Low-lying Placenta : In Depth - The Second Tr...
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The second trimester is often easier than the first. Still, be prepared for mood swings. These are due to the increase in hormones produced by your body.
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Keep up the healthy habits you started in your first trimester. You might be a little more tired than normal. So plan your day wisely.
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For most women, this is called the "golden trimester." You're starting to show. And you're starting to glow.
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Each visit, your blood pressure, urine, and weight will be checked. Your health care provider will also measure the height of your uterus). This is done to make sure the baby is growing well.
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The weight you gain now is not just extra fat. It is also the weight of your baby. And it is the increased blood and fluids to support the baby.
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After week 16, sleep and rest on your side instead of your back. Try different positions.
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Check your local hospital, and your health plan, for classes on childbirth and infant care.
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Pregnant women in their second or third trimester during influenza season should be immunized.
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Life may seem out of control, but you're really making progress. You're going through withdrawal, which is how your body recovers from smoking.
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It's normal to worry about your baby's health. One way you can know your baby's doing well is to record the baby's movements once a day. This is called a kick count.
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The nutrients you need include calcium and protein, as well as carbohydrates, water, and some kinds of fats. Your growing baby needs nutrients too.
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Right now, weight gain is not just extra fat. It's also the weight of your baby and the increased blood and fluid needed to support the baby.
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Even if you eat all the right foods, there still may be times when you don't feel as well as you'd like.
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Your health can affect your baby's growth. Here are some ways to stay healthy.It's important to develop healthy eating habits while you are pregnant, for you as well as for your baby. Here are some ways to stay healthy.
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Follow these guidelines to help prevent problems. And always stay alert for signs that you may be exercising too hard.
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Here are a series of exercises you can do throughout your pregnancy.Stretching will help you loosen tight muscles. Do these exercises slowly and smoothly. Stretching exercises will make you feel good any time during the day. It is also helpful to do them before strengthening exercises.
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In this trimester, you may have tests to check for birth defects, the baby's growth and for gestational diabetes
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It can show whether your fetus has signs of some birth defects. This test is done between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy.
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First, the fetus is located with ultrasound. A thin needle is then inserted into your belly. The doctor keeps the needle from touching the fetus by watching the screen.
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The procedure is painless and takes less than one-half hour. You may be able to see your baby -- or may even be given a copy of the sonogram to take home with you.
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When a mother is Rh negative and the fetus is Rh positive, there can be health risks for the fetus.
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Nonstress and contraction stress testing checks whether your baby is getting enough oxygen and nutrients from your blood.
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Back Pain
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As your body changes during pregnancy, your back must work in new ways. This can be painful if your back isn't prepared.
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Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.
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Think through each move before you make it, so you'll use the right muscles for the job. If you practice these safe moves now, they may come naturally to you by the time your baby's born.
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With daily workouts, back exercises may bring an added bonus: you may stay more active. Practice the stretches in the morning to loosen tight muscles, and do the strengtheners throughout your day.
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About Gestational Diabetes
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If blood tests show that you have gestational diabetes, this doesn't mean that you're sick or that you did anything wrong. And it doesn't mean your baby will be born with diabetes.
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Eating the right foods is the main way to control your blood sugar. In fact, most women can keep their blood sugar within a normal range by diet alone.
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Exercise can help you keep your blood sugar within a normal range. That's because your body uses more blood sugar when you exercise.
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Taking insulin helps control your blood sugar without harming your baby. You will most likely be able to stop taking insulin after your baby is born.
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Insulin won't work if it's swallowed, so it must be given by injection. Your healthcare team will show you how to give yourself insulin injections.
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There are five types of insulin. Some kinds of insulin work fast and other kinds work slowly and last longer.
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If your tests are normal, you can probably go into labor naturally. If your baby is large or your tests show a problem, your labor may be started early or you may get a cesarean.
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Preeclampsia can occur in any pregnant woman. But if you've had it before, you have a greater chance of it recurring.
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So you're having more than one! You're not alone. The number of multiple births has increased dramatically in recent years.
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Smoking, drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs can have serious consequences for a pregnant woman and her baby. Knowing what these dangers are, and how to avoid them, can help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby. To assess how much you know about using drugs during pregnancy, try your hand at this quiz.
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