Welcome to the second trimester blog recap! If you haven’t read my first trimester recap you can do so here. Okay, let’s dive in!
Let me first say that the rumors are true….the second trimester is exceptionally better than the first. At least that was true for me. When I think about how uncomfortable, anxious, nauseous and fatigued I was in the first trimester compared to how great I felt in the second, it is like night and day. Once I got to about 13 weeks or so, my energy increased so much and I felt like myself again. I could move, walk, eat easier and just felt like I could handle a load a bit similar to when I was not pregnant. I don’t think I felt quite as competent as I do when not pregnant (lol), but it was close.
I did have some discomfort in my pelvic area around 15-16 weeks or so, which came and went for the entire second trimester. I learned this is called round ligament pain and happens as things begin to shift to prepare for a growing baby. That was uncomfortable at times but typically if I shifted positions or wore even looser clothes, I felt better.
I started feeling small flutters around 18 weeks or so. I should have paid more attention because I don’t remember exactly but that was really exciting. They grew stronger as time went on and it felt so special. Like baby and I were bonding.
It was sometime in the second trimester that I took my OB’s recommendation about hydration seriously. (Probably because I generally felt better too.) I started drinking 90-120 ounces of water a day, which was a miracle because pre-pregnancy I probably drank like 50-60, if that.
Just to be extra safe I did not drink any caffeine during the first trimester. It’s not something I necessarily recommend, though I do think it’s very important to stay within the <200mg/caffeine recommendation during pregnancy. It was just something that gave me more peace of mind as I embarked on this pregnancy journey for the first time. That said, somewhere in the late second trimester I went back to my one cappuccino a day and I was a happier person overall. 🙂
Let me say that one of the BEST things I did while pregnant is invest in the Belle Method Prenatal Pilates & Push Prep course. This is not sponsored (I wish!), but I loved it so much I need to share. One of my friends shared it with me and it has taught me so much about breathing, pelvic floor health, labor, delivery, etc. When I say I knew nothing about these things, it’s an understatement. Essentially this is an 8 week online (live) course with an exercise and birth prep class component of each class. I was never able to attend the live classes so I watched the recordings. I started this around week 19 and am still doing it about 3-4x/week– I just keep watching the replays. (I’m 36 weeks as I write this.) It’s been so fun to find this kind of movement that genuinely feels so good, is challenging at times but always low impact and each move is thoughtfully designed for pregnancy. It’s kind of a barre/pilates mix so think small movements, light weights, stretching, breathing and mobility. As baby has gotten bigger, it has gotten harder to move around so these moves help so much. I would definitely recommend to any pregnant woman looking for an exercise resource!
I was hesitant to write about this part because it was such a humbling experience but whatever – hopefully it will help someone! So at every OB appt, they take a urine sample to make sure everything is okay. I guess around week 22, they found some sugar in my urine and wanted to test for gestational diabetes. (It’s my understanding that sugar can be in your urine during pregnancy for many reasons, but they wanted to be safe.) I didn’t realize this test usually happens around 24-28 weeks, so of course I went along with it. They had me do a one-hour glucose test, which essentially means I fasted overnight, drank 50g of glucose and got my glucose tested an hour later. Long story short, I failed the one-hour test, which apparently happens a lot but it freaked me out. Failing the one hour test doesn’t mean you have gestational diabetes, but it does mean you have to take a subsequent three-hour glucose test. So a week later I did that, which involved fasting overnight, getting my blood drawn, then drinking 100g of glucose (truly disgusting) and getting three additional blood drawings – one every hour for three hours. The whole thing makes you want to gag because you have an empty stomach other than the 100g of glucose and you can’t eat/drink for those three hours. It’s nauseating. Good news was that I ended up passing the three hour test with no problem! Bad news was that my OB came back three weeks later and was like you have to take this again (around 27-28 weeks at this point) because you’re most likely to have issues in the third trimester (that’s why most women take it initially at 24-28 weeks). I was frustrated to say the least and honestly debated not taking it because I didn’t understand why we didn’t just wait to do the three hour test for the first time when I was near the third trimester, but I digress…)
I wanted to be safe so I agreed. It was terrible again, lol. And I did pass again, though my values did get slightly worse. So I decided to make some modifications to my diet – mostly involving upping my protein and fat intake when eating carbs. It was something that felt useful and gave me some peace of mind. Honestly this whole experience was humbling because as a dietitian I really felt like this shouldn’t be an issue for me. I was kind of embarrassed. And yes I realize that’s not fair to myself, but it’s how I felt. I also felt humbled because I had sort of been arrogant about it – like don’t I know how to eat? It’s hard to explain. And please let me be clear – I do NOT think that women cause their gestational diabetes with their food choices. I realize my thought process isn’t rational. Gestational diabetes is really an issue of the placenta requiring more insulin and some women just have trouble responding to that need.
