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Congratulations on your second trimester of pregnancy! I’m sure you are wondering what to expect. You are just coming out of the first trimester, a time when you likely felt a bit less than your best. The good news is, your second trimester is probably going to be much more comfortable. Your body will still be doing a lot of growing and changing, but you’ll have increased energy and hopefully, no more morning sickness.
During my first pregnancy, my mom told me a little phrase to help me remember what to anticipate over the course of my pregnancy: three months weary, three months cheery, three months dreary. So, here’s to your cheery months and learning all that your body will be going through during the second trimester of pregnancy.
What’s going on with baby during the second trimestesr of pregnancy
The second trimester is particularly exciting because during these months you’ll likely begin to look pregnant and even start to feel ‘the quickening,’ which is baby’s fluttering movements. This is always super exciting! And by the end of the second trimester, your baby is big enough for your partner to feel baby’s movements also.
Baby will start the second trimester at around 2.9 inches and weighing .81 oz. He or she will finish the second trimester at around 14.4 inches and weighting 1.93 oz. Wow! Baby is so busy growing during these weeks!
Baby is also very busy sleeping. And he or she might be lulled to sleep with your daily movements and then wake up when you lay down for the night. This isn’t uncommon! It’s so funny that baby’s sleep patterns may already become obvious! My first baby had a noticeable sleep pattern that was actually really awesome. She would move a bit during the night, but she woke up at 8am every morning. I could watch the clock and as soon as 8am came around, she was on the move. And for her first couple years of life on the outside, she woke up every morning at 8am!
Baby Sleep
Speaking of baby’s sleep…make sure to check out my eBook, Every Mom’s Guide To Nap Time-The Ultimate Handbook For Getting GREAT Naps Everyday. This book is so helpful in learning how to help baby be a great sleeper from day one! This means you’ll get a lot more sleep, too, because my book teaches you how to use a great daytime schedule to get baby sleeping through the night early and easily! In this book, I share how I got my babies sleeping through the night as early as 5 weeks old.
Check out the eBook by clicking here!
Changes to your body during the second trimester of pregnancy
With all the growth baby is doing, some things will seem to kick into high gear when it comes to your bodily changes.
You are growing!
During the second trimester you should be gaining about 1/2 to 1 lb a week, ensuring that you have gained about 12-17 pounds by the end. Your breasts will also continue to grow during this time, most likely. Getting a supportive bra that is one size larger than what you started your pregnancy in and that has wide, supportive straps should make you more comfortable.
Click on the image to view this bra on Amazon.
As you are choosing a new bra, definitely be looking to get yourself some maternity clothes if you haven’t yet. Maternity pants, in particular, were my best friend! Any extra pressure on my stomach made me feel really uncomfortable so some maternity leggings and jeans were my fav early on!
Click on the image to view the item on Amazon.
Backaches and headaches
Aches, pains and discomfort comes with the territory of being pregnant, unfortunately. But, we do all this uncomfortable growing so our baby can grow effortlessly. It is one of the many sacrifices we make for our little loves.
Here are some things you can do to feel a little more comfortable as pregnancy takes its toll on your body during the second trimester.
- If you sit for much of the day, make sure it is in a good chair
- avoid picking up heavy things, which could really hurt your back
- wear comfortable, supportive shoes to alleviate pressure on your back
- get a pregnancy massage
- drink lots of fluids
- try relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, to relax your body
- if ok’d by your doctor, take acetaminophen (avoid Aspirin and IbProfun)
- get a pregnancy pillow to help you sleep MUCH more comfortably (I resisted getting one for my first couple pregnancies because of how large they are and just put a pillow between my legs while sleeping. After using a pregnancy pillow for my last two pregnancies, I would NEVER not get one. They are SO worth it!)
Click on the image to view this pregnancy pillow on Amazon. Your back will thank you!
Other articles you may enjoy:
Hospital Bag Essentials Checklist
Preparing for Baby In Your Third Trimester
Plan A ‘Fresh 48’ Session With Your Newborn
The First Month Of Newborn Sleep
Dizziness
You may experience dizziness as a result of a change in your circulation. To combat this:
- drink lots of water
- avoid standing for long periods of time
- stand up slowly
- lay down on your side
Skin
The ‘mask of pregnancy’
You may notice some changes to your skin during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones stimulate an increase in melanin, your pigment bearing cells. Because of this you may notice some brown patches on your face, commonly called the ‘mask of pregnancy.’ To help decrease these, be sure to wear sunscreen when outdoors as a pregnant woman is more sensitive to the sun.
Linea negra
During the second trimesters, you may also develop the linea negra. This is the dark line that runs from the belly button to the bottom of the tummy. Both the linea negra and the ‘mask of pregnancy’ will fade after the birth of your baby.
Stretch marks
Pregnancy may also leave its mark on you with some stretch marks. There is little evidence that all the creams marketed to prevent stretch marks are actually effective. So, your best bet is to make yourself comfortable by using a fragrance free lotion to help combat any itchiness you have from the stretch marks.
The pregnancy glow
Your pregnancy hormones are continuing to play a big role in your skin during pregnancy. These hormones are causing some extra oil production as well as making your skin look flush.
