It is time to rejoice, as you have just accomplished a great feat and are now approaching your third month of pregnancy. The middle part of pregnancy ordinarily extends from week fourteen until the twenty-seventh week. If you haven’t already spread the word about your baby, this would be the ideal moment to post that baby reveal idea you’ve been eyeing on Pinterest.
As you progress further into the gestation period, your little one will become more and more noticeable, with your stomach appearing increasingly more prominent. Throughout your pregnancy, your body will go through various adjustments during the second trimester. Below is a list of some of the warning signs and other achievements you can anticipate.
When Is Your Second Trimester?
The second part of your pregnancy lasts a little more than three months, beginning in the 13th week and going until the 27th week. During the second trimester, both your baby and your stomach will expand considerably.
Your Baby’s Growth During The Second Trimester
Your unborn child starts their second semester of gestation weighing about .81 ounces (or .05 pounds!) and measures 2.9 inches from their head to their bottom.
By the close of this period, they have increased significantly in size, amounting to almost 1.9 lbs and 14.4 inches, beginning from the head to the feet.
As well as becoming bigger, your infant’s senses and bodily organs are also maturing. The baby will commence with sucking and swallowing during the middle three months of the pregnancy, being able to differentiate between different sounds (such as the noise of the mother’s voice!), and will even create distinctive finger and thumbprints – and those are just a couple of the changes!
Because of the great development occurring, it is not extraordinary to observe a baby bump during the second trimester of pregnancy. You and everyone else will see the signs of a growing baby bulge.
Carrying that extra weight around in your midsection (and having pregnancy hormones raging through your body) may result in you experiencing a few physical changes within the upcoming weeks. Let’s jump straight in.
Second Trimester Symptoms
As you enter the next 13 weeks, you may notice these changes:
Decreased Morning Sickness
If you went through morning sickness throughout your initial trimester, then you can be happy – you’re likely to suffer from less queasiness in the middle trimester. It appears unlikely that the issue of nausea during the morning hours will reemerge during the second three-month period, which implies that your craving for food – as well as vigor – might be restored. Bear in mind that you could feel queasy for a few weeks into the second trimester, so it may be best to consume ginger tea for a bit more of a period.
Difficulty Eating Large Meals
The expansion of your uterus can make it difficult to consume substantial meals. Don’t gulp down your meals; instead, graze on small portions throughout the day. If you’ve been dealing with morning sickness, you may be familiar with it by now. It is important to consume an additional 200 to 300 calories on a daily basis. Opting for foods that are good for you, such as lean proteins and complex carbs, can help to improve your well-being. One potential consequence of higher-fat diets is that they take longer to break down and digest, causing them to stay in the stomach for longer periods of time, resulting in constipation.
Increased Energy
You’ll probably be less exhausted during the day, providing you with more vigor to pursue hobbies and activities you want to, such as creating a baby registry. Make sure you get out and move, too. It is advised that individuals get active for at least half an hour each day, including activities like walking, attending a fitness class, cycling or swimming. Avoid participating in activities that could potentially result in an injury (e.g. skiing – either on water or on the slopes, rollercoasters, horseback riding, etc.). Watch out to ensure that you don’t hurt yourself or end up falling on your stomach.
A few women may feel tired during the middle stage of pregnancy, so don’t be disheartened if you find yourself going through the same thing.
Dull Headaches
Pregnant women can expect some headaches to occur during their second trimester, although they will usually not be as recurrent as before. The reason for such incidents is that the arteries have dilated in order to enable optimal blood supply to the uterus. The first trimester of pregnancy sees a spike in blood volume and an influx of hormones, resulting in an increase in common occurrences. Between 12 and 15 weeks, the body will become accustomed to increased circulation, typically leading to a decrease in headaches.
Shortness of Breath
With the labor of the heart intensifying and your womb beginning to increase in size, you may experience greater difficulty in taking deep breaths.
Round Ligament Pain
The ligaments in the middle section of your body are being pulled and extended to sustain your expanding womb. You may experience distress on both sides of your lower abdomen that is similar to slight cramping, a sharp pain, or persistent discomfort. Making sudden changes in body position, such as rotating while lying down, getting up, or laughing, could cause the ligaments to be stretched, leading to an uncomfortable sensation or agony. If you are in great discomfort or experience profuse bleeding, make contact with your healthcare provider straight away.
Pelvic Pain
As your baby’s weight increases, your ligaments become looser and need to be stretched, thus causing your muscles to function more strenuously to maintain their support. In the second trimester of pregnancy, some women may experience more pain or discomfort in their back, hips, or pelvis.
Emerging Baby Bump
By the twentieth week of pregnancy, the uterus should have grown up to your navel. Depending on how you are proportioned, it may become evident that you are pregnant with a baby bump. If you have not taken up wearing maternity clothing yet, you might want to think about beginning your search for some new pieces. You can attempt a way to elongate the band of your treasured slacks: secure a hair elastic or an elastic band around the button, thread it through the button opening in the slacks, then link it back to the button.
Bleeding
It is usual to observe spotting or a small amount of bleeding during your second trimester. Make sure to get in touch with your physician if you are losing enough blood to be evident through more than one sanitary pad or if your menstrual flow is accompanied by strong pelvic pain or the passing of clumps.
When To Seek Medical Care
A few examples of what you may experience in your body have been given. A lot of the changes happening in the second trimester are nothing to worry about, and a lot of women don’t have any problems and just feel great!
