Energy returns
Your second trimester will bring many more changes in your body and the way you're feeling. Others may begin to notice your pregnancy, and if you had any morning sickness, it will most likely have passed by this point. Thanks to less queasiness and some added attention, you may start to feel more energetic and excited about being pregnant.
Around the fourth or fifth month, you'll probably start to need maternity clothes to fit your growing belly, and — most importantly — you'll feel your baby move for the first time. There's nothing quite like this feeling, so enjoy it if you can. There's a good chance those gentle flutters you feel at first will seem more like kicks from an Olympic soccer team by the end of your pregnancy.
New developments
Some of the other big changes you'll notice during your second trimester include:1
- Skin — You may notice changes in your skin, including darker blotches on your face, called chloasma. You may also develop a dark line down the middle of your abdomen, called linea negra. Both are temporary and normal signs of pregnancy, caused by your changing hormones. The rapid growth in your abdomen and breasts also causes stretching in your skin. This can lead to reddish brown streaks called stretch marks, and it can also cause itching. Applying lotion to your skin can help maintain its moisture and minimize the itching.
- Uterus — During this phase, your uterus expands exponentially, crowding your stomach and other organs. This can cause heartburn, which can be very uncomfortable. It may help to eat slowly, eat smaller portions, and decrease the amount of liquid you drink during your meal.
- Legs — You may develop varicose veins, because the weight of your uterus reduces circulation in your lower body. Additionally, you may experience muscle cramps, which are particularly common at night while you're sleeping. Flexing your foot can help relieve the cramp, but you should also make sure you're getting adequate nutrition. Cramps can be worsened by not having the right amount of calcium in your diet.1
Other physical symptoms during your second trimester include:
- Decrease or end to nausea
- Constipation
- Faintness or dizziness
- Occasional nosebleeds and nasal congestion
- Bleeding gums
- Increased appetite
- Swelling of ankles and feet
- Hemorrhoids
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Aches in your lower abdomen
- Increased heart rate
- Backache
How baby is growing2
During the second trimester, the placenta is fully formed. Your baby is close to 6 inches long, and has eyebrows, eyelashes, and well-developed limbs. Your baby's hearing is developing, and you may even notice that he or she jumps at the sound of loud noises.
A fat layer forms underneath your baby's skin, and his or her lungs practice breathing amniotic fluid.
You may be able to find out the sex of your baby during an ultrasound in the second trimester. What better way to help you narrow down your list of baby names and choose a color for your nursery!
Learn more about what to expect in your third trimester.
WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. KEEP THIS PRODUCT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or recently gave birth, CitraNatal® ® prescription multivitamins are designed to improve your nutritional health. Be sure to talk with your physician or healthcare practitioner prior to starting any prescription prenatal vitamin regimen.
Important Safety Information
All CitraNatal® products contain Folic acid, which has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Some patients taking Folic acid have reported allergic reactions. Talk to your doctor before taking CitraNatal® if you have a known sensitivity to any of its ingredients.
CitraNatal® products are not for everyone. If you have certain types of anemia (pernicious anemia or other megaloblastic anemias) and you are vitamin B12 deficient, Folic acid alone is not enough to treat your condition. Doses of more than 0.1 mg Folic acid per day can hide the symptoms of these anemias, making them difficult to diagnose. Consult with your doctor to find the treatment that is right for you.
Certain CitraNatal® products contain an all-natural, plant-based form of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is found in the brain and eye. You should exercise caution to ensure that your prescribed dosage does not exceed 1 gram (1000 mg) per day. Taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day has been shown to have antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and reduced clotting ratio (INR). Inform your doctor and avoid taking omega-3 fatty acids if you are currently taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) or if you have an inherited or acquired tendency to bleed.
CitraNatal® products include iron. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under six. Always keep CitraNatal® products and other medications out of reach of children, and in case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
To report negative side effects, contact Mission Pharmacal Company at 1-800-298-1087 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
- Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary - Ed. 20, Editor Donald Venes. F.A. Davis Company 2005
- Fetal development: What happens during the second trimester? [Internet]. Mayo Clinic; 2007. Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-development/PR00113
Expecting? Estimate your due date with this online pregnancy wheel.
Click here for an interactive guide to a baby's growth and development during a typical pregnancy.
