WELCOME TO THE 2ND TRIMESTER

Hey mom-to-be - welcome to the second trimester!

What you may not know is that this trimester is believed to be the most relaxed of the three trimesters. Mothers before you have found the second trimester to be the "easiest". And by that we mean no more throwing up, no more napping, and if you're one of the lucky ones, you can experience the "pregnancy glow."

You can probably still see your toes right now. Your energy level might be higher though. So it's the perfect time to enjoy all the new and exciting little milestones coming up over the next few weeks.

There are some changes and things to expect in the next few months and we've made a list of the top 10 things to expect this trimester.

1. FIRST KICKS
EEEEK! In the first few weeks, every mother waits for the moment when she feels her child's first kick. And when the time comes, you will be completely unprepared for it. It's possible to start feeling these small movements between 16 and 24 weeks, but if it's your first pregnancy, it could start as late as 25 weeks.

2. GROIN PAIN
As your body grows and expands to make room for your little angel, you may feel pain in the round ligaments. This is a stabbing pain that is often felt in the groin or lower abdomen when you move too quickly.

3. INSOMNIA
Sleeping can get a little uncomfortable now. This is mainly due to your growing belly, but also because you constantly have to think too much. It's really important to get as much rest as possible, so get a pregnancy pillow and some meditation or breathing exercises before you go to sleep.

4. SWOLLEN ANKLES
Many women suffer from swollen ankles during pregnancy, which usually starts in the second or third trimester. This can be caused by the pressure on the uterus and the pregnancy hormone "progesterone". While this is normal, it's important to pay attention and make sure your blood pressure is within the normal range.

5. HEARTBURN
A very common symptom in the second and third trimester is heartburn and indigestion. This is often caused by the pregnancy hormones relaxing the valve at the entrance to the stomach.

6. BACK PAIN
As your belly grows and you gain weight, it can put extra strain on your back. It is important to wear comfortable shoes, watch your posture and support your back.

7. LINEA NEGRA
You may notice a faint line running down from your abdomen during this trimester. This line is called Linea Negra and it often darkens as pregnancy progresses. After birth, it usually disappears again.

These are just some of the common changes and symptoms you can expect, and on top of that you're finally starting to look pregnant :-)

Enjoy every minute of it. Before you know it, your little one will be in your arms and you will really miss these moments.

With love,
team rookie