So we are going to continue with the pregnancy series today and talk about what happens in the second trimester. So let’s jump right into it!
Honeymoon period
Often dubbed the “honeymoon period,” your second trimester lasts from 13 weeks to 28 weeks. Generally by this point, expecting mamas have settled into their bodies and emotions a bit more. The morning sickness, fatigue, and mood swings that made the first trimester so hard often go away for people at this stage… but not for all of our mamas.
A lot of changes continue to occur quickly during this time – both for you and your growing baby. So let’s talk about it.
Your Body
Although you may feel a lot better during this phase, there are still some new things that your body may experience and go through. This includes:
You may feel movement from your baby for the first time around 20 weeks. This is called quickening.
Your appetite may continue to increase as your baby grows in size. Health care professionals generally recommend including an additional 300-350 calories during this time to support heath weight gain.
Your pregnancy may become more visible as your uterus gets bigger. This may cause some itchiness as the skin stretches to accommodate it. You may also experience some lower abdominal pain as the ligaments also stretch.
You may experience nosebleeds and a stuffy nose that has nothing to do with allergies! This is due to an increase in estrogen and progesterone.
Your gums may bleed more easily.
Your back may start to get achy as the ligaments in your pelvis loosen (caused by a hormones) in preparation for vaginal delivery. Thankfully, this is where seeing a physical therapist may help with some relief!
Breast enlargement is also common as your body prepares for nursing.
Heartburn, indigestion and constipation may continue. But you may feel the need to urinate more often as the uterus presses on the bladder.
Braxton Hicks contractions may also begin to occur. This is where the muscles around your uterus contract and tighten for a minute or two. These are not labor contractions, and may cause more discomfort than pain. They may come and go at random, varying in time and strength. Generally, these are happening because you are overdoing it in some way. Try to lay down, have a snack and HYDRATE. They should go away pretty quickly after that.
Your Baby
Your baby will also gain weight during the second trimester: up to three pounds!
The brain and spinal cord become much more developed.
Reflexes like sucking and swallowing begin to appear. Your baby will also begin to respond to certain stimuli.
They will begin to have sleep-wake cycles and the lungs are being developed, though they are not able to fully breathe on their own.
The heart can filter up to 100 pints of blood a day.
Generally, the anatomy ultrasound to ensure appropriate development of all structures occurs at approximately 20 weeks.
A baby born at 22 weeks may survive in the NICU with a good amount of support.
Overall, the second trimester of pregnancy continues to be about change and growth: your body and your baby’s. It is also time where some of the more turbulent symptoms from the first trimester should hopefully even out, making you feel like you have more energy. However, your body may start to significantly change appearance as your baby grows. Overall, it is important to be gentle with yourself during this time and do things to keep yourself healthy, happy and whole!
<3 Recharged Performance Therapy Team
(321) 802-1630
Paige@rechargedperformancetherapy.com
www.rechargedperformancetherapy.com
References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-second-trimester
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20047732