SECOND TRIMESTER
The second trimester of pregnancy is a busy time for both you and your baby. Your baby will be growing very rapidly over the next several weeks, and you’ll feel much more energetic than normal. This burst of energy typically leads to what is called nesting.
Nesting is basically the process of getting ready for your baby. Some women take it further than others – it’s really just a matter of hormone levels, as well as your natural tendencies to clean, organize and plan. This is generally the time that most mothers set up their nursery, begin buying items for the baby and clean their house to a surgical cleanliness in preparation for the upcoming delivery.
Many women feel like super heroes during this time. After three months of sickness and fatigue, they finally have energy and feel like themselves again. It’s important that you remain aware of your limitations during this time. When setting up the nursery or going on a cleaning binge, make sure you don’t overdo it. Don’t do any heavy lifting and try to avoid climbing on things to clean in high-reaching areas. You don’t want to inadvertently injure yourself or your baby.
The second trimester is also the time that your cravings will kick into high gear. While it’s great to indulge your cravings to a certain extent, keep in mind that you need to maintain a healthy diet for you and your baby. Also, remember that baby weight is easier to lose if you eat healthier during your pregnancy, rather than trying to diet after having the baby.
You should also be aware of nausea, dizziness or shakiness after eating, especially if you’re craving a lot of sugar. Gestational diabetes is common in pregnancy, and usually begins presenting itself and showing symptoms during the second trimester. It’s common practice for a glucose test to be administered some time during your second trimester of pregnancy, but if you have symptoms of high blood sugar, you should definitely discuss them with your doctor. Unchecked, gestational diabetes can cause health problems for you, and cause your baby to be overly large, which causes complications during delivery.
Your baby in the second trimester is growing at a rapid rate. As the baby grows in size, you’ll show your baby bump more and more. People will notice that you’re pregnant and share in your joy, but it also means you’ll probably have to buy maternity clothes. And, as the baby begins to grow hair, you may experience some heartburn, especially after eating spicy foods.
While keeping active and getting exercise is important, be aware of the swelling that may occur in your legs and feet. If you start noticing your feet starting to swell, sit down and rest with your feet propped up. The position you sleep in can also affect your comfort during the day as well, by increasing pressure on your back and causing further swelling. Try to sleep on your side, and if you have a tendency to roll onto your back or stomach, prop yourself with pillows so you can get a better night’s sleep.
During the second trimester of pregnancy, your body will continue to change.
As the uterus grows larger, the fundus (top of the uterus) is likely to be level with your navel (belly button). This happens at about 20 weeks.
By the sixth month (24 to 28 weeks), your belly will feel fuller and appear rounded. The pressure on the bladder decreases, so you won't need to urinate as frequently.
The uterus will continue to crowd the organs that control digestion and elimination, meaning that constipation, gas, and heartburn may continue. You may need to eat smaller, more frequent meals.
The growing and rising uterus also causes the abdominal organs to push on the diaphragm, the muscular wall between the abdominal cavity and the chest. This may make you feel like you can't catch your breath (known as “shortness of breath”).
Pressure on major arteries by the uterus can restrict blood flow to and from your lower body. This results in swelling and pressure on your leg veins, and may even cause hemorrhoids and/or varicose veins. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time, and make sure to engage in regular physical activity. Ask your health care provider about other comfort measures.
Overall blood volume will continue to increase, and by the 20th week of pregnancy you will have about 50 percent more blood circulating in your body.
You may have heart palpitations (as your heart works harder to pump the extra blood around your body), faintness or dizziness, stuffy nose and/or ears, headaches, increased vaginal discharge and saliva, and swelling in your hands, feet, and face.
At this point you may become anemic, and your health care provider may prescribe an extra iron supplement. Take it with an acidic juice (like orange, tomato, or cranberry) and on an empty stomach for better absorption. Be sure to keep up your intake of fluids and fiber to avoid constipation.
