Contents:
- Medical Video: What to Expect in the 1st Trimester: Q&A with Belly to Baby
- Various body changes during the second trimester
- 1. The stomach gets bigger
- 2. Bigger breasts
- 3. Changes to the skin
- 4. Feel the movement of the baby in the womb
- 5. Hair growth
- 6. Back pain
- 7. Leg cramps
Medical Video: What to Expect in the 1st Trimester: Q&A with Belly to Baby
Not felt, pregnancy has entered the second trimester. You may find it easier to skip this semester than the first trimester. Any complaints that you experience during the first trimester may slowly disappear by themselves. So, you will be better able to enjoy your pregnancy in the second trimester.
Various body changes during the second trimester
In the second trimester, many body changes occur and begin to appear. The following are some body changes during the second trimester:
1. The stomach gets bigger
You can show your big belly in this second trimester proudly. In this trimester, your belly bulge is clearly visible. This is because your stomach must provide more space for your fetus which is also growing bigger. At this time, you might already need to wear maternity clothes.
You will also experience weight gain. Per month, you might gain a weight of 1.5-2 kg. This is supported by your appetite that has reappeared. Morning sickness You in the first trimester may have gradually disappeared.
However, if you are already overweight while pregnant, you might be advised not to experience weight gain. It's best to adjust your weight gain during pregnancy with your weight before becoming pregnant.
2. Bigger breasts
Your breasts are also getting bigger in the second trimester. The accumulation of fat in the breast increases and the mammary glands are also bigger in the breast to produce milk. You may still feel pain in the breast, but your breasts are not as tender as in the first trimester.
The skin around your nipples will darken and there may be small bumps around the nipple. This small lump is a gland that produces oil to keep the nipple from drying out. Dry nipples are more susceptible to irritation.
3. Changes to the skin
Skin changes still occur during the second trimester. However, don't worry because usually changes to the skin will disappear by themselves if you have given birth. This occurs because of hormonal changes in the body. You might find black spots on your face, dark lines from the navel to the genitals (linea nigra), and stretch marks in the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, and thighs. Stretch marks appears because your skin is stretched during pregnancy and you may also feel itchy because of this. Keeping your skin moist can help reduce the itching that you feel.
4. Feel the movement of the baby in the womb
In this second trimester, you can already feel the various movements of the baby in the womb, such as baby kicks. Usually you can already feel it at 20 weeks' gestation, but this may vary between mothers. If you haven't felt the baby's movements at this gestational age, it's best not to worry. Some pregnant women may not feel the movement of the baby until the sixth month of pregnancy.
5. Hair growth
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also increase your hair growth. Your head's hair can become thicker. You can also find hair in places that did not exist before, such as on the face, arms and back.
6. Back pain
Your weight gain for several months of pregnancy can put excess pressure on your back, so you can feel back aches and pains. To reduce pressure on your back, you should sit upright and use a chair that supports your back when sitting, sleep facing your left side, do not carry heavy items, and avoid using high heels during pregnancy.
7. Leg cramps
The more your gestational age increases, maybe you will more often experience leg cramps, especially during sleep. This may be caused by pressure from your baby that is getting bigger in the blood vessels and nerves that go to your feet. If this happens often, you should sleep facing your side, stretch your calf muscles before going to bed, drinking lots of water, or taking a warm bath can also reduce this.
