2nd Trimester
Month 4
Body Shop: How You’ll Change
Finally, you're starting to actually feel pregnant. You may feel aches and pains in your abdomen as your ligaments stretch. Finding a comfortable position may make it easier to sleep.3
Surprise! You may start feeling a renewed sense of well-being. You may be over the worst of the nausea, and your baby isn't big enough to crowd your organs and make you uncomfortable.1
Mommy-Do List: Things to Do this Month
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As soon as you feel the baby moving, write down the date and tell your health care provider. This can help pin down your due date.
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Register for childbirth classes, which you should begin in your seventh month.10
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Tell family and friends you’re expecting, if you haven’t already.
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Water can help prevent bladder infections, a common problem during pregnancy.2 Drink up!
Nutrition Watch: Eating Right for Two
You’ve heard about crazy pregnancy cravings – maybe you’ve had a few yourself. It’s okay to give in to the urge for sugar and fat once in a while, but for your baby’s sake, try not to go overboard. Here are some ideas that might help:
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Eat breakfast to stave off mid-morning snack attacks.
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Exercise regularly to curb hunger.
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Get emotional support by talking to someone rather than turning to food.
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Train yourself to be satisfied with small tastes instead of eating big quantities.
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Make healthy substitutions like those listed below.
Food |
Recommended Substitute |
|---|---|
Ice cream |
Nonfat frozen yogurt, sorbet or sherbet |
Cola |
Mineral water with fruit juice or a squeeze of lime |
Doughnut or sweetened pastry |
Whole-grain bagel with jam |
Cake |
Low-fat banana nut or zucchini bread or angel food cake with fresh strawberries |
Sugary cereals |
Whole grain cereal or oatmeal with brown sugar |
Potato chips |
Low-fat chips, microwave popcorn or pretzels |
Sour cream |
Nonfat sour cream or nonfat plain yogurt |
Chocolate |
Fat-free hot cocoa made with nonfat milk, or trail mix with raisins, dried fruits, nuts and a small handful of chocolate chips |
Cookies |
Graham crackers with peanut butter |
Cheesecake |
Small slices of cheese on whole wheat crackers, or low-fat rice or vanilla pudding5 |
2nd Trimester
Month 5
Body Shop: How You’ll Change
Believe it or not, you’re now halfway through your pregnancy. Your body continues to change but hopefully you’re feeling better and less tired.1
Whew! You’re probably having fewer mood swings, although you may still feel irritable at times. It’s okay… a little absentmindedness and forgetfulness are to be expected.
Mommy-Do List: Things to Do this Month
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If you haven’t already chosen a physician for your baby, now’s a good time to think about it. Ask your friends who they recommend, and set up an interview appointment before the baby arrives. If possible, pick one with an office close to your home.10
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Prepare your will and choose a guardian.
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Are you drinking water? It can help stop constipation and prevent hemorrhoids.2
Nutrition Watch: Eating Right for Two
You may not have considered water a part of your diet, but it may be important to a healthy pregnancy. Try drinking at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids per day plus one 8-ounce glass for each hour of light activity. Do juices count? Yes, but remember they also add a lot of extra calories. Also, consider caffeinated beverages like coffee, cola and tea when you’re adding up your ounces.
Water’s crucial during pregnancy because it carries nutrients through your blood to the baby. It also helps prevent bladder infections, which are common during pregnancy, and it can ease constipation and help prevent hemorrhoids. In spite of what you may think, the more you drink, the less water you retain. Finally, drinking water helps prevent dehydration, which is especially critical in the third trimester when dehydration can cause contractions that can trigger pre-term labor.2
2nd Trimester
Month 6
Body Shop: How You’ll Change
Baby’s getting busy! You’ll probably feel a lot more fetal activity as the baby grows larger and stronger. You may still have some of the symptoms described in months two through five, as well as an itchy abdomen.
Your emotions may have evened out some, but it’s not uncommon to experience anxiety about the future.1
Mommy-Do List: Things to Do this Month
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With just a few months to go, water may still be an important part of a healthy routine. To help keep track of how much fluid you’re drinking, fill a container with your target amount and try to finish it by the end of the day.2
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Are you pre-registered at the delivery hospital yet? If not, talk to your healthcare provider regarding hospital registration guidelines.
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Make a list of baby gear to buy or borrow.
Nutrition Watch: Eating Right for Two
Don’t let the old adage that you’re eating for two lull you into overeating during your pregnancy. It’s true you need additional nutrients to keep you and your baby healthy, but your food intake should only increase by about 300 calories per day. Watch what you drink too. Fruit juice, for example, can add a lot of extra calories, so you may be better off staying with water.2
On the flip side, you shouldn’t put a lot of restrictions on your diet that keep you from getting the protein, vitamins and minerals you need. Omega 3 fats, for example, are important for your baby’s brain development during the third trimester. Canned or cooked salmon, walnuts, omega 3 eggs and soy are healthy sources.3
Nursery