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All trimesters of pregnancy by week, indicating the most dangerous periods. Advice for pregnant women (2nd trimester) Pregnancy in the 2nd trimester

The second trimester of pregnancy is rightfully considered the calmest, measured and most comfortable for the expectant mother. The initial fears, anxieties and concerns are already over, but at the same time, the woman still feels the former lightness and mobility, so she can do her usual work without much effort, avoiding only excessive loads.

Mental communication with the baby, who is comfortably located in the tummy, allows a woman to tune in to the upcoming motherhood, to feel unity with the new life that has arisen. A child, even in the womb, feels all her thoughts, therefore, a calm attitude to his own position and to the world around him in general will create the most favorable conditions for the development of the fetus.

An expectant mother who is pregnant with her first child may ask the question: the second trimester - what is it? What week does this period begin and when does it end?

According to the generally accepted classification, the second trimester of pregnancy includes the time from 13 to 26 weeks of pregnancy, that is, the middle of this period. Its main difference from the first trimester is that all the organs of the fetus are already practically formed, and from the third - that the size of the pregnant woman's abdomen is still relatively small, the fetal body weight is also quite low.

What happens in the second trimester

The main thing that is characteristic of the second trimester of pregnancy is the further development and improvement of all organs of the fetus, the rudiments of which were formed earlier. By the end of this period, the child looks like a newborn and even has a chance of survival in the event of a premature birth.

The second trimester is rightfully considered the most comfortable, as the woman begins to feel better than in the first weeks of pregnancy. The likelihood of miscarriage is reduced, so the expectant mother can worry less about possible complications. According to statistical studies, only 25% of miscarriages occur in the second trimester. Such spontaneous abortions are also called late miscarriages. But this happens quite rarely, so the expectant mother should not worry too much.

A great joy in the second trimester for a woman is the movement of the baby. The first movements, which are still barely noticeable, are perceived by the pregnant woman as a sign that the child is alive and makes itself felt in this way.

Another pleasant moment for the expectant mother is the opportunity to find out the gender of the baby during the ultrasound examination and even see your baby in the pictures obtained using the ultrasound machine.


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In most cases, the gender can be determined quite accurately, and only in some cases the baby is embarrassed to demonstrate his distinctive gender characteristics.

Fetal development

For the entire second trimester, the fetus changes significantly in appearance. If at the very beginning of this period its mass was no more than 20 grams, and the body length was about 7 cm, then at the end of the second trimester of pregnancy the baby already weighs from 850 g to 1000 g, while the body length in the coccygeal-parietal size is 23- 24 cm, and at full height - about 35 cm. Thus, from a tiny embryo, he becomes a rather large strong man weighing almost a kilogram.

If you trace the development of the fetus by calendar months, then in the fourth month of pregnancy the following changes occur:

  • The skeleton of the fetus grows and strengthens intensively.
  • The organs of the abdominal cavity develop.
  • The kidneys take their rightful place and begin to excrete urine.
  • The stomach, gallbladder and intestines of the fetus begin to function.
  • The cerebral cortex is forming intensively.
  • The adrenal glands begin to produce hormones.

In the fifth month of the fetus's life, the following occurs:

  • The fetus begins to move so intensely that the woman feels its movements. As a rule, in first-time pregnant women, this occurs at 19-20 weeks, and in subsequent pregnancies - at 16-18 weeks.
  • The glands of the endocrine system are actively functioning: the thyroid gland, the pituitary gland, etc.
  • The spleen produces blood cells.
  • The skin of the fetus is coated with a special lubricant.

The following changes occur in the body of a six-month-old fetus:

  • During the waking hours, the fetus actively moves, the rest of the time it sleeps. The total duration of sleep during the day is 16-20 hours.
  • The fetus can breathe, but the lung tissue still does not expand.
  • The mass of the brain is growing rapidly. By the end of the sixth month, it reaches 100 grams.
  • The higher parts of the cerebral cortex develop. The mental abilities of the baby are formed, as well as the penchant for creativity. Some experts believe that if at this time a woman suffers from depression, then her child may subsequently also show a tendency to this ailment.
  • The sensory organs of the fetus begin to function.

Also, the placenta undergoes great changes. Starting from the 14th week, the placenta fully provides the functions of transferring nutrients from the mother's body to the fetus. In addition, this organ reliably protects the baby from the negative effects of toxic substances, mechanical shock and other factors.