And still, there are eating choices that can help keep it at bay, and that’s what felt humbling to me. It kind of set me down a path of relearning about balancing blood sugar and reintroduced the idea of gentle nutrition (putting deliberate thought into the nutrient-density of our food choices without obsession) and reminded me that it’s okay to make intentional food choices. (This all comes with a BIG caveat that we need to heal our relationship with food first!) I think talking about eating healthy is really tricky on the internet because we are all at a different place with how we relate to food so that’s why I haven’t shared much about this. I’ll be really grateful when baby arrives and it doesn’t feel like something I need to worry about, but at the same time I think it has renewed my interest in eating more healthfully for my body’s needs (of course, still without restriction!). Hopefully this makes sense and isn’t triggering – I know it’s really tough to reconcile decisions like this when you’re at war with food and it’s not my intention to make you feel like I’m never eating dessert or something like that – because that’s not reality. Anyway I’ll stop my ted talk now. Thanks for listening.
I don’t know if I was surprised by this or not, but my body image improved in the second trimester. I felt so appreciative of my body at this time that I just felt love toward it. I think because I knew it was literally sustaining another life it was just so incredible. I feel like I’m processing this in real time as I type, but it’s a pretty wild change when I think about how I felt about my body at age 12 or even 20. All that to say there is hope if you feel at war with your body! I’ve been there.
I started taking more consistent weekly bump photos in the second trimester, which are included in this post. It’s so neat to see how the body changes!
I’m sure I forgot something but that’s all I have for now 🙂 Would love to know what your experience has been like or if there were certain products or clothes that you loved during pregnancy.
89 Responses
Thanks for the article. Cool.
Im obliged for the blog post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
Valuable info. Fortunate me I discovered your site by accident, and I’m surprised why this accident didn’t came about earlier! I bookmarked it.
Thank you ever so for you blog.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.
Asking questions are in fact pleasant thing if you are not understanding something totally, except this paragraph presents nice understanding yet.Here is my blog post … eliminate yeast infection
Thank you sharing most of these wonderful content. In addition, the best travel as well as medical insurance approach can often eradicate those fears that come with visiting abroad. Some sort of medical emergency can in the near future become extremely expensive and that’s certain to quickly put a financial load on the family finances. Setting up in place the excellent travel insurance bundle prior to leaving is worth the time and effort. Thanks a lot
Very good blog article. Great.
Very informative article post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
It’s wonderful that you are getting thoughts from this post as wellas from our discussion made at this time.
I really like and appreciate your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Really appreciate you sharing this blog article. Awesome.
This design is incredible! You definitely know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
Thanks a lot for the article.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your great writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
Muchos Gracias for your post.Thanks Again. Cool.
Thank you ever so for you article post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
Nicely put. Appreciate it!college application essays essays writer writers services
I loved your post.Really thank you! Great.
Thank you for your article post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
naturally like your website but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I?ll surely come back again.
Very neat blog post. Really Great.
Muchos Gracias for your article.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Nicely put, Thank you.what to write your college essay about writing my essay writers freelance
internet, you can watch movies, for more than twenty years, and in
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. All the best
Really informative blog article.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after looking at a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!
I went to terry naturally curamin pm Koh ruled against Apple and Samsung, saying the public’sinterest in understanding the proceedings outweighed thecompanies’ rights to keep the information secret. However, theappeals court unanimously disagreed.
