Your guide to 2nd trimester of pregnancy
The second trimester of pregnancy includes week 13 and goes through week 27. Women’s bodies continue to change as the fetus grows larger, and many begin to show signs of an expanding belly. The morning sickness, mood swings and tiredness associated with the first trimester subside, and most women find the second trimester to be much easier and enjoyable than the first. The changes occur because of a decrease in levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and stabilizing of the levels of estrogen and progesterone.
What happens to your body during the second trimester?
The second trimester weeks brings in a new range of symptoms that shows the progression of pregnancy, such as:
- Increased appetite and craving for specific foods.
- The movement of the fetus can be felt around 20 weeks for the first time.
- The uterus grows out of the pelvic cavity relieving the pressure on the bladder; therefore, there is less urge to urinate frequently. The uterus by 20 weeks also grows up to the belly button, making the pregnancy visible.
- Expanding belly makes the skin stretch causing it to itch. Women also experience pain in the lower abdomen as the ligaments supporting the belly are stretched.
- The increased hormones can cause a range of symptoms such as bleeding nose and bleeding gums as they affect the mucus membranes in the mouth.
- The second-trimester weight gain and shift in the center of gravity can start showing as a dull back pain.
- Heartburns, constipation and indigestion might continue in some.
Fetal development during the second trimester
The fetus continues to grow rapidly and increase its weight by about seven times over a period of months. Some of the other developmental changes that can be expected are:
- The fetus kicks and moves from side to side. It has also developed reflexes such as sucking and swallowing.
- The placenta is fully developed, and the eyes of the fetus move to the front of the face while the ears move to the side of the neck.
- Fingernails have started growing on the fingers and toes, and the skin is wrinkly and red.
- There is hair on the head of the fetus, and the skin is covered with ‘lanugo’-soft downy hair.
- A creamy white substance called vernix starts appearing on the fetus to protect the delicate skin. The skin eventually absorbs it over the weeks.
- The 20th week is the halfway point of the pregnancy, and the brain starts to undergo its most important phase of growth.
Prenatal Visits
During the second trimester screening, the doctor will measure the mother’s weight and blood pressure and check for symptoms of underlying conditions. A urine test is done to determine conditions such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. The size, growth, heartbeat and development of the fetus are also measured.
To wrap up
Most women feel the second trimester is more relaxed as the symptoms such as morning sickness, tiredness and mood swings have stabilized. The fetus continues to develop rapidly, and the women’s body continues to change to accommodate the growing fetus. Pregnancy starts becoming apparent at this point with a visible belly and changed skin pigmentation.
References:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-second-trimester
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/second-trimester#doctor-visits
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