Second Trimester Essentials
As seems to be a common refrain among moms-to-be, the second trimester flew by! Once the worst of my nausea subsided (seriously, it was like magic), I found I had a lot more energy and excitement. Plus in the second trimester you get to see your little one a couple of times and it all starts to feel more real. The second trimester is definitely less about survival mode and more about finding a new normal as you will see from the products I tried and things I turned to to help alleviate minor complaints.
Fashion Finds:
I wrote about some maternity fashion essentials here.
Everyone is very different but I didn't really need any maternity-specific clothes until late in the second trimester and working from home during COVID-19 has allowed me to get away with a lot of forgiving athletic wear. That said, here are a few things I’ve been enjoying lately:
Joggers (these and these are both really comfy and inexpensive) these are a bit more polished looking.
A few other fun finds: stretchy dress | pleated midi-skirt
Miscellaneous:
Compression socks. Perfect for when your ankles start to resemble some form of puff-pastry. Plus they are super cushy and comfy for wearing around the house.
Nasal strips. Pregnancy congestion is real and these seem to help a little bit. Saline spray also helps.
Skin brush. I’ve been using this before I shower and I love how invigorated it makes me feel, plus my skin has never been so smooth! This and this are both great tutorials if you’re new to dry brushing.
GG Scandanavian crackers | Psyllium Husk. One word fiber. My acupuncturist recommended a daily dose of the psyllium husk when I first complained of digestive issues and heart burn and it has really helped. Plus there are some really nifty ways you can incorporate it into your foods rather than chugging it in water like I did for the first month or so. Check out this pizza crust and these cauliflower oats.
Blood pressure cuff. In an era to video doctors appointments this is a must-have. This is the brand my doctor recommended.
Registry:
Given the environment we decided to postpone our plans for a baby celebration, but at the insistence of my mom I put together a registry anyway. I looked at both Babylist and Amazon but ultimately decided on Amazon due to the ease of returns and having everything in one place. (I read a few reviews that noted that returns through Babylist were a bit tricky.)
Resources:
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
I’m still making my way through the later sections of the books I listed here as well.