Looking for legal protection consultation for seniors? This firm specializes in safeguarding assets from Medicaid recovery.
Fantastic post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Many thanks!
Very good blog.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Thanks for your article. I also believe laptop computers are getting to be more and more popular right now, and now in many cases are the only sort of computer found in a household. The reason is that at the same time that they’re becoming more and more cost-effective, their computing power is growing to the point where they may be as powerful as desktop computers coming from just a few years ago.
Great blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
This functional exchangeable infant car seat reviews canada 2019 ends up being three seats.
Very good article. I will be facing some of these issues as well..
I every time spent my half an hour to read this blog’s articlesor reviews every day along with a cup of coffee.
I am always looking online for ideas that can facilitate me. Thanks!
Im grateful for the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
hi!,I really like your writing very so much! share we be in contact extra about your post on AOL? I need an expert on this house to resolve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Having a look ahead to look you.
I really like and appreciate your blog post.Much thanks again. Cool.
I delight in, cause I found exactly what I used to be having a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative.I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future.Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Contextual Bonuses Boosting Loyalty in Online Casinos
The Impact of Contextual Bonuses on Online Casino Loyalty
The competitive landscape of virtual gambling sites is marked by the constant pursuit of player engagement. In this environment, operators must adopt innovative approaches to keep enthusiasts coming back. One effective strategy involves the deployment of tailored rewards that resonate with individual preferences, ensuring that players feel valued and appreciated.
Recent studies indicate that personalized incentives can significantly increase the time spent on platforms. For instance, users who receive specifically designed promotions based on their gaming habits are up to 30% more likely to return within a week compared to those receiving generic offers. Implementing data-driven solutions to analyze player behavior is crucial for crafting these targeted rewards.
Furthermore, leveraging gamification techniques enhances user experience. By integrating achievement systems and progress tracking, platforms can create a more immersive atmosphere that encourages players to actively participate. These features not only heighten engagement but also contribute to a sense of community among users, further solidifying their commitment to the platform.
Operators should also consider the significance of timely communication. Regular updates about incentives and personalized messages can strengthen the connection between the platform and its players. Insights reveal that personalized outreach can lead to a 25% increase in player reactivation rates, emphasizing the need for effective communication strategies.
How Tailored Promotions Enhance Player Retention Strategies
Customized offers play a significant role in encouraging players to stay engaged with gaming platforms. By understanding the individual preferences and behaviors of users, operators can craft promotions that resonate on a personal level. For example, data analytics can identify patterns such as the types of games a player enjoys or their betting habits, allowing for targeted incentives that speak directly to their interests.
Implementing rewards based on specific player activities can boost engagement. For instance, introducing a loyalty scheme that grants points for every game played encourages users to return regularly. These points can be redeemed for exclusive rewards, increasing perceived value and satisfaction. Personalized email campaigns featuring these tailored offers can serve as timely reminders for players, enhancing re-engagement rates and driving traffic back to the platform.
Offering tailored promotions during significant personal milestones–like birthdays or anniversaries of account creation–can create a sense of appreciation and deepen emotional connections. Providing exclusive bonuses or https://plinko-app.co.uk spins during these special occasions can foster a sense of belonging and encourage users to remain committed to the platform.
Moreover, adaptive promotion strategies that evolve with the player’s journey can maintain interest over time. For example, re-engagement campaigns targeted at inactive players can provide personalized offers based on their past behavior, enticing them back with incentives reminiscent of their favorite games. Monitoring the effectiveness of these strategies through A/B testing can further refine approaches, ensuring that promotions resonate strongly with the audience.
Personalization tools that track user data and interactions enhance the overall experience. By employing machine learning algorithms, platforms can predict which promotions will appeal most to individual users, leading to more successful retention strategies. This data-driven approach not only optimizes player satisfaction but also maximizes the potential for revenue generation.
Measuring the Impact of Contextual Offers on User Engagement
Assessing how targeted incentives influence player participation requires a multifaceted approach. Analyzing metrics such as engagement rates, session duration, and return visits can provide insights into user behavior following the implementation of tailored rewards.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) play a significant role in this evaluation. Tracking the conversion rates during promotional campaigns allows operators to determine the effectiveness of particular strategies. For example, A/B testing different reward structures can reveal which formats resonate better with specific demographics. Analyzing retention cohorts can also highlight long-term user engagement trends.
