If in the first trimester of pregnancy the most frequent complaints were nausea, dizziness or bloating, after week 12 you may experience other changes in your body that are also natural in a pregnant woman; To which sometimes you just have to get used to, or perhaps try to remedy, depending on their intensity. The hormones are still in full activity, and are partly responsible, although the increase in the volume of your body and the growth of the uterus also play a role.
It is said that from the second trimester of pregnancy women enjoy pregnancy much more, since the initial fears, the uncertainty about the good condition of the baby, and the nausea / vomiting, have disappeared. It is true that physically you can feel betterBecause mentally you will be more relaxed, all you have to do is convince yourself that the changes you are going to experience are completely normal; And when you think they are not, you have the right to consult your midwife or gynecologist.
For example, it is common to feel aches / pains in the abdomen, especially around the groin or pelvis; and also in the lower part of the back or on the knees; it is due to the action of relaxin. This hormone helps the mobility of the joints involved in labor, and it also affects the ligaments in the lower back. As a consequence, the pregnant woman has less stability and may suffer stretching or contractures in muscles. The pains are controlled by resting, or applying heat, and if you are concerned or think that they are abnormal, you can ask the opinion of a professional.
Other discomforts of the second trimester of pregnancy
Gums and nose that bleed
All the mucous membranes may be inflamed because veins and capillaries are very active, due to the effect of estrogen and progesterone (again the hormones); that can also cause congestion. A slight gum bleeding when brushing your teeth can be considered normal, but if it is excessive you should consult your doctor. As for the nose, you can plug by pressing with your thumb and index finger below the nasal bridge.
Secretions, hemorrhoids and more
The vaginal discharge changes and acquires a whitish color (sometimes transparent) that does not smell, it is leucorrhea and it is usually abundant; its function is to prevent infection. If you appreciate blood, consult the gynecologist. If you are in your second trimester, you may have noticed that you no longer feel the need to urinate frequently, although it will probably be like that again in the third trimester, we will talk about it another day.
As you know sex during pregnancy It is not contraindicated, although you will notice that sexual desire is changing, as are so many things in this period
Pressure on the anus can cause the appearance of hemorrhoids that when growing will be very annoying; standing up could make it worse. Rest and avoid constipation (with a diet very rich in fiber) is advised to prevent them, and especially not to worsen them.
Changes in the skin
Stretch marks appear, acne appears ... it is a temporary situation, as you already know. Stretch marks appear in mid-pregnancy and are caused by skin tightening. A balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids are advised. You will also see varicose veins in the legs, to avoid them avoid spending a lot of time standing and tone the lower extremities with cold water, also maintain a good level of physical exercise.
And regarding acne, always keep your skin clean
Cramps, tingling sensation
As you already know, a cramp is a involuntary contraction of musclesIn this case, they are hormones that act on the walls of blood vessels, which cause a stagnation of fluid and consequently cramps. You can do low intensity muscle stretching, but if the cramps bother you a lot or you suspect they are not normal, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.
The tingling sensation is caused by inflamed tissues, and mainly affects the hands and feet, or the abdomen area.
I am not forgetting a possible tachycardia (perhaps due to increased blood flow), and problems falling asleep, which we will talk about on another occasion. All these are the most frequent complaints in the second trimester of pregnancyAlthough it is best not to obsess because there are women who hardly notice them, and they are also more bearable if you understand that they are part of the process. Take care of yourself, rest, eat balanced and perform physical activityThey are daily actions that you must undertake for the baby, for yourself, and to prevent any of the inconveniences associated with this stage.