You just knocked your first trimester out of the park! In your second trimester, morning sickness will happen less and less (if it’s not completely gone already) and you’ll notice you have more energy, so time to get things done on that baby checklist! Your body will change again with this new trimester. You’ll not only feel pregnant, but you’re starting to look it too, which means hello cute maternity outfits! With these changes comes some different pregnancy symptoms you haven’t had before. Here’s what to expect in your second trimester.
Congestion
If you’ve ever had a cold or allergies before, you know what it’s like to feel sniffly and congested. But to have a stuffy nose because you’re pregnant? Yup, pregnancy can play a part in why you get congested. Increased blood flow to mucous membranes in your nose causes swelling which leaves you feeling stuffed up.
Leg Cramps
There’s nothing like being tucked into a cozy bed about to drift off to sleep when, ouch! A leg cramp strikes. Growing a baby isn’t easy – with each pound they gain more stress is placed on nerves and blood vessels in your legs. Treat yourself to warm bath or massage, and while compression socks aren’t the most attractive looking, they should help.
Dizzy Spells
Feel a little light-headed at times? Your body is pumping more blood to both you and your mini-me which can leave you with low blood pressure. If you’ve been laying on your back for a while, take an extra minute or two when you get up. When you lie on your back, your uterus expands and blocks blood to your heart which will make you feel dizzy when you first stand up.
Heartburn
If you’ve noticed a burning feeling bubbling in your chest especially after a delicious meal, you’re likely experiencing heartburn. If you’ve had it before then you know the feeling. If you haven’t, what’s the deal? There’s a muscle in your throat which keeps stomach acid in its place, but pregnancy hormones can weaken it, and as your baby gets bigger they push your stomach up higher towards your throat.*
Mouth Sensitivity
We try to be diligent about brushing and flossing because let’s face it – no one likes to be scolded by their dentist about doing better. Even with a dedicated routine, you might experience mouth sensitivity during your second trimester due to increased blood flow to gum tissue. Pregnancy hormones send more blood to the mucous membranes in your mouth and changes in saliva (like less production or being more acidic than normal) can be why you experience sensitivity.
Knowing what to expect in your second trimester can help you prepare to tackle symptoms. Remember, everything you feel is only temporary. Embrace this part of your pregnancy and focus on the fun of sharing your pregnancy news with friends and family.
Disclaimer: PerkinElmer and ViaCord do not endorse or make recommendations with respect to research, medications or treatment. All information is provided for informational purposes only.
Resources:
*Heartburn during pregnancy: Causes and treatments. (n.d.). Retrieved August 07, 2020, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/heartburn-during-pregnancy
Pregnancy Rhinitis: Relief for Ongoing Nasal Congestion Is Possible. (n.d.). Retrieved July 28, 2020, from https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/family-resources-library/pregnancy-rhinitis-relief-for-ongoing-nasal-congestion-is-possible
Johnson, T. (2018, July 02). Leg Cramps During Pregnancy: How To Stop & Prevent Them. Retrieved July 28, 2020, from https://www.webmd.com/baby/leg-cramps
Silver, N. (2019, March 07). Dizziness in Pregnancy: Causes by Trimester, Management, and More. Retrieved July 28, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/dizziness-in-pregnancy
Pregnancy Gingivitis. (2020, June 24). Retrieved August 07, 2020, from https://americanpregnancy.org/is-it-safe/pregnancy-gingivitis/
