This is the second part in a three part series covering the three Trimesters of Pregnancy.
This is the time when pregnancy is well established and many of the minor complaints connected with early pregnancy will have vanished. It is, however, also the time when certain tests may have to be done. Amniocentesis, for example, will be offered to women over 35, those with a family history of congenital abnormalities, and those who have suffered repeated miscarriages.
Physical changes:
You may notice that your nipples begin to secrete colostrum. Your waistline will disappear and you will now ‘look’ pregnant. Your gums may become slightly spongy owing to the action of pregnancy hormones. However, there is no evidence for increased dental decay during pregnancy and absolutely no evidence to suggest that there is any truth in the saying “a tooth lost for every child”.
Digestion:
The entire musculature of your intestinal tract is relaxed and this is the cause of many of the minor discomforts during pregnancy. Oesophageal reflex may give you heartburn due to the relaxation of the sphincter at the top of the stomach. Gastric secretion is also reduced and therefore the food remains for longer in the stomach.
The relaxed intestinal muscle also leads to fewer bowel movements and although this allows more complete absorption of foodstuffs, it can also lead to constipation during pregnancy. Your increasing size Once your uterus has grown above your pelvis, your waistline will begin to disappear and you will need to wear larger and looser clothes.
On the other hand, the second trimester is a classic time for women to be told that they look small compared to how many weeks pregnant they are. If this happens to you, don’t worry. How big you will end up will depend on many factors, including your height and build; whether this is your first pregnancy or not, as the uterine muscle tends to get stretched after the first child; and the size of your baby. If your doctor is satisfied with the progress of pregnancy, then you should be too.
Taking care of yourself:
This is the trimester in which you will gain the most weight overall (approximately 6kg/12lb) and there fore it is essential that you consistently eat well. Your posture may also alter as the muscles of the abdominal wall become stretched so as to accommodate your enlarging uterus. As your uterus enlarges it will produce an alteration in your centre of gravity because you are carrying an increasing amount of weight in front. Leaning backwards to try and counter this may result in backache.
Backache:
This usually happens because of the increased blood flow to the whole of your pelvis, which causes some softening and relaxation of the ligaments of the sacroiliac joints (the sacrum) , which attach your pelvic bones to your spine at the back. In addition, the ligaments and the cartilage at the front of your pelvis also loosen and so the mobility of these joints is slightly improved. To help prevent backache, sit with a straight back and don’t slouch, don’t wear high-heeled shoes, and preferably sit on a hard chair or the floor.
Always maintain a straight back or, if lifting, bend from the knees and lift from a crouching position. Avoid lifting if you possibly can.
Your Antenatal care:
Regular checks of your urine, weight, and blood pressure may be augmented by testing for chromosomal defects. From this time, too, your doctor will concentrate on measuring the adequate growth of your foetus. He or she will palpate your abdomen to feel the size and shape of the uterus and check for the height of the fungus and will listen for the baby’s heartbeat.
Preparing for baby:
Towards the end of this trimester, when you are feeling good and full of energy, it is the ideal time to prepare your baby’s nursery and shop baby equipment.
