Second Trimester of Pregnancy
The second trimester is often the most comfortable part of pregnancy. For most women, pregnancy symptoms have decreased. Although you have begun to gain weight, it is probably not making you uncomfortable. You may find you have more energy, and increased libido and an increased appetite.
During the second trimester, it is common to experience:
- A sense of relief that the pregnancy has continued
- Cravings for specific foods
- Unusual dreams
- Excitement or apprehension about sharing news of the pregnancy
Second Trimester To Do List
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You should continue to eat well and exercise to stay as healthy as possible. Although your baby has all his "parts," these parts are growing and many are maturing so he can live on his own. Eating a good quality diet is important to your health and his.
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Your health care provider may offer any number of prenatal tests during the second trimester. It will be your responsibility to determine which tests you want done. Remember the point of a test is to gather information so you can react accordingly. If you believe you will not make changes to your lifestyle or plan based on the information a test can give then you may choose not to have a test.
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You will begin needing maternity clothing sometime during this month. There are many options in styles, so you should be able to find things you like. Many women avoid buying a whole wardrobe by borrowing clothing (remember, your next pregnancy may be during a different season). You may find good basic pieces at consignment shops, thrift stores or garage sales help you keep within your budget.
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You will need to start looking into your options for childbirth classes about half way through the second trimester. Although you may not be thinking about labor yet, it will happen. It can take time to weigh your options and find all the resources available to you in your community. Don't assume you need to take the class offered by a hospital or your health care providers office. Some of the best and most informative classes are offered by independent childbirth educators. Because they don't need to follow any institutional policies or try to sell you on certain procedures, they can give accurate information about risks, side effects and other options that might be better for you.
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You may want to start deciding how your new baby is going to fit into your home. There is a wide variety of baby equipment available, and you certainly don't need it all. Consider your lifestyle, the flow of your home and your frequent travels. What equipment well be the most useful, what equipment will just get in the way. Many families find baby equipment acquired because the idea sounded good or because everyone else had one, just sat in a closet and was given away because baby outgrew it without having used it. If this is not your first child, consider how much of the equipment you used the first time will still serve your family well, and what things you didn't have will now make sense to buy.
What would you like next?Learn comfort techniques for labor. Explore the process of labor. Find products to help you enjoy pregnancy and prepare to give birth.. Read research about birth options. Find natural birth resources in your area. |
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