Gathering qualitative feedback through surveys and focus groups can further enhance understanding. Asking players about their experiences with various incentives can lead to improvements. Engaging directly with the user base encourages a sense of community and loyalty, enhancing satisfaction levels.
Moreover, implementing analytics tools that monitor player behavior in real-time can offer deeper insights. By observing how players interact with offers, operators can adjust strategies dynamically, optimizing user experiences. Using data visualization techniques can simplify the interpretation of complex datasets, making the information accessible and actionable.
Finally, ensuring that tailored rewards align with player interests is paramount. Utilizing data analytics to segment audiences based on preferences can enhance the relevance of offers. Personalized marketing strategies that address the specific needs of various player segments often yield higher engagement and satisfaction rates.
I have learned new things from the blog post. Also a thing to I have noticed is that in many instances, FSBO sellers are going to reject an individual. Remember, they would prefer not to use your services. But if you actually maintain a gradual, professional romance, offering assistance and being in contact for around four to five weeks, you will usually manage to win an interview. From there, a house listing follows. Thanks
Hi, Neat post. There is an issue together with your site in web explorer, would test this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a huge element of other people will leave out your magnificent writing because of this problem.
Im obliged for the post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Having read this I thought it was rather informative.I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this article together.I once again find myself spending way too much time bothreading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
You made some respectable points there. I regarded on the internet for the problem and located most individuals will go together with along with your website.
sun prairie apartments five feet apart 2 westwood apartments for rent
Great, thanks for sharing this post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
Im obliged for the article post. Keep writing.
I loved your blog.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
Major thankies for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
I truly appreciate this post.Much thanks again.
It’s an awesome piece of writing in favorof all the online people; they will take benefit from it I amsure.
Thanks for the blog. Much obliged.
Great blog article.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Hello there! I could have sworn Iíve been to your blog before but after going through some of the posts I realized itís new to me. Anyways, Iím definitely delighted I came across it and Iíll be bookmarking it and checking back often!
This is a great blog, will you be involved in doing an interview about just how you developed it? If so e-mail me!
I do agree with all the concepts you’ve presented to your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are very brief for starters. May just you please extend them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
Do you have any video of that? I’d like to find out more details.My blog post :: Bioneo Farms Pure CBD
Thanks-a-mundo for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
I savor, cause I found just what I was having a look for.You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have anice day. Bye
Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil. Naoma Lindsay Ettore Joycelin Chas Caresse
Great blog post.Thanks Again.
Good article and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is really the best place to ask but do you folks have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thank you 🙂
I’m no longer sure where you’re getting your information, however good topic.I needs to spend some time studying much moreor working out more. Thanks for excellent information I was in searchof this information for my mission.
I don’t even understand how I stopped up right here, but I thought this post used tobe great. I don’t know who you’re but definitely you’re going to awell-known blogger in the event you are not already.Cheers!
Yorumlara göre girdim ve geldi takipçiler tesekkürler ??
Can you tell us more about this? I’d like to find out some additional information.
medication from india india pharmacy mail order – order medication from india
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic.I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this info for my mission.
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
Does anyone have any idea Escape2Vape vaporizer store based in 1113 State Street sells ejuice manufactured by Fye Fruit? I have tried sending them an email at at getavapelife@gmail.com
quinine vs chloroquine doctors for hydroxychloroquine
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.
I think one of your advertisings triggered my browser to resize, you might want to put that on your blacklist.
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you need to write more about this issue, it may not be a taboo subject but usually people don’t talk about such issues. To the next! Cheers!!
Thanks-a-mundo for the post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
Im grateful for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Great, thanks for sharing this article.Really thank you! Really Great.
https://pinupaz.top/# pin up azerbaycan
A big thank you for your blog post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
It is in point of fact a great and useful piece of info.I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us.Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
You’ve made your point!the college application essay how to write an introductory paragraph for an essay essay pay write
Very descriptive article, I liked that bit. Will there be a part 2?
I loved your article. Really Great.