The Second Trimester of Pregnancy

What is the second trimester?

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. In the second trimester, the baby grows larger and stronger and many women begin showing a larger belly. Most women find that the second base trimester is a set easier than the first, but it ’ mho still authoritative to be informed about your pregnancy during the second tailored. Understanding your pregnancy workweek by workweek can help you make inform decisions and prepare for the big changes ahead.

What happens to your body during the second trimester?

During the second trimester of pregnancy, symptoms that you may have experienced during the first clean-cut get down to improve. many women report that nausea and fatigue duty begin to lessen and they consider the irregular trimester the easiest and most enjoyable separate of their pregnancy. The postdate changes and symptoms may occur :

• the uterus expands
• you begin to show a larger abdomen
• dizziness or lightheadedness due to lower blood pressure
• feeling the baby move
• body aches
• increased appetite
• stretch marks on the stomach, breast, thighs, or buttocks
• skin changes, like darkening of the skin around your nipples, or patches of darker skin
• itching
• swelling of the ankles or hands

Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms :

• nausea
• vomiting
• jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes)
• extreme swelling
• rapid weight gain

What happens to the fetus during the second trimester?

The baby ’ south organs become in full developed during the second trimester. The baby can besides start to hear and swallow. Small hairs become noticeable. late on in the second spare, the baby will begin to move around. It will develop sleeping and awaken cycles that a pregnant woman will begin to notice. According to the American Pregnancy Association, by the end of the second trimester the child will be around 14 inches in length and weigh a little over two pounds.

What can be expected at the doctor?

Women should see a doctor about every two to four weeks during the second shipshape of pregnancy. Tests that the doctor may perform during a sojourn include :

• measuring your blood pressure
• checking your weight
• ultrasound
• diabetes screening with blood tests
• birth defect and other genetic screening tests
• amniocentesis

During the second tailored, your doctor can use an ultrasound test to determine whether or not your baby is a male child or a girl. Deciding whether or not you want to know the sexual activity of the baby before you give birth is your own choice .

How can you stay healthy during the second trimester?

It ’ randomness authoritative to be aware of what to do and what to avoid as your pregnancy continues. This will help you take wish of yourself and your developing baby .

What to do

• Continue to take prenatal vitamins.
• Exercise regularly.
• Work out your pelvic floor by doing Kegel exercises.
• Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, low-fat forms of protein, and fiber.
• Drink lots of water.
• Eat enough calories (about 300 calories more than normal).
• Keep your teeth and gums healthy. Poor dental hygiene is linked to premature labor.

What to avoid

• strenuous exercise or strength training that could cause an injury to your stomach
• alcohol
• caffeine (no more than one cup of coffee or tea per day)
• smoking
• illegal drugs
• raw fish or smoked seafood
• shark, swordfish, mackerel, or white snapper fish (they have high levels of mercury)
• raw sprouts
• cat litter, which can carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis
• unpasteurized milk or other dairy products
• deli meats or hot dogs
• the following prescription drugs: isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne, acitretin (Soriatane) for psoriasis, thalidomide (Thalomid), and ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure

Ask your doctor if you have any concerns about the prescription drug drugs or supplements you are taking.

What can you do during the second trimester to prepare for birth?

Although there are still several weeks left in the pregnancy, you may want to plan for manner of speaking earlier to help make the third trimester less nerve-racking. here are some things you can do immediately to prepare for birth :

• Take prenatal education classes that are offered locally.
• Consider classes on breastfeeding, infant CPR, first aid, and parenting.
• Educate yourself with online research.
• Watch birth videos on YouTube that are natural and not frightening.
• Tour the hospital or birth center where you will be giving birth.
• Make a nursery or space in your house or apartment for the newborn baby.

Consider whether or not you want to take medication for the pain during delivery .