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

The second trimester of pregnancy (period from 13 to 27 weeks) is the most interesting for a future mother. It's at this stage that the baby starts to move. This period is usually accompanied by a feeling of physiological comfort and well-being. Nausea at this time does not appear, and the fetus has not yet reached those sizes, in order to exert pressure on the organs of a woman. But still there are certain problems that arise during this period. And today we will find out what difficulties with health at this time can be observed in pregnant women and how to deal with them.

Necessary research

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

1. Biochemical screening. This is the so-called triple test, which is done to exclude Down's syndrome and neural tube defects.
2. Ultrasound . The second trimester is a period when it is very important to do this research, because it is then possible to identify abnormalities, because at other times this will be already problematic. During this method of diagnosis, the doctor will necessarily check whether the fetus size corresponds to the term of pregnancy, how correctly the future baby develops in the mother's abdomen: the specialist will determine the size of the renal pelvis, the length of the femurs, the shape of the head. Also during this period the doctor will estimate the blood flow of the crumbs, because it is very important to reveal how well the baby is supplied with oxygen and nutrients.

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

- Study of amniotic fluid and fetal blood. On delivery of the analysis the doctor can send in that case if the expert will suspect any deviations or rejections.

- Additional studies if the future mother has chronic ailments.

Of course, a planned trip to the doctor should be an obligatory measure. At the 15th or 16th week the doctor weighs a woman, measures the circumference of her abdomen, determines the height of the standing of the bottom of the uterus. 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.

Frequent problems awaiting expectant mothers

The last stage, when the embryo finally turns into a human, is 15 weeks of pregnancy. What happens to the organism 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 can disturb the representative of the weaker sex at this stage, consider below.

1. Breast augmentation. Under the influence of hormones, the mammary glands become larger during this period. If in the first trimester a woman could observe tenderness in the chest, then in the second she will have another problem - the irritability of the nipples. Therefore, at this stage, the girl must buy a supporting bra, which she will certainly help.

2. Growing abdomen. Of course, this is not a problem, but due to the increasing womb the woman becomes less mobile; That work, which was previously performed without much effort, will seem to her hard, and sometimes unbearable.

3. False contractions. During this period, the uterus begins to warm up, in order to be ready for important work soon. Such abbreviations in the lower abdomen are usually weak, they can not be predicted. However, if there are severe pain in the second trimester and in addition they are regular, the woman needs to see a doctor urgently, as this may be a sign of premature birth.

4. Transformation of the skin. 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 pubic part.

5. Stretching. The second trimester is the period when the fairer sex can observe pink, red stripes along the abdomen, shoulders, chest, hips, and buttocks. Stretching, by the way, can be accompanied by an unbearable itch. But no one said that pregnancy in the second trimester is easy. However, you do not need to sound an alarm before the time. Although the appearance of such bands can not be prevented, most of them eventually disappear or become barely visible.

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

7. The problem with the gums and breathing. As pregnancy increases blood circulation, more blood flows through the mucous membranes of the body. And this, in turn, leads to swelling of the respiratory tract, as a result of which the woman begins to snore. Also, an increase in the circulation of connective tissue can soften the gums, and those can begin to bleed.

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

9. Discharge from the vagina. If a woman discovered intense leucorrhoea during this period, then this is normal, because they help to suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast. To avoid any discomfort, she can wear quality daily pads. However, the fair sex should be attentive, and if they notice a discharge in the second trimester with an unpleasant odor, green, yellow, with droplets of blood, then this can speak of a vaginal infection. In this case, a woman should immediately go to her doctor.

10. Leg cramps. Spasms of the lower limbs are another trouble of the second trimester: while pregnancy is progressing, they are increasing at night. To prevent the occurrence of seizures, you need to practice appropriate exercises before going to bed, drink more water.

So you found out what changes the woman's organism undergoes after 15 weeks of pregnancy. What happens in the second trimester with the fetus, now find out.

How does the baby develop?

• The fourth month. During this period, the fetus is actively forming muscles and ligaments, the baby begins to actively move in the uterus, but so far the future mother does not feel it. The first hairs begin to grow on the head of the crumbs. The skin of the fetus on the 4th month is still too thin, through it the blood vessels appear through. By the end of the 16th week, the baby is already about 15 cm tall, weighing 140 g; He freely floats in the amniotic fluid, easily changes the position of the body in the uterus.
• Fifth month. At this stage, the crumbs have eyebrows, eyelashes. He has already fully formed in this period and the handle, and legs. And the muscles of the fetus have already developed so much that the movements become manageable: a baby can suck a finger, touch its body. Also during this period the baby already has movements of facial expression - he opens his mouth, eyes, frowns, smiles. By the end of the fifth month, the growth of the fetus is already about 21 cm, weight - 350 g.
• The sixth month. At 21-24 weeks the child continues to grow rapidly in the mother's abdomen. His movements are now becoming more active. During this period the crumb already has its own dormancy and wakefulness regime. The child is already interested in knowing the world: he touches the umbilical cord with his hands and feet. Being in mother's belly, the little one 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 finding a woman in an interesting position, the crumb already reaches an average weight of 900 g and a height of 34 cm.

