The second trimester of pregnancy, from weeks 13-27, brings changes to both the mother and baby. Symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue tend to decrease, while the baby grows rapidly and can be felt moving. Some new symptoms may arise, but it’s a good time for preparing for the baby and continuing to exercise. Regular doctor visits are important for monitoring both mother and baby’s health.
The second trimester of pregnancy is considered to be from the fourth to sixth month or can be dated between weeks 13 or 14 through week 27. Most women, especially as they reach the middle of this trimester, feel better and have recovered from the most first trimester symptoms that were bothersome. Doctors often recommend that if you plan to go on vacation or travel while pregnant, plans should be made to coincide with your second trimester.
There continue to be numerous changes in a woman’s body and the growing baby is also changing rapidly. The baby will grow from a tiny, barely noticeable fetus to weighing about two pounds (907 g) by the end of the trimester. Mom’s body also keeps changing in response to her baby’s growth. The most obvious of these changes is the emergence of the baby bump. Most women will appear pregnant by the middle of the second trimester.
Luckily, things like morning sickness, fatigue, and moodiness tend to lessen or decrease markedly during the second trimester. Frequent urination can also subsist to some extent. An exciting new symptom during this time is being able to feel the baby move. Most women first feel their babies moving inside the uterus by the middle of this trimester.
Some symptoms that appear during this trimester include a stuffy nose and an increase in vaginal mucus, which may look white. If your vaginal mucus looks bloody, you should contact your doctor right away, as this could be a sign of premature labor. You may develop some hemorrhoids and have problems with constipation. Another second trimester symptom is an itchy belly as the skin stretches to accommodate the growing fetus. If you’re using the cream to try to reduce stretch marks, start using it this trimester.
The weight of the fetus and the weight distribution of the baby can cause some back pain, although not all women have it. It’s also quite common to experience heartburn or indigestion during this time. If this becomes problematic, ask your doctor for recommendations on safe antacids to use. Some women also develop pregnancy mask, which is a slight discoloration of the skin on the face; this is usually temporary. Other women will notice a black line, a dark line from the navel to the pubis.
Due to the increase in energy during the second trimester, this is a great time to work on getting a nursery ready, do some shopping for the baby, and also enjoy time with peers or friends. According to a doctor’s guidelines, it’s safe to continue exercising, which is a good thing, because you may have an increased appetite. Continue to see your doctor regularly so that both your health and that of your baby can be closely monitored.
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