Pregnancy Care Tips For The Second Trimester

Posted on: 19 November 2020

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When the second trimester of pregnancy arrives, most women start to feel a little better. The morning sickness starts to wane, and mood swings tend to stabilize. At the same time, this is when the physical changes tend to start appearing. Most women start to actually look pregnant early in the third trimester, and problems like stretch marks and sore legs start to arise. So, how can you do a better job of caring for yourself and your future child during the second trimester? Take a look.

Drink plenty of water.

The second trimester is when a woman's fluid needs really change. The fetus is growing larger and developing a blood supply, which requires fluid. Water is also needed in order to create more amniotic fluid, which is the fluid inside the placenta. Dehydration is really common in the second trimester and can interfere with both of these processes, so make sure you keep a water bottle with you and sip water throughout the day.

Try some specialized sleeping pillows.

As your belly starts to grow, you may struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position. To help ensure you keep getting good sleep, start experimenting with some specialized sleeping pillows. There are some that are long and shaped like a banana, and others that are smaller with cut-outs for your stomach. Most have a return policy, so you can try it for a night and return it if you're not happy with it. Getting good sleep will help keep your immunity up and your energy levels up, which is important at this stage.

Eat smaller meals more often.

As your baby starts to grow more rapidly, you may notice that pressure on your stomach and intestines interferes with your appetite. You may feel hungry initially, but then only be able to eat a small amount. To make sure you're getting all of the nutrition you need, switch to eating five or six small meals per day, rather than two or three.

Watch your sugar intake.

The second trimester is often when gestational diabetes develops. Some women are more prone to this than others, and to some degree, it is genetic — but eating less sugar can help decrease your risk and the severity of this condition. 

Follow the pregnancy care tips above during your second trimester, and remember to keep all of your appointments with your doctor for more pregnancy help. You've got this!