Healthy Pregnancy: 2nd Trimester

The 2^nd trimester spans from 13 to 28 weeks of pregnancy and is often considered the most enjoyable trimester.

Your baby grows rapidly in length and weight from the beginning to the end of the 2^nd trimester:

• From 3 inches to about 12 inches long
• From 1 ounce to about 1½ pounds

The nausea (“morning sickness”), sleepiness, fatigue, and nipple tenderness that occurred during the first trimester decreases for most women.

If you get a common cold, or have allergies, ask your pregnancy care provider what over-the-counter medications you can take. Otherwise, enjoy feeling your baby’s first kicks and movements during the second trimester, watching your baby bump grow, feeling the full burst of excitement and sense of well-being.

Your 2nd Trimester Uterus

• Your uterus grows rapidly during the second trimester to make room for your baby. This shifts your center of gravity, and you may experience body aches in your back, abdomen, groin, or thighs. Stretching, changing positions more frequently, and avoiding standing for long periods may help prevent or relieve this discomfort.
  • You may begin to feel Braxton-Hicks contractions, also called “practice contractions.” As your uterine muscles contract, you might feel your belly “ball up” or feel very tight and hard. Braxton-Hicks contractions are normal, irregular, should go away within a few minutes. If your contractions become painful, come and go in waves, and don’t go away when you change positions, call your pregnancy care provider; you may be experiencing preterm labor.

• Your bladder needs to be emptied more often now. You’ll have oh so many bathrooms runs yet only small amounts of pee! It can be frustrating.
  • If you experience burning with urination, see blood, or smell a strong odor, you may have developed a urinary tract infection (UTI).
  • Set up an appointment with your pregnancy care provider. If UTI is not treated, more severe complications can occur.

2nd Trimester Skin Changes

• Stretch marks frequently appear on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks as your body adapts to your pregnancy. The lines may be very faint or dark and they usually fade after you give birth.
• Your nipples will get dark rings of skin around them. This is caused by pregnancy hormones in preparation for producing milk for your baby.
• A new dark line on the skin will run from your belly button to your pubic hairline. This is the linea negra. It’s quite common and also fades once baby is born.
• The “mask of pregnancy” may cause patches of darker skin, usually over your cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Often these patches match on both sides of your face.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome may cause you to feel numb or experience tingling hands.

2nd Trimester Breathing and Belly Changes

• Increased blood flow to the mucous membranes in your nose and mouth during pregnancy may cause nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and bleeding gums.
• Periodontal disease has been linked to preterm birth, so it’s important to keep your regular dental check-ups and cleanings during pregnancy.
• You may also develop heartburn (burning feeling in the chest or throat that occurs when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus) or gastrointestinal reflux (when stomach contents flow back up into your esophagus) as your uterus expands and presses against your stomach and diaphragm.

2nd Trimester Signs of Concern

• Mild swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face
  • You’ll feel your shoes fit tightly, especially after long periods of standing.
  • Call your pregnancy care provider if your weight gain becomes sudden or extreme, this could be a sign of preeclampsia.

• Severe itching on the abdomen, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet may signal a serious liver problem called cholestasis, that requires urgent care
  • Call your pregnancy care provider, especially if the itches occurs with nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice, or fatigue combined with itching.

2nd Trimester Prenatal Tests

• Ultrasound: This special ultrasound is performed around 20 weeks gestation. It’s a detailed look at your baby’s fetal anatomy and to detect any possible abnormalities.
• This ultrasound confirms:
  • The number of babies in your womb
  • Their gestational age
  • Location of your placenta
  • Amniotic fluid level
  • General health of your baby
  • It may even reveal baby’s gender depending on baby’s position in your uterus

• Screening for Gestational Diabetes: This is a glucose tolerance test performed between 24- and 28-weeks’ gestation. It measures how well your body processes glucose (sugar) and has a 2-step process:
  • 1. A blood sample is taken to measure your blood sugar level
  • 2. You’ll be in fasting mode, and will drink a cup of a glucose sample and a second blood sample is taken to measure your blood sugar level
    • After an hour, if your blood sugar measures more than 190 mg/dL, your pregnancy care provider may have you take a second glucose test
    • Your provider may diagnosis you with gestational diabetes depending on the results of the second glucose test

2nd Trimester Planning for Baby’s Arrival

Now that you’re in high-energy mode, your attention shifts to further preparing for your baby’s arrival. This can include:

• Throwing a gender reveal celebration
• Designing and decorating your baby’s nursery
• Planning your baby shower
• Reviewing your work benefits (i.e., parental leave)
• Checking your insurance coverage and benefits (e.g., is a free breast pump offered and can it be shipped to you)
• Registering for childbirth and newborn preparation classes

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