Second trimester of pregnancy: well-being, nutrition, problems. Helpful Hints

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The second trimester of pregnancy (from 13 to 27 weeks) is the most interesting for the expectant mother. After all, it is at this stage that the baby begins to move. This period is usually accompanied by a sense of physiological comfort and well-being. Nausea at this time no longer appears, and the fetus has not yet reached those sizes in order to put pressure on the woman's organs. But still there are certain problems that arise during this period. And today we will find out what he alth difficulties pregnant women can experience at this time and how to deal with them.

Required Research

In the second trimester, a woman must pass the following mandatory tests:

1. Biochemical screening. This is the so-called triple test, which is done in order to rule out Down syndrome and neural tube defects.
2. Ultrasound. The second trimester - is the period when it is very important to do this study, because just then deviations can be detected, because at other times it will be problematic to do so. Induring this diagnostic method, the doctor will definitely check whether the size of the fetus corresponds to the gestational age, how correctly the future baby develops in the mother's stomach: the specialist will determine the size of the renal pelvis, the length of the femurs, and the shape of the head. Also during this period, the doctor will evaluate the blood flow of the crumbs, because it is very important to determine how well the baby is supplied with oxygen and nutrients.

Also, a gynecologist may prescribe additional tests for a pregnant woman, such as:

- Examination of amniotic fluid and fetal blood. The doctor can send for an analysis if the specialist suspects any abnormalities.

- Additional research if the expectant mother has chronic illnesses.

Of course, a planned trip to the doctor should be a mandatory event. At the 15th or 16th week, the doctor weighs the woman, measures the circumference of her abdomen, determines the height of the uterine fundus. Also, a specialist during this period can assess the condition of the heart, kidneys and brain of the fetus. Another doctor at the reception determines the position of the placenta, its size, thickness and maturity.

Common problems awaiting expectant mothers

The last stage, when the embryo finally turns into a person, is 15 weeks of pregnancy. What happens to the body of the expectant mother after the first three months of being in an interesting position? First of all, at this time, the body of a woman undergoes changes. What may bother the fairer sex at this stage, consider below.

1. Breast augmentation. Under the influence of hormonesthe mammary glands during this period become larger. If in the first trimester a woman could observe soreness in her chest, then in the second she will have another problem - irritability of the nipples. Therefore, at this stage, the girl should buy a supportive bra, which will definitely help her.

2. Growing belly. Of course, this is not a problem, but due to the enlargement of the womb, the woman becomes less mobile; the work that was previously done without much effort will seem difficult, and sometimes unbearable.

3. False contractions. During this period, the uterus begins to warm up, so that it will soon be ready for important work. Such contractions in the lower abdomen are usually weak and impossible to predict. However, if there is severe pain in the second trimester, and in addition they are regular, then the woman should urgently see a doctor, as this may be a sign of preterm labor.

4. Skin transformations. Some areas on the body of the expectant mother become darker, for example, the skin around the nipples, certain areas of the face, the line leading from the navel to the pubis.

5. Stretch marks. The second trimester is a period when the fairer sex can observe pink, red stripes along the abdomen, shoulders, chest, hips, and buttocks. Stretch marks, by the way, can be accompanied by unbearable itching. But no one said that pregnancy in the second trimester is easy. However, there is no need to sound the alarm ahead of time. Although the appearance of such lines cannot be prevented, most of them disappear over time or become barely visible.visible.

6. Dizziness. This problem is faced by many women in position, because the blood vessels during this period expand in response to hormonal disruptions. To prevent such a negative phenomenon, the girl should drink enough water, and also slowly get up after sleep. When a woman feels dizzy, she should lie on her left side in order to restore her blood pressure.

7. Problem with gums and breathing. Since pregnancy increases circulation, more blood flows through the mucous membranes of the body. And this, in turn, leads to swelling of the airways, as a result of which the woman begins to snore. Also, increased connective tissue circulation can soften the gums and cause them to bleed.

8. Shortness of breath. Why is the second trimester characterized by respiratory discomfort? The fact is that the lungs process air more intensively than it was before pregnancy. And this allows the blood to carry more oxygen to the placenta and the baby, so breathing in this case becomes more intense, which leads to shortness of breath.

