Everything About Second Trimester Of Pregnancy

The voyage of pregnancy is very memorable, with all pleasures and pains. Every day may have come with challenges, compliments, and little complications. Whatever it is, learn to relax with a happy face. Every mother should eat healthy to support the growing baby. As you enter your second trimester of pregnancy, some changes are awaiting you.

What is Second Trimester?

The second trimester of pregnancy means the second bunch of 3 months where your pregnancy gets along quite blissfully. It is the time between 13 and 26 weeks when your baby goes through a massive transformation in terms of shape, size and weight (1). This phase of pregnancy is comparatively heavenly as the hormonal turbulences of the first trimester adjusted, whereas the increasingly heavy bump-related issues are still quite at bay.

Prenatal Visits in the Second Trimester

In your second trimester, you will have to visit your gynaecologist every month, just like in the first trimester. during your routine second-trimester prenatal checkup, your doctor will;

Weigh your weight
Check your blood pressure
Measure your abdomen to check the growth of the baby on a surface level
May take your blood and urine sample to check your diabetes or blood pressure levels
Give you the necessary vaccinations

In or after 12 weeks of your pregnancy, you can take the second-trimester ultrasound test. This ultrasound is quite special as you can see your baby quite fully grown here. You can distinguish their limbs and whether there is any abnormality in their anatomy. Most importantly, if it is legally allowed in your country, then you can detect your baby’s gender during this second-trimester ultrasound (2).

Fetal Development in Second Trimester

In this second trimester, your baby will look more like a real baby to you. This is because the tiny bundle of cells now will develop its recognisably functioning organs, limbs and muscles. Let’s see the week-by-week transformation of your baby during the entire second trimester;

Week 14

Your baby will be around 4¾ inches tall and weighs around 4 ounces.
Eyes start moving, and the development of ears is almost close to its final stage.
The baby can possibly make a sucking motion
It can now produce some urine
The bones start hardening, but the skin is still thin and transparent

Week 18

Your baby is around 5½ inches long and weighs around 8 ounces
Your baby can possibly hear by now (3)
The ears start sticking out of the head
The limb’s movement gets quite coordinated

Week 20

The fetus gets more than 6⅓ inches tall and around 11 ounces
All the organs are now fully formed. They are now going to simply grow
Some amount of respiratory movement occurs by now, but the lung is not yet ready to survive outside the uterus
By this time, you may feel slight movement of your baby

Week 24

The baby is more than 8 inches tall and weighs around 1⅓ pound
The baby develops nails and some body hair and their fingerprints emerge
Their eyebrows and eyelashes also appear
There will be muscle development at a high pace, and your baby will get more active.
Your baby can survive outside the womb after now with NICU support (4)
The heartbeat can be heard using a simple stethoscope

Week 26

The baby will get 9 inches and weigh around 2 pounds
You can see visible hair growth on their head
The baby now regularly seels and wakes up

What Happens In The Second Trimester Of Pregnancy

Here are a few things that happen to the fetus and mother during the second trimester:

To The Fetus

It is in the second trimester the baby develops its

Hair
Eyebrows
Nails
Eyelashes
Movement in the eyes.

So, moms need to take foods abundant in protein, calcium, folic acid, and other nutrients. Focus on providing nutrients to your baby, besides enjoying your cravings.

To The Mother

Here are a few things mothers notice once she enters her second trimester:

1. Welcome the First Kick

The first affectionate boon to every mom starts in the second trimester. As the baby develops strong muscles, they start kicking from inside.

2. Reduced Loo Visits

Compared to the first trimester, the number of loo visits will decrease. The uterus position directs to the birth canal. So, there is less pressure on the bladder. There are apparent chances for some extended nap time or sleep time.

What Should I Do In the Second Trimester?

Embrace gratitude as you enter the second trimester. As the baby is growing at a considerable pace, here are a few things to consider:

Ensure to sit with back support.
Do not lift heavy things that strain your body.
This is high time to invest in padded bras for the growing breasts.
Sleep on your left. For extra ease, use a pillow between two legs.
Be cautious with sleeping and sitting positions. You feel comfortable sitting straight.

Things To Avoid During The Second Trimester

Following are some of the dont’s you must be aware of once you enter your second trimester of pregnancy:

1. Don’t eat in Large Quantities

Bank on small portions of meals. Include foods rich in fibre. So farewell to junk and spicy foods. Drinking enough water is something that you shouldn’t miss to ease constipation.

2. Don’t Take Stress

Take proper breaks while you work. Don’t take more stress, which leads to headaches. Instead, they rely on relaxation techniques and meditation to get better.

3. Don’t Sit Unconsciously

With an increase in weight, there are chances for backache. Use an ergonomic chair for better support.

4. Eat Wisely

Weight gain is typical in pregnancy. But don’t eat even when you are not feeling hungry. An increase in rapid weight gain is not suitable for the baby and mother.

