MOM'S WELL-BEING, HEALTH FEATURES AND POSSIBLE ILLNESSES
Stretch marks on the stomach and chest.
The belly in the second trimester of pregnancy increases noticeably, along with this there is a high probability of stretch marks appearing. In addition, stretch marks appear on the chest, also due to an increase in size.
Stretch marks are atrophic changes in the skin, they are caused by the destruction and hyperplasia of connective tissue. These changes are associated with impaired collagen synthesis. In addition, the formation of stretch marks is influenced by hormonal changes and mechanical stress. Stretch marks can occur with sudden weight gain, so you need to monitor your diet and activity level.
The width of stretch marks varies, as a rule, 1-5 mm, and the length - 0.8-10 cm, color: whitish, with a yellow, blue or even bluish tint, the skin at the site of stretch marks becomes thin.
To prevent the formation of stretch marks, you need to monitor your diet, take the necessary vitamins, strengthen your muscles, do a gentle massage, use oils or a rich cream, and wear a bandage.
Discharge.
Normally, the discharge should not have any tint, the color should be transparent or slightly whitish. There should be no smell, a slight sour smell is allowed. If the discharge has a strong odor, a cheesy consistency, or a greenish or yellow tint, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Anemia.
Anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood. Pregnancy leads to an increase in the amount of circulating blood, as a result of which hemoglobin drops below normal. The next reason is poor nutrition. If the indicator is below the limit of 110 g/l, it is necessary to solve the problem, since this condition can lead to miscarriage, low blood pressure, placental abruption, delayed fetal development or premature birth.
When hemoglobin decreases, a pregnant woman feels weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, headaches, shortness of breath, tinnitus, and possible fainting.
To normalize hemoglobin concentration, you need a varied diet and iron supplements, which are prescribed by your doctor.
Runny nose.
A runny nose during pregnancy in the second trimester is a common occurrence. There is such a thing as “rhinitis during pregnancy.” Physiological runny nose is quite difficult to eliminate, but it is not dangerous and goes away on its own; symptomatic treatment that will alleviate the condition is prescribed by the doctor.
But there are cases when a runny nose is a symptom of a cold in the 2nd trimester, in which case safe treatment is necessary.
In any case, you must inform your doctor about the presence of a runny nose.
Edema.
Edema appears due to the fact that the amount of fluid in the body increases and a large amount of progesterone is produced, which causes edema. Minor swelling (physiological) is not critical and occurs in almost all pregnant women. Increased swelling (pathological) may indicate kidney disease.
To reduce swelling, it is necessary to follow a work and rest schedule, walk daily, wear comfortable shoes, maintain a drinking balance, eat a balanced diet, and do not overuse salt. In case of pathological edema, it is necessary to eliminate the etiological factor; for this, the doctor will prescribe you an examination and treatment.
Dyspnea.
Causes of shortness of breath in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy:
- weight gain;
- enlargement of the uterus, which puts pressure on neighboring organs;
- reduction in lung volume;
- anemia;
- swelling;
- chronic diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
To alleviate the symptoms, you need to monitor your posture, perform breathing exercises, and remember to rest and walk.
Headache.
Headache during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester is quite common. This is due to changes in hormonal levels, as well as body tension and stress. For many women, headaches are triggered by weather changes, strong odors and fatigue. To prevent and eliminate headaches, you need to rest and limit exposure to stress factors. In case of severe pain, you should consult a doctor who will give the necessary recommendations.
Lower back pain.
During pregnancy, the center of gravity shifts; as the stomach grows, it puts more stress on the spine, especially the lumbar region. In addition, kidney disease can be the cause of such pain.
If, after the examination, the doctor has issued a conclusion that you are absolutely healthy, but pain still accompanies you, you must follow the following recommendations:
- wearing a bandage;
- gymnastics for pregnant women (to relieve the musculoskeletal system);
- comfortable shoes (no heels).
Urination.
As in the first trimester, you tend to urinate much more frequently than before pregnancy. This is due to increased pressure from the enlarged uterus on the bladder. If going to the toilet is not accompanied by painful sensations, and there are no impurities in the urine, there is no reason to worry.
Dry eye syndrome.
Increased production of estrogen provokes instability of intraocular pressure, which leads to dry cornea. First of all, you should limit your intake of foods high in salt.
If there is increased dryness, you should contact an ophthalmologist, who will check the condition of your eyes and prescribe remedies to eliminate the problem, if necessary.
Breast care (underwear and nipples).
