2nd Trimester Of Pregnancy

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• QHow will I feel during the 2nd trimester of my pregnancy?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  During the 2nd trimester, you will almost certainly feel better than the 1st trimester because the morning sickness is gone and you will have more energy. Take advantage of this time and begin preparing for the arrival of your child! Leading up to the birth, you will begin to experience worse symptoms so be sure to do all you can while you feel well.

  You may notice that your breasts are more sensitive and growing larger with the rest of your body. You may also experience trouble sleeping because of discomfort. Some complications that can occur at this time are dizziness, Braxton-Hicks contractions, leg cramps, heartburn, and nasal congestion.

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• QHow might my actions affect my baby during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  In general, you should focus on an overall healthy lifestyle. Avoid substances like alcohol and tobacco as much as possible, since these may harm your developing baby. Restrict caffeine to no more than 200 mg a day, or one 12-ounce cup of coffee. Certain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may affect your baby, so talk to your doctor about whether you should stop taking any medications. Your diet may also affect your baby, so eat a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Also, make sure you're getting the proper vitamins—especially calcium, iron, and folic acid—through your food and vitamin supplements. You should get plenty of moderate exercise so that you and your baby stay healthy. If you have questions about how a particular activity may affect your baby during the 2nd trimester, talk to your doctor.

• QWhat are some problems that occur during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  While the risks for miscarriage or pre-term labor always remain, you should find your 2nd trimester more comfortable than your first. However, there are some discomforts that may arise. most of your problems will be different from the first trimester. You probably aren't feeling nauseous or vomiting anymore, but you may be experiencing constipation and hemorrhoids. You may also experience minor symptoms like leg cramps, Braxton Hicks contractions, swelling, or back pain. Also, during this time you should watch out for certain risk factors and complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, anemia, and pre-term labor.

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• QHow does my baby develop in the second trimester?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  During the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, weeks 14 through 27, your baby will change and develop drastically. At week 14 your child is just beginning to develop facial features and genitalia, making it possible to determine your child's gender. By week 27 your child has advanced brain and lung function and could survive if delivered at this time. Because your child has also developed most of its senses at this time, they may be able to recognize your voice or feel your movements.

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• QWhat should I discuss with my doctor during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  During the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, you may feel overwhelmed by all of the questions for your doctor. Make sure you write down all of your questions as they occur so that you are prepared for your appointment. Here are some that you might want to consider:

  • Child’s development
  • Sex of the baby
  • Body changes (weight gain, increased heartburn, dry eyes, energy levels, etc.)
  • Tests and screenings (genetic, x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc.)
  • Diet and exercise
  • Problematic symptoms
  • Birth plan (pain management, emergency situations, support, etc.)
  • Delivery date
• QWhat will I look like during the 2nd trimester of my pregnancy?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  During the 2nd trimester, your uterus has outgrown your pelvis and is starting to grow up into your abdomen. In addition to your growing uterus, you're probably gaining a little bit of weight, mostly in your waist, hips, and breasts. This means that many women are wearing maternity clothes at this point, and people may begin to notice slight changes in their appearance. You may also be more sensitive to your posture because of back pain. Both back pain and clumsier movements usually result because of the excess weight you are carrying around. Your legs and ankles may begin to swell because of edema.

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• QWhat is the size of my baby during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  During the second trimester of pregnancy, your child grows in size at an incredible pace.

  • By week 13, your baby is about 2 1/2 to 3 inches long, is growing longer and is gaining weight rapidly.
  • During week 15, your baby is between four and five inches in length (about the size of an apple).
  • During week 18, your baby is around six inches long and weighs between seven and eight ounces. For the first time during your pregnancy, your baby is likely to be larger than the placenta.
  • By week 20, the halfway point, your baby has grown to be about 6 to 8 inches long.
  • During week 23 of pregnancy, your child will be between one and two pounds in weight and developing very quickly.
  • During week 25 of pregnancy, your child is already weighing between a pound and a half and two pounds and is as much as 13 and a half inches long.
  • During week 27 of pregnancy, the length of your child is about three times the size that it was at 12 weeks. Your baby weighs almost 2 pounds and measures around 14 and half inches long. Because your child is growing so much, their movements may be more noticeable to you.

