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Second Trimester Of Pregnancy: Symptoms And What To Expect
The second trimester of pregnancy is marked by several changes and new symptoms. You may be feeling better now than you did in the first trimester, but there are still some things to watch out for. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common symptoms of the second trimester, as well as what you can do to manage them. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.
Congratulations!! Now you are in the honeymoon phase of your pregnancy. During second trimester you actually start to enjoy being pregnant as all your problems which you were facing in the first trimester start to subsidise or vanish.
So now the question comes that when does the second trimester starts?
It starts from the 13th week and ends with the completion of 28th week. In general speaking the 4th, 5th and 6th month of pregnancy is called the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
What to do in second trimester?
Pregnancy is a beautiful and life-changing experience. Which is why we’ve put together this list of fifteen things you can do in the second trimester of pregnancy to take care of yourself and your baby. Here are the some important points on which you should focus in this trimester.
1. Second Trimester Scan:
The level 2 ultrasound is due in the second trimester. It is advised in 18th-20th week of pregnancy. This USG is very important as it reveals fetus well-being. It shows the fetus growth by measuring fetus height, weight, cardiac rate and many more.
2. Iron and Calcium in Pregnancy:
During 2nd trimester fetus growth requires extra haemoglobin. In developing countries, World Health Organization (WHO) has advised to mandatory provide iron supplement from 14th weeks of pregnancy till 6th month post-delivery.
W.H.O has also advised to mandatory provide calcium supplements in this trimester as baby’s bone starts hardening, which requires calcium. If he will not get the calcium then he will fulfil his calcium requirement by absorbing it from the mother’s bone, thus making them weak.
Hence for the proper development of fetus iron and calcium both are very important supplements in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
3. What to Eat in Second Trimester of Pregnancy:
Second trimester is a period in which all your complications like nausea, morning sickness etc. start to subsidise, so you can take measure for the healthy diet. Baby’s growth is more prominent in this trimester as all organs start developing and weight of the fetus increases.
For healthy growth of baby, mother should also gain at least 1 kg in every fortnight. Mothers are advised to consume a healthy diet which is full of calories and nutrients. Along with iron and calcium, she is also advised protein supplements as it will help in the growth of the baby.
4. Visit Your Doctor
The second trimester has officially begun when you’re past the 14th week mark – congrats! Now it’s time to schedule regular visits with your doctor. They will check up on how you and baby are doing, make sure everything is progressing normally, offer prenatal vitamins (which should be taken regularly), administer blood tests to determine whether or not anemia has set in (you may have been slightly nauseous during earlier weeks) and also date your pregnancy accurately so that they know when the due date falls.
5. Undergo Second-Trimester Screening Tests:
The second trimester of pregnancy is a critical time when you’ll be offered second-trimester screening tests in order to diagnose conditions like Down’s syndrome. These include an ultrasound (week 18 onwards) and blood test (from week 15). The results will take about ten business days. We understand that you’re eager to get the answer, but please try not to dwell on it too much – your baby’s heartbeat can be heard around 12 weeks.
If second-trimester screening detects any abnormalities, further diagnostic procedures may be undertaken immediately by an expert team at a hospital or clinic specializing in fetal medicine. You should remember that even if second-trimester screening detects an abnormality, there are still options available should you choose to continue the pregnancy.
6. Get Vaccinated Against Flu:
The second trimester is the ideal time for vaccination because any flu strain your baby encounters will be handled by your immune system rather than his/her own underdeveloped one. The vaccine itself contains killed virus which poses no risk whatsoever to the developing fetus.
If you do get vaccinated against influenza, however, avoid contact with anyone who’s received live vaccines (ones containing weakened but living virus), even if it’s been a few days since they were injected – this can pose a threat to your unborn child.
7. Go To The Dentist:
Dental care is very important during second trimester. If you take care of any problems in the second trimester, this will keep your teeth healthy until well after the baby is born. Second-trimester dental care can seem a little contradictory – you’ll be told that it’s too early to visit your dentist (since their hands are full with work), but also that an early visit would allow them to complete treatment before your second trimester ends.
Which is why we recommend visiting your dentist at least once during second trimester, even if only for an examination and cleaning to ensure everything’s okay.
