A pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. The weeks are grouped into three trimesters. The second trimester includes weeks 13 through 27 of a pregnancy. Show
In the second trimester, the baby grows larger and stronger and many women begin showing a larger belly. Most women find that the second trimester is a lot easier than the first, but it’s still important to be informed about your pregnancy during the second trimester. Understanding your pregnancy week by week can help you make informed decisions and prepare for the big changes ahead. During the second trimester of pregnancy, symptoms that you may have experienced during the first trimester begin to improve. Many women report that nausea and fatigue begin to lessen and they consider the second trimester the easiest and most enjoyable part of their pregnancy. The following changes and symptoms may occur:
Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
The baby’s organs become fully developed during the second trimester. The baby can also start to hear and swallow. Small hairs become noticeable. Later on in the second trimester, the baby will begin to move around. It will develop sleeping and waking cycles that a pregnant woman will begin to notice. According to the American Pregnancy Association, by the end of the second trimester the baby will be around 14 inches in length and weigh a little over two pounds. Women should see a doctor about every two to four weeks during the second trimester of pregnancy. Tests that the doctor may perform during a visit include:
During the second trimester, your doctor can use an ultrasound test to determine whether or not your baby is a boy or a girl. Deciding whether or not you want to know the sex of the baby before you give birth is your own choice. It’s important to be aware of what to do and what to avoid as your pregnancy continues. This will help you take care of yourself and your developing baby. What to do
What to avoid
Ask your doctor if you have any concerns about the prescription drugs or supplements you are taking. Although there are still several weeks left in the pregnancy, you may want to plan for delivery earlier to help make the third trimester less stressful. Here are some things you can do now to prepare for birth:
Consider whether or not you want to take medication for the pain during delivery. What you need to know, what no one tells you before you get pregnant, is “Pregnancy is amazing, except when it’s not!” There are many strange things that happen to you during this miraculous time- come on, you’re growing a human being inside of you for goodness sake-especially because your hormones are all over the place. These hormonal changes can cause different [and often annoying] pregnancy symptoms all throughout your body. Here are the most common discomforts of pregnancy and how you can navigate through them: Pregnancy Discomfort #1. Morning SicknessMore than 60% of women will experience morning (and all day and night) sickness. The feeling of
wanting to throw up (nausea) is not uncommon. Each woman is different; some will only feel the urge to vomit, and some will actually vomit. Remarkably, researchers still cannot reliably pinpoint what actually causes morning sickness. How Can You Avoid or Treat Morning Sickness:
If you have severe morning sickness, aka hyperemesis gravidarum, speak with your doctor about your options as you don’t want to get dehydrated or malnourished as this can cause more serious issues. Your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter remedy, an anti-nausea medication, and/or a strict nutritional guide (LOTS of bland, easy to digest foods). Pregnancy Discomfort #2. Lack of Energy/Lethargy / FatigueAnother common symptom of pregnancy is how tired you feel, especially during your first and third trimesters (the second trimester is usually the “honeymoon” so enjoy it!). More than half of pregnant mamas experience this symptom. Most women feel like finding a hiding spot to curl up and take a nap. Let’s not forget, your body is producing new hormones and making a lot of changes to prepare for human creation, it takes a lot of work! You’re also producing more blood to carry nutrients to the baby causing increased effort for your heart and other organs. Mental and emotional stress are also reasons you may be feeling exhausted. You may have difficulty sleeping later in your pregnancy due to multiple bathroom trips, leg cramps, and
heartburn. Since ACOG recommends limiting caffeine intake (200mg a day is considered the upper limit), what can you do to make it through the day? Here are some tips on how to beat the sleepy time blues! How Can You Avoid or Treat Fatigue During Pregnancy?To reduce lack of energy and pregnancy fatigue:
Pregnancy Discomfort #3. HeartburnThe only burn you should feel is from the Extended Triangle Pose position during prenatal yoga! It can help relieve indigestion by the way. Heartburn during pregnancy is a doozy with more than 50% of women experiencing this symptom, especially during the second and third trimesters. It is not usually a sign of a serious problem, but it can be quite uncomfortable and even painful. Gastroesophageal reflux is often called “acid reflux” or “heartburn.” Indigestion is also common during pregnancy and can occur with heartburn. Also known as “dyspepsia,” indigestion is just another name for an upset stomach. If you feel full, gassy, or bloated, you have indigestion! Heartburn occurs when gastric acid from your stomach is pushed up toward your esophagus (the pipe between your mouth and your stomach). This causes a burning sensation behind your breastbone or one that starts in your stomach and seems to rise up. You may also have a sour taste in your mouth or a feeling that vomit is rising in your throat (as we said, pregnancy is amazing, except when it’s not!). It’s important to treat heartburn, as many times it will cause you not to eat properly due to the pain, and if you’re not eating, your baby is not getting the proper nutrition. How Can You Avoid or Treat Heartburn During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy Discomfort #4. Constipation: Save the pushing for labor!Don’t worry, you’re not alone- over 70% of women experience this discomfort at some point or another during their pregnancy. There are a few different things that cause constipation during pregnancy:
How Can You Avoid or Treat Constipation During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy Discomfort #5. Insomnia: I can’t stay asleep no matter what I do!You’re not alone! According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 1998 Women and Sleep poll,78% of women report more disturbed sleep during pregnancy than at other times.
