Changes During Second Trimester Of Pregnancy

Saturday, August 20, 2011, 11:14

The second trimester of pregnancy is the 13-26th week of gestation. In the second trimester, the pregnant woman gets relief from common prenatal problems like nausea, headaches, morning sickness etc to a greater extent.

In the second trimester, different considerations and concerns are taken up. The first trimester is crucial for establishing the groundwork for your baby's developing organs and addressing some of your concerns over the possibility of miscarriage. The second trimester is not that hard stage of gestation as this is time many women find themselves relaxing and really enjoying the gestation period. Whereas the third trimester centers on the baby's growth, maturity and the delivery process itself.

In the second trimester, the real expansion of your body begins like stretch marks begin, moles, skin tags and warts get bigger due to the high estrogen level in the blood. Here are the physical changes that occur during second trimester of pregnancy:

Enlarged breasts: the milk-producing glands inside your breasts get larger during this trimester due to stimulation by estrogen and progesterone. Additional fat might also accumulate in your breasts. Although some of the initial breast tenderness improves but tender nipples might continue throughout the pregnancy. A supportive bra is a must to save the breasts shape.

Dizziness: Your blood vessels dilate while responding to the pregnancy hormones. Until your blood volume expands to fill them, your blood pressure will fall and you might experience dizziness followed by weakness. Drink plenty of fluids and get up slowly after lying or sitting down. When you feel dizzy, lie on your left side to restore your blood pressure.

Gums and nose: Increased blood circulation soften your gums, which might cause minor bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. Switching to a softer toothbrush can help decrease irritation. As pregnancy increases your circulation, more blood flows through your body's mucous membranes. This causes the lining of your nose and airway to swell, which can restrict airflow and lead to snoring, congestion and even nosebleeds.

Skin tags: Due to the increases blood circulation the skin stretches. Certain areas of your skin might become darker, such as the skin around your nipples, parts of your face and the line that runs from your navel to your pubic bone. Sun exposure can aggravate the issue. When you're outdoors, be sure to use plenty of sunscreen to protect the skin.

Stretch marks: This is the most common problem during the pregnancy. You might notice pink, red or purple streaks along your abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks or thighs during this trimester of pregnancy. Stretching skin might feel itchy so apply moisturizers to cure the itchy skin. Although stretch marks are difficult to prevent try out natural remedies to cure stretch marks.

Vagina discharge: One of the changes during second trimester is a thin, white vaginal discharge. This acidic discharge is thought to help suppress the growth of potentially harmful bacteria or yeast. Consult your doctor if the discharge has strong smell, green or yellowish color, or if it's accompanied by redness, itching or irritation for prenatal care. This could indicate a vaginal infection.

These are common yet normal changes during second trimester. Prenatal care is a must to cure these problems.