Stages of pregnancy

On this page we will see week by week the different stages of pregancy. The changes in your baby's growth and the different symptoms you will feel.

Stages of pregnancy : The second trimester

Finally nausea and tiredness have disappeared and you feel full of energy. Also, at this stage of pregnancy you can start feeling the baby kicking inside your belly. Try to relax and enjoy this wonderful stage of pregnancy.

If during the first trimester you had morning sickness, nausea and incredible tiredness, those thing will probably dissapear at this stage of pregnancy.

Now, the risk of abortion is very low, and that peace of mind will give you lots of joy and energy.

The belly is now starting to show and you'll feel the baby moving inside for the first time.

Some of the problems you suffered during the first trimester might dissapear now, but it's possible to experience new inconveniences.

Some of those new inconveniences could be:
Cloasma: Brown or yellow marks in the face skin. This is caused by the increase in estrogens and progesterone that can go through the melanine of the skin. It will dissapear after giving birth when the hormone levels go back to normal. Still, it is important to protect the skin from the sun or the marks can stay permanently.

Hyperpigmentation: Your niples and skin marks get a lot darker. This happens because of the increase of the MSH hormone and estrogens. They can cause the super-production of melanine; the substance that gives color to the hair & skin. It is possible that all skin marks might get darker.

Occassional nose bleeding and nasal congestion: In this stage of pregnancy you might have nosal congestion caused by the increase of blood volume. Nose bleeding can happen, and usually is nothing to worry about, unless the bleeding is constant, check with your doctor if abnormal.

Back Pains: The belly and the breasts grow, so the pressure on the back increases. For most women these pains are bearable, but if it gets to uncomfortable, it's recommendable to visit a physiotherapist or learn some relaxation techniques at this stage of pregnancy.

Eating and weight gain at this stage of pregnancy:
At this stage of pregnancy you should gain weight and from the 20th week up you should put on up to 0.5 kilo per week. Unless you are overweight, or extremely thin or carring twins, at the end of the second trimester of pregnancy you should have gained around 5 kilos.

Maybe you'll gain all the weight at the begining or put it on gradually, but take into account that your apetite will increase at this stage of pregnancy.

This time is when you can really enjoy food - nausea has dissappeared and the baby is not yet pressing your stomach too much. So, pay special attention to what you eat; proteins like meat, fish, eggs and cheese (not blue), are very important to help construct the baby's muscles; also fruits and vegetable, especially green leaves rich in folic acid.

Exercise:
At these stage of pregnancy your metabolism goes faster, so you'll feel an increase of energy. If you do excercise regularly, continue with it. If you don't, this is a good time to start exercising as you'll feel less stress and happier. Don't over do it.
Walking and swimming are perfect exercises to do at this stage of pregnancy. Yoga for pregnant women is also recommended.
Also this is a good time to join maternity classes.

If you have a history of abortion, bleeding, premature labor or any other, check with your doctor before you start practising any exercise.
Don't practice any high level sports, they can hurt you or put too much pressure on your joints or your back.

If you exercise carefully, the endorphins and the progesterone will help you feel relaxed. As time goes by, people will realize that you are pregnant and help you a lot more, offering you a seet on the bus & things like that, take advantage and enjoy it.