This is my second pregnancy. My first pregnancy took about 5-6 months (which is completely normal timeframe, but felt like forever), when we decided to try for our second, we thought it would likely take similar time frames for things to happen. We were very lucky and fortunate it happened first try. Which also very much surprised us. We had obviously made the decision and were trying but we had not completely got our heads around things! So took a little time for the wonderful news to sink in. I felt very nauseous for the first trimester and into the second, it was a constant nausea that was there in the background all day every day. My hat goes off to the ladies who deal with this all pregnancy and worse! It was not a fun time. Second trimester things really settled down though and was very cruisy and easy. Now into the third trimester I can feel myself slowing and needing to listen to my body a bit more. I am very lucky on the whole though that I have had two good pregnancies. I have PCOS and am coeliac, both of which can have a significant impact on fertility, so I feel very relieved that my journey to motherhood has been so seamless.
Week: 31
Baby is the size of a: Winter squash (and approximately 2kg (per my scan yesterday)
Cravings: None at the moment but during this pregnancy, Mandarins, stone fruit, doughnuts and anything plain and buttery in the first trimester to help me battle the constant nausea.
Symptoms: Starting to feel my pregnancy in the lower back and hip joints and I’m getting pretty achy over the course of the day. I have started noticing some Braxton Hicks contractions in the last few days.
My Weight: 84kg (Currently +11kg)
I’ve been feeling: A bit worried this week about the size of my bump, I am very lucky that I am reasonably tall and have quite a long torso. With both you and your brother my bump has not been very big, you are much smaller than Archie was. I was not at all worried, but multiple people had made comments to me on how small my bump was. I wanted to make sure you were ok, so we went and had a look at you on a growth scan! I was so relieved that you are perfect! Just a small bump and there is nothing wrong with that! It was really nice to get to see you and check in on you and I am so relived now. I am also pretty tired this week, but we have had lots going on, so maybe that’s you trying to tell me to slow down!
I am most looking forward to: Holding you in my arms, the new born baby smell and generally you being earthside and completing our little family!
Advice I’ve been given recently: All bad habits that get made when your second new-born comes home can be fixed later. So just do whatever you need to do to survive, with no mum guilt or second thoughts.
The most uncomfortable things has been? How low your head is!! Trying to find a comfortable position to fall asleep!
When I picture our life a year from now, I think: WOW how life has changed and how amazing it will be to be the mum of two incredible little boys! I am excited for you to be getting to an age where you and your brother can really interact and form stronger relationships with each other. I also picture having my hands full in the most delightful and chaotic way.
What I’m anticipating with the most apprehension is: There is a blissful ignorance with your first baby, everything is exciting and new. This time I know how hard being a new mum can be; the sleepless nights and wondering how I will go looking after you and Archie at the same time and making sure I give both my beloved babies everything that you both need. I am so excited that there will be two of you, and my heart feels so full at the thought, but I do feel much more apprehensive this pregnancy as I know everything will change and I hope it all changes for the better. I am also apprehensive about how Archie will handle his transition into brotherhood. I hope someday you will be the best of friends.
If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be: Please stay put until closer to due date, I have a funny feeling that you may want to make a grand early entrance. If you could just cook a bit longer, I would really love that! Also, to tell them how much I love them already and I’m so excited to meet them (when fully cooked!)
If after reading this you’d be happy to share your own experience of pregnancy, please email me at hello@shesaidyes.co.nz to send you one of the pages (or you can send a photo of your own pregnancy journal)
