Type 1 Pregnancy: Second Trimester
Hello ENERGY, goodbye nausea + exhaustion!
Baby and I are big fans of the second trimester and we can’t wait to share with you why. The second trimester for most woman, including me has been a time where I have really enjoyed being pregnant. It’s a time where you start to actually LOOK pregnant and you feel wonderful! This bumpdate blog will share with you my symptoms of my second trimester, what it’s been like dealing with type 1 diabetes in this trimester, and lastly a list of advice if you’re in your second trimester!
Your 2nd trimester is from week 13 to 27 and one of the best phases in pregnancy. Where most of your morning sickness, moodiness, and exhaustion has finally subsided. It’s the most fun part of your pregnancy because you get to feel your baby move for the first time and have a more detailed anatomy ultrasound too, which is really exciting!!! Hooray!
Here’s what the SECOND trimester has looked like for me personally.
The Symptoms
Congestion
You wouldn’t think that the pregnancy hormones would go as far as affecting your nose, but this is a whole body kind of deal! Get used to a stuffy nose. This has lasted almost my entire second trimester. Here are some things that helped: a humidifier at night, breathe right strips, staying active with exercise, and drinking lots of water.
Heartburn
Experiencing heartburn or acid reflux when pregnant is pretty common – in fact, according to this article, between 40-80% of pregnant women will have heartburn symptoms. I got it off and on in the beginning, but a lot closer to the end of my second trimester. The heartburn became so bad at some points that Tums weren’t doing the trick anymore! After talking with my midwife I now take a form of Pepcid or otherwise called famotidine, an over the counter drug that works like a charm to clear and prevent your heartburn. I only take it when I need it- but I am so glad I found this to help! #pregnancyhack
Itchy Skin
Yes, itchy belly! As the belly grows— the itchiness will begin. My face at times would also become dry in some areas, as well my my hands! Finding a fragrance free gentle moisturizer helped me a good amount. At night on the belly I would switch off between belly oils, butters, and salves. I love the brand EarthMama.
BABY MOVEMENT!
The absolutely best and most favorite part of the entire pregnancy thus far. It’s the most magical feeling in the world, being able to feel your baby move inside your amazing body. I felt real movement at about 19 weeks with this little babe of ours. Such an exciting feeling. The flutters quickly because kicks and jabs, and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. Since then, every movement gets more and more powerful and strong.
Catching Your Breath
Yes, it definitely gets harder to breath at times. Again, with baby growing like a weed- this leaves us with less room for everything else! Sometimes baby will put pressure under your ribs. On top of that, your body is working overtime to create a human! So simple things like going up the stairs in my home have definitely got me out of breath at times. My advice? Take your time getting places, take breaks when needed and stay as hydrated as possible to try and help with this.
Energy!
This has been one of the best changes since the first trimester, because this mama loves productivity. I can workout, get through my day without naps, cook when I want to, and do all my normal routines without feeling the drag of exhaustion laying on me. By the end of the day though, I definitely am ready to pass the F out (probs before 8pm!)
Smaller Appetite, Hungry Often!
With a little less room to work with as baby is growing in that belly, my appetite definitely shrank a bit. Although I am eating smaller amounts, I find myself hungry more often. Eating smaller meals and snacks more often throughout the day has worked well. Another helpful tip? Try boxing up or saving any leftovers that you don’t get to eating for later (cuz you’ll probably be hangry again in an hour!)
Body Aches
Whether it’s an aching back, hip pain, or just general discomfort from the added pressure on your pelvis, as baby grows you’re bound to feel it! Most women will experience round ligament pain. A lot of women also begin experience leg cramps at this stage of the game (especially at night). Personally, I would get restless legs at night and tailbone pain towards the end of the day. A prenatal massage always helps with this so #treatyoself!
Hello Bump!
Another one of my favorite parts of pregnancy (and many other mama’s favs I am sure) is watching my bump grow! I began to see my tiny little bump starting to appear around week 12-13. Every woman’s bodies and bumps are different! And every pregnancy can be different too, whether it’s your first, second or forth baby on the way. Since seeing that little bump, it’s been so cool watching my body change as I grow this little guy. By the end of the second trimester, you definitely will have people commenting on that belly of yours and wanting to greet that large and in charge bump of yours. I love and appreciate every curve, stretch mark, and change that’s taken place in these past several months as my body creates life. It is so damn COOL and definitely my biggest life accomplishment so far.
