The Second Trimester
The Second Trimester – A Survival Guide
Is the second trimester of pregnancy really about survival? Do I really need a Second Trimester Survival Guide? What should I expect? An “Amazing Race” type experience? Will I manage? How hard can this trimester be? These are some of the multiple questions pregnant women experience. Sheana Jones offers her wealth of experience advising what to expect and how to survive the changes in the Second Trimester of pregnancy.
Body changes of the Second Trimester
As you enter this trimester, know that your embryo is now a fully-fledged foetus. Understandably, the second trimester (T2) is all about massive baby development. In fact there is surprisingly little happening in mummy – the incubator – or so it seems. T2 is from roughly 13 to 24 weeks. During this time, you will begin to feel less tired and a bit less strange. The initial huge hormone surge of early pregnancy settles down a bit. You body is also acclimatising to the new normal which should make you feel filled with energy, and a bit invincible. It may simply be because the First Trimester has left you at such a low base, that T2 seems to be a walk in the park!
Your pregnancy will begin to show. As a result, your tummy will become big enough that you will be aware of clothing that no longer fits around your little bump.
CAUTION: 50% of folk are going to say that you look so big. And, the other 50% of folk are going to say that you look too small. Just smile and wave!
Baby movements – a first experience.
Along with the body changes, you will experience foetus movements. Foetus movements are first felt at 18 to 22 weeks. In a first pregnancy it is more like 22 weeks simply because you don’t really know what to look out for. Once you convincingly feel the little thud (or “popcorn bursting inside me” as one of my patients described it), you will reflect on the fact that this has been happening for several weeks.
NOTE TO YOUR PARTNER: the movements that mum feels are much earlier than the transmitted movements that the rest of the world feels. This means that lots of partners are only feeling the movements from 24 weeks or even later.
Know the foetal changes of the Second Trimester
Your baby will now have developed all its functioning organs. It is common to perform an Anomaly Scan at 20 weeks. This is done by a specialist sonographer to detect adequate growth and normal development. There is such emphasis on normality, as it can be very daunting if there is something on the ultrasound that is not entirely normal or if growth is below average. The trust you have in your HCP at this stage should allow you to easily access information and ask questions. Keep your level of worry as low as possible. Everyone has their own story. That’s the point. This is your story. Don’t listen to the ‘noise’, rather focus on information from your HCP.
Summary of the Second Trimester Guide
If you need to remember anything about T2 Trimester then note the following points:
- Your tummy will begin to show
- Your back ache may begin, but your energy levels will return
- Everyone has an opinion on your size
- You will begin to feel movements, it’s a privilege for mom’s
- You will be able to have a scan of the baby to check all is well with development
To help you through issues around the Second Trimester consider: FrezyDerm has a range of useful products you should look in to. Nipple Emollient to help prepare the nipples for breast feeding, Prevenstria to help prevent stretch marks , and Reconstria to help correct and reduce existing stretch marks. Oh, did I forget to mention the stretch marks!?
