Hey Mama! Welcome back to Pregnancy Unpacked for weeks 24-26 of your pregnancy journey. This episode is all about busting 2nd trimester myths, diving into what’s happening with your body and baby, and empowering you with the facts to trust yourself. Let’s unpack the real stuff.

What’s Happening with Baby

• Size Check: Your little one is about the size of an ear of corn - 13-14 inches long and close to 2 pounds!
• Big Developments: Baby’s building fat stores, fine-tuning hearing and touch, and growing stronger lung tissue. They’re practicing breathing movements, opening and closing their eyes, and even having hiccups (so cute).
• Brain Boost: Rapid brain development means more kicks, rolls, and jerky jumps. Keep an eye on those movements!

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What’s Happening with You

• Shortness of Breath: Try deep breathing exercises or get on hands and knees with your booty in the air to ease it.
• Carpal Tunnel: Swollen wrists or tingling fingers? Elevate your hands, shake them out, or grab a wrist brace. Talk to your provider if it’s intense.
• Round Ligament Pain: Sharp pains in your lower belly? Move slowly, support your belly, or try a belly band and prenatal yoga.
• Leg Cramps: Stay hydrated, stretch calves before bed, and consider magnesium lotion or gummies (check with your provider).

Your Appointments 

• Glucose Screening Test: Screens for gestational diabetes. Options include the glucola drink, Fresh Test, or home blood sugar checks. Mama, it is not your fault if you test positive - it’s hormones, not your diet. 

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:59 Weeks 24-26: What to Expect
• 01:55 Baby's Development: Weeks 24-26
• 03:18 Common Pregnancy Symptoms and Remedies
• 11:12 Debunking 2nd Trimester Pregnancy Myths
• 13:46 Emotional Well-being During Pregnancy
• 16:43 Important Appointments and Tests
• 26:01 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

More from this episode: 

• Follow the Gestational Diabetes Nurse, Sara Alayev + Join her GDM Mama Membership
• Trish’s Amazon Shop for pregnancy pillows and second-trimester must-haves
• Listen to Second Trimester Pregnancy Testing | 165

More from Pregnancy Unpacked:

• Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 22-24: The Juggle Is Real | 180
• Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 20-22: Halfway There, But Still In It | 178
• Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 18-20: Anatomy Scan & The Truth About Bonding | 176

Resources:

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

Calm Labor Confident Birth Pod

First Trimester Prep Pack

Second Trimester Prep Pack

Third Trimester Prep Pack

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Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

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Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.