Expectations for the Second Trimester

The second trimester is often one of the most wonderful times of a woman’s pregnancy. At this point, most High Desert women have worked past the symptoms associated with the first trimester, such as nausea, vomiting and fatigue, and can begin enjoying their pregnancy. Apple Valley women who are expecting should understand what changes to expect during the second trimester, and make an effort to continue to take care of themselves. Your OBGYN will help you along the way, and answer any questions you might have. Be sure that you are working with an obstetrics expert that you can trust completely as you progress in your pregnancy.

What Can I Expect During the Second Trimester?

Your body will continue to change, and this will bring on a new set of symptoms including enlarged breasts, backache and even bleeding gums. While the nausea and fatigue of the first trimester will gradually disappear, women experience a whole new slew of symptoms in the second trimester. Some of these are mild, but many can be uncomfortable. Headaches, frequent urination, heartburn and constipation, are often complaints that women have during the second trimester as a result of hormones that continue to change within her body.

You will start to feel your baby move inside of you. This process is called quickening, and it most often occurs by 20 weeks. Experienced mothers may find that they feel this sensation sooner than they did during their first pregnancy. The first signs of movement can feel like bubbles in the belly, a goldfish swimming or even a small tap. As the pregnancy progresses, the movements will begin to feel more like kicks and jabs and the partner will be able to feel them from outside of the belly.

During this exciting time, the uterus continues to expand and a woman begins to look pregnant. These changes will take place at different times for different women, depending on their physical characteristics, the size of their baby and whether it is the first or subsequent pregnancy. As the baby grows rapidly and the mother’s body changes in order to accommodate that growth, women will experience significant weight gain. Women should talk with their OBGYN about the amount of weight that they should gain in order to stay healthy throughout the pregnancy.

Women will visit their OBGYN at least every 4 weeks throughout the second trimester. As they enter the third trimester, the frequency of regular check-ups will increase. Pregnant women should remain vigilant and keep an eye out for any symptoms that might be the cause for concern. If a woman experiences abdominal pain, contractions or cramping, or starts to have vaginal bleeding, she should contact her OBGYN as soon as possible. Weight gain also should be monitored. If a woman gains too much too quickly or is not gaining enough weight, she will want to talk with her doctor about addressing this issue.