A few weeks ago we started a series of entries with the aim of responding to Frequently asked questions in pregnancy. After three entries talking about the first quarter today we are going to talk about what is usually done during the second quarter.
Is it true what they say is the most pleasant pregnancy period?
Yes it's correct. In the second trimester the woman seems to recover the energy she lacked in the first. Nausea and tiredness begin to decrease and the belly is still not large enough to "bother". In addition, the baby appears almost complete on ultrasound and those moments are enjoyed more than at the beginning, when it is still very small and in formation, and in the end, when it is so large that only portions of its body can be seen, at Sometimes difficult to distinguish. For this reason it is said that The second quarter is the most enjoyed.
What changes will I notice in the second trimester of pregnancy?
As we said in previous entries entries, not all women suffer the same symptoms nor does the same woman have two equal pregnancies. Even so, the most common changes and symptoms in pregnant women, during the second trimester of pregnancy, are as follows:
- Increase in energy: the pregnant woman finds herself with more strength and vitality than during the first trimester.
- Less need to urinate frequently: the uterus begins to dilate to the abdomen and no longer presses on the bladder so much.
- Constipation: hormonal changes continue to affect intestinal motility.
- Burning, indigestion, flatulence: the increase in progesterone relaxes the heart (gastroesophageal sphincter) and it is more common for the stomach contents to return to the esophagus, causing heartburn.
- Fainting or dizziness: sometimes dizziness can occur due to the dilation of blood vessels, especially if the woman is standing for a long time.
- The breasts continue to grow.
- Increased appetite
- Possible swelling of feet, ankles, face and hands.
- The gums may soften and bleed occasionally.
- With a greater volume of blood both the heart and the kidneys act with more intensity.
- Varicose veins and hemorrhoids may appear.
And emotionally, will I notice any change?
Normally there are not many changes at the emotional level, beyond the already real feeling of being pregnant. Many women do not have the first ultrasound until week 12. At that time they hear their baby's heartbeat and see it. This makes the typical "I am pregnant because I know it disappear, but it's as if I still don't believe it".
Dizzy and faint, is it indicative that something is wrong?
Not necessarily. The truth is that dizziness and fainting in this period are relatively frequent. They usually appear when the woman has been standing for a long time, storing blood in the distal part of the body and causing the heart to pump even faster and stronger. Under these conditions, if the body suspects that there may be a deficit for the main organs (brain and heart), it causes dizziness and fainting. That way, in a lying position, the blood returns to irrigate the areas where we need it most.
Can you avoid fainting in some way?
The best way to avoid fainting, considering that they happen when the woman spends a lot of time standing is simply avoid spending a lot of time in that position. In addition, it is advisable to change position slowly (get up from the floor, chair or bed little by little), to give the body time to adapt to the new posture, as well as to eat frequently or carry some cookies, nuts or something that put in the mouth so that the dizziness is not aggravated by the lack of food intake.
Why do I have so much heartburn?
As we have explained above the high levels of the hormone progesterone causes a relaxation in the gastroesophageal sphincter, responsible for preventing gastric contents from returning to the esophagus. When this relaxation occurs, the passage is open and, like the low food, the food, together with the gastric juices, can rise again, producing heartburn or heartburn.
Can heartburn be treated during pregnancy?
More than trying, what can be done is to try to mitigate the discomfort or prevent them a bit. It is recommended to eat little and frequently, since if copious meals are made the excessive dilation of the stomach makes the reflux more exaggerated. It is also better to leave a digestion time before lying down, for the same reason (as well as not bending over, not sitting in a way that compresses the stomach, etc.).
With regard to food, spicy foods should be avoided, unless the woman is very used to them. At night, if you also suffer from heartburn, you have to put pillows to sleep with the trunk slightly elevated and reduce reflux.
As a possible treatment, there are women who drink milk, although nausea is sometimes accentuated and there are those who take herbal remedies, such as elm, which soothes digestions. In any case, if it is very annoying, you can ask the doctor to prescribe an antacid.
Can it also be normal for me to notice heavy digestions?
You are right, it is normal to notice indigestion because of the same hormone that affects acidity. Not only the heart (gastroesophageal sphincter) relaxes, but also the rest of the digestive system. The consequence is that digestion is slower and therefore food stays longer in the stomach, causing a feeling of heaviness or even burning.
The only recommendation in this regard is to eat little but frequently, to avoid long and annoying digestions.
To be continue…
Within a few days we continue with more questions related to the second trimester of pregnancy.