What Are Some Bad Signs During The Second Trimester Of Pregnancy?

Following are some of the red flags, one can expect during the second trimester of pregnancy. If you experience any of these bad signs, make sure you intimate your doctor promptly.

1. Trouble With Backache

Start eating healthy and stay least bothered about weight gain. Seek the help of massage or get a rub on the spots paining terribly.

2. Increase in Breast Size

Colostrum or pre-milk will start producing and your breasts will rapidly grow to support baby feeding (5). Start investing in new and cushioned bras to feel comfortable.

3. Sore And Bleeding Gums

Hormonal changes bring different discomforts to every woman. Swollen gums or bleeding gums are a few of them. Gums get sensitive and suffer often. Get the expert to advise if the situation gets worse. Otherwise, follow dental hygiene and try using a soft brush to avoid discomfort. Don’t skip dental health as it is related to premature birth or delivering babies of low weight.

4. Headaches

These are common during the second trimester of pregnancy. If a headache bothers you, consult your doctor for medication. Usually, doctors suggest Aspirin or ibuprofen.

5. Hair Growth

Hair growth on the face, arms might trouble you in the second trimester. The good news, you also enjoy healthy hair on the head because of the nutrients you take.

6. The Troubles With Congestion

Mucous membranes swell due to hormonal changes. In a few cases, congestion or nasal bleeding are concerns (6). Invest in a good humidifier to stay comfortable during pregnancy.

7. Constipation

An increase in the progesterone hormone causes heartburn and constipation.

8. Pain In Stomach

Consult your doctor if bothered with severe pain in the stomach or cramps, which are uncommon.

9. Bleeding

Bleeding is something alarming and must get advice from the doctor.

10. Dizziness

Dizziness is common, but if it’s troubling you and getting, figure out the cause.

11. Varicose Veins

Varicose Vein might trouble you now. But in most cases, post-delivery, they disappear without any concerns.

How Much Sleep Does A Pregnant Woman Need In The Second Trimester?

While you are pregnant, give ample rest to the body. Sleeping for 8 hours is appreciated and puts you in the right mood to enjoy. Sleep to your left with bent knees. This posture helps the baby to get adequate oxygen. If you aren’t bothered with loo visits, cramps, and strange dreams, you must get good sleep. Compared to the first trimester, your sleep patterns will vary. You sleep less often.

The second trimester started from 14 weeks to 27 weeks. Baby’s growth takes place in this phase. The brain, heart, digestive system, and senses develop in the second trimester. Swelling of ankles, feet, gums and many small discomforts start during this period. Discomforts of first-trimester decrease and you feel enthusiastic and energetic. This is the best phase to enjoy pregnancy, welcoming your newborn.

FAQ’s

1. What To Expect In The 2nd Trimester?

You can expect your baby to move for the very first time inside you, which is the most magical thing. Besides, expect a visible growth in your baby bump, energy and appetite in comparison to the first trimester.

2. What Does The Second Trimester Of A Pregnancy Involve?

The second trimester of pregnancy involves rapid fetal development. Their liver, lungs, pancreas, and genitals get fully developed, which lets you know the gender of your baby on a second-trimester ultrasound after 20 weeks.

3. Do and Don’ts In 2nd Trimester?

You will have to eat more healthy and nutritious food as your appetite grows. Good sleep, mild exercise and hydration are equally importan,t whereas you will have to avoid smoking, drinking and caffeine completely.

4. How To Know If baby Is Ok In The Second Trimester?

To know if your baby is alright, you can go for a prenatal screening or have a second-trimester ultrasound test. This will give you information of the baby’s heart rate, and proper development of organs.

References

Victoria State Health Department – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-week-by-week
Gharekhanloo F. The ultrasound identification of fetal gender at the gestational age of 11-12 weeks. J Family Med Prim Care. 2018 Jan-Feb;7(1):210-212 – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5958571
Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, the medical editor of HealthyChildren.org – https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/I%E2%80%99m-pregnant-and-would-like-to-sing-to-my-unborn-baby.aspx
Kilpatrick SJ, Schlueter MA, Piecuch R, Leonard CH, Rogido M, Sola A. Outcome of infants born at 24-26 weeks’ gestation: I. Survival and cost. Obstet Gynecol. 1997 Nov;90(5):803-8 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9351768
Compiled using information from . Williams Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al, Ch. 30 and 57. and Planning Your Pregnancy and Birth Third Ed – The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Ch. 7 – https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/changes-in-your-body/breast-changes-during-pregnancy/
Giambanco L, Iannone V, Borriello M, Scibilia G, Scollo P. The way a nose could affect pregnancy: severe and recurrent epistaxis. Pan Afr Med J. 2019 Sep 24;34:49 – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6859019