Welcome to your second trimester! Many women find that they have fewer symptoms than in their first trimester. During your pregnancy, you may start to notice a small baby bump as your uterus grows upward and outward.
how are you feeling?
Every woman is different. However, many expectant mothers feel better during the second trimester than the first trimester. Hopefully, you’ll feel less nauseous and less tired during this time.
During this time you will start to experience some other new changes like bloating. And entering the third trimester your baby is moving and kicking you – you should start feeling that way!
Common symptoms
Although no two pregnancies are ever the same, you may experience some symptoms during the second trimester. The symptoms are as follows:
- Hand and finger pain – your hand feels numb, numb, or numb
- A line of skin extending from your navel to the pubic hairline
- Dark patches on your face
- Pain in lower back and pelvis
- Darkening of nipples
- Stretch marks on your breasts, stomach, buttocks and thighs.
self care
Although your symptoms should subside a lot during the second trimester, you’ll start to notice big changes in your body. There are some aches and pains that may come with these changes that you should check with your healthcare provider first and try some of the following methods.
Remember, you should always base your decisions on priorities and what is readily available at hand.
- Regular exercise during pregnancy is recommended for lower back and pelvic pain. There are many treatment options that can be used as well. These are physiotherapy, belt use and acupuncture.
- Rest, apply ice, and elevate your hands and wrists for symptoms such as hand and finger pain.
- If you want to use a cream, gel, or lotion for stretch marks, start early and massage these products into the affected area. It is important to use the selected product daily for several consecutive weeks.
A healthy diet and regular exercise are very important during the second trimester and even throughout pregnancy. Maintain your regular physical exercise routine. But never tire yourself. As a general rule, you should be able to carry on a conversation while working. Always consult your healthcare provider about exercise during pregnancy. A variety of foods should be eaten to ensure adequate energy, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
< What to eat during pregnancy
How is your child growing?
In the second trimester, your baby’s internal organs and body continue to develop more sophisticatedly. What happens during these very important weeks is as follows:
- Bones begin to harden
- The skin begins to thicken
- The heel is formed
- The nervous system begins to develop
- Hearing begins to develop
- The part of the brain that affects physical movement or movement begins to develop
- Can open and close eyelids
- Kicks can be vigorous
- The digestive system starts working
- Lungs are fully formed
Fetal growth can vary significantly due to various factors. But at the beginning of the second trimester, your baby is about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long and weighs about 28 grams. By the end of the second trimester, your growing baby will be about 35 cm (14 inches) long and weigh 1 to 2 kg (2 to 4 pounds). [Information obtained from Cleveland Clinic]. For information in your home country, please check with your Ministry of Health.
When should I see a health care provider?
During the second trimester, you should see your healthcare provider once at 20 weeks and again at 26 weeks. For information in your home country, please check with your Ministry of Health.
Things you need to watch out for
Because every woman’s pregnancy experience is different, you should talk to your healthcare provider if you experience the following:
- Severe cramping or abdominal pain
- Fever above 38 (100°F) degrees Celsius
- Vaginal discharge of blood or fluid
- Sudden or extreme swelling
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Painful urination
- Severe and persistent headache
- vomiting blood
- Respiratory problems
- Heart palpitations
- blurred vision