8. Eat Frequent And Small Meals:
It’s important to consume frequent but small meals as second trimester progresses as the stomach has less room for food as the uterus grows. Try to eat nutritious snacks every two hours or so to produce enough energy for daily activities – try making a list of healthy second-trimester snacks beforehand if it help you stay on track with your eating plan.
9. Take Pregnancy Vitamins:
Second-trimester vitamins are a must as second trimester is a time of rapid development and your body needs all the nutrients it can get. However, second-trimester vitamins should be taken only after consulting with a doctor or dietitian so that you can avoid taking too much of any one nutrient which could cause birth defects. Also remember to keep second trimester vitamins stored safely away from children’s reach – excessive amounts of some second trimester vitamins, such as folic acid, have been shown to have adverse effects on young children.
10. Watch Your Weight:
It’s important for second-trimester mothers to watch their weight because underweight status may result in having a small baby. The second trimester is the perfect time to start recording your weight every second week to monitor any changes and watch for excessive weight gain (which can cause problems during labor).
10. Stay Physically Active:
Second-trimester moms should get plenty of physical activity everyday – walking, swimming or prenatal yoga are safe forms of second-trimester exercise. If exercising feels like too much work at this stage, you could even walk up and down the stairs instead of using an elevator to burn calories while saving yourself some energy.
11. Talk To Your Baby:
The second trimester is the best time to talk to your baby because research has shown that babies can respond to sounds from inside the womb! Why not sing a lullaby or read a second-trimester book to your baby?
12. Try To Sleep Well:
Second trimester is also the time when most second-trimester mothers find it difficult to get enough sleep at night – second trimester may bring on more frequent bathroom trips and an increased need for water. Sleeping patterns will vary from second-trimester mother to second-trimester mother, so try different sleeping positions until you find one which doesn’t strain anything too much.
Also avoid caffeine during second trimester – it’s best to stop drinking coffee and tea altogether if you can’t stop yourself in second trimester! And don’t forget about naps! A quick half hour kip during the day will give your body the boost of energy second trimester requires.
13. Renew Your Wardrobe:
Second-trimester mothers will probably need to buy a second maternity wardrobe during second trimester because second trimester is the time when many women’s regular clothes no longer fit them properly, and second-trimester jeans are usually very uncomfortable. Try layering long tops over leggings or wearing baggy tunics in second trimester instead – second-trimester fashion may take some getting used to but dressing comfortably is definitely worth it.
14. Use Anti-Stretch mark Creams:
Use anti-stretch mark creams in second trimester to prevent unsightly stretch marks from popping up all over your body once you start getting bigger. Some second-trimester moms say that second-trimester stretch marks are worse than first-trimester stretch marks, but this really does depend on the individual. Using cocoa butter or olive oil for second trimester stretch mark prevention is not particularly effective so it’s probably best to save your money and invest in a second-trimester specific cream instead.
15. Spend More Time With Your Family:
The second trimester is also time to spend more time with your family because second-trimester mothers may find that their energy levels are lower now than any other point in the pregnancy. Second trimester fatigue can lead second trimester moms to crave alone time, but second trimester is actually the perfect time for some one-on-one bonding with friends and family!
Schedule second trimester play-dates with second-trimester friends, second trimester date nights with second-trimester partners and second trimester family game nights to increase second-trimester bonding opportunities!
16. Let Yourself Rest And Travel:
The second trimester is time for second-trimester mothers to invest in some rest and relaxation – take a second trimester holiday, schedule second trimester spa days or just find ways to escape the hectic pace of daily life for second trimesters. Second trimesters are long so it’s important to let yourself off the hook now and again by taking some much needed down time.
Second trimester symptoms:
1. Backache during pregnancy:
As baby’ weight increases in this trimester, it causes slight backward tilt of your body. This disturbs your vertebral column and causes backache while walking, standing and changing the position.
To ease the pressure, try to sit straight and place a pillow to provide support to your back. Local application of analgesic ointments and balms is safe and helps to reduce pain, however analgesic pills (internal consumption) are not considered safe for fetus. Thus it is good to consulting doctor before taking them.
2. Second trimester blood pressure:
Pregnancy induced hypertension is main complication in second trimester. High blood pressure in second trimester is most important cause of fetal growth retardation and still birth. So it is very important to diagnose it and treat the earliest.
3. Heart burn and regurgitation of food:
Increased amount of progesterone hormones causes relaxation of muscle. This hormone provides effective and smooth growing of uterus and increases flexibility of abdomen organs and skin. It provides easy adjustment of growing uterus with abdomen organ and skin.
