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Second trimester pregnancy: What to expect
Second trimester pregnancy may have you feeling better than ever. Find out how to relieve common symptoms — and consider ways to prepare for what's ahead.
By Mayo Clinic staffSecond trimester pregnancy often brings a renewed sense of well-being. The worst of the nausea has usually passed, and your baby isn't big enough to crowd your abdominal organs and make you uncomfortable. Yet dramatic pregnancy symptoms are on the horizon. Here's what to expect.
Your body
During second trimester pregnancy, you may notice physical changes from head to toe.
- Larger breasts. Stimulated by estrogen and progesterone, the milk-producing glands inside your breasts get larger during second trimester pregnancy. Additional fat also may accumulate in your breasts. Although some of the initial breast tenderness may improve, nipple tenderness may continue throughout the pregnancy. A supportive bra is a must.
- Growing belly. As your uterus becomes heavier and expands to make room for the baby, your abdomen expands — sometimes rapidly. Expect to gain up to 4 pounds (nearly 2 kilograms) a month until the end of your pregnancy.
- Braxton Hicks contractions. Your uterus may start contracting to build strength for the big job ahead. You may feel these warm-ups, called Braxton Hicks contractions, in your lower abdomen and groin. They're usually weak and come and go unpredictably. Contact your health care provider if the contractions become painful or regular. This may be a sign of preterm labor.
- Skin changes. As blood circulation to your skin increases, certain areas of your skin may 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. Your skin may also become more sensitive to the sun. Use sunscreen.
- Stretch marks. You may notice pink, red or purple streaks along your abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks or thighs during second trimester pregnancy. Your stretching skin may also be itchy. Moisturizers can help. Although stretch marks can't be prevented, eventually they fade in intensity.
- Nasal and gum problems. 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 nosebleeds. Increased blood circulation can also soften your gums, which may cause minor bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. Switching to a softer toothbrush may help decrease irritation.
- Dizziness. Your blood vessels dilate in response to pregnancy hormones. Until your blood volume expands to fill them, your blood pressure will fall and you may experience occasional dizziness. If you're having trouble with dizziness, drink lots of fluids and rise slowly after lying or sitting down. When you feel dizzy, lie on your left side to restore your blood pressure.
- Leg cramps. Pressure from your uterus on the veins returning blood from your legs may cause leg cramps, especially at night. Stretch the affected muscle or walk your way through the cramps.
- Shortness of breath. Your lungs are processing more air than they did before your pregnancy. This allows your blood to carry more oxygen to your placenta and the baby — and may leave you breathing slightly faster and feeling short of breath.
- Vaginal discharge. You may notice a thin, white vaginal discharge. This acidic discharge is thought to help suppress the growth of potentially harmful bacteria or yeast. You might want to wear panty liners for comfort. Contact your health care provider if the discharge becomes strong smelling, green or yellowish or if it's accompanied by redness, itching or irritation. This may indicate a vaginal infection.
- Bladder and kidney infections. Hormonal changes slow the flow of urine, and your expanding uterus may get in the way — both factors that increase the risk of bladder and kidney infections. Contact your health care provider if you need to urinate more often than usual, you notice a burning sensation when you urinate, or you have a fever, abdominal pain or backache. Left untreated, urinary infections increase the risk of preterm labor.
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References
- Hill CC, et al. Physiologic changes in pregnancy. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2008;88:391.
- Breast changes. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_15243.asp. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Healthy pregnancy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/stages-of-pregnancy.cfm#c. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Skin conditions during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp169.cfm. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- You and your baby: Prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/ab005.cfm. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Prenatal care. March of Dimes. http://search.marchofdimes.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=6&page_id=11010048&query=prenatal&hiword=PRENATALLY+prenatal+. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Vaginitis: Causes and treatments. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp028.cfm. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- How to tell when labor begins. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp004.cfm. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Shortness of breath. March of Dimes. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Weight gain. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_153.asp. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Urinary tract infections. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp050.cfm. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 12, 2009.
- Murry MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 17, 2009.
