So I’m officially in the second trimester. Here’s a summary of symptoms from AskDrSears.com that I am and some I’m not looking forward to.
EMOTIONAL CHANGES
Most women find the second trimester to be a more emotionally stable time than the first. The surge in pregnancy hormones that took you by surprise in the early months now levels off, as do your emotions. You'll probably find your reactions to events a bit less dramatic now. Even better, most moms we talked with told us their fourth month feelings were usually happier. Other feelings you may have include:
RELIEFAfter the twelfth week of pregnancy the chance of miscarriage nearly vanishes, so unless you've actually experienced miscarriage, any fear that you could lose this baby can be put aside. You are also likely to feel relieved to be past the constant nausea and tiredness of early pregnancy. Of course, some women continue to feel these pregnancy symptoms during the next few months, but usually to a much lesser degree.
NURTURINGStarting to show, hearing baby's heartbeat, seeing him or her on ultrasound, and even suspecting you feel the first kicks make your pregnancy seem more real. These signs will intensify your feelings of closeness with your baby and your realization that this tiny little person inside is really part of you.
AMBIVALENCE Even with all the positive feelings you're likely to experience this month, you may still feel somewhat unsure about pregnancy. Yes, you're over the hump of first trimester miseries, but you still have six more months to go. Some women dread the continued uncertainty over how they will feel. Fresh from the throes of nausea, they may nervously anticipate the later stages of pregnancy when getting around will be difficult. Other women report that they are already tired of waiting, of the feeling that their lives are on hold while they gestate. One woman we know told us she yearned to simply feel like her "old self" again. Fortunately, this ambivalence generally decreases as the pregnancy advances.
PRIDEWhile some women become anxious, even resentful, about their changing bodies, a great many enjoy their fuller figures, even flaunt them. Growing a baby is a big achievement, and now that you have visible proof of your success you, too, may feel quite proud. You should. Pregnancy is an important rite of passage for a woman, and deserves to be celebrated. You are joining your mother, her mother, her mother, and so on, in creating life – it's heady to have such power. Let your pregnant self-image be a positive one.
SEXY As your turbulent insides begin to settle and your energy returns, you will probably feel like living again, and for many women that includes sex. Depending on how well you feel physically and emotionally, you may even begin to want and enjoy sex more than you did before you were pregnant. If you experienced the usual sexual low of the first trimester, your heightened interest in love-making may be a pleasant surprise for your mate, especially if you are the one doing the initiating.
Reduced stomach nausea. You have finally gotten your body back, at least to some extent. If you're like most women, you're enjoying not having to think about food – if, when, what, and where to eat – all day. You may even be able to go a few hours between snacks without experiencing empty-stomach nausea.
Beginning to show. If this is your second or third pregnancy, most likely you are obviously showing by the fourth month. If this is your first pregnancy, you may still be in that "is she or isn't she" stage. Whether or not others notice your pregnancy, you will. You may still be in that in-between stage of your regular clothes feeling too tight and maternity clothes looking too large.
Higher energy. With the "bed and bathroom" stage of pregnancy behind you (though these will still be important places of refuge throughout your pregnancy), you may find you are now able to resume many of your usual activities. How quickly and to what degree energy returns varies from woman to woman. Most mothers-to-be are not (and should not expect to be) able to function at the same energy level as they did before becoming pregnant. A small percentage of women, however, claim they feel more energetic during this trimester than at any other time in their lives.
Less urge to urinate. The frequent need to urinate that sent you running to the bathroom day and night last trimester will lessen a bit over the next month or two as your uterus rises out of your pelvis and away from your bladder. In the two months, when your uterus enlarges and baby drops, it's back to the bathroom again.
Overheated. You may feel overheated during the remainder of your pregnancy. You are walking around with a body temperature one degree warmer than usual, courtesy of your pregnancy hormones. This phenomenon is similar to the slight increase in temperature that accompanies ovulation during your menstrual cycle. You are like a biological machine in high gear. Your body is working overtime, and it gets hot. Expect to perspire more. It's your body's way of self-cooling.
Increased vaginal discharge. A milky, slightly odorous vaginal discharge the consistency of egg white is normal during pregnancy, and often occurs in increasing amounts as your pregnancy progresses. This mucoid discharge resembles premenstrual vaginal discharge, except that it's heavier and constant. The same mechanisms (pregnancy hormones and increased blood flow to the tissues) that prepare the vagina for the passage of the baby are also responsible for this increase in secretions. Many women change their underwear several time a day, or wear panty liners to stay comfortably dry.
Vaginal yeast infections may recur throughout your pregnancy. While irritating to you, they are harmless to your baby, although a baby can pick up a yeast infection while traveling through the vagina during birth. Yeast can cause a mild infection of the mucous membranes of baby's mouth, called thrush, which generally appears around a week after delivery. Thrush can spread to the mother's nipples and cause pain and tenderness during feedings. Occasionally, a harmless yeast dermatitis may also develop in the newborn and can be treated easily with over-the-counter anti-fungal creams. (See Self-help Methods to Reduce the Frequency of Yeast Infections)
Congested. Keep your tissues handy. The same pregnancy hormones and increased blood volume that cause increased vaginal discharge also cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell, secrete fluid, and produce an annoying post-nasal drip. Allergic mothers who suffer from asthma and hay fever may find they wheeze, sniffle, and tear more while pregnant, but even women with no history of allergy or sinus trouble often report constant sniffles while pregnant. (See Ways to Reduce Congestion Naturally.)
Bleeding gums (pregnancy gingivitis). Guess what? Those pregnancy hormones that affect the mucous membranes throughout the rest of your body also cause changes inside your mouth. In addition to increased salivation, you can expect your gums to be sensitive, swollen, softer, and to bleed more easily during brushing and flossing. Have a dental check-up sometime around the fourth month. The dentist, hygienist, or periodontist may be able to help you prevent these gum changes from leading to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) or gum infections. If you need dental cleaning, dental x-rays, or a local anesthetic, don't worry. These will not harm your baby. (Since you are pregnant, or think you could be pregnant, be sure to inform your dentist who will drape a protective lead apron over your abdomen as a precautionary measure during x-rays.) Should you, because of certain heart valve problems, need to take a couple doses of antibiotic right before and after having dental work done, make certain your dentist knows that you are pregnant, even though the antibiotic commonly used in this situation is safe to take while pregnant.
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