Changes in the body of the expectant mother

In order to ensure the process of growth and development of the fetus, the body of the pregnant woman works in an enhanced mode. The load on all systems increases: endocrine, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, etc.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the following changes occur in the female body:

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  • After the 20th week, the uterus may periodically come in tone, and a woman may feel at the same time its slight contractions, the so-called Braxton-Hicks training contractions. Thus, the uterus performs a kind of exercise aimed at preparing for the upcoming birth.
  • Under the influence of certain hormones, the mammary glands continue to grow in size. The skin around the nipples darkens slightly, and colostrum may be secreted from the nipples themselves.
  • Due to the rapid development of the fetus and an increase in the body's need for nutrients, iron deficiency anemia may occur, a condition that in some cases requires medical correction. But you should not prescribe yourself iron-containing drugs on your own, because moderate anemia in pregnant women is a completely normal phenomenon that can be corrected by rational nutrition. But foods rich in iron (apples, buckwheat porridge) can be consumed without special restrictions.
  • Since the enlarged uterus presses on the intestines, the pregnant woman may experience constipation. You can get rid of this problem by eating a sufficient amount of foods containing fiber: fruits, vegetables, cereals.
  • Heartburn can be a problem for many women. It occurs most often in the second trimester and can continue until the moment of childbirth.
  • The amount of vaginal discharge in a woman may increase. If this is not accompanied by itching, burning and other unpleasant symptoms, and the discharge is whitish, then you do not need to worry. Otherwise, you should consult a doctor, because this condition can be dangerous.
  • In the second trimester, some women may experience swelling. Puffiness occurs more often in the third trimester, closer to the time of childbirth, therefore, the appearance of alarming symptoms in the middle of pregnancy should alert the expectant mother.
  • Women prone to varicose veins, in the middle of pregnancy, may notice that the veins in the legs have become bulging, nodular vascular formations have appeared. In order to prevent the occurrence of venous diseases, it is recommended to move more and change body position as often as possible.
  • Skin pigmentation may occur in certain areas, mainly in the abdomen, sometimes on the face. After giving birth, the skin color will return to normal, so do not worry about this.

Feelings during this period

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mother can experience a whole range of sensations:

  • The mood becomes more stable, self-esteem rises, and the level of anxiety decreases markedly. The reason for the normalization of the emotional state is the stabilization of the hormonal status, as well as the fact that the woman is already accustomed to her new status as a future mother.
  • It becomes more difficult for a pregnant woman to endure temperature changes, physical and emotional stress. In order to prevent the deterioration of well-being due to the influence of these factors, you must ensure yourself at least a minimum level of comfort, dress for the season, and also have regular rest.
  • Thanks to the appearance of the first movements of the baby in the middle of the second trimester, the woman begins to more clearly feel that there is a new life inside her.

Analyzes and examinations in the second trimester

During the second trimester, the doctor will recommend that the expectant mother visit the antenatal clinic every two weeks. During each examination, the specialist will measure the volume of the abdomen, determine the woman's body weight. In addition, starting at week 16, the doctor will measure the height of the fundus of the uterus.

Additionally, at this time, the following tests will be prescribed in the second trimester of pregnancy, as well as certain types of examinations:

  • general blood analysis;
  • Analysis of urine;
  • analysis for antibodies with a high likelihood of a Rh conflict between the mother and the fetus;
  • ultrasound examination of the fetus;
  • tests to determine the level of certain hormones.

The last two types of studies are part of the second prenatal screening, which consists in conducting an ultrasound scan and determining the level of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), estriol.

Using the triple test, you can identify possible defects or abnormalities in the development of the fetus, including chromosomal abnormalities.

As a rule, a second prenatal screening is prescribed at 16-18 weeks of pregnancy. When receiving results that indicate possible abnormalities in the development of the fetus, the woman may be advised to undergo a more detailed examination by a geneticist and perform such tests as chorionic villus sampling or late amniocentesis. This will identify possible chromosomal abnormalities.

In the presence of other indications, for example, signs of preeclampsia or disturbances in the work of the heart, pregnant women also take other types of tests (ultrasound of the kidneys, cardiography, etc.). It should also be borne in mind that the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is the optimal time to visit the dentist, ENT and other specialized specialists.