As the second trimester approaches, nipple sensitivity decreases, but despite this, it is necessary to care for the areolas and nipples to prevent cracking and drying out. To do this, you need to use moisturizers or rich creams. A pregnant woman may leak colostrum; in these cases, it is worth using breast pads and maintaining constant cleanliness to prevent infection.
Choose a bra with wide straps, it must be the right size, this helps support the breasts. Underwear should be made from natural fabrics, without wires or foam rubber, this is necessary so that the chest can “breathe.”
When to see a doctor
In most cases, back pain is not dangerous and is one of the normal painful sensations during pregnancy. But sometimes it can indicate a more serious problem, such as preterm labor or a urinary tract infection. You should consult a doctor in the following cases:
- back pain gets worse
- back pain lasts more than two weeks
- numbness in the limbs
- weakness in legs
- severe pain in the calves
- vaginal bleeding
- heat
- burning sensation when urinating
During pregnancy, the body undergoes a wide variety of changes. If you are suffering from back pain, try to remind yourself of the end goal, because very soon you will be able to hold your baby in your arms! Try some of our recommendations and talk to your doctor about what's best for you. We hope some of our tips will help you cope with painful sensations!
FAQ
- Yes. Up to 80% of women experience back pain during pregnancy.
- Yes, just be careful. To avoid burns, the temperature of the heating pad should be kept to a minimum. For the same reason, before applying the heating pad to your skin, wrap it in a towel.
- To relieve back pain, try sleeping on your side and place a pillow between your legs or under your stomach to give your body something to rest on.
- Back pain may be a sign of contractions. For example, during contractions, pressure is placed on the lower back, and the contractions themselves may cause a feeling of dull pain in the back.
STAGES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN THE SECOND TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY
Week 13. Size – 6-7 cm. The rudiments of twenty teeth (deciduous) appear, all organs are formed and continue their growth and development.
Week 14 Size 8-9 cm. The spine is strengthened, a reaction to light occurs, the salivary and sex glands activate their work, and intestinal peristalsis appears.
Week 15 Size – 10-11 cm. Papillary lines (imprints) are formed, the baby makes active movements.
Week 16 The bones of the skeleton harden, and egg precursors begin to form in the female fetus.
Week 17 Size 12-13 cm. A small layer of fat forms under the skin, the genitals are already formed; sometimes, by ultrasound, it is already possible to determine the sex of the baby.
Week 18. Hematopoiesis develops, proteins appear that form the blood group.
Week 19. The rudiments of molars begin to appear, they are located under the milk teeth, the baby is already able to swallow amniotic fluid, which, after being absorbed in the stomach, is processed by the kidneys and returns to the uterine cavity.
Week 20 This week is conventionally the equator of pregnancy. The centers that control the functioning of organs and systems are finishing forming in the brain.
21 weeks. Size - about 22 cm, weight around 400 grams, the brain continues to develop.
Week 22. At this stage, the fetus develops its own daily routine.
Week 23. Hearing becomes sharper.
Week 24. Now the lungs enter the stage of active development.
Week 25. The skin loses its transparency.
Week 26. Size - about 23 cm. A surfactant is formed in the lungs, which is a protective substance; the eyeballs are already formed.
Week 27. The eyelids are open, the retina is formed.
VISIT DOCTOR
How often to visit doctors.
It is recommended to visit your leading obstetrician-gynecologist once every two weeks. Frequent visits are needed to constantly monitor the dynamics of fetal development and the condition of the expectant mother. Other specialists should be visited as needed or as directed by your doctor.
Ultrasound screening at 18-24 weeks is especially important, as it helps to identify genetic diseases.
What tests to take.
The Ministry of Health recommends taking tests for the following studies: antibodies G, M, OAC, carbohydrate metabolism, OAM.
NUTRITION FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN
What is possible.
What is possible in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, what foods should always be in the diet?
During this period, the fetus’s brain is actively developing; magnesium, iodine and phosphorus are necessary for normal development. Vitamin D is needed for the formation of the skeleton. Therefore, it is worth including foods containing these elements in your diet.
The optimal frequency of meals is 5-6 times a day, in small portions. Food should be baked or steamed; it is better to avoid fried and fatty foods, as this increases the load on the liver.
Include a large amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet; they contain many vitamins and minerals that your baby needs for growth and development.
It is recommended to increase the calorie content of your usual diet by at least 300 calories, but everything is calculated individually by the specialist with whom the woman is registered.
What is not allowed.
You should refuse:
- alcohol;
- products with high salt content;
- coffee (only with a doctor’s permission);
- fried and fatty;
- increased amount of fast carbohydrates,
- canned food;
- spicy food;
- carbonated drinks.
How much fluid to drink.
