the baby in this case, but it definitely helped lighten my mood during the pregnancy. 

So this blog was actually about how you can move during the second trimester... However more on that in my next blog. You can catch up for more information on the first trimester here: 

Being a parent has many hues. Enjoy the journey!