Guest Pregnancy Journal – Week 26
This beautiful Mum shares her honest reflections at 26 weeks pregnant with baby number two. From restless sleep and toddler exhaustion to unexpected scan findings and gender uncertainty, this entry captures the very real complexity of second pregnancies.
26 Weeks Pregnant – Baby is the Size of a Red Cabbage
Cravings: Kiwifruit & chocolate
Symptoms: Tired, sore lower stomach
Weight: 60kg
I’ve been feeling…
TIRED! I suppose that’s normal being pregnant with a toddler. I’ve been really sore in my tummy, like growing pains and stretching.
This pregnancy has felt very different to my first. I was sick this time too, but much later in pregnancy and it resulted in me needing anti-nausea medication.
My sleep has been…
Very up and down. I’m up a lot to pee and have been for a while now. Some nights I’m tossing and turning constantly, other nights I sleep really well.
I’ve been waking 2–4 times a night needing the bathroom. I probably need to start going to bed earlier.
This week I learned…
More about perineal massage, hot compress during labour, and the injection given to birth the placenta.
I feel happiest when…
I get a well-rested sleep and when I feel my little bubba move.
I hope my parenting style is…
Relaxed and easy-going like I am with our toddler.
Before baby arrives, I would like to…
Have the nursery set up, move our toddler into a big girl bed, and get all the baby clothes washed and organised.
Advice I would give a friend about the second trimester:
Rest when you can. Get a massage. Go on holiday if possible. Enjoy feeling your baby move.
How I’m going with diet, exercise, sleep, stress and health goals:
I’m eating a balanced diet but not being overly strict. My exercise is mostly running after a two-year-old.
Sleep is inconsistent and I’m feeling a bit stressed with other personal things going on. The last few weeks I’ve actually felt less tired and more energised, which has been nice.
We also need to start properly talking about names — that suddenly feels very real.
What have you struggled with in this pregnancy?
Around 12 weeks I lost weight and struggled to gain it back because I was so sick and barely able to eat. I ate a lot of bread and mostly salty foods — very different to my first pregnancy when I craved sweet things.
In those early weeks I just ate whatever I could keep down. Sometimes it was simply about getting through the day.
Will you find out baby’s gender?
At our anatomy scan we were told we’re expecting another little girl — which surprised us as we were both convinced it was a boy.
At my midwife appointment the following week, she mentioned the scan notes indicated they weren’t 100% certain. They noted possible clitoral hypertrophy and suggested a follow-up scan at 32 weeks to confirm gender and ensure everything has settled as expected.
I was reassured that this can be common and often resolves — and that there were no other concerns. It definitely shook me initially, but I’m feeling calmer about it now.
If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be…
You are so loved already, and we all can’t wait for you to be here — especially your big sister.
Second Pregnancy Reflections
Pregnancy the second time around can feel entirely different — physically, emotionally, and practically.
If you’re navigating similar feelings, you may also relate to:
- 16 Weeks Pregnant – Gender Anxiety in a Second Pregnancy
- 15 Weeks – Body Image & Gender Surprise
- 19 Weeks – Hyperemesis & Third Pregnancy
Want to Record Your Own Pregnancy Journey?
Our guided Pregnancy Journal gives space for the honest moments — exhaustion, excitement, anxiety and joy — so nothing is forgotten.
If you’d like to share your story anonymously, email megan@forgetmenotjournals.com.