9. Vaginal discharge. If a woman found intense leucorrhoea during this period, then this is normal, because they help to suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast. To avoid discomfort, she can wear quality panty liners. However, the fair sex needs to be careful, and if they notice a discharge in the second trimester withan unpleasant smell, green, yellow, with drops of blood, then this may indicate a vaginal infection. In this case, the woman should immediately go to her doctor.

10. Leg cramps. Leg cramps are another nuisance of the second trimester: as the pregnancy progresses, they become more frequent at night. To prevent cramps, you need to do appropriate exercises before bed, drink more water.

So you have learned what changes a woman's body undergoes after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Let's find out what happens in the second trimester with the fetus.

How does a baby develop?

• Fourth month. During this period, muscles and ligaments are actively formed in the fetus, the baby begins to actively move in the uterus, but so far the expectant mother does not feel it. On the head of the crumbs, the first hairs begin to grow. The skin of the fetus in the 4th month is still too thin, blood vessels are visible through it. By the end of the 16th week, the baby already reaches a height of about 15 cm, weight 140 g; it floats freely in the amniotic fluid, easily changes the position of the body in the uterus.
• Fifth month. At this stage, the crumbs appear eyebrows, eyelashes. His arms and legs are already fully formed during this period. And the muscles of the fetus have already developed so much that the movements become controllable: the baby can suck his finger, touch his body. Also during this period, the baby already has facial movements - he opens his mouth, eyes, frowns, smiles. By the end of the fifth month, fetal growth is alreadyabout 21 cm, weight - 350 g.
• Sixth month. At 21–24 weeks, the baby continues to grow rapidly in the mother's belly. His movements are now more active. During this period, the crumbs already have their own mode of rest and wakefulness. The baby is already interested in learning about the world: he touches the umbilical cord with his arms and legs. While in the mother's stomach, the baby is able to hiccup. By the 24th week of pregnancy, the internal organs of the fetus are already well formed, but the lungs are still immature. By the end of the sixth month of a woman in an interesting position, the baby already reaches an average weight of 900 g and a height of 34 cm.

Missed pregnancy in the second trimester: its signs

The biggest blow of fate that can happen during this period is the cessation of fetal development. Of course, the death of an unborn baby can also happen in the first trimester. But still, the period of 18–20 weeks is considered more dangerous. How to determine if a fetus is dead or not?

- By movements. If a woman does not feel any movements in her tummy, then this may be a signal of trouble. In this case, she should immediately contact a gynecologist - he will listen to the heartbeat, and in case of poor results (for example, the pulse is deaf or not at all), he will prescribe an additional ultrasound.

- On the chest. A frozen pregnancy is characterized by a decrease in the size of the bust. The mammary glands then become soft, colostrum ceases to be secreted.

- If the cervix is ajar, the color of the vagina has become red or pink, there arethick brown discharge - in this case, the doctor can ascertain the fact of the fetal fading.

Acute respiratory infection during gestation

Influenza in the second trimester of pregnancy can be dangerous not only for the mother, but also for the unborn baby. After all, the disease can provoke premature birth, placental insufficiency. If a woman caught the flu in the second trimester, then the crumbs, when born, may experience symptoms of oxygen starvation - pallor, lethargy, a weak cry. But still, you should not panic at the first signs of the flu, since a sufficient number of pregnant women suffered this illness in the second trimester, but then gave birth to absolutely he althy babies.

Flu treatment

You can get rid of this ailment at home, it is not necessary to go to the hospital. What do you need to heal faster?

1. Pregnant woman should be provided with bed rest.
2. It is important to limit your s alt intake while you are sick.
3. Drinking plenty of water will remove toxins from the body and the pregnant woman will recover faster.
4. From week 13 to 27, the second trimester lasts. The temperature, or rather, its increase, is, of course, an undesirable phenomenon for the expectant mother during this period. Therefore, a woman should know what she can take in order to get rid of fever and muscle pain. You need to drink the medicine "Paracetamol".
5. If your throat hurts, it is better to gargle it with a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon per glass of warm water), infusion of elderberry, chamomile, eucalyptus,calendula.
6. With a stuffy nose, vasoconstrictor drops can be used, but not longer than 5 days.

