What to Expect When You're Expecting During The Second Trimester

The second trimester of your pregnancy is an exciting time. You’ll begin to notice a lot of positive changes happening inside your body, and you’ll start to feel more upbeat about the future. The second trimester can be frustrating too, as many of the symptoms you’re going through may not be directly related to your growing baby. You could have digestive problems, fatigue or headaches – all of which could be traced back to your pregnancy hormones. The second trimester marks the end of the first half of your pregnancy, which means things are starting to get more intense now. Your baby is growing faster and stronger than at any other point in his or her life. In fact, each week brings with it an exponential increase in size and weight for your growing little one. It’s also the most dangerous period for you and your baby because the development that’s happened until now has put them in greater danger from outside influences.

What to expect in the second trimester

During the second trimester, your baby is developing faster than ever before – which puts him or her at greater risk of health issues. Morning sickness will continue to plague you, though its intensity will begin to fade as your body becomes used to the developing food baby is now consuming. 

Your baby is also growing at an incredible rate, and by the end of the second trimester, your baby will have grown to around 8.5 to 14.5 pounds. Your baby’s growth will continue to quicken in the third trimester, and by the time your baby is born, they’ll be around 30 or more pounds. 

Your growing baby will continue to change and mature, and you’ll begin to notice some of these changes in your own body as well. You may begin experiencing fatigue and soreness, both of which are normal. Your breasts will continue to grow, and they may feel tender and sensitive. The lining of your uterus may begin to show, and you may begin to experience lower abdominal cramping.

Changes to your body

- Your belly will continue to grow and stretch as your baby grows and puts on weight. This is normal, but it can be painful and uncomfortable. It’s normal to feel sore and bruised after sex, as well. 

Your breasts will continue to grow, and their sensitivity will likely increase. - Your menstrual cycle will be temporarily suppressed as your hormones get thrown off. 

 Your appetite and metabolism will increase, which could mean more frequent trips to the bathroom and a greater desire for salty, fatty and crunchy foods. - Your skin may become more sensitive and prone to rashes, acne and stretch marks. 

Your fingernails and toenails will begin to grow.

Emotional changes

As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll start to feel more “in tune” with your pregnancy. It’s common to feel excited and overwhelmed, and you may even find yourself crying over morning sickness. You may also experience irritability and anger as your body continues to release more hormones. This is completely normal, as hormones are just messing with your head.

Sleep habits and cues

As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll likely find it increasingly difficult to fall asleep. In the early stages, this is a sign that your body needs sleep – but now it’s rammed full of pregnancy hormones and needs to be woken up. 

If it’s getting to be too much, try to lower your bedtime, or consider taking a homeopathic sleep aid. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re getting enough restful sleep – if you’re not, you could be experiencing morning sickness and moodiness instead of sleep deficit.

 If you’re experiencing severe morning sickness, try making sure you’re not hungry or thirsty before bed. Try to avoid caffeinated beverages and foods that are too salty and fatty.

Food aversions and cravings

As your body goes through more changes, it’s likely that you’ll start to experience more cravings. This could be for something sweet or salty, or for something more specific, like bread or chips. 

It’s important to try to avoid giving in to these cravings because they’re just bringing your blood sugar down, which could lead to fatigue or a headache. Focus instead on eating nutritious meals and snacks that are healthy for you and your growing baby. 

Avoid sugary foods, and make sure you’re getting enough protein each day. Try to introduce more vegetables, whole grains and beans into your diet.

Tips on how to cope with morning sickness

- Stay hydrated: The best way to avoid morning sickness is to stay hydrated. 

Try to drink a glass of water when you wake up, and make sure you drink throughout the day. You should be drinking 8 glasses of water a day during pregnancy. 

Try natural remedies: If you’re really struggling with morning sickness, try using home remedies like ginger or lavender. 

 Get exercise: It’s important to engage in some form of physical activity throughout your pregnancy. This is a great way to burn off some energy, stay healthy and boost your mood. - Eat small meals throughout the day: Try to avoid big meals and snacks that could mess with your blood sugar. 

Try to eat small portion of meal  more frequently throughout the day. This will help to keep your blood sugar normal. - Stick to a meal plan: It can be difficult to plan your meals when you’re experiencing morning sickness, but try to stick to a meal plan as best as you can.

Conclusion

The second trimester is an exciting time, as you’ll start to feel more like yourself and less like a pregnant woman. Now is the time to be patient with yourself and your developing baby, and try to relax and enjoy the changes that are happening inside your body and your love life.

 This is also a time when your baby is at higher risk of health problems, so it’s important to take care of yourself and your growing baby. Make sure to eat well, get enough rest and get regular checkups.