Welcome to month two of your pregnancy. The second and third months are the most common times to discover you are pregnant. If you just found out, congratulations! May we direct your attention to We’re Expecting! Pregnancy Guide Month One so you can learn more about what happened for you and your baby during the first four weeks.
Now, we’ll look at what’s happening for you, your body, your baby and your family as your pregnancy progresses further into the first trimester.
What’s Going on For Mommy and Baby?
Boy, there’s a lot going on in there this month all at the same time. Your placenta and amniotic sac, filled with amniotic fluid, are finishing their “set up” so they can provide a safe and nourishing home for your very tiny – but rapidly growing – baby. In the meantime, that tadpole-esque zygote is starting important construction of the brain, spinal cord and heart. Bones and muscle are starting to develop as well.
Surprised that so many important things are taking place in such a short amount of time? Probably not because odds are, when you’re not queasy, you feel as tired as if you just ran a marathon. The first trimester is one of the most exhausting for mothers-to-be. For many women, that queasy feeling, combined with unrivaled fatigue and typical breast tenderness, are the first indicators that, “we might have a baby growing in here.” If you are a first-time mom who didn’t know you were pregnant, you may have been scared that you had chronic fatigue syndrome or some other debilitating medical condition.
This is the time to schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN. Prenatal appointments are integral to the health of your baby AND you.
By the time this month is over, you won’t be showing to anyone else (even if you notice a very slight bulge) but your baby will be sprouting webbed hands and feet, have little eye and ear buds and will start swimming around in the large expanse of your uterus (although you probably won’t feel baby for several more weeks). Tell her to enjoy it because the uterus won’t be roomy for much longer.
As for you, queasiness typically goes away by the beginning or middle of the second trimester. In the meantime, try not to let your tummy get empty, eat as healthy as you can, and don’t let your body get too tired as it can exacerbate “morning sickness” (which most of us “in the know” consider it to be anytime sickness).
What’s Happening for Daddy?
Have you told your partner about your upcoming pregnancy yet? If so, odds are there are mixed emotions. With every joyful pregnancy comes the responsibility of caring for another new life. Plus, with no big belly to rub (yet) and a female body that may prefer more time to itself rather than intimate time (at least in the way he’s used to), pregnancy during Month 2 can feel a bit abstract for daddies. Try to include him in doctor visits or send him immediate pictures of ultrasounds if he has to remain at work.
At the same time, try to plan special “couple time” as much as possible to make up for any lack of physical intimacy (which will probably be restored in the near future) and to enjoy your quiet moments while you have them.
What’s Happening for Sister and Brother?
Have other little ones (or bigger ones) in the house? Every family has different ideas about when to tell siblings about a pregnancy. If you have miscarried in the past or want to get through the first trimester before sharing the news, that is totally normal and can be a good idea – especially if you have little ones.
If you would rather share the news than hide it, do something creative. Wrap baby bottles, diapers or onesies for them to open up – as part of their new “Baby Kit” for the little sister or brother on the way. Enlist their help when you’re feeling tired and let them know you’ll need a little more assistance now and again as your body changes and grows over the next nine months.
If you have a toddler, this is a great time to begin potty training if you haven’t already. The more you can help the older sibling to become a “big boy” or “big girl”, the less threatened he/she will be when the baby arrives. Of course, it’s also a great time to spend special one-on-one moments with your current child/children since the first few months of the new baby’s life will be very demanding.
Have questions about your pregnancy? Looking for an OB/GYN who works in partnership with midwives? Schedule a consultation with Women’s Health Associates, a compassionate healthcare practice created by women especially for women.