2nd trimester flu prevention

1. Vaccination is the main way to prevent the development of a viral infection in a pregnant woman's body.
2. Increasing the body's defenses, which includes proper nutrition, a he althy lifestyle, as well as physical activity (not lying on the couch for days and stroking your round tummy, but going out into the fresh air and walking).
3. Isolation from the sick. If someone in the house falls ill, it is better to ask this person to stay with other relatives for a while so that he does not infect a woman in position.
4. It is necessary to avoid hypothermia as well as overheating.

Organics Needed Between Weeks 13-27

In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman's body needs substances such as folic acid, vitamins A, E and C. Throughout the entire period of being in an interesting position, future women in labor also need iodine and calcium, and the second trimester is no exception. Vitamins, as well as micro and macro elements that are important to consume during this period, are the following: iron, manganese, selenium, copper, rutin, etc. For the period from 13 to 27 weeks, these substances are designed to help the baby grow properly and actively. After all, it is in the second trimester that the baby develops dynamically, so he will need more minerals and vitamins than in the initial months.

Howeat?

So the golden mean of pregnancy has come. During this period, the main organs and systems of the fetus are already laid down and functioning. Now bones and tissues will actively begin to grow, the brain develops, nerve fibers, as well as blood vessels, form. Why do doctors pay so much attention to such an aspect as nutrition? The second trimester is the time when the baby, located in the mother's stomach, actively takes away useful elements from her. And in order for a woman to have enough of the necessary substances for herself, doctors try at every appointment to remind the future woman in labor that she is fully fed. By the middle of the prenatal period, the content of useful products should be in the following ratio:

- proteins – 22%;

- vegetable fats – 18%;

- fruits and vegetables – 38%;

- cereals – 22%.

Now let's define what exactly should be on the menu of a pregnant woman in the second trimester:

1. Milk and dairy products: fermented baked milk, kefir.
2. Boiled eggs.
3. Low-fat cottage cheese.
4. Boiled or steamed fish.
5. Porridge (buckwheat, rice, wheat, barley).
6. Green peas and beans.
7. Soups with low-fat broths or water.
8. Meat cooked in a steam or oven.
9. Nuts.
10. Vegetables in any form (raw, boiled, stewed).
11. Fruits.
12. Greens (dill, parsley, cilantro, lettuce).

What foods should be avoided?

Now consider nutritionpregnant women in terms of safety. Some foods that women loved to eat before they were in an interesting position, can now pose a threat to the he alth of the baby. The second trimester, as well as the first and third, is the time when the following foods should be excluded from the diet:

- Raw meat as well as fish (like sushi).

- Various smoked sausages, sausages, etc.

- Blue cheese varieties.

- Raw eggs, as well as sauces based on them.

And of course, we recall that no crackers from the store, chips can not be consumed during this period. Alcoholic beverages should generally be forgotten at all stages of pregnancy.

Tone in the second trimester: what to do?

Throughout the entire period of a woman's being in an interesting position, uterine hyperactivity is a serious diagnosis, so every visit to the gynecologist should include a feeling of the abdomen by a specialist.

Causes of increased tone:

1. Stressful situations, emotional disorders.
2. Increased physical activity. Long trips, weight lifting, improperly performed sports exercises - all this can very quickly bring the uterus into tone.
3. Presence of infections such as toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus.

What should be done to eliminate the tone of the uterus?

1. A woman can achieve uterine relaxation only if she herself is completely calm and peaceful.
2. A lady in position mustget enough sleep. If it doesn’t work out at night, then you need to arrange a quiet hour for yourself during the day.
3. As prescribed by the doctor, a woman during hypertonicity can drink sedatives that can reduce spasms of the walls of the uterus.
4. With increased activity of the smooth muscle of the hollow organ, the gynecologist can place the future woman in labor in a hospital to prevent abnormalities in the development of the fetus.

Now you know that in the second trimester, which, by the way, lasts from 13 to 27 weeks, the baby is actively developing and growing. At this time, the mother's breasts, stomach increase, stretch marks form (not for everyone) - that is, the woman's body changes. There are times when a lady has fictitious contractions during this period, the tone of the uterus increases. And so that such serious and dangerous problems do not overtake a pregnant woman, she must protect herself from negative emotions, have more rest, spend time in the fresh air, and also eat right. And then no he alth complications will be observed, and the baby will be born he althy and on time.