Main hazards and risks

The greatest danger for a future mother in the 2nd trimester is the following situations:

  • Premature termination of pregnancy. This pathology can be classified as spontaneous abortion or premature birth. A fetus born before 22 weeks is considered nonviable, and a child born later has some chance of survival.
  • Pathology of the cervix, in particular, isthmic-cervical insufficiency. In such cases, premature thinning and dilatation of the cervix occurs, which significantly increases the risk of miscarriage or childbirth. The main method of treatment is suturing or the installation of special devices on the neck area. The optimal time for correcting this pathology is 18-22 weeks.
  • Gestosis, accompanied by the appearance of edema, increased blood pressure, detection of protein in the urine. Signs of preeclampsia may appear after 20 weeks. This pathology poses a serious danger not only to the fetus, but also to the woman, since it significantly increases the risk of serious complications, including heart attack or stroke.
  • Intrauterine infection of the fetus due to the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the mother's body, including the causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases.

Many pregnant women would like to receive more information about the so-called critical periods of pregnancy. Dangerous weeks of the second trimester is the period from 18 to 22 weeks, when pathologies such as dilatation of the cervix, defects in the location of the placenta (incorrect presentation, placement in the area of ​​a previously operated scar, etc.), infection of the fetus with ureaplasma, chlamydia and other pathogens may appear infectious diseases.

At this time, it is well felt through the abdominal wall. The height of the uterine fundus at the beginning of the 2nd trimester is approximately 13 cm (measured from the pubic symphysis to the highest point of the uterus), and by the 26th week it rises to 25-27 cm.

The volume of the abdomen increases gradually (by about 1 cm every week), and at the beginning of the second trimester it is 68-70 cm, and at the end of it - 78-82 cm.

Analyzes and medical examinations

In the second trimester, a woman visits her doctor every three weeks. The day before, she takes urine and blood for analysis, on the basis of which a specialist can judge the condition of the fetus.

At each check-up, the doctor measures the woman's blood pressure. If the expectant mother gained too many extra pounds and at the same time she has high blood pressure, there is a risk of gestosis. This is a serious disorder characterized by a disorder of the urinary and cardiovascular systems, often manifested by edema and the presence of protein in the urine.

In addition, the doctor observing the woman enters the following indicators into the map: weight, height of the fundus of the uterus, abdominal circumference. And starting from the 18-20th week at the examination, they must listen to the fetal heartbeat with a stethoscope.

A vaginal examination during this period of pregnancy is usually not performed unless there are special indications for this.

Ultrasound

Second-trimester ultrasound is usually done closer to week 20. Since all the organs of the fetus have practically formed, the doctor can judge the development of the heart, kidneys, brain, lungs, stomach, gallbladder. Towards the end of this trimester, it becomes possible to assess whether the facial structures are correctly formed, and thus to exclude developmental pathology, for example, cheiloschisis (often said: "cleft lip") - a cleft of the upper or lower lip.

Screening

In the period from the 17th to the 19th week, a woman is prescribed a second trimester screening. It includes an ultrasound scan and a biochemical blood test for hormones. Screening can detect diseases such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, neural tube defect, and fetal anatomical abnormalities.

Quite often, if the screening of the 1st trimester showed good results, only ultrasound is done in the 2nd trimester, the biochemical analysis is not examined. However, in some cases, full screening is still recommended, for example, if the pregnant woman is more than 35 years old, there were poor screening results in the 1st trimester, there was a long-term threat of miscarriage, and there were already cases of birth of children with chromosomal abnormalities in the family.

Starting from the 16th week, during an ultrasound scan, the doctor also estimates the amount of amniotic fluid (amniotic fluid index).

What does a child look like

In this trimester, the fetus develops very actively. The baby's weight at 14 weeks is 40 g, and his height reaches 10 cm, by the end of the trimester, these dimensions will increase to 900 g and 36 cm, respectively.

Just imagine how much your baby will change in just over three months!

Here's what else happens to the fetus during this period:

    muscles and ligaments are actively formed;

    rudiments of milk and permanent teeth are formed;

    the first hairs appear on the head, and the body is gradually covered with vellus hairs called lanugo;

    the baby begins to write, that is, his urinary system is already working and he is able to excrete urine directly into the amniotic fluid;

    fingers and toes are fully formed;

    the sebaceous glands begin to work, and gradually a primordial (cheese-like) lubricant is formed on the skin - a protective layer that protects the skin of the fetus until birth;

    the child can suck fingers, touch the face, umbilical cord;

    in the intestine, meconium begins to form, the original feces, which normally leaves the child's body on the first day;

    the child is actively moving, and by the 20th week, most mothers already feel slight tremors;

    the fetus begins to hear sounds from the outside, later he may even react to them, depending on whether he likes them or not;

    in the lungs, the production of surfactant begins - a substance that will not allow the walls of the alveoli to stick together immediately after birth;

    the fetus begins to hiccup, there is a version that this is how it trains the respiratory organs.