Type 1 Diabetes + The Second Trimester:
Hello Insulin Resistance!
What is insulin resistance? Well according to Beyond Type 1, during pregnancy, the placenta supplies a growing fetus with nutrients and water. The placenta also makes a variety of hormones to maintain the pregnancy. In later pregnancy, some of these hormones (estrogen, cortisol, and human placental lactogen) can have a blocking effect on insulin, a condition called insulin resistance. As the placenta grows, more of these hormones are produced, and insulin resistance becomes greater. This means, my body needs A LOT more insulin to get the job done and to keep my blood sugars in a safe glucose range, where I want to be at.
These insulin needs and changes usually happen weekly, where I need more insulin to do the same amount of work. This lead to having weekly appointments my entire second trimester. Once you hit the third trimester, your insulin needs can change even more rapidly needing to adjust your intake every 2-3 days instead of weekly. By the end of your pregnancy, most type 1 diabetic woman will be taking at least double if not triple the amount of insulin that their pre pregnancy bodies were using due to insulin resistance. FUN STUFF! What’s one plus side? More appointments means we get to see our cute tiny human even more than usual. Yay!
Challenges
Overall, the insulin resistance has been the greatest challenge of dealing with my diabetes this pregnancy. It can get frustrating when you are eating the same lower carb meals that you know exactly how much insulin to give yourself, and one day you come to find out that amount of insulin no longer does the trick (as your blood sugars go soaring!) I have learned to be patient with my body, have my indoor bike handy when I need to bring down my sugars quickly and to pre-bolus at least 15-20 minutes before eating.
What is a pre-bolus? Pre-bolusing insulin is when you take insulin at a set timeframe before eating, giving the insulin time to become "active" and combat the blood sugar rise. But all foods are different and harder to gage how quickly or delayed you should bolus. For example, high proteins and fats raise your glucose values, but at different slowly rates. This can be tough! Other factors can make it hard too. Sometimes you don’t plan to eat 15-20 minutes in advance. Some days , you just forget! But overall, the pre bolus technique can be magical and a very helpful tool for other T1D pregnant mamas.
A few other helpful things that have helped me keep my blood sugars in control and in range have been going on walks before or right after eating, my indoor bike being handy as usual, taking my time by eating slower, and all other easy exercise always helps. And lastly and most importantly, reminding myself that each day is a new day and I am doing my absolute best to keep myself and our baby the healthiest I can.
Wanna learn a little more about type 1 pregnancies? Check out this quick article about a great resource! This book the article mentions has been another very helpful tools for tips and tricks with dealing with a type 1 pregnancy. Find the book here.
While it's true that balancing pregnancy and pre-existing T1D is a major challenge, it is very possible and manageable to create a beautiful healthy human being if you put in the hard work. Not to mention there are many perks to being pregnant and diabetic! Maybe i’ll have to write a separate blog about all those perks ;)
I’ll leave you with quick tips to help you enjoy the second trimester.
“Soak it all in Mama!”
Wear comfy shoes, pants, and comfy bras. These maternity/nursing bras have been a lifesaver for me the entire pregnancy. Buy them now, thank me later.
Swap your cleaning supplies and household items to more natural! I have found that Seventh Generation is an awesome baby, pregnant mama, and pet friendly brand. Find them here.
They are listening: Baby can start hearing you fully around 22 weeks, read to him or her, sing, or listen to your favorite songs together.
Maternity clothes: Thrift some maternity clothes or borrow from other mamas! Or buy new! H&M has some really great affordable maternity clothes that are great quality.
Hey, cute nursery. Begin decorating and getting the nursery ready. This has been so fun for me. Enjoy it!
Vacay getaway. Plan and take a babymoon or take a little weekend getaway together!
Spend some good quality time with just you and your partner.
Exercise and stretch!! You’ve got that energy back so make sure you get your booty movin’ for you and baby. You will feel so much better afterwards.
Keep taking those weekly bump pics! Especially now that you can see big changes happening.
Enjoy your anatomy scan around 18-20 weeks! It is so awesome seeing baby in depth through all the different parts of their bodies. It’s an especially exciting scan if you get to find out the sex for the first time! YAY!
Anatomy Scan
It’s a boy!
