After the first three months of pregnancy, you are now entering the second trimester, which is a very relaxing and beautiful time for many. The morning stiffness and fatigue that you had in the mornings are greatly reduced by this time. Your belly is also starting to move a little due to the weight of your baby. Also, you may first feel your baby move during this time. It is truly a wonderful feeling.
The second trimester of pregnancy is from week 13 to week 28, which is months 4, 5, and 6. This is the best time to plan for the baby's arrival, as you will feel less discomfort and have more energy during this time.
Changes in your body in the second trimester
Even though you may feel great right now, there are a lot of big changes happening inside your body. Let's take a look at what you'll experience during this time. Let's look at this information in a table like this to make it easier to understand.
| Discomfort/Body Change | What is the reason for this? | Things you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Lower abdominal pain/cramping | As the uterus grows, the muscles and ligaments around it stretch. The stretching of the 'round ligament' in particular can cause a dull ache or sudden stabbing pain in the lower abdomen. | Take a lukewarm bath. Adopt a relaxing posture. Try changing your body position. Keep a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. |
| Back pain | Your increasing weight is putting more pressure on your back. | Keep your back straight when sitting in a chair. When sleeping, turn to your side and place a pillow between your legs. Avoid lifting heavy objects. Wear comfortable shoes with low heels. |
| Bleeding gums | Hormonal changes increase blood flow to the gums, making them swollen and sensitive. | Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush and floss your teeth frequently. Be sure to take care of your dental health. |
| Braxton-Hicks contractions | These are not true labor pains. They are a normal condition that feels like the uterine muscles tightening for a minute or two. | These are good times to practice breathing exercises for labor pain. Take a lukewarm bath, drink a little more water, and change positions. |
| Breast enlargement | Even though the pain from the first trimester has subsided, your breasts will continue to grow as they prepare to feed your baby. | Wear a bra that is a slightly larger size and has good support. |
| Nosebleeds and bleeding | Hormones cause the mucous membranes inside the nose to swell, which can cause nasal congestion and snoring. | Ask your doctor before taking medication for a stuffy nose. You can use things like saline drops. |
| Vaginal discharge | It is normal to have a milky, thin vaginal discharge (leukorrhea). | Use a panty liner for convenience. But do not use tampons. If the discharge is foul-smelling, green/yellow, or bloody, tell your doctor. |
| Dizziness | As the uterus grows, pressure on blood vessels, low blood sugar levels, and hormonal changes can cause dizziness. | Don't stand in one place for too long. Get up slowly when getting out of bed or a chair. Drink plenty of water. Tell your doctor if you feel faint or dizzy. |
| Skin changes | Hormones can cause skin to become "glowing". Also, due to increased melanin, brown spots on the face ("mask of pregnancy") and a dark line (linea nigra) down the middle of the abdomen can appear. As the abdomen grows, the skin stretches, forming red-purple lines (stretch marks). | All of these will go away after you have your baby. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when you go outside. Apply a moisturizer to reduce skin irritation. |
| Hemorrhoids and varicose veins | Swelling of the veins around the anus (hemorrhoids) and swelling of the veins in the legs (varicose veins) occur due to increased blood flow in the body and pressure from the uterus. | Stay in a basin of lukewarm water for a while. Keep your legs on a chair when sitting for a long time. Wear a support hose. |
The amazing way a baby develops in the womb
The second trimester is a time when your baby is growing very rapidly.
Imagine, by the end of this period, the baby will have gained weight to about 1.4 kilograms and will be about 40 centimeters long. The little heart will pump about 100 pints of blood a day.
Between 18 and 22 weeks, your doctor will ask you to have an ultrasound scan. This will check how your baby is developing and if everything is going well. If you wish, this scan can also tell you whether your baby is a girl or a boy.
Other amazing things about a baby's body:
- Eyes and ears: They are moving into their proper places on the head. The eyes are also starting to twitch .
- Fingers: Fingers and toes separate, nails develop, and unique fingerprints develop on the tips of the little fingers.
- Hearing: Your baby can now hear your voice, so talking and singing to your baby is very important.
- Movement: The baby is rolling, kicking, and sucking inside the womb. These movements are what you feel as "baby moving." This is called " quickening " in medical terms.
- Skin: Hair is growing on the baby's head. The entire body is covered in a fine down called lanugo . In addition, the baby's skin is protected by a white, creamy coating called vernix caseosa .
- Placenta: The placenta, which provides oxygen and nutrition to the baby, is fully developed by this time.
Symptoms to watch out for in an emergency
Although it is normal to experience some discomforts during pregnancy, there are some symptoms that we should be especially aware of. These may be signs of a dangerous condition. If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU) without waiting for your next clinic appointment.
- Severe stomach pain or cramping
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Sudden weight gain (e.g., more than 3 kg in a month) or low weight gain (e.g., less than 4.5 kg at 20 weeks)
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (Jaundice)
- Persistent vomiting
If you are having twins...
This is a special time for a mother expecting twins. And, you need to be a little more careful. Here are some important things for you.
- See a specialist: Talk to your doctor about seeing a maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies.
- Get plenty of rest: Don't hesitate to take a nap if you're feeling tired. Even when you're resting, you use 10% more energy than a single mother.
- Get Omega-3: You can get Omega-3 from fish like salmon, herring, and sardines. Talk to your doctor about this.
- Be careful with vitamins: Ask your doctor if the vitamins you take are providing the nutrition you need for two children.
- Don't buy everything in pairs: Both babies may not need the same toys or rocking chairs. You can even put both in the same crib in the early stages.
- Be careful about what you eat: You need about 500 extra calories a day.
- Ask about exercise: After 20-24 weeks, ask your doctor what exercises are appropriate for you and what exercises you should stop doing.
Take-Home Message
- The second trimester of pregnancy is a very relaxed and happy time for many mothers. Make the most of this time.
- Be aware of changes in your body. Understand the difference between normal discomfort and symptoms that require urgent attention.
- Spend this time learning about the amazing way your baby develops, talking to him, and listening to music.
- If you have any concerns or doubts, never be afraid to talk to your doctor about it.
- Take good care of your diet, exercise, and rest. A healthy mother leads to a healthy baby.
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