Pregnancy (Cont.)

The 2nd Trimester Stage of Pregnancy

Changes in Your Body

Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy to be easier than the first. But it is important to stay informed about your pregnancy during these months.

You might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away. But other new, more noticeable changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as you gain weight and the baby continues to grow. And before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move!

Many of the aches and pains you had in the first trimester may continue.
Some of the following aches and pains may make their first appearance during the second trimester:

• Pain in the abdomen, groin, and thighs
• Backaches
• Shortness of breath
• Stretch marks
• Skin changes
• Tingling in hands and fingers
• Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet-Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a serious liver problem called cholestasis of pregnancy.

Weight Gain

Everyone gains weight at different rates. On average, it is normal to gain about one pound per week, or about three to four pounds per month during this trimester.

Changes in Your Baby

By the end of the second trimester your baby will weigh about 1 3/4 pounds and be about 13 inches long. With this growth comes the development of fingers, toes, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Around the fifth month, you might feel your baby move! By the end of this trimester, all of your baby's essential organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys are formed.

Next: 2nd Trimester Tests and Procedures »