Second Trimester Prenatal Care
Introduction:
The second trimester is a time when you are getting used to the idea that you are pregnant. Many of the unpleasant feelings of the first trimester are over. For example, nausea and vomiting diminish or go away altogether. Energy is beginning to return and breast tenderness has subsided. It is a reasonable time to travel, should travel be necessary. It is also a reasonable time to get major work done on the nurse.
Fetal movement is generally first appreciated in the second trimester. Those who have had babies before can notice it between about 16 and 18 weeks. Those who have never had children generally do not feel it definitely until 20 weeks.
Common Second trimester symptoms:
Lightheadedness,
mild shortness of breath which is nonexertional,
Fleeting palpitations of the heart without chest pain
Common Second trimester challenges:
Laxity of the joints resulting in unpleasant hip sensations, Sciatica, and round ligament strain
Prenatal appointments:
Appointments are always tailored to need. Generally they occur every four weeks during this timeframe.
Your second trimester visits and screening tests:
16 to 20 weeks
20 weeks
Late chromosome or aneuploidy screening, isolated alpha-fetoprotein screening also known as afp testing. This is done to see if there is any increased risk of funeral to defects. These are defects which affect the growing baby's brain and spinal cord and have an incidence in developing North American countries of one in 1000. It is important to note that should one of these defects be identified, that screening procedures change and potential treatment is considered.
Screening ultrasound is performed. At this gestational age the major organ systems are all formed and can be evaluated effectively by ultrasound. The gender of the baby can usually be discerned at this time.