The Second Trimester
The second trimester of pregnancy is an exciting time as you await the arrival of your new baby.
Your Baby is a Real Person
Gone are the days where your baby was simply a cluster of cells. With the arrival of the second trimester, your baby will have developed nerves, muscles, and organs, and will continue to grow and develop at an astounding rate throughout the entire trimester. Some of the new developments of your baby include the following changes:
- Your baby's intestines will grow from the umbilical cord into its abdomen, and it will begin to create and discharge urine.
- Soon, tissues will appear that will become the baby's bones during this trimester. The bones will then grow at a rapid rate.
- The baby's eyes will move to the front of its head.
- The ears will move to their correct positions.
- Your baby will soon be able to make numerous facial expressions with its new muscle coordination.
- The baby will begin to accumulate fat underneath its skin.
- Soon, your baby will begin to hear, as the nerve endings become connected to the ears. Your baby can now hear everything from your stomach rumbling, to the sound of your voice!
- Around the middle of your pregnancy, the baby will begin to make detectable movements.
- Your baby will learn to swallow.
- The baby's hair line will develop, and the baby will begin to grow hair.
- Your baby will develop taste buds
- As your baby's skin develops, your baby will soon have fingerprints and foot prints.
- Towards the end of the second trimester, your baby will begin to grow its fingernails.
Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of the second trimester is learning your baby's sex. Will you rush to the doctor to learn if you are carrying a baby girl or a baby boy, or will you leave it as a surprise? The choice is yours! During this trimester, the baby's sex becomes apparent when the uterus and ovaries in a girl develop or testes become apparent in a boy. This moment is when the baby finally feels like it's becoming a real person.
Spotting in the Second Trimester
Pregnancy is always a very delicate time for women. During the second trimester, mothers-to-bee should continue to be very cautious in their self-care. For instance, women should be attentive to any spotting in the second trimester. Such bleeding could pose a threat to the mother and baby. If you notice any spotting during the second trimester, contact your doctor right away. Some spotting could be a normal effect of pregnancy, but in the case of a serious problem, immediate attention can help save you and your baby. Possible serious causes of second trimester spotting include miscarriage, cervical infection, placenta previa, uterine rupture, expulsion of the mucus plug, or preterm labor. Spotting second trimester could be normal or it could be dangerous; regardless, it's vital that a doctor is notified of such bleeding as soon as possible to prevent any possible problems.
Your Experience During This Trimester
The second trimester is often considered the smoothest, least stressful trimester of pregnancy. You should take this time to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. This is also the trimester where the mothers as well as the babies begin to grow considerably! Your body will expand and stretch marks will begin.
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