What happens in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy: sensations

The second trimester is considered to be the most favorable during the entire pregnancy. Usually at this moment toxicosis recedes, which worries many women in the first months. The expectant mother seems to have new strength, she feels cheerful and tolerates pregnancy quite easily in the absence of pathology.

Stomach ache

Unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen may occur after the 20th week of pregnancy. Usually they are associated with the fact that the uterus increases in size and the round ligament that supports the uterus is stretched. They do not last long and disappear within 3-5 minutes.

Pain can also occur with physical exertion or overexertion. In this case, it makes sense to change your lifestyle, playing sports.

The cause of pulling pains can be hypertonicity of the uterus, women usually say: "The abdomen is like a stone." In this case, the doctor will recommend resting more often, possibly prescribing antispasmodic drugs, as well as wearing a bandage.

An intestinal upset can cause pulling pains in the abdomen. Then you need to change the diet and closely monitor the quality and quantity of food consumed.

Back pain

The belly of the expectant mother greatly increases in volume, which inevitably leads to a shift in the center of gravity. The spine receives an additional load, and when walking, a woman involuntarily bends it. Towards the end of the second trimester, such pains may become more frequent. In any case, it is better to inform your doctor about this.

As a preventive measure, it is worth refusing to wear high-heeled shoes, as well as attending special sports classes for pregnant women.

Allocations

Vaginal discharge in the second trimester is a normal phenomenon, the only question is what quality they are. If the discharge is clear or whitish, odorless, then you should not worry.

It is necessary to consult a doctor if the discharge has become yellow-purulent, green, cheesy and has an unpleasant odor. This most often indicates an infection that must be treated before childbirth so as not to infect the baby. The second trimester in this sense is favorable in that a larger number of drugs are allowed for use, which means that it will be easier to cope with the infection.

But any medication can only be used as directed by a doctor!

Nausea

Nausea, which regularly bothers the expectant mother during the first trimester, usually goes away by 14-16 weeks. However, a little later, after the 20th week, heartburn may appear. This is due to the fact that under the influence of progesterone, the tone of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract decreases and the acidic contents of the stomach are thrown back into the esophagus. To cope with this trouble is quite simple: just change the diet.

Do's and don'ts in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

Since the second trimester is the most favorable period of pregnancy, it is worth enjoying it to the fullest. For example, now is the time to start attending any sports activities for expectant mothers (if there are no contraindications), to choose courses for preparing for childbirth, to make repairs (if it was supposed to prepare the room for the appearance of the baby).

Proper nutrition and diet

The issue of compiling the correct diet in the second trimester plays a special role - it is during this period that expectant mothers gain excess weight most quickly. Therefore, several important rules must be observed:

    eat fractionally - often and little by little. 6-7 meals of 200-250 g each is an ideal approach to nutrition, which, among other things, will help get rid of heartburn;

    for the prevention of anemia, you need to include boiled beef, apples, spinach, buckwheat porridge in the diet. As for liver dishes, check with your doctor, because today offal in the diet of expectant mothers cause a lot of controversy among obstetricians-gynecologists, it is probably all about their quality;

    try to eliminate salt from your diet as much as possible. Give up all pickles, smoked meats, sausages - they very much retain water in the body and become one of the causes of edema, which is highly undesirable throughout pregnancy;

    eat more vegetables and fruits, especially if you need a snack between meals.

    replace "fast" carbohydrates with "slow" ones. Remove sweet baked goods, white bread, candy, white rice, potatoes, sugary juices. Include vegetables (cabbage, zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce, herbs, low-fat cottage cheese, bread) in the diet.

Sex in the absence of contraindications is very beneficial for the physical and emotional health of a woman. Moreover, many expectant mothers say that it was during pregnancy that they experienced completely new and unusual sensations.

