Let's Talk 2nd Trimester

Me during my 2nd trimester just barely starting to show 7/13

At about 14 weeks, the fourth month of pregnancy, you are hitting your second trimester. I bet you're feeling great,the second trimester is usually comfortable for most.  Although, every woman and every pregnancy is different.  You've probably had some of these pesky first trimester issues:  nausea, sleepiness, going to the bathroom all the time, and breast tenderness although they are going to continue to grow. Hopefully they will have subsided. Now is the time most people announce their pregnancy. If you haven’t, you can try your best to hide it but by the end of the fourth month you should start showing. There are amazing ways to announce your pregnancy now days. Have fun with it. Now is also a good time to check out your local doulas and start interviewing to see which one you mesh with best. Doulas are a very important part of a birth team. In fact, they have been in practice since the beginning of time. Doulas can provide you with many forms of support from informational and emotional to physical.

Your baby is growing. At this stage in the game, babies start growing at different paces. Your baby should be about the size of your clenched fist. Your baby is also starting to grow hair, to shape up and looking like a cute little human. You may start feeling some flutters if your that in tune with your body. Baby also starts sensing light. I remember my husband putting the flashlight up to my belly and talking to the baby. Baby also has ears at this point so go ahead and start reading or putting some headphones up to that belly bump.

Lucky for these photo opportunities during my 2nd Trimester 7/13

During the second trimester there are still some pesky pregnancy related issues you might experience. Ligament pain is normal as your uterus is stretching and growing for the baby but call your healthcare provider if it's ever accompanied by spotting or blood. You may also experience constipation, heartburn, headaches, dizziness, nasal congestion/nose bleeding, bleeding gums when you brush, swelling in the hands, feet, and face, varicose veins, and vaginal discharge.  Let us not forget the mood swings over the dumbest things and the weepiness for no reason at all. Don’t fret Momma, we all go through it.  Be sure to take note and discuss any issues with your healthcare provider, but most of these things are just your normal pregnancy hormones kicking in over drive.

Take care of yourself, make sure you are flossing, brushing, and rinsing, and see your dentist  at least once for a check up on those pearly whites. Nasal stuffiness is normal in pregnancy along with snoring and allergies. Your pregnancy hormones are to blame; they stimulate the body's systems. Ladies don’t mess with you natural pH balance get some panty liners. Discharge is normal as long as it is what's known as leukorrhea, thin and milky. This protects the birth canal from infection.

Me visiting Niagara Falls, ON, Canada 2nd Trimester 7/13

There is always more to cover, but I’ll leave some of those  for another time. Oh, and if you decide to find out what you’re having, congratulations! Be sure to start working on that birth plan and set up a meeting with a doula. Let her tell you how you and your family can benefit from her fountain of knowledge and compassion for birth.