Second Trimester Pregnancy: What to Expect

The second trimester period of pregnancy covers the fourth, fifth and sixth months of pregnancy. For many women this period is a more comfortable period of pregnancy. This period brings about a feeling of well being as most of the nausea and comfortableness of early pregnancy starts to wear out. The baby is still not big enough to overcrowd the abdomen and cause discomfort. However, it is not all rosy for the expectant mother, here is what to expect as the months roll by.

By the beginning of the trimester period, expectant mothers begin to feel more comfortable. By this time, most women stop experiencing morning sickness and urinate less often. There is also an increased level of energy relative to the first three months of pregnancy.

By the beginning of the trimester period, nausea is almost if not totally gone by now, but some physical signs may start to appear. For example, the breast size starts to increase, as well as waist size, varicose veins and sometimes hemorrhoids. Expectant women also experience increased appetite, suffer nasal congestion, heartburn and maybe cases of constipation.

Some women complain of feeling scatterbrained or having a level of difficulty concentrating. There is also a problem with wardrobes as old clothes and dresses no longer fit, while it is still too early to wear maternity clothes. Women also begin to feel their baby’s movement during the close of month four. If mothers do not begin to feel the movement of their baby by the 20th or 22nd week they should see a doctor. An ultrasound may be necessary to confirm fetus age and delivery date. Women also begin to feel more comfortable with doctors as their visits begin more frequent.

By this time women begin to realize that the pregnancy is for real as their abdomen is well swollen and they begin to wear maternity clothes. Women also begin to start to plan out nurseries and take out names for their coming babies.

Fatigue, pain and general aches is also common by the fifth month. Expectants will also need to look for a comfortable sleeping position during this month. Most women will also start to experience backache and may find their shoes becoming too tight. Couples would have to look for comfortable sexual positions that will accommodate the woman’s abdomen. At this month an ultrasound can be used to determine the sex of the baby.

By the sixth month, baby movements are a regular occurrence. The baby’s strength is quite noticeable and people can feel the baby’s movement when they place hands on the mother’s abdomen.

Aches may become more frequent along the sides and the lower parts of the abdomen. The pain is due to the stretching of the ligaments supporting the uterus. Stretch mark would also start to appear and the breasts will continue to swell. The hands, feet and face of the pregnant woman may also start to swell. The naval may start to protrude in some women, while some may feel itching on their skin, while skin pigmentation may start to change.

Women experience varied emotions during the trimester period. Some start to become nervous, becoming more worried about the motherhood and childbirth.