All women are different, but many expectant mothers feel better in their second trimester than in their first. Hopefully, you will begin to notice that you are less likely to feel nauseous and tired.
More changes will begin to happen to you, such as your belly growing; by the third trimester, you should feel your baby moving and kicking!
Common symptoms
Every pregnancy is different, but you may experience some of these symptoms during your second trimester:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome – numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand
- A line on your skin running from your belly button to your pubic hair
- Facial pigmentation
- Lumbar and pelvic pain
- Darkening of the areolae
- Stretch marks on the breasts, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs.
Self-Help
In your second trimester, your symptoms should subside, but you will begin to notice that more serious changes are happening to your body. In order to deal with some of the discomfort and pain that may occur due to these changes, try some of the following methods after consulting your doctor first. Keep in mind that you should always choose one or the other, based on your own preferences and the options available to you.
- For lumbar and pelvic pain, it is recommended that you exercise regularly throughout your pregnancy. Along with this there are many different treatment options available, such as physical therapy, wearing bandages and acupuncture.
- For carpal tunnel syndrome, provide your hands and wrists with rest, put ice on them, and lift them up.
- For stretch marks, if you are going to use a cream, gel or lotion, start applying them early by rubbing the appropriate product into the stretch marks. In doing so, it is important to use the selected product every day for several weeks in a row.
Healthy foods and regular physical activity are important in the second trimester and all stages of pregnancy. Continue with your regular physical exercises, but do not push yourself to the point of exhaustion. As a general rule of thumb, you should be able to keep up the conversation during your workouts. Always consult your doctor about exercise during pregnancy. Continue to eat a variety of foods to get enough energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.
How your baby is growing
During the second trimester, your baby’s internal organs and body functions develop in more complex ways. During these crucial weeks:
- Bones begin to harden
- Skin begins to thicken.
- Your toenails begin to form.
- The nervous system begins to develop
- hearing begins to develop
- The part of the brain that controls motor skills has fully formed
- The eyelids can open and close
- The baby kicks more
- The digestive system is working
- The lungs are fully formed
Fetal development can vary widely for several reasons, but at the beginning of the second trimester, your baby will be about 10 cm tall and weigh about 28 g. By the end of the second trimester, your baby will be about 35 cm tall and weigh 1 to 2 kg [Cleveland Clinic data]. Contact the Department of Health for information regarding your country.
When should I go to the doctor?
In your second trimester, you should see your doctor at weeks 20 and 26. Contact the Ministry of Health or your doctor for recommendations that apply in your country.
What to look out for
All women experience pregnancy differently, but you should talk to your doctor if you have any of the following conditions :
- Severe abdominal cramps or pain
- A temperature of more than 38 degrees F (100 degrees F)
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge from your vagina
- Sudden or severe swelling
- Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odour
- Painful urination
- Severe and persistent headaches
- vomiting blood
- shortness of breath
- cardiac palpitations
- blurred vision
