Now that you have got through the 1st Trimester, the first three months of your pregnancy, things begin to settle down somewhat. As you enter your 2nd trimester of your pregnancy, the morning sickness and fatigue that you may have felt earlier will slowly fade away. Your system is now more adjusted to your ‘new status’ and the hormonal changes that your body has undergone when you conceived. Now you begin to feel more ‘normal’, less exhausted, and more energetic.
For most women this is the easiest three months of their pregnancy. So, it is time to take advantage of this feel-good phase and start planning for your baby!
What happens during the 2nd trimester?
Now your baby is growing quickly. Your doctor will do an ultrasound between week 18 and 24 to see your baby’s progress. You may even pleasantly learn that you are going to have not twins!
The changes taking place in your body
You may feel cramps, dull ache and sometimes sharp stabs of pain in your abdomen. This could be because:
- Your uterus is expanding and this puts pressure on the nearby muscles and ligaments
- Your round ligament muscle stretches causing cramps
- Of constipation or gas
Minor cramps and aches are normal. A warm bath, relaxation exercises, shifting your body’s position or a hot water bottle compress can be helpful in easing the discomfort. However, if you experience intense pain or discomfort, call your doctor immediately.
Backache is a common problem
The extra weight you are putting on, particularly on your belly, can be hard on your back. The increasing pressure is likely to cause backache. Certain home remedies that can help:
- Sitting up straight – choose a chair with good back support
- Sleep on your side with the pillow tucked between your legs
- Avoid lifting or carrying anything heavy
- Comfortable, low-heeled shoes are a must for stability as you walk
If nothing works, then a good pregnancy massage can be relaxing both for your body and mind!
Some women may develop gum problems
Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause more blood to flow to your gums, this can make them swollen and tender, and even lead to bleeding. This is usually a temporary problem that goes away after the delivery of the baby. It is, however, necessary to maintain dental hygiene, as women with gum disease are more likely to deliver premature babies. Use a soft toothbrush to ease your discomfort as much as possible.
Short, irregular contractions are normal and not a sign of labour.
During the 2nd trimester, your uterus muscles may tighten for about a minute periodically. These are not real contractions and are not indication of labour. They can be triggered by intense exercise, sex, dehydration, a full bladder or even somebody touching your baby bump. When this happens, try to relax by having a warm bath, have a cup of warm tea, drink some water, or turning on your side if you are lying down.
Your breasts will continue to grow
Though the breast tenderness you felt is likely to be less now, they will keep growing. Wearing a good support bra is recommended for better comfort.
You may develop snoring!
When your partner complains about your snores at night, it may come as a surprise to you. The mucous membranes in the lining of your nose swell due to hormonal changes, causing stuffiness which is the reason for the snore. You may also experience nose bleed due to this. It is advisable to avoid decongestants and use saline water or other natural methods to relieve the stuffy nose.
Some vaginal discharge is normal
A milky white, thin discharge from your vagina may be cause of some discomfort, but it is normal. However, if the discharge is foul smelling, green, yellow or bloody, or happens in large quantities
You may experience some dizziness
This could be caused by your expanded uterus pressing against blood vessels, hormonal changes or low blood sugar. Some precautions you need to take:
- Avoid standing for too long
- Stand up slowly from a sitting position
- Keep yourself well hydrated
- Eat small, frequent meals
- Lie on you side, and not on your back
- Wear loose clothes
The problem of frequent urination will be lesser now, as your uterus rises away from the pelvic cavity, giving you some respite.
The most visible effects of pregnancy will be seen on your skin.
- The ‘pregnancy glow’ is the result of the changing hormone levels that causes the skin on your face to look flushed
- Brown marks may appear on your face due to increased melanin levels
- At this time your skin is overtly sensitive to sunlight. Whenever you go out, choose clothes that give maximum coverage to your skin, always use a broad spectrum sun-screen and if possible, avoid going out in the sun between 10am and 2 pm
- Stretch marks – reddish-purple lines – may appear on your breasts, thighs and abdomen, as you skin stretches. You doctor may prescribe some lotions or creams for this. These marks will gradually fade after the delivery of your child.
Some common health problems that some of you may experience may include headache, heartburn, constipation or leg cramps. Try to balance your meals, exercise and sleep to reduce the discomfort. Avoid self-medicating. If the discomfort is intense, then talk to your doctor.
Varicose veins may sometimes form as haemorrhoids around the anus, which can be itchy and uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor about how to relieve the discomfort. Varicose (swollen) veins can also form in your legs owing to slower blood flow resulting from the pressure from the growing baby. Taking the pressure of your feet by not standing for a long time and putting your feet up while sitting can help in easing the discomfort.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are common during the 2nd trimester. This may be because the growing uterus often makes it difficult to empty the bladder. Be aware of the symptoms like a burning sensation while urinating, pain in the lower abdomen, smelly or reddish urine, and immediately visit your doctor. Untreated UTI can spread to your kidneys and lead to severe complications.
What happens to your baby during the 2nd Trimester?
- Your baby will grow about 16 inches and by one and a half kilos.
- The brain and other organs begin to develop
- The lungs develop fully though they are not able to breathe on their own
- The baby can kick, move, turn around, suck and hear your voice
- The eyes and ears move to the correct position, eye lashes and eyebrows grow
- Fingers and toes separate, nails grow, they develop finger prints and footprints
- Eyelids can open & shut, the baby wakes and sleeps in normal cycles
- Hair grows on the baby’s head
- The placenta develops fully and through it the baby receives the nutrients from you and is able to discard the waste