Contraindications

Of course, pregnancy is not a disease, but it is at least reasonable to follow reasonable rules during the period of bearing a baby. Therefore, here is what it is recommended to refuse:

    smoking and alcohol;

    active participation in renovations (wallpapering, painting walls, etc.);

    power loads in the gym (twisting, push-ups, lifting and squatting with dumbbells, jumping, etc.);

    lifting weights (if possible, let other family members carry bags from the store);

    long business trips, which are not only physically exhausting, but also emotionally;

    any nervous stress negatively affects the health of the fetus;

    tasty, but unhealthy food (except for sauces and smoked meats, mushrooms and nuts are dangerous);

    long flights on vacation. If you decide to go on vacation, choose direct routes that last no more than four hours;

    it is harmful to be in a sitting position for a long time, while crossing your legs. If you work in an office, try to take a break every 40-60 minutes;

    during the SARS and flu season, avoid visiting crowded places.

The waiting period for a child is usually no more than 42 calendar weeks. The entire period of pregnancy is usually divided into 3 trimesters, each of which has its own characteristics.

In this article, we will tell you which week each trimester begins, as well as what features of the course of pregnancy you can notice, depending on its duration.

Sometimes doctors, when calculating the gestational age, use a simplified method - the maximum waiting period for a child of 42 weeks is divided into 3 equal trimesters, 14 weeks in each. Thus, the 2nd trimester of pregnancy with this method of counting will start from 15 weeks, and 3 - from 29.

However, another breakdown method is most often used - using a special table that lists all trimesters of pregnancy by week.


Consider the most significant features and changes in the entire period of pregnancy by weeks of each trimester, while we will break down the entire waiting period for the child as shown in the table.

1 trimester of pregnancy by weeks

1-3 weeks. The countdown of the beginning of the baby's waiting period begins from the first day of the last menstruation. A little later, the fertilization of the egg takes place and the attachment of a tiny embryo to the walls of the uterus. You don't even know what's going on inside you while you are still waiting for your next period.

4-6 weeks. The hCG hormone is produced in a woman's body, during this period most expectant mothers find out about their situation using a pregnancy test. In a tiny embryo, a heart begins to form. Some women start to feel unwell as well as nausea in the morning.

7-10 weeks. The future baby is growing and developing rapidly, its weight is already about 4 grams. Mom may put on a little weight, but external changes have not yet been observed. Most of the girls fully suffer from toxicosis.

11-13 weeks. Time for passing, which includes ultrasound diagnostics and a biochemical blood test to determine the likelihood of possible chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Toxicosis, most likely, is already receding. The baby has developed a cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, spine and face. By the end of the first trimester, his height reaches 10 cm, and his body weight is about 20 grams.

2nd trimester of pregnancy by weeks

14-17 weeks. The baby is actively moving in the mother's tummy, but most pregnant women do not yet feel this. The growth of the fetus reaches 15 cm, and the weight is about 140 grams. The expectant mother herself is also actively gaining weight, and by this time her gain can reach 5 kg.

18-20 weeks. During this period, most women get acquainted with the sensation of wiggling their baby. The tummy already stands out so strongly that it is impossible to hide it from prying eyes. The baby develops by leaps and bounds, his weight reaches 300 grams, and his height is 25 cm.

21-23 weeks. At this time, you will have to pass the second screening test. Very often, it is on the second ultrasound that the doctor can already determine the gender of the baby, whose weight reaches 500 grams.

24-27 weeks. The uterus becomes quite large, and the expectant mother may experience discomfort - a feeling of heartburn and heaviness in the stomach, cramps in the legs, etc. ...

3rd trimester of pregnancy by weeks

28-30 weeks. The load on the kidneys of a pregnant woman is increasing every day, the fetus is developing incredibly rapidly - now it already weighs about 1500 grams, and its height reaches 39 cm. Preparation of the baby's lungs for spontaneous breathing begins.

31-33 weeks. During this period, you will undergo another ultrasound scan, where the doctor will even be able to take photographs of the face of the baby. Its parameters reach 43 cm and 2 kg. The expectant mother is increasingly testing the body preparing for the upcoming birth.

34-36 weeks. All organs and systems of the baby are formed, and he is ready to be born, now he will only gain body weight before the due date. He becomes cramped in his mother's tummy, so the number of movements decreases. The weight of the fetus reaches 2.7 kg, the height is 48 cm.

37-42 weeks. Usually, during this period, the logical end of pregnancy occurs - childbirth, the baby is born. Now he is considered full-term, and the development of his lungs allows him to breathe on his own.

