Pregnancy for every woman is akin to the long-awaited holiday that is about to happen. What could be better than squeezing your own baby to your chest, feeling his body warmly ?! At the same time, the second is considered the safest period of all trimesters. Most of the internal organs have already formed and during the remaining time they pass the development path, enriched with useful trace elements that come together with maternal blood. But from what week does the second trimester of pregnancy begin? A similar question is asked by many parents.
It should be borne in mind that there is an obstetric period where the period is calculated a little differently, and therefore there are certain discrepancies. But first things first.
Obstetric period
First, it’s worth clarifying what the obstetric week of pregnancy means. This will make it clear when the second trimester begins. Often, expectant mothers notice some disagreements: the doctors at the reception in the antenatal clinic mention some dates, while the ultrasound shows completely different. This can confuse and mislead women. To understand this confusion is not difficult, the main thing is to understand a number of nuances.
First of all, it is worth considering that gynecologists operate on their data, for example, 13 obstetric week of pregnancy. And this period is usually two weeks earlier than the real period.
That is, as such, the actual pregnancy has not yet occurred. The fact is that according to special gynecological ideas, the beginning of the obstetric period falls on the first day of the last menstruation before pregnancy. The entire period lasts until the expected date of birth (DA).
Thus, the entire obstetric period is 280 days, 40 weeks or 10 months (with 28 days in 1 month). That is, these weeks are covered by the process of egg maturation and its release on a long journey through the fallopian tube.
Fetal term
Now it’s worth moving on to considering this period. This is the life of the child, only at first in the status of an embryo, and then as a fetus. The whole period takes from 265 to 266 days, 38 weeks, 9 normal months.
What week does the second trimester of pregnancy begin? With the help of ultrasound, the estimated period is determined depending on the size of the fetus. Moreover, the data obtained are compared with development standards for embryonic (up to 12 weeks) and obstetric (after 12 weeks) terms.
Since quite a tiny organism has individual characteristics (as well as adults), the size of the child can be very different. That is, not only small children are born, but also real heroes! In other words, ultrasound does not allow to establish the exact gestational age.
However, this does not mean yet that it makes no sense to conduct an ultrasound examination - with its help, significant deviations from the norm can be detected. Usually this indicates the development of various pathologies. In this regard, it is certainly not worth neglecting such a study!
The importance of the obstetric period
What exactly is the point in determining the obstetric week? Here it’s worth turning to history: this period began to be calculated quite a few years ago, and then specialists still did not have the slightest idea about such a phenomenon as ovulation, including the features of the course of pregnancy. Now, even some mothers, because of their curiosity, can gather the necessary information from available sources regarding the 13th obstetric week of pregnancy. Fortunately, nowadays there are no special problems with this.
At that distant time, every woman guessed about her special status due to the absence of menstruation, which should occur. For this reason, the period began to count from the moment of the last menstruation. There are several more compelling reasons:
- Not only did people not have the slightest idea about ovulation, but also ultrasound scanners did not exist in nature. Therefore, the main factor is the absence of bleeding, which should be.
- The body of each woman is purely individual, and therefore the range of the duration of the menstrual cycle varies from 21-35 days. This imposes certain difficulties in determining the day of release of the egg. Therefore, it is much easier to make calculations based on the date of the last menstruation.
- Male reproductive cells can be in the genital organ for 5 days. In this regard, even if a woman remembered the day of intimacy with a man, it is not a fact that it was then that the conception occurred. Ovulation and fertilization itself could happen later.
- As medical practice shows, the importance of obstetric weeks is undeniable! A lot of knowledge has been accumulated regarding the condition of the mother and her child. In the future, this allows you to timely identify any problems (for example, at 12-13 weeks of gestation) and, if necessary, take appropriate measures.
In addition, not a single doctor is able to determine exactly the day exactly when ovulation occurred, and, therefore, the conception was successful. Moreover, this is not given to women themselves! Of course, they can guess the day of a possible conception, but no one has full confidence.
Beginning of the second term
With the end of the first trimester, a woman can relax a bit, because a calm period sets in for her. Toxicosis, accompanied by her at the beginning of pregnancy, has ended. A doctor who will lead the whole process to the end has already been selected, and the first medical examination is also left behind. A woman can only enjoy the changes in her body.
