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Second Trimester Experiences
by Lisa Rodriguez, R.N. and Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
The second trimester is often considered the best stage of pregnancy because you are the most comfortable. Your abdomen isn't large enough to get in your way as you go about your day-to-day tasks, your morning sickness usually has subsided, and you're probably feeling more energetic.
Typically, the second trimester is considered to be between weeks 14 and 26. Here are some of the changes and symptoms you may be experiencing:- Your abdomen is growing. Even if you're not showing very much at the beginning of the second trimester, your pants probably don't fit well anymore. As you near the end of this trimester, the top of your uterus may be up near your rib cage, causing your shape to change.
- The skin on your abdomen and breasts will become tighter. You may notice stretch marks starting to surface. As your skin stretches, you may feel itchy.
- You may feel a stretching or pulling on either side of your abdomen, called round ligament pain. This is sometimes a sharp and severe pain.
- You may notice a dark line from your belly button to your pubic bone, called the linea nigra.
- Your breast size may continue to increase. Most women report, however, that their breasts are less tender than earlier in the pregnancy.
- Your appetite may increase.
- You may notice a whitish vaginal discharge
- You're probably not running to the bathroom to urinate as often.
- You might be constipated.
- You may continue to experience heartburn.
- You may occasionally feel dizzy or faint.
- You might suffer from nasal congestion. This can be related to hormonal changes in your body.
- You may develop hemorrhoids or varicose veins.
- You may experience cramps in your feet or legs.
- You might have slight swelling in your face, hands, ankles, or feet.
- Your back may begin to ache.
- You may continue to have emotional instability, such as mood swings and irritability, or find that you have difficulty concentrating.
- Between weeks 15-22, you may begin to feel the baby move. At first, it may seem like just a flutter, but by the end of the trimester, you will be feeling definite movements from the growing fetus. First-time mothers often don't recognize this as fetal movement until 19-22 weeks.
Despite this parade of possible symptoms, many moms-to-be feel exceptionally well during this entire trimester. Take advantage of this time to decorate the nursery or prepare in other ways for the new addition to your family. Early in the second trimester is also the best time of the pregnancy to travel, since you have the most energy and complications are unlikely.
Click here to join the discussion on the Symptoms of Pregnancy
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Created November 14, 2000
Reviewed August 24, 2004
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