Ahhh the welcomed second trimester! I had heard prior to pregnancy that the second trimester is really where it’s at! I had heard you get your energy back, you feel normal, feel (and look) beautiful, and really just thrive at life. Well, is that true for me? Read on to find out.
Read about our first trimester, how we told our parents, and more!
When is the Second Trimester
The Second Trimester is typically from Weeks 13-28 of your pregnancy. Whilst in the first trimester it is all about growing the placenta (a hard task for your body, hence the side effects!), the second trimester is about growth of the baby. Our baby went from looking like an alien in the first trimester to looking like a human baby at the start of the second trimester! It is really a crazy thing to see the changes is such a short time frame!
Second Trimester Milestones
During the second trimester we had milestone after milestone! This part of the pregnancy has been such an exciting time full of so many new things that go along with pregnancy! Being newbies, we are still completely unaware of what’s next, so when something happens, it’s always a surprise.
NIPT
Right after we got back from our holiday over Christmas and New Year to Cape Town, we had to go and get the NIP test done. It is a blood test to check whether your baby could have Down, Patau or Edward’s Syndrome. Not something fun to think about at all, but something that you can choose to do here in The Netherlands. We chose to do it. As it was around 12 weeks I had it done, we also did on the same day the 12 week blood test required during pregnancy.
During the time my blood was being drawn, I had to have 7 tubes of blood taken for all of the different things being tested! Combining the tests seemed to be a bad idea for me. As the 7th tube was filling, I fainted. The young man taking my blood handled it very well and everything was fine, but I definitely won’t be doing so many tubes at once again!
Getting the test results back was a relief – we found out our baby was healthy and was not at risk for any of these syndromes.
Growing Belly
Around week 14 my belly began showing signs of the pregnancy! And by week 16, I was noticing how pregnant I was beginning to look! Every woman is different, but for me, I felt it was quick to happen. By week 18 I looked very pregnant! The belly began to get heavy too. At least I moved through the ‘she ate too many donuts’ phase quickly.
Currently at 6 months pregnant, my belly has become quite a belly. I feel it growing all the time and generally each week I have a couple of days where I have ligament pain all day from the growth of the belly. Ligament pain feels like cramps or that my skin and muscles are stretching low, which is a very uncomfortable feeling. Thankfully it only last one or two days each time I’ve had it.
Sore Pelvis
From about 23 weeks pregnant I began having soreness in my pelvic region. To be honest, I would liken it to being punched in the vagina! That’s never happened to me – but that’s just what it feels like has happened! This soreness comes from the pelvis moving and shifting to widen for when you need to deliver the baby. Whilst a great reason, it’s quite uncomfortable! I struggle some days to walk for even 5 minutes before my pelvic region is hurting a lot. Some days I can’t ride my bike, or even sit on a chair without being in pain!
Bought Maternity Clothes
Also when my belly began to grow, I needed to buy maternity clothes already! My tights and leggings had already began to feel snug around my belly from week 11 on wards, and I grew out of some of my clothes in week 12! In fact, when I packed my bag for our trip to Cape Town, my clothes all fit, but when we arrived and I tried to wear a few of my outfits, I couldn’t fit anymore..! Growing happens quickly!
By week 15 it was time to head to the maternity sections of shops to buy leggings, tights, and jeans. I bought my tights from Hema, and my jeans and leggings from Noppies. Also, I now live in maternity pants – I just love how comfortable they are! I also had to buy a molded cup bra from Hema too (as opposed to an underwire bra) as the underwire was hurting my upper belly.
Heard Baby’s Heartbeat
During our week 16 check up we got to finally hear our baby’s heart beat!! This was such an amazing moment for us to hear our little baby. It’s heartbeat was strong and we were both so amazed to hear it. We now get to listen to the heartbeat each and every check up which is amazing each and every time!
Felt Baby Kicking
It took until I was 22 weeks pregnant before I could feel our baby move inside my belly! My first kicks actually happened on our trip to Budapest! Also whilst we were on our Budapest trip, my husband was able to feel the baby kicking! This was a special moment for us to share, and it makes it feel more real, now that we can physically feel the baby moving around in there.
The further into the pregnancy I get, the stronger the kicks have become. The downside of the kicking, is that when I’m trying to sleep, the baby is often moving around and kicking me the hardest – either waking me up, or keeping me from sleeping. Sometimes, if I lay on my side, the baby will kick that side – I take it as a message from the baby to please give it more space!
20 Week Scan – Finding Out The Gender
We decided early on in our pregnancy that we wanted to throw a gender reveal party. So, when it came to our 20 week scan, we asked the doctor to write the gender on a piece of paper and put it inside an envelope. The 20 week scan itself has many other things about the baby to check. I would say these measures are more important than the actual gender of the baby.
Had A Gender Reveal Party
We planned the Gender Reveal to occur the morning after we had the scan which would give us the gender. Since we didn’t find out at the scan, we had to go down to the party shop for a giant balloon (filled with either pink or blue balloons), which would act as the reveal moment. We gave the envelope to the party store and took home a giant black balloon which was filled with our baby’s gender colour. Once we had the balloon in our possession, the suspense was so difficult – we just wanted to know!
For the gender reveal, we planned with my parents who live in Australia, to throw a gender reveal party there at the same time! My parents invited my close family friends whom would have been invited to our gender reveal had we all lived in the same country.
We had everyone in Amsterdam and Melbourne dress in either blue or pink to show which gender they thought the baby would be, and had fun pink and blue foods at both locations. Huge thanks to my parents for being such good sports and organising such a beautiful get together in Australia to join the celebrations.
When we popped our balloon…blue balloons came out! Yes – we are having a little baby boy! Both of us were really shocked – but so so happy!
Started Shopping For Baby
During our second trimester our life really became baby-focused. We went to baby shops searching for all of the big ticket items, and landed on a few favourites. Both of our pram and car seat are from Cybex. We also now have a diaper bag from herschel, a baby bath from Stokke, a Deryan fold-up travel cot, a baby carrier wrap from ByKay and have a co-sleeper and baby bouncer leant to us from my husband’s sister.
Began Baby Room
Around 15 weeks pregnant it was time for us to begin the baby room project. We cleared out what we previously named out “Shit Dump” room to make way for a gorgeous baby room! We had already come up with a rough design style a few weeks earlier, but finally when the room was clear we could make a floor plan. Having the floor plan really brought the room to life, and ideas for how we wanted to decorate it were easy to come by!
Our plan for the room is a very neutral baby room. Soft woods and rattan elements, creamy materials, and a warm green and mustard colour throughout for accenting. We have some artwork on its way to us (shipping held up due to the corona virus), but once that’s arrived our baby room will almost be complete!
We can’t wait to see the final elements of the baby room added to see the room finalised.
22 Week DPT Injection
From week 22 of your pregnancy, you can get a quick injection for whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria. The antibodies which your own body creates transfer to the baby and protect the baby for the first 3 months of its life, before you begin it’s normal vaccination schedule.
For me, this was important, as babies under 3 months can suffer majorly from whooping cough if caught. In the Netherlands, this is called the 22 Weken Prik – google that if you are a mum-to-be here in The Netherlands – it’s a free injection for all pregnant women!
Symptoms during the Second Trimester
Taste Aversions
From 15 weeks pregnant I began to be able to deal with more foods in my life! This sounds dramatic, and maybe I have a flair for the dramatics, but most foods were really terrible for a good 6 weeks or so! I was able to add more flavours back into my diet which was great! It went from cheese toasties to eating adult meals again.
Less Tired
From week 15 of my 2nd trimester I began feeling less tired than I had before. However, the tiredness levels have been a bit up and down. Carrying around more weight takes it’s toll and by 4pm I’m usually pretty knackered. It could also have to do with how much I eat. I eat the same amount every day, thereabouts, but as the baby gets bigger, I should be adding more calories to my diet.
Nausea
The pregnancy nausea lasted until week 15. I really had no appetite for anything and only ate to eat. When it went away I and my husband were thrilled! We could finally eat delicious meals again! 8 weeks later, the nausea came back. Again, I had no desire for food and struggled with flavours. Thankfully, this only lasted about one week before I was back to normal.
Things That Need To Be Organised During Second Trimester In The Netherlands
Kinderopvang
Visiting children’s day care centres is a joy. In Amsterdam, you must sign up to a childcare centre before half-way through your pregnancy if you want any chance of getting a placement in a centre when it’s time for you to go back to work. With maternity leave in The Netherlands, you are allowed a maximum of 12 weeks of full-paid leave after giving birth, so most mums are back to work just 3 months after the baby arrives. Other countries give a lot more time off, so many parents can leave childcare for when they have a child that needs day care!
So during week’s 16 and 17 we visited a couple of childcare centres very close to our house to see what they were like. Our child will have lovely carers every day, a great place to nap, a garden to play, a warm cooked lunch (once it’s eating solids) and will be within a 3 minute walk from our house.
Kraamzorg
What is Kraamzorg? This service is quite unique to The Netherlands! A nurse will come to your house for the 8 days post-birth to take care of you, the baby and your house! As this person is a nurse, the baby and mother check-ups that must be done after the birth can be done by this nurse. She will also help you with breast-feeding and help with other essential things for your baby. But I think a lot of parents will also say how great having Kraamzorg was for the other handy things they do! You can sleep whilst the nurse takes care of baby. The nurse will also do your laundry, make you meals and generally just help you keep your life in order whilst you are getting used to the latest addition to your life!
Signing up for a Kraamzorg company is essential, and should be done as soon as possible. We signed up during our first trimester. Make sure you signup for this service as soon as you can to avoid having difficulty receiving a nurse! Sometimes during the busiest parts of the year you can only have the nurse come to your house for a couple of hours per day because there are too few nurses available – so the sooner you sign up the more chance you have of securing the 8 hours per day you are entitled to.
Maternity Leave From Work
During the 2nd trimester it is good to start thinking about maternity leave. Work out your last day of work so that your boss knows when you’ll be starting your leave. If your boss needs a replacement while you are away, it’s kind to help them out by giving the information as early as possible.
Also, work out based on your due date, what date you expect you may go back to work. This can only be an indication as your baby may decide to arrive later than scheduled! In The Netherlands, we are allowed 16 weeks maternity leave total, with a minimum required to take before the baby’s due date of 4 weeks, and a max of 6 weeks. I have chosen 4 weeks before the baby’s due date and 12 weeks after the baby arrives. If my baby arrives late, I still get 12 weeks post-birth of maternity leave.
Travel During Second Trimester
Budapest, Hungary
In March we took a long weekend to Budapest, a country that has long evaded me! Every year we say we’ll go, and every year we don’t make it happen. So, before the baby comes, I decided we are doing it, no if’s and’s or but’s.
After the nausea subsided, I knew we could get back out there with travel. With 3 and a bit days in Budapest we felt it was enough time, yet also we could do it slower, if the tiredness was still around. There’s no point in thinking you can put in 20,000 steps every day – that’s just not going to happen for this pregnant lady.
We mixed our time between hitting the most popular sites, watching the world go by in cafes, eating amazing food and an afternoon in the spa, naturally. When in Budapest..!
READ: How To Spend 3 Days In Budapest
Corona Virus
Unfortunately, the corona virus hit Europe and the rest of the world outside of China during my 2nd trimester. We had plans to travel to Doha over Easter to visit my partner’s brother, our sister in law and gorgeous nephew. They live in Doha so it’s been our mission to see where they live, how they live, and have some quality time! Well, that trip was cancelled due to the pandemic, and we spent Easter at home, instead!
We’ve also had to cancel our plans to travel with friends in May, as well as our baby-moon to Greece! It’s been something to come to terms with and ultimately we are lucky because we have our health. Travel, as much as we love it, is not the be all and end all of our lives. And it shouldn’t be for anyone! Travel is a joy and a privilege!
Everyone has had disappointments due to corona virus from cancelled weddings, cancelled trips, to missing family and friends. But the major thing that cannot be over-looked for our small disappointments is how many people have suffered or passed away from this virus. So, whilst we are disappointed we did not get to take our trip to Doha, Greece or anywhere else, we know we have opportunities in the future, and we are very lucky.
How Corona Virus Changed My Pregnancy
The corona virus changed a lot for a lot of people! For Europe, it’s been a big change. At the beginning of March there was talk of the virus, and by March 16th both my partner and I were working from home. I work for a food-hall which had to close to public.
We are so far healthy and mentally happy within the confinement of our home. We’ve got a comfortable living space, enjoy delicious meals, take walks when it’s quiet outside for some fresh air, and we still get along great! So apart from not being able to live a normal life (though this has become the new normal, right!) we are great.
As for my pregnancy during Corona virus, it’s also going well. There are however, new downsides which Corona has brought which we didn’t really expect during the first half of the pregnancy.
Appointments Without Partner
When I go to midwife appointments, my husband is no longer allowed to attend. I can video call him from the midwife office when I have any ultrasound so he can also see, but it’s just not really the same.
Also, If we want a 3D or 4D scan, I have to go alone. This pregnancy isn’t just about me, it’s equally my husband’s journey too – so I just cannot bring myself to go to a 3D scan of the baby without him! I understand that’s my choice, but it’s also quite a sad thing to decide on, because we LOVE seeing our baby on the screen. We had always envisioned having the 3D scan done in week 30, when it’s the best time to have it done. And now based on current rules, we won’t be doing it at all.
Classes Cancelled
We can no longer attend a birthing class or breast-feeding class. I have found some good resources online though and have been taken online classes in these topics to still gain the information I wanted from an in-person class. I have also bought a hypno-birthing book to help prepare my mind for birth. Again, this would have probably been something supplementary to a good birthing class had Corona not been a thing. So – having to prepare in other ways has been both positive and negative. I’ve done more of my own research. And I can read on my own time – not when the class is scheduled!
No Birth Guests in Hospital
Currently in The Netherlands, when giving birth in a hospital, you cannot bring anyone besides the partner (baby daddy) along to the birth. This is fine for us, as we weren’t planning to have any guests there for this special moment. However, depending on if the curve flattens in time, or our cases continue to rise, we could be looking at the real possibility that birthing will be limited to just the mother. If that’s the case, then I will choose to give birth at home!
Needing a Birthing Plan B
We now have to consider a home birth! We did not even consider this option during most of my pregnancy thus far because I have known since before I was pregnant that I’m not keen on a natural delivery and would like to have an epidural to get through the contractions. Or at least, I want the option to have an epidural if the contractions are bad. So a hospital birth was always the plan. But now with the possibility that we could be doing a home birth if things with the hospitals change, now we have to discuss and get it into our heads that this might be our path. So – we’ve got a Plan A, and now we have a Plan B.
These are the major changes that have come about from this pandemic for my pregnancy.
I want to hear from you
So, now over to you! How do you think the Corona virus will/has changed things for birthing mums? And for travel? When will we be able to travel again? Do you think we can travel before the end of 2020?
Thanks for reading!
Australian expat, married to a Dutch guy, living in Amsterdam. Previously lived in London for 3 years, too! Lover of travel, coffee, brunch, beaches, fresh flowers, and family. Now a new mum, navigating life with a baby!
2 thoughts on “Our Pregnancy: 2nd Trimester Update”
Excellent, descriptive, informative, a must for mum’s to be
Proud of my baby momma! Exciting times ahead!