Second Trimester Of Pregnancy
Pregnancy Week-by-Week
Key Points for the Second Trimester
During the second trimester of pregnancy, you will begin to appear and feel more pregnant. Many individuals consider this to be the most enjoyable stage of pregnancy since the morning sickness and lethargy of the first trimester are behind them. This is usually the time when any anxiety related to your first trimester starts to lessen. By the conclusion of this trimester, you'll be able to feel your foetus move, and you may feel more at ease and enjoy your pregnancy. Of course, pregnancy is unique to each individual. Some individuals never experience unfavourable symptoms like morning sickness in the first trimester. Others may continue to feel nauseous well into their second trimester of pregnancy.When It Starts and Ends
The usual pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks. It is separated into three trimesters: first, second, and third. Each trimester is about 14 weeks long. When you begin the second trimester, you have completed 13 weeks of pregnancy. The second trimester will begin from week 14 until the conclusion of week 27 and the third trimester from week 28 to week 40.Foetal Development
During the second trimester, your baby will develop from 7.5cm and 30 grams in week 13 to around 23cm and 820 grams in week 26. These measures are not the same for everyone, and your baby may develop at a different pace.Your baby will be free to travel about the amniotic sac in your uterus. You may feel this movement around week 19 (or earlier if this is not your first pregnancy). It is often characterized as a subtle tickling or fluttering.
With time, your partner, or others around you may be able to feel your baby kicking and moving by placing a touch on your abdomen. This is an excellent method for your partner to share the pregnancy experience with you while also getting to know your baby.
Throughout these three months, your baby's organs will continue to grow. Their liver, pancreas, and kidneys begin to work. This is also the moment when babies may begin to suck their thumbs.
By week 20, your baby can hear noises, including your heartbeat, and is starting to know your voice, but their ears have not yet completely developed.
Emotional and Psychological Changes
- Pregnancy may be a joyful and exciting time, but it is common to feel anxious or depressed sometimes
- During pregnancy, one or both parents may feel challenging emotions, such as anxiety over the delivery or coping as parents
- Anxiety is normal, but if it persists or begins to interfere with your well-being, it may indicate prenatal depression or anxiety
- If you're concerned about anxiety, poor mood, or depression, you should consult your doctor, obstetrician, child health nurse, or midwife
Symptoms During the Second Trimester
During the second trimester, the foetus is not the only one that grows and changes. You'll notice a few changes in your own body at this period. Your uterus, which is where the baby develops throughout pregnancy, continues to stretch. This organ will grow during your pregnancy as the baby becomes bigger.However, your uterus is not the only thing that grows during the second trimester. You will begin to gain weight and may develop the telltale swollen tummy of a pregnant person. Don't worry if it takes a while to show. Everyone is unique, and no two bodies will appear exactly the same when pregnant.
During the second trimester, you may also experience a few new pregnancy symptoms, such as:
- An increased hunger
- An aching body
- You may have some ankle, foot, and hand oedema
- Some stretch marks
What to Avoid
The following foods should be avoided during pregnancy:- Raw meat, raw eggs
- Avoid raw seafood or any fish with high mercury levels, such as swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel
- Unpasteurized dairy products
- Soft cheeses, such as Brie, blue cheese, and feta
- Ready-to-eat meats and seafood
- Alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy since there is no known safe amount. All forms of alcohol are hazardous and may result in foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), stillbirth, and miscarriage
- FASDs are conditions that result in physical, behavioural, and intellectual difficulties.
- Pregnant women may consume caffeine in moderation. Experts say it's acceptable to ingest 150 to 300 mg per day, a 237 ml cup of coffee has 95-165 mg of caffeine, whereas a 177 ml drink of black tea contains about 45 mg. Caffeine may also be found in cola drinks, chocolate, green tea, and some medications.
Tests and Screenings
If you did not have any screening blood tests during the first trimester, your doctor may recommend that you take them in the second trimester.Maternal Serum Screening (MSS)
This test, also known as the triple test or maternal serum screen (MSS), measures the levels of three distinct hormones in your blood: oestriol, free beta HCG, and alpha-fetoprotein.It checks for disorders including Down Syndrome and neural tube abnormalities. You may take the test between 14 and 18 weeks of pregnancy.
Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
Another genetic screening test available in the second trimester is NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing). This blood test may be done during either the first or second trimester.During pregnancy, some DNA (genetic material) from the placenta enters your bloodstream. This DNA contains your baby's genetic information. NIPT examines this DNA to see if your baby is at a higher risk for a genetic disease.
Are ultrasound scans commonly suggested during the second trimester?
An ultrasound is suggested for all pregnancies between 18 and 20 weeks. This test is referred to as a morphology or anomaly scan.
This ultrasound scans for:
- The location of the placenta
- Factors to consider include cervical length, amniotic fluid level, and foetal development
- Any anatomical (structural) abnormality in the foetus
Health and Wellness
Though your symptoms should improve throughout the second trimester, you will begin to notice significant changes in your body. To treat some of the aches and pains that may accompany these changes, consider the strategies listed below after consulting with your doctor first. Remember that your decisions should always be based on your tastes and the options accessible to you.- Regular exercise is suggested during pregnancy to relieve lower back and pelvic discomfort. A variety of therapeutic methods are available, including physiotherapy, support belts, and acupuncture
- To treat carpal tunnel syndrome, rest, ice, and elevate your hands and wrists
- For itchy skin or stretch marks, moisturisers may help. However, ask your doctor before using any moisturiser, to check if the product is safe for pregnancy
- Healthy eating and regular exercise are essential throughout the second trimester and throughout your pregnancy
- Maintain your usual workout schedule, but don't overdo it. In general, you should be able to have a conversation while working out. When it comes to exercising while pregnant, always contact your healthcare professional
- Continue to consume a variety of meals to ensure you're receiving enough calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
When to Reach Out to Your Doctor
You are the one who understands your body best. If you have any concerns, it is perfectly acceptable to contact your healthcare professional. It's also a good idea to contact your healthcare practitioner immediately if you have:- Unusual or severe cramps or stomach discomfort
- Noticeable alterations in the foetus's movement (after 28 weeks of gestation). If you don't see six to ten motions in an hour or less, contact your doctor
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath that seems to worsen with time
You should also contact your doctor straight away if you see any indicators of early labour such as:
- Regular tightness or discomfort in your lower abdomen or back that happens more than four times every hour
- Any bleeding during the second or third trimester of pregnancy
- Any fluid leak. Vaginal discharge commonly increases as a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy
- Pressure in the pelvis or vagina
