2nd trimester: the most important phase of pregnancy for both mother and fetus

After going through quite a tiring phase in the 1st trimester with morning sickness , in this 2nd trimester, your body feels quite comfortable with pregnancy. The following is a complete explanation of fetal development, changes in the mother's body, nutrition, and sex drive during the second trimester of pregnancy.

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Changes felt by the mother in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

2nd trimester of pregnancy starts at 14-27 weeks of age. During this period of pregnancy, most of the symptoms of early pregnancy have subsided and the energy begins to accumulate again for normal activities.

However, there are several other changes that occur and are felt by pregnant women in the 2nd trimester, namely:

• The stomach is getting bigger
• Weight gain about 1.5-2 kilograms every month
• Appetite started to improve
• Skin discoloration (black patches on the face or dark lines from the navel to the genitals)
• Thicker hair
• Leg cramps, especially during sleep
• Feeling sore and enlarged breasts
• Out of colostrum from the breast at 16-22 weeks of gestation
• Back pain
• Appear stretch marks

Quoting from British Columbia , stretch marks is a natural phenomenon that generally will fade away even completely after pregnancy.

However, not all pregnant women will experience it immediately when entering or during the 2nd trimester.

There is also no proven effective way to prevent the appearance of white streaks that interfere with your appearance in the second trimester. However, keeping weight gain during pregnancy from overdoing it can reduce severity stretch marks .

Fetal development in 2nd trimester

The bigger the mother's stomach, the more changes that occur to the fetus in the womb. During the second trimester, the fetus's lungs, heart, and circulatory system begin to develop.

The following is a more detailed description of fetal development in the 2nd trimester, namely:

Gestational age 4 months (14-17 weeks)

Prospective parents can already know what the gender of the baby is in the 2nd trimester. The fetus's face and hair on its head have also started to appear clearly on an ultrasound examination. The fetus can begin to hear sounds from outside when the mother is 4 months pregnant.

In addition, the fetus also begins to receive antibody "donations" from the mother's body to strengthen its own immune system against bacteria from the mother's body.

5 months of pregnancy (18-22 weeks)

In the fifth month of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, the fetal eyebrows and eyelashes have started to appear. Downy hair (lanugo) will also appear all over the fetus's body and last until after birth.

The fetus's skin is still thin and shiny because it is covered with a cream-colored protective layer called vernix. Vernix is ​​made from the oil glands of the fetus's body.

In addition, the baby's feet have started to move properly and the teeth will begin to form at 5 months of pregnancy.

Gestational age 6 months (23-27 weeks)

In the second trimester, the baby's respiratory system has started working because his lungs have produced a substance called surfactant.

The function of surfactants is to help the fetus's lungs develop normally after birth. The eyes of the fetus at 6 months of pregnancy may have opened and closed on their own.

Movement or kicks of babies generally can be felt for the first time when the pregnancy enters the age of 16-25 weeks.

However, if this is the first pregnancy, the baby kicks can only be felt in the 25th week.

Bad conditions that can occur in the 2nd trimester

Pregnancy in general is a risky condition. Even though the 2nd trimester is the most comfortable period of pregnancy, there are still various risks and danger signs that arise in this trimester and need to be watched out.

Some of the bad conditions that can occur are:

1. Vaginal bleeding

Bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy is common. Quoting from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), bleeding during early pregnancy occurs in 15-25 percent of women.

However, if this bleeding occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy (before 20 weeks of age), it could be a sign of a miscarriage.

A miscarriage before 20 weeks of gestation can be caused by several different factors, which include:

• Uterine problems, such as the uterine septum (the uterus divides into two separate parts)
• Cervical incompetence (cervix opens too quickly and triggers early birth)
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Autoimmune diseases that the mother has, such as lupus.

Bleeding in the second trimester can also result from:

• Early delivery
• Placental problems, such as placenta previa and placental abruption.

These problems are more common in the third trimester, but can also occur at the end of the second trimester.

2. Premature rupture of the membranes

The amniotic fluid will break when it's time for delivery, but if it breaks in the 2nd trimester, it is premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and can cause serious problems.

When pregnant women experience this, the baby should be delivered as soon as possible because the baby no longer has protection against infection.

A ruptured amniotic sac in the 2nd trimester can be the cause of premature birth.

Babies born between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy are at the highest risk of developing serious long-term medical problems, especially lung disease.

The cause of premature rupture of membranes is the weakening of the contracting membranes due to infection of the uterus.

3. Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a high blood pressure problem that occurs when the womb enters 20 weeks of gestation. High blood pressure is said to be preeclampsia if the blood pressure reaches 140/90 even more during pregnancy.

A pregnant woman can experience preeclampsia even though she has never had a previous history of hypertension.

In the first pregnancy, preeclampsia is more likely to occur during the third trimester. However, some pregnant women experience preeclampsia since the second trimester.

Pregnancy checks that need to be done in the 2nd trimester

In the second trimester, pregnant women can already find out the sex and shape of the fetus via ultrasound. This ultrasound examination can be done at 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

In the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, the doctor will perform the following prenatal checks:

• Measuring blood pressure
• Check your weight
• Screening for gestational diabetes with a blood test
• Carry out tests for birth defects and other genetic tests, such as an amniocentesis test.

Ultrasound examination in the 2nd trimester also aims to check the growth, position of the baby, and provide an estimated date of birth.