The question from which week the second trimester of pregnancy begins is asked by almost every young girl who is preparing to become a mother for the first time. This period includes three calendar months or 14 obstetric weeks (what is this we now know). That is, this is the period from 4 to 6 months of pregnancy or from 14 to 26 weeks according to the gynecological term.
However, many women begin to debate about exactly when you can feel the movements of the child. Just listening to your friends, each mother should take into account that here again everything is individual and many factors influence this indicator.
For example, girls who are full by nature can feel the fetal movements later, while mothers with a thinner figure feel the presence of the baby earlier. Those women who are already expecting a second child or even a third, fourth, feel the first movements of the fetus also earlier. According to statistics, this period comes with the onset of the interval from 16 to 20 weeks.
Women with the approach of mid-II gestation should buy a birth bandage. His role is important:
- Prevent stretch marks.
- Save the pregnancy.
At the same time, the fetus at this time feels itself in the uterine cavity as a fish - nothing prevents it from swimming freely and giving pleasant feelings to its mother.
Features of the II trimester
With the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy, the woman’s emotional background stabilizes in contrast to the initial period. Hormonal changes in the past and the level of biological substances leveled off. The impact of various external stimuli is not as strong as before.
Also, the II trimester is associated with other serious physiological changes occurring in the female body. The mother’s belly is already largely rounded, the breast is still poured and enlarged, the uterus is preparing for future delivery.
Fortunately, while the size of the abdomen in the second trimester of pregnancy does not interfere with cope with household chores, but it is already clearly visible. This is a good reason to visit a store in order to choose clothes for pregnant women.
Other changes worth noting:
- Training fights. At the end of the 20th week, the reproductive organ periodically comes in tone, and a woman can feel weak muscle contractions. This is called training contractions and thus the uterus prepares for the birth of the baby in advance.
- Iron-deficiency anemia. This condition occurs due to the active development of the fetus and the growing need of the body for micronutrients. Sometimes, a medical correction is prescribed. Only expectant mothers should not show "initiative": moderate anemia is a natural phenomenon. Iron losses are made up for by products that are rich in this element. They can be used unlimited during pregnancy.
- Constipation This is caused by the pressure the uterus exerts on the intestines. The problem is solved by eating foods with a lot of fiber - vegetables, fruits, cereals.
- Heartburn, that's what happens at 13 weeks of pregnancy quite often. Moreover, appearing, it can last until delivery.
- Allocations. Their number may be increased, but should not worry ahead of time. If they have a whitish hue, and there is no itching, burning, other unpleasant signs, then there is no reason for concern. Otherwise, seek medical attention immediately.
- Swelling. Typically, this phenomenon appears in the III trimester, so the presence of such symptoms in the second term should already be alarming.
- Skin pigmentation. Also a common phenomenon among pregnant women, which affects certain areas - usually the abdomen, face. It is not worth worrying about this, because after the birth of the baby everything will return to normal.
In addition, in order to provide the developing child with everything necessary, the mother's body begins to function more intensely. This puts a strain on all systems.
Weight gain
What happens at 13 weeks of gestation or a little later in addition to the above? In the period of the II trimester, expectant mothers are still actively gaining weight, as at the beginning of the term. A woman's nutrition has a close relationship with the weight of the fetus. All this is due to quite obvious reasons - there is an increase in blood, which is necessary to provide nutrition to the baby. On average, many women add 2-5 kg.
It is with the onset of the second term of pregnancy that the child requires an intensive diet due to his active growth and development. There was no such load before. Therefore, it is clearly not worth it to somehow limit yourself to a future mother! Especially when it comes to not only tasty, but also healthy food.
It is necessary to adhere to a balanced and varied diet, since the development of the child largely depends on this. However, here you should observe the measure, but if you exceed the permissible weight limit of 2-3 kg, you should arrange a fasting day.
Compliance with proper nutrition allows you to avoid intrauterine growth retardation, since the physical parameters of the fetus (height, weight, development of its internal organs and systems) completely depend on what his mother uses.
How to sleep during pregnancy in the second trimester?
Perhaps for those women or girls who are expecting a baby for the first time, it will be a surprise to find out that the usual posture during a night's rest will become uncomfortable. If earlier it was possible to accept any position, now it will be necessary to change habits, having acquired a new one. The best option is lying on your side.
In this case, it is better on the left side, since, in this way, the probability of squeezing the inferior vena cava is excluded. This important vessel is located to the right of the spine and provides blood supply to the lower half of the body. That is, when positioned on the left side, the nutrition of the fetus will not be disturbed.
Child development
Approximately before the onset of 21 weeks of pregnancy, the size of the baby hardly exceeds the size of an average apple. However, with each subsequent week he gains weight, and his growth increases. The child begins to learn new skills and at the same time additional functions develop.
During the first trimester, the laying of internal organs and systems took place. That is, now in the fetus in the second trimester of pregnancy, they already begin to function independently. The urinary system begins. The baby takes his first breath and exhale, and in the lungs a surfactant begins to be produced - a liquid medium for lubricating the inner surface of the respiratory system.
The gastrointestinal tract is gradually preparing for eating from the outside - for this, the baby swallows the liquid in which he actually swims in order to assimilate its necessary components. All this is processed in the intestine with the formation of meconium, which persists until the birth of the baby.
A small heart is formed one of the first (for obvious reasons). It experiences very frequent contractions (2 times faster), pumping up to 22 liters of blood. In addition, the brain is formed with the formation of convolutions. The pituitary gland is also connected, and the bladder, kidneys, and other organs continue to develop.
Significant changes affect not only the height of the child, but also its weight. In the second trimester of pregnancy (more precisely, to its completion), the length of the fetus is about 250 mm, and the weight is from 850 to 1000 grams. For comparison: for the period of the first trimester, its weight was approximately 20 grams (it was still in the embryo stage). As for growth, in length it did not exceed 70 mm.
Important changes in the baby
For a period of 4 months, this is already a practically full-fledged person who is still at the development stage. Inside the crumbs, all processes proceed rapidly! Key changes that occur in the second term of pregnancy:
- There is a strengthening of the skeleton, an increase in the bone structure is observed.
- The development of abdominal organs.
- Urinary excretion by the kidneys.
- The stomach, gall bladder, intestines begin to function.
- The formation of the cerebral cortex.
- The first production of hormones in the adrenal glands.
- Completion of the formation of milk teeth.
- Change in body proportions.
- The development of the gonads.
- The growth of fingernails.
- Inside the girl’s body at the 12-13th week of pregnancy, the laying of the uterus takes place, and future men form genitals.
- The completion of the formation of facial muscles.
With the onset of 16 or 18 weeks of pregnancy, the child has already completed the formation of auditory ossicles, so that he can hear his mother. Moreover, during this period he leads a rather active lifestyle - he often moves, changes position. Therefore, at this time, women can feel the movements of the child. By week 20, the fetus often opens its mouth, blinks, or even squint.
By the end of the II trimester, the child’s mental abilities are formed, and the entire cerebral cortex is already fully developed. The placenta has also completed its formation and is now supplying the fetus with all the necessary “building materials”, including vital oxygen. But in addition to this, it provides protection from the harmful effects of various factors.
Pregnant diet
Now we already understand what week the second trimester of pregnancy begins. The importance of proper nutrition is also clear to us - this is a key role for the entire period of bearing a child. In the second trimester, toxicosis disappears, and the woman's appetite returns. This usually happens between 14 and 16 weeks. So, it's time to learn how to make the right menu.
The body is already fully adapted to the new life within it. Many pregnant women, rejoicing in the new pleasant changes (in particular, the return of appetite), begin to eat "for two." However, this approach is fundamentally wrong, since everything needs a measure (this was also mentioned above).
It is necessary to observe the "golden mean", that is, there is no need to impose strong restrictions, at the same time there is no need to lean on food. Neither overeating nor malnutrition leads to anything good. In addition, this has a detrimental effect not only on the female body, the baby also risks the likelihood of intrauterine growth retardation.
The basis of the menu for the period of the II trimester should include foods rich in useful micronutrients:
- beef;
- a fish;
- beef liver;
- dairy and dairy products;
- eggs
- cereals (buckwheat, rice, oat, millet, pearl barley);
- vegetables;
- fruit;
- tomato juice.
When preparing meals, products must undergo heat treatment. An exception may be those that can be consumed raw.But in addition to proper nutrition, women should take care of supplying their organisms with additional trace elements in the form of multivitamin complexes. This will avoid the lack of "building materials", so necessary for the full development for the child.
But what vitamins in the second trimester of pregnancy should be taken by expectant mothers? Only a doctor is entitled to make such decisions, given the situation of the pregnant woman, and no one else can avoid serious complications. In this case, drugs should be taken with a certain regularity.
Especially important during this period of pregnancy is the intake of vitamins A, C, E, D, including trace elements: calcium and magnesium. Folic acid is involved in the formation of the nervous system of the fetus, and also helps to reduce the risk of developing hypertension.
What to refrain from
As you can see, meals in the period of the II trimester are the same as on the I or III term. And along with the permitted products of each expectant mother, it is necessary to remember what should be minimized, and what should be completely abandoned. With the fact that it is possible in the second trimester of pregnancy, we have already become acquainted and now it is worth touching on what should be abandoned.
First of all, this applies to spicy food, which is contraindicated during pregnancy. That is, various spices, including fried foods and products with dyes, carcinogens, are also prohibited.
The use of sweet and flour products should be minimized, and it is better to exclude it from the diet. The same applies to ketchup, mayonnaise, smoked meats and other similar delicacies. These products contribute to fluid retention in the body, and also provoke a sharp increase in blood sugar, which is undesirable for pregnant women. In addition, this is the main reason for gaining excess weight.
Studies for the period of II trimester
With the advent of the second trimester, the expectant mother will have to often attend a antenatal clinic. This is due to the need to control the development of the fetus, since various problems are identified precisely in the period from 15 to 25 weeks. The doctor conducts a visual examination, measures the volume of the abdomen and the height of the bottom of the uterus.
Planned ultrasound in the second trimester of pregnancy is carried out at 20-24 weeks, depending on the indications. The procedure is done traditionally - to a full bladder. In this case, the assessment of the condition of the child, including amniotic fluid, will be the best. And if the problem is detected in a timely manner, the risk of complications is significantly reduced.
In order to monitor the condition of the mother and her child, the doctor usually prescribes a number of additional tests:
- Urinalysis (OAM) - allows you to evaluate the functionality of the kidneys.
- Complete blood count (KLA) - to determine the level of hemoglobin.
- Gynecological or bacteriological smear - to assess the vaginal flora.
- Research on TORCH infections - carried out if necessary.
In addition, a “triple test” can be prescribed - hCG, estriol, alpha-fetoprotein. This comprehensive study allows you to identify the presence of malformations in the development of the child, chromosomal abnormalities, and also to determine whether the brain is formed correctly by the back. As a rule, a triple test is prescribed to those women who have been diagnosed with a missed pregnancy in the past. The optimal time for conducting such studies is from 16 to 18 weeks.
But, what is dangerous in the second trimester of pregnancy? Possible complications can be found in the video below.
Dizziness
The appearance of dizziness to a pregnant woman should not bother, since the phenomenon is normal, even in the II trimester. For obvious reasons, the body of a pregnant woman reacts with a certain delay, for which there are reasons:
- A woman stays without movement for a long time.
- In the case of oxygen starvation of the brain due to impaired blood supply.
- Attempts to rise sharply or change position.
- Pressure reduction.
As a rule, this condition is classified as mild, therefore, special therapy is not required here.
But in some cases, when you feel dizzy in the second trimester of pregnancy, an appeal to one of the specialists will help to cope with the problem. Moreover, it all depends on the readings:
- to a hematologist - if the level of iron in the blood is very low;
- neurologist - in case of problems with the vessels;
- to the endocrinologist - if under suspicion the malfunction of the thyroid gland;
- to an oncologist - when detecting tumors.
And if the fact of the pathology is discovered, then the decision on the necessary course of treatment is made by a narrow-profile specialist with the support of the attending gynecologist. It is important to evaluate all possible risks, comparing the threat from taking medications for the fetus in relation to the severity of his mother's condition.
Pain
The appearance of pain is often associated with an increase in the uterus, as well as its displacement up. Usually, in the second trimester of pregnancy, the back hurts, the lower back or pain is localized in the pelvic area. This should also not be a concern.
But if pain is observed in the abdomen, which is accompanied by bloody discharge, in combination with lumbar discomfort, this is a possible sign of pregnancy failure. In this case, you must immediately seek medical help.
The appearance of heartburn can also contribute to this, as the uterus exerts pressure on the stomach. Drawing up the correct and balanced menu avoids its occurrence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it remains to wish each expectant mother to listen closely to herself and, at the slightest fear, seek medical help. Let it turn out to be a “false alarm”, rather than lose sight of serious circumstances. Gaining a special status by a woman imposes certain obligations that must be strictly observed.
The result of such a difficult test will be a healthy and happy baby. Clutching it to itself, mother already forgets about all the problems of the past - new successes and achievements are ahead!