Be mindful of any indicators that something could be amiss during the entirety of your pregnancy.
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Nausea or vomiting (more than usual)
- Severe diarrhea.
- Vaginal Bleeding.
- Increased vaginal discharge.
- Smelly vaginal discharge.
- Your water is breaking.
- Headaches that won’t go away.
- Signs of a urinary tract infection.
- Feeling dizzy or out of breath.
- Pain in your abdomen or back.
- Severe swelling.
- Blurry vision.
- Fever or chills.
- Quick weight gain.
Be aware that this isn’t a comprehensive inventory, and it’s important to heed your intuition and get medical attention if you feel something isn’t right. It is better to err on the side of caution in case the outcome is nothing.
The Second-Trimester Checklist
We have discussed extensively the modifications to anticipate in your body as well as how to handle them. However, typically women experience positive feelings during their middle trimester.
Take the opportunity and use these weeks to get the most out of your pregnancy!
In order to aid you in completing tasks, we have made this listing for the second semester. If you want to obtain a comprehensive list of items to consider during the second trimester onward, take a look at our article here.
1) Create Your Baby Registry
Now is an ideal time to set up a baby registry if you are expecting a baby shower in the near future so that your guests know how to help you prepare for your baby.
Provide a selection of merchandise with varying prices along with all-in-one items such as our Organic Swaddle Blankets. This 100% organic muslin cotton swaddle, which is breathable, is perfect for wrapping up your little one when they are still tiny. This item can be utilized later as a cloth to wipe up baby burps, something to cover you while breastfeeding, a canopy to shade baby while in the stroller, or a thin quilt.
Crib sheets are an excellent addition to your baby registry. The materials that we create our Organic Cotton Sheets from are preshrunk organic muslin cotton. They provide an exceptionally airy sleeping environment and ensure that you can sleep comfortably throughout the night!
2) Plan Your Gender Reveal Party
If you have made the choice to discover if your child is a male or a female, you may throw a gender reveal celebration to tell your loved ones the thrilling news!
Before you know it, you will be presenting the results of your gender reveal ultrasound, so it’s important to begin organizing the celebration now. If you need help getting started, our article How To Host And Plan A Memorable Gender Reveal Party will point you in the right direction.
3) Check Into Classes
If you plan on attending childbirth or breastfeeding classes, get the necessary details as soon as possible! It’s not too early to register.
4) Decide On Childcare
It could appear to take a substantial amount of time prior to having your infant bodily in your embrace and an extended period until you will require to look for a babysitter.
However, some daycares have very long waiting lists! It is advisable to handle your inquiry today and, when necessary, put your child on the reserve list.
5) Research Pediatricians
It is advisable to investigate who you plan on having as your infant’s pediatrician at this time.
It is advantageous to have an understanding of your various options during the second trimester of your pregnancy so that you may select the best one for you.
6) Travel
Many pregnant women consider the second trimester to be an ideal time to go on a trip. If you have a journey you desire to make, it may be best to embark on it in the near future. The regulations stipulate that you can journey up to 36 weeks, but it is usually much more relaxing during the middle part of your pregnancy.
Before committing to a travel plan, consult your physician about the security of the journey and if they have any special advice.
7) Write A Birth Plan
As you approach the close of the second portion of your pregnancy, start considering the type of birth you would like to have.
Creating a birth plan is the process of listing out your wants and needs before, during, and after your baby’s birth. It is a way of communicating your desires to your healthcare provider. Subsequently, you can communicate it to your significant other, physician, childbirth support professional, and relatives so that everyone comprehends what will happen.
Do you want to create a birth plan? Our article contains suggestions to help you compose it.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
When Will I Feel My Baby Move for the First Time?
One more delight that arrives during the second trimester is having the pleasure of feeling your baby’s movements. You may experience sensations similar to butterflies in your stomach, though they could be mistaken for gas bubbles. It can be difficult to tell the difference between your infant’s initial movements or the chicken salad sandwich you had for lunch. It’s possible to distinguish between genders at approximately twenty to twenty-two weeks.
If you don’t feel your baby kick, don’t panic. The placenta might be situated in the front area of your womb. This creates a pillow between you and your baby. Your baby will soon get large enough so you can feel its movements via the placenta cushion.
What Fetal Development Occurs in the Second Trimester?
Apart from commencing the process of mobility, your infant will witness considerable changes throughout this period. Their fingers, toes, and facial characteristics become more distinct and apparent. The infant’s nervous system launches into action, they start to collect fat, and over time in the third trimester, their eyes will start to open. Once you get to the third stage of gestation, your child will start to react to stimuli.
How Should I Sleep During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy?
You can continue to sleep on your stomach until the size of your pregnancy makes it uncomfortable. Get accustomed to slumbering in either the left or right position.
Is It Safe to Have Intercourse During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy?
Altogether, unless you have been specifically instructed by your health providers to do something differently (you can always check to be certain). Pay attention to your body and its signals, do only what is comfortable, and do not carry on if you feel any pain.
Take Advantage Of Your Second Trimester
The second trimester is different for every expecting mother. No matter what state you are in at this moment, towards the end of your pregnancy, your abdomen is likely to be larger, and you may not be capable of handling a lot of house duties.
Take advantage of the second trimester to be well prepared for the oncoming of your baby!
Take a break and get the necessary materials to equip your baby’s room from Newton Baby. You are day by day getting nearer to having your invaluable baby in your abode!
