Second Trimester Favorites & Essentials

Hi friends!  I can't believe the second trimester has already come and gone!  I wanted to record this, first for my own records.  Second, because I know many of you reading are at various stages in your own pregnancies!

So for me, the magic of the second trimester didn't start until around 22-23 weeks.  So yea, if you are keeping track that means I got a blissful 6 ish weeks before I hit the third trimester.

I was SOOOOOO sure that my morning sickness and extreme fatigue would magically vanish at 14 weeks, but it didn't, not for me.  Instead, it was more like a gradual decline in symptoms to feeling normal.  So, that being said, second-trimester favorites/essentials include all of the first trimester favorites and essentials.  

Body Pillow

As for the second trimester, a few things started to change.  As the baby bump became more apparent my muscles kind of freaked out.  I developed "mild" chondritis of the rib which meant I had to stay in a really good posture to stay out of pain.

At night, I had to ditch my beloved pregnancy pillow, which felt like I was sleeping on clouds for a [easyazon_link identifier="B004TMHX1E" locale="US" tag="hunghobb07-20"]good old body pillow[/easyazon_link].  This worked better because I could tuck the body pillow under my armpit, my shoulder would make contact with the bed and my head goes on a VERY SOFT pillow.

So in other words, instead of being slightly lifted on the pregnancy U Shape pillow I am one flat line with my ribs/belly supported. I still wish I could sleep with the pregnancy pillow (so soft and wonderful), but sleeping in the right position without pain is key.

Support Belt

For a couple weeks I had some severe pubic symphysis pain.   It basically felt like a cross between period cramps and my pelvis getting ripped in half.  As a first-time mom it definitely freaked me out, but I found that a [easyazon_link identifier="B0113WE0QS" locale="US" tag="hunghobb07-20"]pregnancy support belt[/easyazon_link] when walking combined with rest really helped!  I still use this when working out.

Foam Roller & Compression Socks

My [easyazon_link identifier="B00XM2MRGI" locale="US" tag="hunghobb07-20"]foam roller[/easyazon_link] and I were best friends for my shoulder pain this past trimester.  I also rolled out my calves and shins whenever they started to ache as well!  I wore the [easyazon_link identifier="B01J4MF1NU" locale="US" tag="hunghobb07-20"]compression socks[/easyazon_link] all day when my calves and shins started to ache and I think it really helped it pass a lot faster!

Swiss Water Process Decaf Coffee

I should have put this in my first-trimester recap, but I didn't find it until my second trimester.  I was drinking decaf only until my OB said that she would rather me do 1 cup of regular coffee a day then decaf do the extra chemicals used in processing decaf coffee

.  I wasn't exactly comfortable with that recommendation so I decided to switch to Swiss Water Process decaf coffee.  Now I do half caff iced coffee (how I make cold brew) using this [easyazon_link identifier="B014MO02CA" locale="US" tag="hunghobb07-20"]coffee brand.[/easyazon_link]

Cranberry Juice

I really wanted to avoid getting a UTI, which are super common in pregnancy.  So I started mixing ¼ cup unsweetened cranberry juice into 32 ounces of water daily.  It really helped me stay hydrated because I liked the taste more than regular water!

Belly Butter

At the beginning of the first trimester, I was SOOOOO itchy.  Like my skin, especially my belly would just itch like CRAZY.  I've used several but [easyazon_link identifier="B00OTE71C8" locale="US" tag="hunghobb07-20"]Burts Bees[/easyazon_link]is my favorite and the best priced.

Prenatal Vitamins

I covered these in this post and probiotics in this post!  Repeat, never be out of [easyazon_link identifier="B000OQ2DJQ" locale="US" tag="hunghobb07-20"]Natural Calm[/easyazon_link]EVER!

Qalo or Silicone Ring

Eventually, my ring got to tight and because it's pretty intricate I didn't want to resize it a thousand times.  I ordered [easyazon_link identifier="B0713XLMVQ" locale="US" tag="hunghobb07-20"]a silicone ring[/easyazon_link]and love it, I actually ordered two sizes a size 5 and size 6 (normal ring size is 4.25.)

I wore the size 5 until the start of the third trimester and now am wearing the size 6.  The size 5 still fits, it's just when walking in the heat it gets pretty tight.  I'll probably be able to switch back to size 5 when it the weather cools down before I give birth unless my hands swell a ton!

Mindful Birthing

I listened to[easyazon_link identifier="006196395X" locale="US" tag="hunghobb07-20"]this book[/easyazon_link] on audible during my morning walks with Nala.  It was recommended to me by a friend and was a great read/listen.  As my mind shifted from fear of miscarriage to fear of birth, it really helped to keep me centered and open minded.

Stitchfix Maternity

Their second-trimester picks were ON point and always came right when I needed them.  If I'm wearing anything other than shorts and t-shirt, I probably got it from Stitch Fix.  If it's a cute shirt, I probably got that from Stitch Fix as well!

 

Pregnancy recaps so far: