The Second Trimester: Adjusting to changes

As lots of people find, this trimester felt a bit more normal. I had more energy, I'd told people the news which makes interactions feel easier, and having more of a bump means I actually felt and looked pregnant instead of just feeling bloated.

Having said that, physical and mental changes still occur. I wanted to capture some of the more niche ones which stood out in case anybody else experiences them, along with what I did to try and reduce their impact. I also thought I'd document the good things - we so often hear about the negative changes pregnancy brings, but it's not all bad!

Hello bump! The Iloiuty wide fit jeans in action.

1. My skin started playing ball.

   All throughout my first trimester, my skin went haywire. I had more spots than normal, especially around my chin, and the texture also changed slightly with more dry patches. This is quite normal as the body adjusts to surging hormones. Thankfully this changed in my second trimester and my skin cleared up massively. I'd go so far as to say it's the best it's ever been! This is likely because my androgen to oestrogen balance is now more favourable towards oestrogen. I've maintained the same simple skincare routine -

   
   

   AM:

   I wash my face with water, then use the Avene skin recovery cream.

   I keep my makeup very light - usually just Shiseido concealer and By Terry bronzer.

   
   

   PM:

   I use Garnier micellar water, then wash my face with the Pai oil cleanser or Cerave hydrating cleanser, followed by the Vichy rich moisturiser. Once a week I'll use the Medik8 press and glow tonic before my moisturiser.

   
   

2. No need for afternoon naps anymore.

   I didn't experience the immediate change in energy levels that some people do, but by a couple of weeks in I definitely stopped feeling so tired. Getting up in the morning was easier and I actually wanted to do things in the afternoon, not just have a little snooze. If you're still in the sleepy phase, hang on in there!

   
   

3. I was (and still am) constantly blowing my nose.

   I got a cold towards the start of my second trimester which totally changed my sinuses. Ever since then I've had to constantly blow my nose, specifically my right nostril, especially after walking.

   
   

   I made the mistake initially of using loo roll, but this made the skin around my nose super red for a long time. It also changed the texture slightly. Sounds simple, but invest in tissues - I'm now never without them! Using tallow around my nose really helped to calm it down and normalise the skin again.

   
   

4. Waking up more in the night.

   I started waking up more in the night and found it harder to get back to sleep quickly.

   
   

   I upped my magnesium intake from two to three a night and this seems to have really helped. I got a Bbhugme pregnancy pillow which I initially didn't get on with because it is pretty enormous, but I persisted and now really rate it. Also, a firm mattress is much easier to turn over on - you don't have to heave yourself out of the depths of it - so if you have a topper on then consider taking it off if you're tossing and turning from side to side like me.

   
   

5. My hands go numb when I'm sleeping.

   This sort of goes hand in hand (excuse the pun) with my previous point. My numb hand(s) will often wake me up and mean I have to turn over onto my other side. This is usually because of natural fluid retention which happens in pregnancy, combined with nerve compression.

   
   

   Trying to sleep with straighter arms helps, as does gentle wrist and lower arm exercises in the evening, especially if you spend lots of the day typing.

5. The beginning of back pain.

   My mid-back started hurting on and off, especially after sitting for a while.

   
   

   Finding a good prenatal yoga class has been really helpful, doing cat-cow stretches can work a treat, and using more cushions behind my back on the sofa so I'm sitting more upright and am better supported is also a must.

   
   

6. Being lost in terms of what to wear.

   As the baby grows, my wardrobe dwindles. This makes getting dressed or packing marginally easier as I have fewer options, but it can also be very frustrating and can make you feel less like yourself.

   
   

   I bought a couple of pairs of Ilouity jeans (wide fit and boyfriend fit) which have really saved me - I don't know what I would have worn without them. I also got a pair of Vince loose trousers and a pair of ME+EM trousers which sort of look and feel like smart trackies. I wore them with tops I already had, and then got a couple of longer jumpers which work well over the bump. These Renue bras are comfy and flattering, I have three now!

7. Feeling my stomach stretch and my tummy button change.

   Towards the end of my second trimester I could literally feel my stomach stretching and my tummy button changing which was quite disconcerting.

   
   

   The feeling doesn't last long - go with the flow and ride the wave! Also get a good stretch-mark cream and use it after you shower. A great friend kindly gave me this one which she used and loved, and I can confirm it's a goodie. It smells lovely, has really clean ingredients, and it isn't oily so it's quick to get dressed after using it. So far so good in terms of doing its job and warding off stretch marks too!

If you're in your second trimester, I hope you're feeling well. Remember you're growing a whole new human so changes in how you look and feel are totally normal. Ride the wave - they won't last forever!

If you'd like any extra support, please do book in for a free Curiosity Call. I'd love to hear from you.

If you'd like to buy any of the products from the Natural Dispensary which I linked above, use code LAJN15 for 15% across the site. Always check for interactions before taking supplements.

Happier skin at last!