Second trimester: doctors, body, cosmetics, thoughts on labor and birth.

My pregnancy tale continues...

Second trimester is supposed to be easy. Well, my first trimester wasn't that challenging so I didn't notice much difference. Though, yes, it was easier in a sense that now I had more information and knowledge about pregnancy and was more confident.

There was a couple of things that took a lot of my attention during this time.

I started thinking more about labor and birth.

1. My perception of birth and birthing process started to shift. When I was looking for a gynecologist before I became pregnant, I was searching for someone that had a lot of practice with epidural deliveries and cesarean (just in case). I had seen lots of videos where women were talking about how wonderful epidural is: no pain, wonderful experience - and I wanted something like it for myself. ... 
2. Then, just to educate myself on more options, I decided to read a book called "Guide to childbirth" by Ina May.  Also I watched a film called "The business of being born" and ... wow!!! My mind was blown. I had never thought that the birthing experience could be positive, manageable and even empowering. There are a lot of techniques that help a future momma to go through the birthing experience easier, feel connected to her baby and husband, and become a hero in her own eyes. (Well, I don't know about becoming a hero, but women often described their experience as very empowering.) 
3. I have learned about general, mandatory procedures that happen in hospitals that may not facilitate labor and birth for a future momma, but are designed mostly to help doctors to feel at ease. For example, mandatory IVs, constant fetal monitoring that restricts your movement, position on your back for giving birth... Just to make sure, during each appointment with my OBGYN I started asking questions about mandatory procedures in the hospital I was at, and what I learned didn't make me happy. 
4. There were four doctors in my OBGYN practice who saw me and I didn't have a good connection with either one of them. All of them were polite and professional, but brisk and there was no warmth and trust between us. Sometimes they gave my very vague answers when I asked about labor and delivery, saying that it depends... Also, I learned that during my labor (if everything goes fine) nurses will take care of me and the doctor will show up only for the delivery - at the very end. So it means there will be no familiar face (besides my husband's) to support me. Hmmm... I started looking for more options - other doctors, hospitals, but I wasn't successful in finding one just yet. 

Body.

 To me it seemed that at 3-4 month pregnant everybody in the Universe could look at me and see my bulging belly and tell that I was pregnant.

May 8. Thinking that everybody in the Universe knows that I am pregnant. (3month)

I tried to wear layers and scarves to cover up my belly. I kept looking in the mirror, and kept seeing the huge change that was happening to my body. (It was visible only to me, apparently).There was a pile of cloth that didn't fit me already. I felt... unattractive. I even cried a couple of times.
The funny things was - even when I was 24 weeks pregnant my neighbors didn't guess it.

July 4. Thinking that it is easy to see what I am hiding. (Not really ;P) (4 month)

Only when I came back from a month long trip to Europe at 28 weeks pregnant some of them guessed. Wow. What???? I was already 6 months pregnant at that point.

August 14. Here is the belly that people can actually see. (6 month)

Another interesting things was - I started getting used to my body and my belly and stopped noticing changes that much. Now everybody else was easily able to tell that I was pregnant and it surprised me every time when a stranger mentioned it. ("How do you know that I am pregnant?" - the voice in my head sounds on the border of surprised and offended ;)

• Stretch marks. I was so afraid of them (because they are permanent) that I was ready to do anything to try and prevent them. I know that it all depends on your genes, but why not try and do something??? This is what I did: At the very beginning of my second trimester (or even a bit earlier) I stared using Weleda Oil for Stretch marks following with a Dr. Nona Solaris (body lotion) every morning right after shower. In the middle of the second trimester I added Cocoa butter in a stick form at night (right when I was changing into pajamas, I would lather my breasts, belly, and lower back with cocoa butter - quick and easy). Also I kept drinking my green smoothies, eating more fruits and vegetables than usual, and exercising. It worked. My mom had stretch marks on her thighs - I don't have any. Maybe I am just lucky, maybe what I did worked - I'll never know. I don't care. I am happy!!!!!
• Shape. I wanted to feel good so I exercised. Even when I went on a trip to Europe I still exercised. Sometimes it was a very light and short set of stretching and warming up exercises, but I did it everyday and my body thanked me. 

Face.

Early in my pregnancy I switched to all natural (or almost all natural) products. Before pregnancy I was plagued with pimples. Then I changed a couple of things in my morning routine and - I was really pleasantly surprised at the result. Here is what I did:

1. I stopped using my foamy facial cleanser from Dior. (Instead I used make up remover by Bioderma Craline H2O Micelle Solution and then rinsed my face with water.)
2. Started using Pai products such as eye cream and facial cream.
3. Started using avocado oil (after the eye cream and before the facial cream). 
4. Sun screen on sunny days (to avoid melasma, which my mom had).

Cosmetics.

I tried to use as little decorative cosmetics as possible. My must haves were:

1. Anastasia Eyebrow kit (used for eyebrows and as a highlight).
2. Eyelash curler.
3. Blush
4. Sometimes eye shadows,  lipstick, mascara. 

Changing my creams and potions was important. But the most important thing is the diet. Even now if I start eating too much ice cream or other sweets, I get a pimple. It is not a rain of pimples that never ends and never fades (like it was before), but one or two after "bad" diet choices still visits me... Unfortunately. Or fortunately - it is a good stimuli to eat well.