The end of the second trimester occurs exactly at the sixth month of pregnancy. By this time, the woman is getting used to her position, constant changes in her appearance, figure, habits, day and night routine. At 6 months of pregnancy, the abdomen becomes visually noticeable and even in chubby women it acquires a beautiful rounded shape, the waist is smoothed. Changes occur inside the womb, the baby is actively developing, his movements are clearly palpable and you can even understand what position he is in.
Fetal development
The second trimester is notable for the fact that the stomach begins to grow actively. At 6 months of gestation, it becomes more rounded in some, while in others it sticks forward like a ball. Each woman, everything happens very individually. For others it becomes quite obvious that the woman is in a position. True, there is one exception: women who are overweight or used to wear loose clothing. For some time they will still be able to keep their pregnancy secret. However, for the woman herself, who is observed at the doctor, the external changes in the body become pronounced in her health.
At 6 months of pregnancy, the stomach will grow as actively as the baby grows, because it needs more space, and the amount of amniotic fluid increases accordingly. To alleviate the increased strain on the back and legs, it is recommended to support the abdomen with a prenatal bandage. It will extend the walks and significantly facilitate the overall health of the pregnant woman.
At the end of the second trimester, the growth of the fetus is about 30 cm, and the weight is about a kilogram. These parameters are monitored during the next screening and at the appointment with a gynecologist. He takes weekly measurements of the circumference of the abdomen in order to determine at an early stage the risk of developing a possible pathology.
Polyhydramnios
If a woman notices that she has a big belly at 6 months of pregnancy, then perhaps this is polyhydramnios. This can be established during the ultrasound examination. At the next examination in the antenatal clinic, polyhydramnios is diagnosed by measuring the circumference of the abdomen and the height of the uterine fundus. Since it is believed that the latter corresponds to the gestational age of the fetus, significant deviations to the greater side just indicate the development of polyhydramnios.
Normally, the girth of the abdomen at 24 weeks of gestation is about 80 cm, and the height of the uterine fundus is approximately 22-27 cm. The individual characteristics of each woman should be taken into account. So in the presence of excess body weight, these figures may be slightly larger and vice versa. Many women pay attention to which stomach is 6 months pregnant, compare it with their previous pregnancies and agree that there are no two identical forms. You should not look for signs of pathology, and if there are certain suspicions, it is better to consult a doctor.
In addition to the increased size of the abdomen, other unpleasant symptoms may accompany the pregnant woman: gurgling in the abdomen, shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of the legs, girth of the abdomen over 100 cm, pulling the lower abdomen. At 6 months of pregnancy, these signs should alert not only the expectant mother, but also the observing gynecologist. Self-treatment and medication are strictly prohibited. The main tests that need to be done in this situation should determine or exclude the risk of development: infection, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, malformations of the child, heart disease.
Low water
The opposite of polyhydramnios is another pathology - a small amount of amniotic fluid, which also affects the size of the abdomen at 6 months of pregnancy. It can be mild or severe, early, late or prolonged. With low water, the stomach, on the contrary, looks smaller than it should be at this time. This phenomenon is much less common, but despite this it causes some concern in pregnant women. A woman may notice that she has a very small stomach at 6 months of gestation. For a baby, low water means that the space for movement is reduced, it becomes less active. As a result, the lack of amniotic fluid leads to fetal hypoxia, so it is necessary to diagnose oligohydramnios in a timely manner and undergo treatment.
When determining deviations, doctors are guided by the standards adopted by WHO. For example, if the water content is less than 500 ml, this indicates a lack of water. It is also worth paying attention to the nature of the discharge. So it can happen that water leaks and this becomes the cause of low water. In this case, a competent assessment of the condition of the mother and fetus is given only by a qualified specialist. If a woman began to feel pain in the lower abdomen while the baby is moving, she also pulls the lower abdomen: at 6 months of pregnancy, it is important to exclude self-medication, it is better to consult an unscheduled doctor.
In addition to ultrasound, it is recommended to undergo dopplerography, which will allow you to monitor the work of the vessels of the placenta, to exclude insufficient oxygen supply to the baby. It is also worth taking tests to exclude the development of an inflammatory or infectious process. Among the causes may be hypertension, obesity, multiple pregnancy, abuse of bad habits, deviations in the development of the baby.
Multiple pregnancy
If in the case of a single pregnancy, the abdomen grows from week to week, then when several babies are born, its size can change before our eyes, day after day. Therefore, do not be surprised that at 6 months of pregnancy, the stomach is covered with stretch marks and no oils and creams will save from this. The increased load on the whole body can not ignore the appearance of a woman. The waist is smoothed out, and the stomach can no longer be hidden and it noticeably reminds others that it is pregnant in front of them.
For a future mother expecting twins or triplets, this period becomes a real test. She gets tired faster, the feeling of walking may not be so pleasant. It is worth using an antenatal bandage to relieve your burden, not to overwork, if possible relax at the first sign of fatigue. While the babies are moving, the shape of the abdomen can change, for example, if they occupy a transverse position. What does the stomach look like at 6 months pregnant in this case? Most likely, it will look like an oval, however, this phenomenon is temporary. Since there is still a margin of time ahead, it is likely that they will occupy the correct position before the onset of labor and the belly will have a more familiar round shape.
Abdominal growth sensations
By the end of the second trimester, the woman gets used to her new position and changes in the body. Therefore, this period accounts for the majority of thematic photo shoots. The most popular photos of the abdomen at 6 months of pregnancy are taken at home in amateur mode. This is a simple and quick way to fix in memory the growth of the baby, which is actively developing inside the womb. In addition to the pleasant sensations of fetal movements, a woman may experience discomfort associated with pressure on internal organs. The longer the period, the heavier the stomach becomes and, consequently, the load on the back. Pain in the lumbar region can speak of internal tone and tension. In this case, it is recommended to reduce the load and wear a bandage, allow yourself to lie down during the day or sleep better.