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters - each is equal to three months, and only the last - the third, can be more or less long, since it is closed not by a specific week, but by childbirth. Each of the trimesters has its own characteristics, and the second is considered to be the most favorable period.

Timing and counting methods

Measuring pregnancy by trimesters began only in the last century, this was done so that both the woman and the doctor would be more convenient to navigate in the gestation period. Understanding the difference between obstetric months and calendar months will help to correctly calculate the term and determine the duration of the trimester.

Women are used to relying on the calendar - there are from 28 to 31 days in one month. A obstetricians calculate everything according to their method, and in each of their months there are exactly 28 days, not more.

The gestation period, according to the calendar, lasts just over 9 months, and in obstetric terms - 10 months, that is, exactly 40 weeks.

The beginning of pregnancy is the very first day of menstruation that started the cycle... Conception occurs, it turns out, only at 2 weeks of pregnancy, and the tests begin to become "striped" only by the end of 4 weeks. Knowing this, there will be no time confusion.

Indicate the first day of your last period

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The 2nd trimester begins at the 14th week of pregnancy and lasts three months (4-6 months inclusive). This period ends in 26 weeks and several days. For this reason, the information about the timing of the end of the trimester is rather contradictory: even the doctors themselves cannot come to a consensus on what should be considered the end - 26 or 27 weeks, because the actual period is in the middle of this period. Therefore, any woman can count as she likes best.

One thing is indisputable - the 2nd trimester ends on 26-27 obstetric week... 27 full weeks is already the beginning of the third trimester.

Peculiarities

The second trimester is the period of systemic genesis, when all previously formed organs and systems of the baby begin to debug the functioning and interaction. At the same time, there is an active growth of the fetus, the mineralization of its bones, which at the beginning of the second trimester are still quite soft, as well as the development of its central nervous system.

  • Week 20 the middle of pregnancy falls out, and from this time some women begin to feel training contractions. Women also feel the first fetal movements in the second trimester, and for primiparas this period is usually 20-22 weeks, and for multiparous - 18-20 weeks.
  • From 22 weeks pregnancy, the child enters the perinatal period, and if he is born at a given time, then this event will be qualified not as a miscarriage, but as childbirth, naturally occurring ahead of time, that is, premature. But the baby will still have a chance to survive.
  • From 24 weeks maturation of lung tissue begins. In the middle of his intrauterine life, the baby begins to dream, hear, train numerous reflexes and increase weight. The fetus is not yet large, so that pregnancy is still burdensome for a woman, it is well protected by the placenta.

This trimester is considered the easiest and safest for both mom and baby. With the onset of this period, toxicosis disappears, and the state of health noticeably improves.

It is only important to ensure that you do not gain excess weight, as well as note the nature of the discharge and the presence of edema.

Influenza and ARVI are no longer so dangerous for the crumbs, because everything is formed, but nevertheless, infections should be avoided, since mother's diseases can negatively affect the state of the uteroplacental blood flow.

Simple recommendations will help you safely bypass the second trimester of pregnancy:

    exclude the use of coffee, alcohol, strong black tea, do not smoke and do not use drugs- they will negatively affect the state of the placenta, which can lead to hypoxia, intrauterine death of the fetus, to a delay in its development, and can also disrupt the functioning of the newly formed organs of the fetus;

    watch the discharge- their quantity, color, smell and consistency will help to mark the habit of using sanitary pads (it is forbidden to use tampons for pregnant women);

    use a greasy cream or special products for the skin of the mammary glands and abdomen to prevent severe stretch marks, get ready for breastfeeding - wear a supportive bra with wide straps and wipe your breasts with a hard towel to "train" the nipples;

    try to get enough sleep, if necessary and possible, make an hourly daytime "quiet hour";

    change your regular clothes to loose ones special clothes for expectant mothers - the belly should not be pulled down, and natural fabrics should help in matters of sweating, which often occurs in the middle of the gestation period;

    can be purchased and start using prenatal bandage;

    second trimester - a great time to shop for a child's "dowry";

    eat balanced, in small portions up to five times a day, make sure that there is no constipation;

    weigh yourself weekly and note the increase;

    be sure to visit the doctor in the antenatal clinic at the appointed time, undergo examinations and get tested. This will help the doctor and the expectant mother to better navigate how the pregnancy is going on, how the baby is feeling.