Hello little Baby,
Well. this is getting excitingโฆalmost at the end of our second trimester! I canโt believe how quickly time goes by and yetโฆ.itโs just not fast enough to finally meet you!
My tummy is really looking pregnant now! I just canโt imagine that it can get bigger. I have noticed that the skin around my belly button is getting itchy, so I have started making sure I use lots of cream and stay aware of my weight gain. Now is the time we can start noticing stretch marks, on our boobs as well! All this is quite normal. But if we can try to minimise them, itโs a good idea to at least try. Some women just have more elasticity to their skin, so they are just lucky if they get no/minimal stretch marks. Ahh, the medals of motherhood!
Some nights are better than others. I feel that I get heartburn if I eat too late or too heavy a meal before bed, so now I just eat my main meal at lunch and have a light supper, which helps. Of course, the next day one needs to set aside some time for rest, otherwise, it can catch up with you. One thing I have noticed, is that you are waaayy more active at night lately? That doesnโt help the sleepless night issues, my sweetie!
Constipation can be an issue, so I am making sure I exercise at least every second day to help with the tiredness as well! Two birds with one stoneโฆ
Some days, it feels like my heart skips a beat. This can be completely normalโฆ I will just mention it to our Gynae next time I see her. Often they test for iron in case moms become anaemic around 27-31 weeks of gestation.
Many moms start feeling anxious about the reality of pregnancy and motherhood around now. I know lots of hormones trigger emotional ups and downs, but issues like relationships, work, weight gain and body image, the responsibility of motherhood etc can start becoming issues for some women.
Antenatal depression is a thing, and most people donโt realise that it can happen during pregnancy. Women who have had depression before are at higher risk for pre and postpartum depression and anxiety. If they have any of the following, they need to chat to their Gynae/Counsellor:
- intense sadness or anxiety
- difficulty in concentrating
- sleeping: too little or too much
- change in eating habits
- loss of interest in favourite activities
- recurring thoughts of death, suicide or hopelessness
- feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Hello my Mommy,
So I am roughly the size of a cauliflower! My eyelids will open soon and my eyelashes are really growing now. I will be able to see the difference of light and dark. I have regular sleep cycles and my nostrils are now open too. My immune system is starting to function so I can look after myself out of the womb one day. I get all your antibodies via the placenta, so I have a good backup plan. Your heart can skip a beat now as it working for both of us! Your heart rate is up slightly to accommodate the 50 percent increase in blood flow. Your blood pressure will also go up slightly, but it should not go up too much. Our Gynae will check that each time we visit her.
Here are some simple rules to get through Pregnancy and New Motherhood if you are feeling emotional;
- There is no perfect pregnancyโฆitโs normal to feel temperamental and uncomfortable with the bodily changes. This does not mean you will not be a good mother. Be flexible and donโt have unreasonable expectations.
- If you cry over movies, books etc, thatโs quite normal! Mommy hormones.
- Talk openly to friends, family, and partner about moods and feelings. This will help them to be more understanding.
- Cut out the words โI am supposed to feel (fill in the blank) when pregnant.
- Be aware that the first 6 weeks after delivery are difficult for every new mother, and that self-care is just as important as taking care of your baby.
- Commit to memory (or put up a card on your mirror) and remind yourself: I do not have to be Supermom!
Our Diary of a Pregnancy series is written by Sr Des Meyer, a Perinatal Educator, in private practice, who is based in Durban North. Sr Des has been a Childbirth Educator ย and Well Baby Clinic sister since 1991. Her passion lies in educating new parents to enable them to achieve their goals as confident parents. “Knowledge is power and a good foundation for the exciting years ahead.”