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• QWhat changes occur during the second trimester of pregnancy?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Most women's morning sickness goes away around week 13. This results in a renewed sense of energy for most women. Here’s a list of other changes you might expect throughout the second trimester of your pregnancy:

  • Increased libido – increased levels of progesterone and estrogen in the body can make breasts, nipples and vagina more sensitive
  • Change/increase in appetite – with possible cravings for sugary foods
  • Weight gain – a pound every week or two from week 20 until the end of your pregnancy
  • Heartburn
  • Change in center of gravity
  • Leg issues – cramping, swelling, spider veins, varicose veins, restless leg
  • Vivid dreams
  • Darkening skin (chloasma) – particularly around the upper lip, forehead, cheeks, nipples, inner thighs and along the line that runs from your naval to your pubic bone
  • Lumpy breasts
  • “Quickening” – the baby’s movement (starting around week 20)
  • Extra oil – may develop acne or other related skin problems
  • Braxton Hicks contractions – "practice" contractions that your uterus makes weeks before you are actually ready to deliver. (These "false" contractions are normal and are not dangerous.)
  • Stretch marks – on the abdomen, rear or thighs (may not go away after you give birth)
  • Water retention
  • Edema/slow blood circulation
  • Thicker/shinier hair – due to fluctuating hormone levels

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• QAre there any tests I should have during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Here is a list of tests and procedures common to the second trimester (weeks 13 through 28) of pregnancy:

  • At the beginning of the 2nd trimester, your doctor may be able to use an ultrasound to find out your baby's sex. (Talk with your partner about the benefits of finding out early and the benefits of waiting.) The ultrasound is also used to measure your baby's growth and movements. Problems with bone or organ development may be visible on an ultrasound as well, and your doctor can take a look at other related elements like placenta, the umbilical cord and amniotic fluid.
  • A common blood test in weeks 15 through 22 is the quadruple screen, which tests four different pregnancy hormones; this helps find birth defects like Down's syndrome and neural tube defects.
  • Between weeks 24 and 28 many women get the glucose challenge test (GCT) or the glucose tolerance test (GTT). These tests help to diagnose gestational diabetes and anemia.
  • If you are experiencing excessive swelling in the legs, ankles, hands or face your doctor may test for preeclampsia.
  • Routine blood tests are done to measure sugar and iron levels. A blood test may also be given to check for anemia.
  • A urine test can be used to check sugar and protein levels.
  • Later in your pregnancy (week 28), your doctor may test for certain communicable diseases that could affect your child. These tests commonly look for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea.

  Make sure to see your doctor if you have any concerns about your condition or have noticed any troublesome changes. You may also want to see your doctor if you're having a great deal of trouble with swelling or acne.

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• QWhat will happen at my second trimester doctor visits?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  You can expect a whole new battery of tests now that you're in your second trimester:

  1. Beginning with your 12-week visit, your provider will listen for the fetus's heartbeat
  2. Check your hands, feet, and face for swelling; if at risk, you'll undergo a work-up for preeclampsia
  3. Beginning at your 20 week visit, your provider will measure your abdomen to check the fetus's growth
  4. Between 18 and 20 weeks, a sonogram is commonly done to see whether your baby's health and growth are progressing normally
  5. Between 24 and 28 weeks, every pregnant woman receives a glucose screening test for gestational diabetes
  6. Your provider may check your blood once more for anemia
  7. Blood test for Rh antibodies if you are Rh negative and your partner is Rh positive or unknown; if antibodies are not detected, you will be given in injection of Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks
  8. In addition, your provider will ask questions to insure that you are staying in good mental and physical health as your pregnancy progresses (you'll be asked about fetal movement and the pattern that is developing so you can learn to monitor this important health tool)

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