- 2nd trimester exams and care
- Warning signs to go to the doctor
- How to relieve the most common discomforts of the 2nd trimester
- Itching in the belly: It happens due to the growth of the baby. The most suitable is to moisturize the skin of the breasts, thighs and belly very well to avoid the formation of stretch marks and dry skin. Moisturizing creams or vegetable oils can be used to maintain the health and integrity of the skin.
- Urge to urinate: Increases the urge to urinate due to pressure from the uterus on the bladder. At this stage, go to the bathroom whenever you feel the need, as retaining urine increases the risk of urinary tract infection.
- Abdominal discomfort: As the baby grows, the belly muscles stretch, which can cause pain and a feeling of heaviness. To improve well-being, rest and use a suitable brace to support your belly weight. Know what to do when you experience abdominal pain in pregnancy.
- Nasal congestion: Hormonal changes and increased blood volume can cause a stuffy nose. Use to relieve saline or even saline in the nostrils.
- Heat and perspiration: The pregnant woman's body temperature is higher than normal. To get around the feeling of warmth, prefer light clothes and drink plenty of fluids. See what is the best clothes for the pregnant woman to remain beautiful and comfortable.
- How to prepare for the arrival of the baby
During the second trimester, which ranges from the 13th to the 24th week of pregnancy, the risk of spontaneous abortion decreases to 1%, as does the risk of malformation of the nervous system, so from now on it is normal for women to become more quiet and can enjoy your pregnancy more.
The 13th week is one of the most chosen by parents to give the good news of pregnancy to all family and friends, because in this phase the baby develops very fast, the baby goes from 5 to 28 cm, approximately, and the tummy starts to be noticed.
Often the second trimester is called the pregnancy honeymoon because the belly is not small that no one realizes a baby is there, but it is also not so big that it becomes uncomfortable.
2nd trimester exams and care
One of the most important tests of this phase is the nuchal translucency to know if the baby has Down's Syndrome or other genetic diseases. Ultrasound and blood tests are the most requested and help to identify gestational diabetes, and how the baby is developing. But the sample of chorionic villi and amniocentesis are other tests that can also be ordered if the doctor suspects that there are any changes that should be investigated.
A visit to the dentist is also important to check for gingivitis, which is a very common situation in pregnancy, which consists of bleeding gums when brushing your teeth or flossing. In addition, the dentist will assess whether there are cavities or other dental problems that need treatment, as they can interfere with pregnancy.
See the complete list of all 2nd quarter exams.
Warning signs to go to the doctor
It is important to call the obstetrician or go directly to the hospital emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:
- Fever above 37.5º C; Severe or constant abdominal pain, which does not relieve with rest; Bleeding from the vagina; Headache and blurred vision; Vomiting; Vaginal discharge that is not transparent; Burning or pain when urinating; Itching in the vagina; Stop feeling the baby move.
These signs and symptoms can indicate candidiasis, urinary tract infection or the presence of complications, such as illness, pre-eclampsia or problems with the placenta, so medical help should be sought to learn how to deal with each situation.
How to relieve the most common discomforts of the 2nd trimester
Despite the discomfort of early pregnancy becoming less evident, there are still some situations that women must face, such as:
-
Itching in the belly: It happens due to the growth of the baby. The most suitable is to moisturize the skin of the breasts, thighs and belly very well to avoid the formation of stretch marks and dry skin. Moisturizing creams or vegetable oils can be used to maintain the health and integrity of the skin.
Urge to urinate: Increases the urge to urinate due to pressure from the uterus on the bladder. At this stage, go to the bathroom whenever you feel the need, as retaining urine increases the risk of urinary tract infection.
Abdominal discomfort: As the baby grows, the belly muscles stretch, which can cause pain and a feeling of heaviness. To improve well-being, rest and use a suitable brace to support your belly weight. Know what to do when you experience abdominal pain in pregnancy.
Nasal congestion: Hormonal changes and increased blood volume can cause a stuffy nose. Use to relieve saline or even saline in the nostrils.
Heat and perspiration: The pregnant woman's body temperature is higher than normal. To get around the feeling of warmth, prefer light clothes and drink plenty of fluids. See what is the best clothes for the pregnant woman to remain beautiful and comfortable.
Check out these and other tips in the following video:
How to prepare for the arrival of the baby
When you are past 20 weeks of gestation, you can start preparing for birth and for this reason you can attend the childbirth preparation classes, where pelvic exercises are performed that help both in normal delivery and in the recovery of cesarean section. In addition, you can read books and magazines on how to take care of the baby, how to bathe, how to breastfeed and put the baby to sleep.
This is also a good time to prepare the baby's room, because at the end of pregnancy, the weight of the belly may make it difficult to go to stores to buy the products that the baby will need when he is born.
You can also start preparing for the baby shower and decide whether to order only diapers or other items needed by your family and closest friends. This is a special date, which pregnant women keep with great affection. If you opt for baby shower, use our calculator to find out how many diapers you can order, and which sizes are best for each stage:
