Pregnancy symptoms during the second trimester

Vaginal Discharge

You may notice a white-colored vaginal discharge called leukorrhea. It is normal.

However a colored or bloody discharge may signal possible complications and should be examined immediately.

Tingling and Itching

Due to the swelling of tissues in the narrow passages of your wrists, tingling and numbness in the fingers is a common occurrence during pregnancy.

The swollen tissues put pressure on nerves which can cause numbness and tingling. If the numbness is accompanied by pain and is located in the area of the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of your ring finger, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Since fluids tend to accumulate in your hands and feet throughout the day due to gravity, you may find that your symptoms are more severe at night.

Avoid sleeping on your hands and try elevating then on a separate pillow when you go to sleep. You can also try hanging the affected hand over the side of the bed and shaking it when numbness occurs. If the numbness persists, check with your practitioner.

Itchy abdomen

Also, due to the stretching of your skin, it is common to experience some itching over the stretched tissue, particularly over the abdomen. Not to worry though, these symptoms should disappear after you deliver your baby.

Trouble Sleeping

Difficulty sleeping is a common complaint of women in their second trimester of pregnancy. Here are some tips to help you get a better night's rest:

Exercise: If you get enough exercise during the day, you'll feel more tired at night and get to sleep quicker; however, you shouldn't exercise too close to bedtime, since the exercise-induced high may keep you up
Napping: Try not to nap too much in the daytime
Bedtime Routine: Develop a bedtime routine and stick to it; some people like to indulge in light reading or television, soothing music, stretching, yoga, a warm bath, a backrub or some lovemaking
Bedroom: Make sure your bedroom is a comfortable temperature, that your mattress is firm and that your pillows are supportive or you use a body pillow
Bed: Use your bed only for sleeping and making love; if you do a lot of reading, watch TV or work on the bed frequently, this may interfere with sleep
Nighttime Urination: If you are constantly getting up from bed to urinate, try to limit your intake of fluids after 6pm
Common Sense: Stay away from sleeping pills and alcohol
Caffeine: Caffeine isn't good for your baby or for your ability to get to sleep, so stay away from coffee during your pregnancy
Timing is Everything: Don't go to bed until you're tired; if you're tossing and turning in bed for a long time, get out of bed and do something
Patterns: It's important that you follow a regular sleeping pattern; you can do this by ensuring that you get up at the same time each day, even on weekends and holidays

Quickening and Fetal Movement
The mother may be able to feel the movement of the fetus for the first time. This is a phenomenon called quickening and is typically felt by the end of the 5th month.

On average, quickening is felt first between the 18th and 22nd weeks. Variations are normal and women who have had a baby before are likely to experience movement earlier.

This is probably because she knows what to expect and because her uterine muscles are more lax, making it easier to feel a kick. This fluttering will give way to actual movement and kicking, which is normally felt by the end of the 7th month.

She will also likely undergo an ultrasound around this time - a 3D ultrasound can provide a particularly vivid image of exactly what baby is up to!

Continuation of Other Symptoms

Heart burn, indigestion and constipation may continue.

Have a unique story about your second trimester? Have a tip about dealing with the discomforts of pregnancy? Then visit Pregnancy Stories and post your tale! You can also read about other women's experiences during the different stages of pregnancy.

First Trimester | Second Trimester | Third Trimester

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