Frozen pregnancy in the second trimester: its signs

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

- On the move. If a woman does not feel any movements in the tummy, then this can be a signal of trouble. In this case, she should immediately go to the gynecologist - he listens to the heartbeat, and if poor results (for example, the pulse is deaf or not at all) will appoint an additional ultrasound.

- On the chest. For a stagnant pregnancy , a decrease in the size of the bust is characteristic. The mammary glands then become soft, the colostrum ceases to stand out.

- If the cervix is ajar, the color of the vagina becomes red or pink, there are thick brown discharge - in this case, the doctor can state the fact of fading of the fetus.

Acute respiratory infection in the period of gestation

Influenza in the second trimester of pregnancy can be dangerous not only for the mother, but for the future baby. After all, the disease can provoke premature birth, placental insufficiency. If a woman picked up the flu in the second trimester, the crumbs at the time of birth may have symptoms of oxygen starvation - pallor, lethargy, a weak cry. But still, do not panic at the first sign of the flu, as a sufficient number of pregnant women suffered this illness in the second trimester, but gave birth to absolutely healthy children.

Treatment of influenza

It is possible to get rid of this illness at home, it is not necessary to go to the hospital. What it takes to be cured sooner?

1. It is necessary to provide a bed rest for pregnant women.
2. At the time of illness it is important to limit the intake of salt.
3. Abundant drink will remove toxins from the body and pregnant will quickly recover.
4. From 13 to 27 weeks, the second trimester lasts. The temperature, or rather, its increase, is, of course, an undesirable phenomenon for the future mother during this period. Therefore, a woman should know what she can take to get rid of the heat and muscle pain. You need to drink the medicine "Paracetamol".
5. If the throat hurts, it is better to rinse 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, you can use vasoconstrictive drops, but not longer than 5 days.

Prevention of influenza in the 2nd trimester

1. Vaccination is the main way to prevent the development of a viral infection in the body of a pregnant woman.
2. Increase the body's defenses, which includes proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and physical activity (do not lie for days on the couch and iron your round tummy, but go out into the fresh air and go for a walk).
3. Isolation from patients. If someone is sick in the house, 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 overcooling, as well as overheating.

Organic substances required from 13 to 27 weeks

At the initial stages of pregnancy, the body needs women such substances as folic acid, vitamins A, E and C. Throughout the period of finding an interesting situation, future women in labor also need iodine and calcium, is not an exception and the second trimester. Vitamins, as well as micro- and macro elements, which are important to use during this period, are the following: iron, manganese, selenium, copper, rutin, etc. For the period from 13 to 27 weeks, these substances are called to help the crumb correctly and actively grow. Indeed, it is in the second trimester that the baby dynamically develops, therefore it will need more minerals, as well as vitamins, than in the initial months.

How to eat?

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

- proteins - 22%;

- fats of vegetable origin - 18%;

- fruit, as well as vegetables - 38%;

- cereals - 22%.

Now we determine what specifically should be present in the menu of a pregnant woman in the second trimester:

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

What products should be excluded?

Now it is worth considering the nutrition of pregnant women in terms of safety. Some products that women liked to use before they were in an interesting position, can now pose a threat to the health of the baby. The second trimester, like, however, the first and third, is the time when the following foods should be excluded from the diet:

- Raw meat, as well as fish (for example, sushi).

- Various smoked sausages, sausages, etc.

- Cheese varieties with mold.

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

And of course, we recall that no crackers from the store, chips can not be used during this period. About alcoholic beverages generally should be forgotten at all times of pregnancy.

Tone in the second trimester: what to do?

Throughout the period of finding a woman in an interesting position, the hyperactivity of the uterus is a serious diagnosis, therefore every trip to the gynecologist should include a feeling by a specialist in the abdomen.

Causes of increased tone:

1. Stressful situations, emotional disorders.
2. Increased physical activity. Long trips, weight lifting, incorrectly executed sports exercises - all this very quickly can enter the uterus in a tonus.
3. Presence of such infections as toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus.

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

1. A woman can achieve relaxation of the uterus only if she herself is completely calm and peaceful.
2. A lady in a position must definitely sleep. If it does not work at night, then you need to arrange a quiet hour for yourself in the daytime.
3. By appointment, a woman during hypertension can drink sedatives, which can reduce spasms of the walls of the uterus.
4. With increased activity of the smooth-muscular hollow organ, the gynecologist can place the future woman in labor in the hospital in order to prevent anomalies 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 crumb actively develops and grows. At this time, the mother's chest and belly are enlarged, stretch marks are formed (not all) - that is, the body of a woman is mutated. There are times when a lady in this period, there are fictitious fights, increases the tone of the uterus. And that such serious and dangerous problems are not overtaken by the pregnant person, she must protect herself from negative emotions, have more rest, spend time outdoors, and eat right. And then no complications with health will be observed, and the baby will be born healthy and on time.