You may also feel the fetal movement in your stomach. Fetal movement is generally not too felt and only briefly.

Changes in the sexual desire of pregnant women in the second trimester

During the first trimester of pregnancy, probably most pregnant women experience a decrease in sexual desire.

However, the sexual arousal of pregnant women will increase at the end of the first trimester and enter the second trimester. The nausea and fatigue that usually occur in the first trimester have subsided.

Increased sexual desire is influenced by an increase in the hormone estrogen.

This hormone increases blood flow in the area of ​​the sex organs and causes the area to be more sensitive, so that sexual stimulation also increases.

Vaginal discharge also increases in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. This is what makes the vagina more ready for penetration.

Changes in breasts that are more developed and more sensitive are also the reasons for the increased sexual desire of pregnant women.

There are several sex positions that can be done during the second trimester of pregnancy, namely:

• Sitting position on the lap of the partner
• All fours (doggy style)
• Side sleeping position

You can lie with your back to your partner, so you can penetrate from behind while hugging affectionately.

After entering 20 weeks of pregnancy, avoid positions that make you lie on your back, such as the missionary position.

When lying on your back, the enlarged uterus will press on the aorta, which functions to supply blood to the placenta. This condition can interfere with fetal growth.

Couples also need to avoid blowing air into the genital area. Blowing air into the vagina can cause air embolism (air bubbles that enter the blood circulation).

This is rare, but can be life threatening to pregnant women or babies. Oral sex is safe during pregnancy, but it's best not to blow air into the vagina.

Nutrition that must be fulfilled in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

Various nutritional intakes that you must get in the first trimester are still required to be fulfilled during the second trimester. In addition, here are other additional nutrients that are also important for this phase, such as:

1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is needed by mothers in the second trimester of pregnancy to help build bones and teeth of the developing fetus.

The recommended intake of vitamin D during the second trimester of pregnancy is 15 mcg a day. Pregnant women can also get additional vitamin D from the following foods for pregnant women:

• Salmon
• Cheese
• Egg yolk
• Pregnant supplements containing vitamin D.

Quoted from the official WHO website, taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy can reduce the risk of preeclampsia, low birth weight babies (LBW), and preterm birth.

2. Omega-3 fatty acids

Pregnant women are advised to eat foods containing omega-3 essential fatty acids during pregnancy, including the 2nd trimester.

Omega-3 fatty acids function to support the development of the heart, brain, eyes, immune system and central nervous system of the fetus in the womb.

Pregnant women can get omega-3 fatty acids from the following foods:

• Fatty fish, such as salmon that is cooked to perfection.
• Whole grains
• Egg
• Canola oil and flaxseed oil
• Avocado

Omega-3 fatty acids can also prevent preterm labor, lower the risk of preeclampsia, and reduce the chance of postpartum depression.

3. Water

Pregnant women need more fluid intake, including in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Water consumed by pregnant women can help the formation of the placenta and amniotic sac in the uterus.

Being dehydrated during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester can cause the fetus to develop neural tube defects, such as anencephaly and decreased milk production.

Pregnant women should drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration and its complications.

4. Folate

The need for folic acid still needs to be met during the second trimester. The need for folate during the second trimester is 600 micrograms per day.

Meeting the needs of folate is important to reduce the risk of birth defects, such as spina bifida. You can get folate from a variety of foods, such as green vegetables, oranges, chicken, shellfish, and nuts.

5. Calcium

The calcium requirement for pregnant women in the second trimester is 1200 mg. You can meet this need by consuming:

• Milk
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Green vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, and kale)
• Bony fish (such as sardines and anchovies)
• Soybeans and their products
• Egg.

Fetal development in this phase includes bone formation and bone compaction in the baby's body. This makes the calcium needs of pregnant women quite high and it is important to be fulfilled.

6. Iron

The need for iron for pregnant women is getting higher approaching the time of delivery. Iron is needed to support the formation of increasing red blood cells.

The iron requirement for pregnant women during the second trimester is 35 mg. You can meet this iron requirement from red meat, green vegetables, egg yolks, and nuts.

Some pregnant women may need iron supplements if they have iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

7. Zinc

As with iron, the need for zinc increases during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The need for zinc in the second trimester is 14 mg.

Unmet needs for zinc can increase the risk of birth defects, infant growth limitations, and preterm birth.

For that, you need to meet these zinc needs from various foods, such as red meat, seafood, green vegetables, and nuts.

Things that need to be done in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

Maintaining health needs to be done by prospective mothers throughout pregnancy, including in the 2nd trimester. Here are some tips that pregnant women can follow during the second trimester, including:

Sports

Pregnancy is not a reason not to exercise and move the body actively. Exercise is a healthy and easy way to avoid the risk of insulin resistance in pregnant women.

Insulin resistance can cause gestational diabetes which is characterized by high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. However, always make sure to your gynecologist about appropriate sports during pregnancy.

Because in the 2nd trimester, the pregnant woman's stomach has grown so that it is necessary to be careful in choosing the type of exercise.

Take additional supplements

If the need for iron, zinc (zinc), or calcium is very high, your doctor may recommend additional supplements.

In some conditions, vitamins obtained from food are not enough, so they need to get additional.

Take additional supplements regularly as directed by your doctor so that the nutrition of the mother and fetus is maintained in the second trimester of pregnancy.