Spider and varicose veins
These are both caused by the increased blood flow in a pregnant woman’s body as well as the increased pressure put on the legs as your baby (and body) grow. Any spider veins (tiny, red vines) that develop will likely fade after delivery. Varicose veins can’t be prevented but you can stop them from getting worse once they start. You can do this by standing and moving throughout the day, putting your legs up whenever possible (to alleviate the pressure in your legs, which is the cause) and using support hose/compression socks.
There are a lot of options when it comes to compressions socks! So, if you are on your feet a lot for work or as you take care of other kiddos, these could be your saving grace when it comes to varicose veins.
Click on the image to view the item on Amazon.
And if you need something a little fancier, you can check out support hose.
Click on the image to view the item on Amazon.
Nasal congestion
This symptom likely started in the first trimester and is sticking around. You may feel stuffy and congested. This is due to the increased hormones in addition to an increased blood production. To help relieve this, use saline spray/drops, run a humidifier and drink lots of extra water.
Sensitive gums
Keeping up with your dentist during pregnancy is a good idea because there have been links to pregnancy problems and gum disease. Also, you may notice that your gums are particularly sensitive when you brush and floss. Take it easy by flossing gently, getting a softer toothbrush and rinsing your mouth with salt water.
Leg cramps
These can be particularly painful and annoying…especially because they often strike when you are in bed or sleeping. I’ll never forget my first pregnancy leg cramp! I sat straight up in bed, screamed and grabbed my leg. I couldn’t even talk because it hurt so much and caught me by such surprise. Needless to say, my husband was freaked out. After that first cramp, I got real serious about warding them off!
You can help decrease leg cramps during pregnancy by
- stretching and massaging your calves before bed
- staying active during the day
- drinking lots of water
- wearing comfortable shoes during the day
- applying warmth to your calves (hot shower, warm bath, hot pad)
- I also found the suggestion of eating a banana or drinking a glass of milk before bed…I tried both and both seemed to work for me.
- only after talking to your doctor, take magnesium, which has been thought to help leg cramps for pregnant women
This is the magnesium I have found highly recommended from friends who treated their leg cramps with magnesium.
Click on the image to view the item on Amazon.
Discharge, UTIs and hemorrhoids
A thin, clear or milky discharge is normal to experience during this time. You can use a pad if needed but avoid tampons as they may introduce germs that you want to avoid. If your discharge becomes unusually thick, has a yellow or green color, has a strong odor or you have vaginal itching, call your doctor to make sure you don’t have a vaginal infection.
Urinary tract infections (UTI) can be common during pregnancy. If you experience one, be in touch with your doctor. Give a call particularly if you have pain when urinating, have a fever and a backache.
Hemorrhoids are another delightful pregnancy experience. These are caused by varicose viens around the annus that enlarge due to the increased blood flow during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids may cause discomfort and itching. You can try to ease them by taking a warm tub or a sitz bath. If nothing else is working, talk to your doctor about using an over the counter hemorrhoid cream.
Sex
Sex is definitely ok to have during pregnancy. Your baby is totally protected by the amniotic fluid he or she is surrounded by. Your body will be going through a lot of changes, though, so make sure to speak up if things aren’t comfortable for you.
Diet
You don’t need to go crazy with the calories to ensure you and baby are getting all the necessary nutrition. Taking in an extra 300-500 calories is all you need, actually. So, as morning sickness is hopefully over and food is looking better, get some good, healthy meals in.
Heartburn
As you make your healthy food choices, you’ll want to do some things to help yourself out when it comes to heartburn. So many pregnant mamas experience this but there are a few things you can do to make yourself more comfortable.
- eat smaller meals throughout the day
- avoid spicy, greasy and acidic foods
- don’t eat right before bed. Have your last snack at least an hour before bedtime.
As mentioned, heartburn is a common occurrence in pregnancy. This is because of the increased progesterone in your body, which causes muscles to relax. This includes the ring of muscles around your lower esophagus that keeps your food heading downward, into your stomach. If your heartburn is making you significantly uncomfortable, talk to your doctor.
Constipation
This is another delightful side effect of pregnancy. To combat it, eat extra fiber, drink more fluids and stay active.
What to avoid
As mentioned in my article about the first trimester, you still want to avoid the following foods during pregnancy:
- soft, unpasteurized cheeses
- deli style meat
- fish high in mercury (tuna, shark, other large fish)
Symptoms to watch out for
If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to call your doctor:
- severe abdominal pain or cramping
- bleeding
- severe dizziness
- rapid weight gain (more than 6.5 lbs in one week)
- low weight gain or loss (less than 10 lbs gained at the 20 week mark)
Alright, mama…
Hopefully you have gotten a pretty thorough idea of what to expect when it comes to your second trimester of pregnancy, particularly with physical changes you’ll experience. This will help you keep in mind what is normal and what isn’t so you can communicate any concerns with your doctor.
I wish you a smooth and amazing pregnancy. You are getting closer to meeting your little bundle and I’m excited for you. This experience is going to rock your world in the most amazing way!
