2nd trimester pregnancy: What to expect

The second trimester of pregnancy often brings a renewed sense of well-being. The worst of the nausea often is gone. And the baby isn’t big enough to cause too much discomfort. Also, this is the trimester when you may feel the baby move.

But other pregnancy changes are coming. Here’s what to expect.

The second three months of pregnancy, called the second trimester, often involves these physical changes:

• Larger belly and breasts. As your uterus gets bigger to make room for the baby, your belly grows. Your breasts also keep getting bigger. Wear a bra with wide straps or a sports bra that supports the breasts well.
• Lower back pain. Hormonal changes and a growing uterus can cause your back to ache. Wear low-heeled shoes with good support. Don’t wear high heels or flats. If you must stand for a time, rest one foot on a stool. This can ease the strain on your back.

• Braxton Hicks contractions. You might feel these mild contractions as a slight tightness in your belly that comes and goes. These contractions are more likely to happen in the afternoon or evening, after physical activity, or after sex. It can help to drink plenty of fluids and urinate often to empty your bladder.

  Contact your healthcare team if the contractions become regular and keep getting stronger. This could be a sign of preterm labor.

• Skin changes. Hormone changes during pregnancy cause you to have more cells with pigment, called melanin, in your skin. So you might see brown, tan or gray patches on your face. This is called melasma. You also might see a dark line down your belly called linea nigra.

  These skin changes are common. They often fade after the baby is born. But being in the sun can make these changes worse. When you’re outdoors, use sunscreen.

  You also might see reddish-brown, black, silver or purple lines along your belly, breasts, buttocks or thighs. These are called stretch marks. You can’t prevent them. But they mostly fade after the baby is born.

  Another skin change may be tiny veins that show up under the skin of your face and legs. These are called spider veins. They often fade after the baby is born.

• Changes in the nose. During pregnancy, your rising hormone levels cause your body to make more blood. This can make the inside of your nose swell and bleed easily. So your nose might be stuffy. And you might have nosebleeds.

  Saline drops or a saline rinse can help with this. Also, moisture helps. Drink fluids, use a machine that puts moisture in the air, called a humidifier, and put petroleum jelly around the edges of your nostrils to help skin stay moist.

• Dental issues. During pregnancy, flossing and brushing can make your gums bleed. Rinse with salt water and use a softer toothbrush. The acid from vomiting can affect your tooth enamel and make you more likely to get cavities. Keep brushing your teeth and flossing regularly during pregnancy.
• Dizziness. Pregnancy causes changes in blood flow that might leave you dizzy. To keep from getting dizzy, drink plenty of fluids, don’t stand for long periods, and move slowly when you stand up or change position. When you feel dizzy, lie down on your side. It might help to wear support hose.

• Leg cramps. Leg cramps are common as pregnancy goes on. They often happen at night. To prevent them, stretch your calf muscles before bed, stay physically active and drink fluids. Choose low-heeled shoes that give you comfort and support.

  If your leg cramps, stretch the calf muscle on the side of the cramp. A hot shower, warm bath or ice massage also might help.

• Vaginal discharge. You might notice a sticky, clear or white fluid coming from your vagina. This is typical. Contact your healthcare professional if the discharge has a strong smell or an odd color or if you also have pain, soreness or an itch in your vaginal area. This could mean a vaginal infection.
• Harnwegsinfektion. These infections are common during pregnancy. Contact your healthcare professional if you have a strong urge to urinate that can’t wait, sharp pain when you urinate, urine that’s cloudy or has a strong smell, or a fever or backache. Without treatment, urinary tract infections can cause a kidney infection.

During the second trimester, you may feel less tired. And you might have more energy. But you also might worry about labor and delivery or about being a parent. To ease worries, learn as much as you can. Make healthy lifestyle choices that can give your baby the best start. Check into childbirth classes. You may find some online.

Find a healthcare professional for your baby. Read about breastfeeding. If you plan to have a job after the baby is born, learn about your employer’s parental leave policy. Find out about child care.

Depression and anxiety are common during pregnancy. If you feel depressed or anxious, be sure to seek help if you need it. Ask your healthcare team to refer you to a counselor or psychologist who works with pregnancy issues.

If you haven’t had a COVID-19 vaccine, get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines don’t cause infection with the COVID-19 virus. Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines don’t have serious risks for pregnant people or their babies. During fall and early winter, get a flu vaccine too.

Vaccines can help pregnant people build antibodies that protect their babies. If possible, people who live with you also should be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

During the second trimester of pregnancy, prenatal visits with your healthcare team focus on your baby’s growth and finding any health conditions. Your healthcare team checks your weight and blood pressure. A member of the team might measure the size of your uterus by checking the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus. This is the fundal height.

At this stage, you might listen to your baby’s heartbeat. Your healthcare team may suggest an ultrasound or other screening tests. You also might learn your baby’s sex if you want to.

If you don’t have certain high-risk conditions, some of your prenatal visits may be online, also called virtual. If you and your healthcare team plan to have virtual prenatal visits, ask if there are tools you should have at home, such as a blood pressure monitor. To make the most of virtual visits, have a list of questions ready to ask and take detailed notes.

Be sure to mention any symptoms that concern you. Talking with your healthcare team can help put you at ease.