First vs. Second Trimester: How Things Have Changed

As I near the end of my second trimester, I can’t help but reflect on how different this phase of pregnancy has been compared to the first. The changes—both physical and emotional—have been a rollercoaster, but overall, I feel so much more human than I did in those first three months.

Energy Levels: A Complete 180

First trimester me? Absolutely exhausted. I could barely get through the day without needing a nap (or two). Working out? Forget it. Just making it through a normal day was enough of a challenge.

Now in my second trimester, I have WAY more energy! I’ve even been able to work out 1-3 times a week doing Lagree (a super intense, Pilates-style workout), something I never would have imagined in the early weeks. It’s been amazing to feel strong and capable again—though my body definitely reminds me when I’ve overdone it. like when I pulled a muscle in my inner thigh. Warning to those who are pregnant, your body releases hormones that cause your ligaments and joints to become more flexible to prepare you for childbirth, DON’T be like me and think it’s a free pass to push your limits.

Symptoms: Trading Nausea for… Everything Else

One major win: NO nausea! That was a first-trimester struggle I don’t miss at all. But, of course, pregnancy had other plans for me. Now, I’m dealing with constant acid reflux and an insane amount of congestion. The stuffy nose and extra mucus are no joke—something I wasn’t prepared for at all!

Another fun addition? My back. It lets me know immediately when I’ve pushed myself too hard, whether it’s a workout or just an overly ambitious day of chores. Round ligament pain has also made an appearance, bringing some sharp, cramp-like pains that catch me off guard. And let’s not forget the waddle—it’s officially here.

Body Changes: The Bump is Bumping

In my first trimester, my stomach just looked like I had eaten a giant meal. Now? There is no mistaking this baby bump! It seriously feels like it grows daily.

With the growing belly comes new challenges—putting on shoes, switching laundry over, even just getting up from sitting or lying down. It’s wild how much more effort it takes to do things that used to be second nature. But at the same time, I love that my baby’s presence is so visible now.

Baby Movements: From ‘Is That Gas?’ to Full-Blown Kicks

Having an anterior placenta meant it took longer for me to feel my baby move, which made those early sensations so confusing. At first, I swore I was just having intestinal spasms (shoutout to my IBS for making that an easy assumption).

Now? There’s no mistaking it. She’s active, and I can tell exactly when she’s kicking my cervix (ouch) or when she’s trying to kick her dad’s hand off my belly. Feeling her move has been one of my absolute favorite parts of pregnancy—it makes everything feel so much more real. Now, if I can just get her to have the same waking hours as me, she is most active when it’s bedtime!

Emotions & Mood Swings: Still Emotional, But Less Random Crying

I definitely still have my moments, but the uncontrollable “crying for no reason” episodes have toned down a bit since the first trimester. Back then, I’d randomly burst into tears over things like running out of snacks. Now, I feel more emotionally stable (for the most part), though I still get hit with waves of emotion from time to time.

Cravings & Eating Habits: Bring On the Fruit!

No weird cravings for me—just a ton of fruit. I seriously cannot get enough! My eating habits have also shifted to more frequent snacking instead of big meals. By the time dinner rolls around, I’m usually already full from snacking all day.

My absolute most-craved thing right now? A dragonfruit bowl from Jamba Juice. It’s a dragonfruit smoothie topped with granola, coconut flakes, blueberries, strawberries, banana, and a drizzle of honey—basically, heaven in a bowl. I could eat one every single day and never get tired of it!

Mindset Shift: Getting Things Done, But Not Too Early

Now that I have the energy, I want to get everything done while I still feel capable—but I’m also scared of doing things too early. We’ve started the nursery, but we’re at a standstill until we paint. I want to wash all her clothes and bottles, but I don’t want to have to do it again right before she arrives.

Right now, my focus has shifted to preparing in other ways—working on my birth plan (downloadable template here), taking tons of birthing and breastfeeding courses, and planning for my hospital tour (which I’m saving for the third trimester so I don’t forget everything before I actually give birth).

Oh, and pregnancy brain? It’s so real. My memory has been absolutely terrible (my husband’s favorite), so I’m trying to write everything down before I forget it five minutes later.

Looking Ahead to the Third Trimester

As I move into the final stretch, I know things are about to change again—probably in ways I can’t fully anticipate yet. But for now, I’m soaking up this middle ground where I still feel pretty good, have energy, and can (mostly) get around without too much struggle.

If the first and second trimesters were this different, I can only imagine what the third has in store!