It is believed that in the normal course of pregnancy throughout the term, a woman should not experience any negative symptoms, pain. The appearance of fatigue, various skin rashes on the body, a feeling of tonus more often indicate the presence of a deficiency of vitamins in the body, excessive physical exertion, lack of a proper daily routine, nutrition, sleep disturbance and rest.
Striae
Active growth of the abdomen while a woman is carrying a baby is accompanied by damage or stretching of the skin, in short, stretch marks appear. A pregnant woman may feel itching in the area where the sprain occurs: the sides, lower abdomen, the area around the navel, and even the chest. In some women, especially when carrying several babies, striae can cover the entire surface of the abdomen. On the Web you can find many stories about how to prevent their appearance. The most popular recommendations are related to the use of special cosmetics for body care during pregnancy with various vitamin complexes. A photo of the abdomen at 6 months of pregnancy, no matter how neat in shape, with red stripes can noticeably spoil the mood of any woman. Therefore, skin care is given special attention.
The color of the stretch marks can be from pale pink to purple. If a woman is sunbathing in the summer, then due to the uneven surface of the skin of the abdomen, his color will almost certainly be heterogeneous. Therefore, it is a mistake to believe that a tan will help to hide them. Moreover, do not abuse the open sun to avoid burns. Since the skin on the stomach is so thinned, exposure to ultraviolet radiation can do even more harm than usual.
Stretch Mark Prevention
Needless to say, there are those who, in general, have never encountered stretch marks and have no idea what it is to use special creams for skin care on the stomach during pregnancy. If by the end of the second trimester a woman did not find a single red strip on her body, this does not mean that in the third trimester they will bypass her. It is advisable to use oils containing vitamin E or A (for example, olive) for the purpose of prevention. Sensations of gentle stroking of the abdomen, can provoke reciprocal movements of the fetus or tone of the uterus, so the movements of the hands should be accurate, not exerting strong pressure on the stomach.
It is noted that in women who engage in active sports, they maintain a toned figure, the abdominal muscles are more resistant to stress during pregnancy. As a rule, they are less likely to experience stretch marks not only on the stomach, but also on the hips and chest. Proper nutrition, abstinence from alcohol and smoking abuse, and stable weight also contribute to this. If the metabolic processes in the body proceed without any deviations, then the restoration of the skin occurs faster.
Pigment strip
A change in the hormonal background can be seen with the naked eye, when in the second trimester, due to the active growth of the fetus, the abdomen also increases. If you look at the photo of the abdomen at 6 months of pregnancy, it can be noted that this strip does not spoil the appearance. In approximately 90% of pregnant women at this time, it either has already appeared, or becomes more noticeable. Although it is likely that it will not appear at all (this happens in 10% of women). Outwardly, she seems to divide her stomach with a vertical line in half.
In some, it stretches from the navel down to the pubic bone, in others it continues to the diaphragm. It is noticed that in dark-skinned women, as well as those who are prone to pigmentation, it is brighter. It is almost impossible to prevent its occurrence. The reason for this is the production of melanin, which stains the white line of the abdomen in a dark color. This is the tendon that connects the symmetrical abdominal muscles in the middle. In the usual state, when a woman is not pregnant, his color is white and invisible to the armed eye. When the baby is born in the body, the production of hormones changes and it turns light brown. The longer the term and the closer the date of birth, the darker it becomes.
The length and width of the pigment strip is purely individual in nature and does not depend on gender or on the number of babies. It is possible to exclude a long stay in the open sun, while wearing closed clothing. This will reduce pigmentation and the strip will be lighter. It is also believed that the intensity of its color is affected by the content of folic acid in the body of a pregnant woman. With its shortage, the strip will be brighter.
If your stomach hurts?
Doctors recommend that you be careful when any unpleasant symptoms occur, in particular, accompanied by pain. They are not always associated with the risk of premature birth or a deterioration in the health of the expectant mother. It happens that the child, while stirring, touches the internal organs and this causes pain. Also, do not exclude cases when a woman has problems with the intestines. Most often this is due to constipation or gas. You can solve the problem by establishing proper nutrition, it is also worth drinking a sufficient amount of clean drinking water (about 1.5-2 liters per day).
However, it is worthwhile to be alert if, at 6 months of pregnancy, the stomach pulls, it tenses and stiffens. This can talk about the tone of the uterus or even about training fights. Doctors recommend taking a No-Shpy pill or putting a Papaverine candle. If there are no other symptoms (discharge of brown or bloody, water leakage), then these medicines should help and the pain will subside. Otherwise, you will need to contact a doctor or call an ambulance.
What tests should be taken at 6 months
During the next visit to the gynecologist, he will certainly measure the girth of the abdomen. At 5-6 months of pregnancy, another ultrasound examination is also performed, a urinalysis is taken, and, if necessary, a general blood test. In order to eliminate the risk of developing placental insufficiency, a dopplerographic study can be prescribed. Since the baby is actively growing, starting from the 20th week, the gynecologist listens to the fetal heartbeat through the mother’s stomach with the help of a special obstetric stethoscope. Thus, the doctor can determine what position the child is in.
Any other tests are prescribed strictly according to indications, as well as in the presence of complaints or chronic diseases of the mother, which were prior to pregnancy. Of course, if there are complaints, for example, if the stomach hurts at 6 months of pregnancy, the doctor may recommend taking a urine test, send it to an ultrasound scan to exclude deviations in the kidneys.