Second Trimester Of Pregnancy - The "Pleasant" Period

By all accounts, the second trimester of pregnancy is the easiest and most comfortable stage of pregnancy. The nausea that characterized the first stage of pregnancy is gone, and you have managed to avoid the danger of miscarriage that accompanies the first trimester pregnancy. There is room to breathe easy for a while, enjoy outings and have easy time before the third trimester pregnancy brings its own challenges. Better still, you feel more energetic than ever before, and your sex drive would be back to normal. Reading up on each different stage of pregnancy helps you cope better with these changes.

Changes during the second trimester of pregnancy

Your body will grow and change even more in the second trimester of pregnancy. The breasts will secrete colostrum, or milk, and will grow larger. Your obstetrician will be more easily be able to feel your uterus since it is slightly above the pubic bone. Your heart pumps more blood than before, and has slightly increases in size.

Twins

Modern women have more chances of conceiving twins or multiples. Some of the symptoms include rapid weight gain, larger belly, and feeling more than one heartbeat. A greater height of belly is also one of the signs that you may be carrying twins.

Baby's Development During This Stage

The baby at this stage of pregnancy development has more defined features. Its face is more defined, with chin, nose and forehead in place, and it can even smile or frown, since facial muscles have formed. The baby is around 3 inches long now, and has already started on its way to its own distinct identity. Its fingerprints are unique, and like any baby stage during pregnancy, second trimester pregnancy has its own characteristics. Scalp hair starts developing and fine hair covers the body.

Problems During the second trimester of pregnancy

Some of the expectant mothers may experience problems like gas, constipation, bleeding gums. You may find it tough to sleep on your back, since the fetus may put pressure on blood vessels, while sleeping on your enlarged belly is no longer an option. Sleeping on the side with pillows to prop you is a better idea. You may feel backache, since the ligaments are being pressed by the baby. Regular urine testing is necessary to check for gestational diabetes, a common problem during second trimester of pregnancy. Some of you may find dark patches on your skin, and you may feel dizzy due to sudden movement. Some women may experience permanent increase in size of feet due to increase in size of ligaments.

Precautions To be Taken

Do not stand for long periods, and put up your feet on a chair and relax if you notice swelling in the feet. Include fiber in your diet to prevent hemorrhoids. Sit straight as far as possible. Get examined for hypertension, diabetes and weak cervix. Be careful of symptoms like high fever, vaginal bleeding, swelling of your hands and face, blurred vision and call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. During the second trimester of pregnancy, be careful about premature labor.

Diet

You can forget all eating blues during the second trimester of pregnancy, since nausea is no more a problem. The second stage of pregnancy is marked by relatively stress free digestion, though gas and constipation may be a problem. Eat fiber rich diet, fresh fruits and vegetables, and drink low fat milk to store up on calcium. Papaya is a great acidity reliever, and a natural product as well. Drink wine occasionally if you must, and keep away from the cigarettes.

Maternity Clothes

You may feel unable to fit into your clothes. While wearing men's clothing and oversized dresses is something most pregnant women do, you may want to look a little more stylish. Many websites retail maternity wear for the mother to be, including lingerie, casual, formal and semi formal wear.

Exercise

Light exercise is recommended during second trimester of pregnancy. Though many mothers to be may not feel up to it, you must remember that keeping yourself fit prevents excess weight gain and helps you shed weight faster after the birth.

Do some reading and research to find more about the baby's development, or just go through our website. Each pregnancy week brings new development in the baby, and changes in the mother's body. Enjoy the second trimester of pregnancy, go out often and catch up on things you wanted to do; once the baby arrives, you will not find much time for yourself!