The second trimester is definitely the best for multiple reasons...
The anxiety filled weeks of early pregnancy are few and far between. You can still workout (at the same intensity as before) since you haven't gained too much weight yet. Maternity clothes actually look cute on you vs. making you look like a blimp. And of course, you start to actually feel the baby move, deepening your connection to the baby.
Despite the 2nd trimester being the best (and easiest), there are 5 essential items I needed to get me through the past 12 weeks.
Maternity Bathing Suit
Words cant even describe how good it feels to be suspended in water and take the extra weight off your joints for even just 30 minutes. I waited as long as possible to buy a maternity suit, actually thinking I could get away with my normal one throughout the whole pregnancy. I quickly realized that wouldn't be possible, and that being comfortable was worth the $90 expense. Here is the link to the one I bought that is comfortable and cute!
Loose chemise nightgowns
There is nothing worse than being uncomfortable when it comes to bedtime. I was wearing my usual pajama pants to bed, and would constantly tug at them throughout the night to get the elastic band off my bump. I happily transitioned to loose chemises to let my bump breathe. I had a few nursing ones from before, but they were looking old and ragged. I stopped by Target to pick these ones up, and I must say that they are extremely comfortable. Gilligan & O'Malley makes some of the softest sleepwear around!
Snoogle Pillow
I discovered this little (I mean MASSIVE) contraption when I was pregnant with Blake. The snoogle is essentially a full body pillow that hugs you throughout the night. The one I had last time around was completely deflated after 7 months of abuse. Once we saw our baby girl's heart beating on the ultrasound, I headed to BuyBuyBaby to pick up a brand new one. I didn't quite need it until week 15 or so, but now it is a staple in our bed. My poor husband has been sleeping in the little sliver that remains of the bed.
Prilosec OTC
I was hoping I would escape the dreaded second trimester heartburn, but I wasn't quite so lucky. I knew from last time around that popping a Tums would have little to no impact. My OB recommended taking Prilosec once a day to eliminate heartburn altogether. This one magic pill has been a total game changer for me. The days I forget to take it, I will get the worst heartburn even from just a glass of water.
As my bump gets bigger, I have been feeling all of the stress in my lower back. I experienced terrible sciatica while pregnant with Blake, and no surprise, I have it again. If you are one of the lucky ones to never get this, I can tell you it feels like someone is squeezing a nerve in your back rendering you useless and unable to walk. The only treatment while pregnant is to stretch a lot, physical therapy, and prenatal massages. I recently started working with a PT in addition to weekly yoga classes. In addition to these, I have gotten a few prenatal massages that really seem to help. This one masseuse digs her elbow in the nerve ending, causing the excruciating pain to turn into complete euphoria. If only these were cheaper, I would get them every few days.
Would love to hear any of the essential items you needed to get through the second trimester! Feel free to comment here or on social media.
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