However, progesterone also relaxes muscles of oesophageal orifice. Oesophageal orifice remains close after meal which prevents passing of stomach acid and other contents in oesophagus again. During second trimester oesophageal orifice relaxes and causes regurgitation of food, acid reflex and heart burn during pregnancy. To ease this, consume small meal at frequent time and do gentle walking of 10-15 mins after meal.
4. Second trimester nausea:
Nausea and vomiting are mostly symptom of first trimester and usually subside by second trimester. Second trimester nausea is due to acid reflex. This is treatable with home remedies and mild diets changes.
5. Second trimester weight gain:
Weight gain in second trimester should be in between 4 to 6 kg. Lesser or higher from range, requires intervention. Periodic and regular weight check provides sufficient information about fetus growth. Sudden weight gain (more than 0.5kg in one week or 2.5kg in one month) is an indicator of pre-eclampsia, polyhydramnios etc. Stationary or falling mother’s weight suggests growth retardation of fetus.
6. Quickening:
Quickening is a term used for baby’s first movement. What does quickening feel like? In mid of 4th month, you may feel first delicate movement of baby. This is quickening. Timing of quickening varies for every mother. So if you have not felt the movement till 5th month, there is no need to worry.
7. Skin changes or black pigmentations:
During second trimester of pregnancy, there is increase in the synthesis of melanin pigment. This is responsible for black spot. Black pigmentations around eyes and side of nose are considered normal and also known as “mask of pregnancy”. In abdomen also, you may notice one dark black- brown line, starting from chest going downwards up to genital organs. This is pregnancy line and called linea nigra, and it is quite normal. Most of these black spots and linea nigra disappear after delivery. Meanwhile you may apply sun screen and various ointments on skin to prevent them to become too gross.
8. Second trimester headache:
Acid reflex and increased blood circulation towards abdomen causes mild headache during 2nd trimester. To ease headache, take afternoon nap, drink luke warm water and place a pillow underneath the feet. Headache during pregnancy should not be treated with analgesic medication. Pain killers are not completely safe during pregnancy.
9. Second trimester cramp:
Second trimester cramps are prone to Braxton hicks contraction. These contractions are pain less but may causes mild discomfort to mother.
10. Haemorrhoid in second trimester:
Veins of anal canal may enlarge due to extra blood flow and because of pressure from enlarged uterus. Sitting in hot tub will reduce swelling and pain of haemorrhoid.
11. Bleeding gum:
During second trimester of pregnancy gums become more sensitive and easy to bleed. About 40% of women feel mild bleeding during brushing.
12. Breast enlargement:
After the end of first trimester, tenderness and pain of breasts is markedly reduced, but size of breasts start increasing. But you don’t need to worry; your breasts are preparing themselves for future lactation. Regular massage of breasts with natural oil is always good in pregnancy.
13. Hair growth:
Pregnancy hormones are good for hair growth. You may notice thickness of hair but the sad part is that you may also notice some unwanted hair on some parts. Like growth of pubic and axial hair, facial hair and upper lips. Laser or any therapy for hair removal is not recommended in pregnancy. Hair removal creams and ointment are only safe options. These hairs usually erase after some time of delivery.
Complication or alarming signs in 2nd trimester of pregnancy:
- Vaginal bleeding: Spotting or plantation bleeding is only phenomena in first trimester. Vaginal bleeding in 2nd trimester may be the first symptom of second trimester abortion. In this scenario, contact to your gynaecologist without any delay.
- Rapidly weight gain:Â Rapid weight gain is first sign of pre- eclampsia unless proved otherwise.
- Weight loss:Â Weight loss directly suggests fetal growth retardation. Should be checked as early as possible.
- Convulsion:Â Convulsion is the symptom of eclampsia. Eclampsia is still a leading cause for maternal death.
Conclusion:
The second trimester of pregnancy is a time of change for both mother and baby. You may be feeling better now than you did in the first trimester, but there are still some things to watch out for. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common symptoms of the second trimester, as well as what you can do to manage them. If you experience any unusual or concerning symptoms, please consult with your doctor. Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer:
Above article is only for knowledge purpose. Please contact your healthcare provider before using any of above medicine or method. For any query or personal consultation according to your health condition please contact your doctor.
