What's Happening to Me

The symptoms of early pregnancy such as morning sickness and fatigue usually diminish during the second trimester. Also, you may start to feel the baby move for the first time. This movement, known as quickening, may feel like a fluttering of wings or small bubbles. Since the movement can be experienced only by you, dad-to-be may feel left out when you describe this special sensation to him. Help him share this experience by telling him the fetal movement is a part of him and that he'll be able to feel the baby move a little later. Other feelings and experiences you may have include the following:

• You may now be starting to look pregnant.
• The placenta is formed and the hormones it produces are keeping your pregnancy healthy.
• You may have trouble with constipation.
• You may sweat more.
• Your placenta releases hormones that help to soften some of your joints and muscles to make labor and delivery easier.
• Your blood supply will increase from 3 to 5 liters (3½ quarts to 5½ quarts) by the end of your pregnancy.
• You may be less tired.
• You start enjoying your pregnancy.
• You may be hungry more often and you may feel cravings for certain foods.
• The chance of getting a urinary tract infection may increase. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water each day (unless otherwise advised by your doctor).

What's Happening to My Baby

• Your baby's hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, fingernails and toenails are forming. She has vocal cords and taste buds and can now suck her thumb!
• Your baby starts a growth spurt in length and weight.
• Your baby is about 25 cm long (10 inches) and weighs about 100 grams (3-4 oz).
• Ears, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes are completely formed.
• Reflex movements allow your baby's elbows to bend, legs to kick, and fingers to form a fist.
• The heart is beating about 120 to 160 beats a minute.
• Nourishment absorbed from the mother by the placenta travels through the umbilical cord and into the baby’s circulation, providing nutrients that allow the baby to grow and thrive.
• About 250 mL (1 cup) of amniotic fluid surrounds your baby in the sac.
• Your baby's kidneys circulate the fluid swallowed by the baby back into the amniotic sac.

Things I Need to Do

• Get your prenatal checkup.
• Eat balanced meals with lots of fruits and vegetables. Take your prenatal vitamins and iron, as recommended. Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs not prescribed by your health care professional. Talk to health care professional about cravings.
• Get exercise daily. Work up to walking at least 1.5 km (1 mile). Learn and practice Kegel exercises (pelvic floor tightening) and pelvic rock exercises.
• Take a break several times a day. Sitting or lying down with your feet elevated is especially helpful.
• Choose comfortable clothes to fit your changing size.
• Continue to use your car seat belt throughout your pregnancy. Fasten the waist restraint low, below your abdomen. The shoulder belt should go across the center of your chest — between your breasts.
• Talk about what the baby will be like and about your new responsibilities with your partner.
• Tell your health care professional when you first feel fetal movement. It helps confirm your due date.

Comfort and Clothing

Even if your budget is tight, your clothes don't have to be. Buy or borrow maternity clothes as you grow—avoid stocking up right away.

A comfortable, well-fitting bra is recommended to provide support for enlarging breasts.

Wearing high-heeled shoes should be avoided during pregnancy. Low-heeled, well-fitting shoes can help avoid back pain, ankle twisting, and falling. One of the best clothing purchases you can make is a good, well-fitting pair of athletic shoes.

Dizziness and Circulation

Sometimes pregnant women may feel dizzy or faint when they stand up after sitting or lying for a long time. This dizziness is seldom a serious problem. Sit on the edge of the bed for a few moments before standing after you have been resting or sleeping. Also, bend your legs at the knees and ankles and flex the leg muscles briefly before rising from a chair or bed. Any dizziness that is accompanied by vision changes or fainting should be reported to your health care professional. Also, report any severe, frequent, or throbbing headaches.

You may find that support hose help blood circulation, especially during the first half of pregnancy. Support hose, which can be put on before you get out of bed, may also be helpful for women who have varicose veins. During the day, resting frequently with your feet raised is also helpful. Avoid sitting with your knees crossed, or sitting in one position for a long time. A pregnant woman should not wear any article of clothing that is tight enough to hinder blood circulation.

A portion of the information contained within this page has been taken from patient education material from www.medicalcenter.osu.edu. © the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio. All rights reserved.

The information contained in the www.medicalcenter.osu.edu Web site is provided as a public service by The Ohio State University Medical Center. It is posted for informational and educational purposes only. This information should not be construed as personal medical advice. Because each person’s health needs are different, a physician should be consulted before acting on any information provided in these materials. Although every effort is made to ensure that this material is accurate and up-to-date, it is provided for the convenience of the user and should not be considered definitive.