How Can You Avoid or Treat Insomnia During Pregnancy?:
Don’t be afraid to talk to your healthcare provider about sleep issues. It may be an alert to a nutritional deficiency or a respiratory issue (sleep apnea) that your doctor will want to check for. They may also have helpful suggestions! Pregnancy Discomfort #6. Bleeding Gums & Tooth PainIssues with oral health during pregnancy are overshadowed by some of the more obvious symptoms, but this is not one to ignore! A recent survey by Cigna Insurance Company found that 75% of pregnant mamas experience some type of oral health issue during their pregnancy. The symptoms included bleeding gums, toothache, and increased tooth sensitivity. Only 57% of the women actually visited a dentist during their pregnancy. It’s important to visit your dentist during pregnancy because any infection in the oral cavity can have a negative effect on the health of your baby. The most common oral discomfort pregnant women encountered were bleeding gums. This is primarily due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy which make the gums sensitive to the presence of plaque. Bleeding gums, if left untreated, can lead to periodontal disease (gingivitis). Many studies state that periodontal disease can be a potential risk for low birth weight babies. Bleeding gums can also lead to a gingival recession which can cause sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and make teeth more susceptible to decay at the gum line. Your dentist can give you suggestions on treatment and gentle tooth care. How Can You Avoid or Treat Bleeding Gums During Pregnancy?:
Pregnancy Discomfort #7. Headaches and MigrainesHeadaches during pregnancy can be a result of hormonal changes, tension, congestion, constipation, lack of sleep, dehydration, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and even caffeine withdrawal. In some cases, it is caused by preeclampsia. Preeclampsia
(also called Toxemia) How Can You Avoid or Treat Headaches During Pregnancy?
If you have a headache or a migraine, you can try to relieve it by:
If you experience headaches that become worse or come on suddenly, headaches that are different than normal, headaches that are accompanied by vision changes, sudden weight gain, pain in the upper right abdomen, or swelling in the hands and face, contact your healthcare provider immediately as this could be a sign of preeclampsia. Compiled using information from the following sources: 1. Koren, G., Madjunkova, S., & Maltepe, C. (2014). The protective effects of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy against adverse fetal outcome-A systematic review. Reproductive Toxicology. Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.05.012 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890623814000975 2. Nulman, I., Rovet, J., Barrera, M., Knittel-Keren, D., Feldman, B. M., & Koren, G. (2009). Long-term Neurodevelopment of Children Exposed to Maternal Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and Diclectin. Journal of Pediatrics, 155(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.02.005 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022347609001176 What are the discomforts in second trimester?Stomach pain in the second trimester is often due to round ligament pain. Your womb is expanding and this can cause the ligaments to stretch. This can cause pain in your lower tummy, groin or hips on one or both sides. It is important to get checked by your GP, obstetrician or midwife if you have pain like this.
What are common pregnancy symptoms in second trimester?During the second trimester of pregnancy, you might experience physical changes, including:. Growing belly and breasts. As your uterus expands to make room for the baby, your belly grows. ... . Braxton Hicks contractions. ... . Skin changes. ... . Nasal problems. ... . Dental issues. ... . Dizziness. ... . Leg cramps. ... . Vaginal discharge.. What are the common discomforts experienced during the first trimester second trimester and third trimester of pregnancy?These changes often cause a variety of symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness and frequent urination. Although these are common pregnancy symptoms, every woman has a different experience.
What are some possible common discomforts experienced during pregnancy?Common discomforts during pregnancy. Morning sickness. ... . Backache in pregnancy. ... . Bladder and bowel problems during pregnancy. ... . Changes to hair during pregnancy. ... . Changes to your skin during pregnancy. ... . Dealing with fatigue during your pregnancy. ... . Headaches during pregnancy. ... . Indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy.. |