15 weeks in the above picture
I was under a great deal of stress during my first and second trimester due to my mom being in the hospital the entire time. I would make the hour drive to see her about three times a week. Read her story, here.
Telling The Grandparents
We were planning on telling our families about the pregnancy at 15 weeks, but when I got to see my mom for the first time after her heart transplant, I knew I had to tell her right then, that she was going to be a grandma. I am so glad I did, since that was the most responsive I would ever see her after the surgery. Her eyes got wide from hearing the news and I knew she understood (she couldn’t talk back due to her respirator). Every time I visited her I would remind her that she was going to be a grandma. After having one of the nurses congratulate me, I decided I better tell my dad before he found out. lol.
We announced our pregnancy to my in-laws at 15 weeks and told everyone else afterwards. I love keeping secrets, but I was ready for people to know by 15 weeks even though I probably could have kept it a secret for another couple of weeks due to how little I was showing!
How I’m Feeling
The nausea of the first trimester went away and I started to gain more energy! I have kept up drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea. I started feeling little kicks around week 18 and have continued to feel them every single day afterwards. It was right around this time that my mom passed away. It was hard to see her go, but she is not suffering anymore! She is in heaven with Jesus and free of this world and it’s troubles! Knowing that gives me comfort on the days I miss her.
Books I’m Reading
Visiting my mom made the beginning of my second trimester go very fast. Suddenly, I’m left with a huge stack of books that need to be read before the baby gets here! But I have been able to read some of them.
The Pregnancy Book by William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N.
I have been reading this book a couple of weeks ahead of where I am in my pregnancy just to see what is coming next. It has lots of little tidbits of information. Things like when your baby can hear outside of the womb and how your baby feels how you feel. It is a great month to month guide.
Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize
This book talks about claiming God’s promises for your pregnancy and labor. While it has some great prayers and promises from the Bible, I believe that some are taken out of context.
Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
This book blew me away! It has such practical information about birth and labor from a midwife’s experience. It talks about birth and labor positively and has got me excited for labor! I didn’t know I would ever feel that way about labor. There are so many gold nuggets of truth in this book that I can’t help but say that every pregnant woman should get a copy!
Exercising
The second trimester has been a breeze. Since I have more time now because of my mom’s passing, I have started an exercise routine, walking for 45 minutes 3 times a week, or doing aerobics inside, and I’m still playing women’s volleyball on Friday evenings! Except for some occasional bouts of heartburn, I feel really good. (See my quick remedy for heartburn)
I can’t believe that I only have two more weeks until the third trimester starts! The time has flown by.
