zenmama

I was blessed with a fairly comfortable second trimester that energised me like a bolt of lightning! It was a world apart from the rollercoaster ride of my first trimester. Remember those wild tales of fatigue, mood swings, and the oh-so-glamorous gagging and retching I shared in my first trimester entry? Well, buckle up, because this piece is all about the thrilling challenges and experiences of my second trimester, plus the exciting reveal to our families and friends!

Medical tests: the nail-biting adventure

Our OB/GYN threw two big tests our way: the Oscar/NIPT and the foetal anomaly scan.

At twelve weeks, we dove into the NIPT+ test. Several vials of my blood later, we were on a two-week white-knuckle ride to find out our baby’s gender and any risk of down syndrome. Those fourteen days felt like fourteen years! While my growing bump was a joyful reminder of our little passenger, we grappled with the heavy decision to terminate if there was a risk of down syndrome. It wasn’t an easy choice, but we felt it was the right one for us.

Then, boom! On my thirty-third birthday week, we got the best gift ever – our little bundle was healthy and… drumroll please… a boy!

At twenty weeks, it was time for the foetal anomaly scan. The catch? Our little acrobat needed to face front for the best view. Cue a night of sweet-talking, belly-cradling, and kiss-planting to encourage our shy guy to turn around. Unfortunately, come morning, there he was, giving us the cold shoulder! Five hours, two unsuccessful scans, and a couple of laps around the hospital later, we tried one last trick – a cup of sweet, sweet milo. And just like magic, third time was indeed the charm!

Sharing the joy: family and friends edition

Post-tests, we brainstormed some quirky ways to break the news. We toyed with the idea of a sausage bun for a gender reveal (get it?), but in the end, we went for a classic “bun in the oven” teaser. We snapped a photo with shocked faces, a generic bun in our mini oven, and the caption “Something is baking.” It was a hit!

Our announcement, which we captioned “Something is baking”.

Growing pains: the not-so-smooth sailing

Even though my second trimester was smoother than a freshly iced cake, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

• My nose decided to play a cruel game of blocked-and-runny roulette, turning me into a part-time hermit. Thanks to the lingering pandemic paranoia, I played it safe around the elderly. Some days, it felt like I was starring in “Attack of the Killer Flu,” complete with sneezing fits and sleepless nights. But hey, at least it only lasted a day! My OB/GYN chalked it up to air allergies and prescribed Piriton as my trusty sidekick.
• My taste buds went on strike against eggs and prawns. Laksa, ramen, even walking past Toast Box became Mission Impossible. But I wasn’t ready to wave the white flag just yet! I enlisted my husband as a culinary ninja, sneaking tiny bits of egg whites into my meals.
• After some less-than-pleasant chats with a particularly judgmental parent, I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster. I felt like nothing more than a walking incubator, which sent my appetite packing and my tear ducts into overdrive. For the sake of our little one, I made the tough call to limit communication with that parent and set some much-needed boundaries. Mama bear mode: activated!

Silver linings: the perks of pregnancy

It wasn’t all doom and gloom! Some symptoms were actually pretty awesome.

• I turned into the Energiser Bunny on steroids! I could shop for baby stuff all day, hang with friends, and still have energy to spare. Orchard Road? More like my personal catwalk!
• My appetite did a complete 180. Suddenly, I was craving steaks, pastries, and burgers alongside my usual veggie feast. My pastry obsession reached new heights, leading to multiple delivery runs and drive-outs. My husband was over the moon, often bringing home kaya-laden waffles with a proud “for our son!” declaration.
• My dreams turned into nightly blockbusters – vivid, wild, and sometimes a bit scary. But hey, they helped me face my fears and emotions head-on.

The grand finale: embracing the bump

The real showstopper of my second trimester? Watching my belly grow and feeling those kicks get stronger every week. It was like hosting my own personal boxing match! At nineteen weeks, we felt our first strong kick together. It was a magical moment that brought us closer than ever, inspiring a daily baby update ritual with my husband. My second trimester journey was complete with all its twists, turns, and belly-rubbing goodness!

* This article is my personal account on the second trimester of pregnancy. *