Trimesters are a useful method to identify and observe pregnancy since the changes that take place in the first, second, and third trimesters fall into three general categories: early, middle, and late pregnancy.
What happens in 2nd Trimester
The feeling of being healthy and energized during the second trimester of pregnancy is quite normal among the pregnant ladies as per their experience.
You will obviously show the clear signs of pregnancy, yet you won’t get too heavy to move around. Your baby is growing and developing quickly during this stage, so you might need to be preoccupied with health check-ups and labour preparation.
The second trimester, lasts from weeks 13 to 26. It is the intermediate stage of your pregnancy. This trimester’s nicest feature for many women is that their tiring sicknesses starting to subside.
Changes of your body in the 2nd Trimester
During the second trimester, your body will experience a number of significant changes.
– Your uterus will expand, and when the uterine ligaments stretch, you might experience some pain or discomfort.
-Your skin will begin to stretch around your breasts and tummy, which could cause a light itching. With that , many women get stretch marks, which usually disappear by time.
– You will gain some weight although your baby only weighs a little over a kilogram, your volume of blood will expand to accommodate all the growth taking on inside of you.
Changes of your emotions.
While really being joyful and thrilling, it’s also necessary to prepare for the possibility of experiencing a few days of high levels of anxiety or mood swings.
Occasionally, either or both parents will go through challenging emotions throughout pregnancy, such as anxiety about the delivery or adjustments ro be made as parents.
Anxiety is frequent, and perhaps some women will exhibit symptoms of an illness known as anxiety disorder.
A mood swing called antenatal depression involves severe emotional changes that go above and beyond what you might anticipate during pregnancy.
What happens to the baby?
Your baby will grow during the second trimester, from being about 7.5cm and weighing 30 grams in week 13 to being around 23cm and weighing 820 grams in week 26.
The amniotic fluid in your uterus will allow your baby to move about without restriction. If this isn’t your first pregnancy, you might feel this movement as a slight tickling or fluttering by week 19 or perhaps earlier. Your baby’s organ will continue developing during these three months, and the liver, pancreas, and kidneys will all begin to work. Babies may also begin sucking their thumbs at this period. By week 20, your baby is learning to recognize sounds and also can hear the sounds, including rhythm of your heartbeat.
What happens at the health check-ups.
To maintain your health and ensure the health of your unborn child, routine prenatal care is crucial. Your health status will determine how frequently you have to see a health care provider. But for many women, visits will be every four to six weeks.
Your blood pressure and the level of swelling in your hands and feet will be assessed at each visit throughout the second trimester.
You might also have blood drawn for testing, have your urine examined, and be weighed.
In order to keep track of your baby’s development and to hear his or her heartbeat, your doctor or midwife will examine your abdomen.
At about 18 to 20 weeks, if you didn’t receive an ultrasound during your first trimester, one might be recommended.
What to consider extra in the second trimester
Discuss parental leave with your partner before bringing it up with your employer:
Following topics could help you to organize and manage the lifestyle
- How will you and your partner—or other family members—divide up the care of your infant?
- When do you intend to begin your vacation?
- When do you plan to start working again?
- When is a suitable time to inform your employer that you are pregnant?
- After the birth of your child, will your job role change?
Prenatal education:
Ask from your midwife or doctor about the antenatal classes offered nearby.
Consider enrolling in classes with your partner; not only that you both will learn a lot about how to get ready for labour, but you will also meet several people who will be able to share their parenting experiences.
Summary
Second trimester is between week 13 to 26 where you will experience the body changes of yours as well the growth of the baby in tour tummy.
Regular health check-ups and emotional support is a need during the second trimester.
Your baby grows significantly in this periods while identifying your heart beat and other sounds.