The optimal amount of liquid consumed is 2-2.5 liters. This amount is allocated not only for “free” water, but also for tea, compotes, and broths.
Vitamins for pregnant women.
Vitamin complexes include the following components:
- folic acid or vitamin B9;
- iron;
- iodine;
- omega-3;
- vitamin C;
- vitamin D;
- magnesium.
Kabrita purees are a good option for a balanced snack. The puree is intended for baby food, so it has an excellent composition:
- organic fruits and berries;
- goat milk cream.
The puree does not contain sugar, starch, preservatives or GMOs. The expectant mother will receive from such nutrition not only vitamins, but also the pleasure of taste.
How to keep your weight under control.
In order not to gain too many extra pounds, you need to follow simple rules: a balanced diet, caloric intake, daily walks, eight hours of sleep, the last meal - 2-3 hours before bedtime.
SEX DURING PREGNANCY
In the second trimester of pregnancy, sexual activity becomes much more active than in the first, and libido increases. This is due to the fact that malaise and discomfort fade into the background, and the woman again begins to live a full life.
Contraindications for sexual intercourse include:
- risk of premature birth;
- threat of interruption;
- pain;
- placenta previa;
- infectious diseases of the genital tract and the stage of their treatment.
Your doctor will answer the question of whether sex is allowed for you.
Spinal reaction to pregnancy
Most women experience discomfort in the lumbar and back areas during pregnancy. Some expectant mothers experience varying degrees of pain, while others experience only mild discomfort. This is due to the increasing load on the lumbar and thoracic spine.
The localization and intensity of pain depend on many factors: individual characteristics, the presence of chronic diseases, lifestyle, nutrition, and physical activity. In general, the female spine is able to withstand heavy loads without damage. This is provided by nature so that the expectant mother can safely bear and give birth to a child.
COMPLICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY
The most common ailments.
- iron deficiency anemia, resulting in weakness;
- rhinitis of pregnant women;
- headaches (migraines);
- nagging pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region;
- visual impairment;
- swelling;
- dyspnea.
In what cases should you immediately consult a doctor?
- pathological discharge;
- uterine bleeding;
- excessive swelling;
- painful urination;
- sharp pain in the lower abdomen;
- lack of fetal movement;
- leakage of amniotic fluid.
What medications can you take?
- When the temperature rises, paracetamol-based medications are allowed.
- Saline solutions for rinsing the nose.
- Gargling solutions based on natural ingredients.
- If a cough occurs in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, lozenges are recommended (they have only a local effect).
- Antihistamines (to relieve swelling, strictly under medical supervision).
Medicines can only be taken on the recommendation of a doctor!
What medications should you not take?
A large percentage of medications are contraindicated in the second trimester; self-medication can negatively affect the baby’s development!
You should not take:
- antidepressants;
- analgesics;
- antihypertensive drugs;
- hormonal drugs.
Back pain during pregnancy
Pyelonephritis
ECO
64801 03 November
IMPORTANT!
The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To make a diagnosis and properly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor. Back pain during pregnancy: causes of occurrence, what diseases it occurs with, diagnosis and treatment methods.
Definition
Back pain is one of the most common complaints of pregnant women at antenatal clinic appointments, especially in the later stages.
Despite the fact that pregnancy is a natural process, it is very stressful for a woman’s body and brings into the life of the expectant mother some discomfort associated with changes in her body and the growth of the child.
Back pain leads to limited activity of the expectant mother and disruption of her usual lifestyle. Sometimes back pain is a symptom that requires urgent medical attention.
Types of back pain during pregnancy
We can distinguish types of back pain depending on the stage of pregnancy: pain in the early stages and pain in the later stages.
According to their characteristics, pain can be aching, pulling, shooting.
Back pain during pregnancy most often occurs in the lumbar region, but can also be localized in other parts of the spine: cervical, thoracic, sacrococcygeal.
Possible causes of back pain in pregnant women
Back pain during pregnancy occurs for various reasons. Conventionally, we can talk about physiological causes of back pain, although it is worth noting that normally pregnancy proceeds without pain until later stages, and the appearance of pain should be reported to your doctor. The lumbosacral spine in women experiences increasing stress during pregnancy. So-called physiological pain can occur in late pregnancy when the center of gravity of the body shifts, the lumbar muscles are overloaded, and organs and nerve plexuses are compressed by the enlarged uterus.
Often such pain occurs during multiple pregnancies and when the fetus is large.
A woman's hormonal background undergoes significant changes during pregnancy. The hormone relaxin is produced in large quantities, which promotes muscle relaxation and sprained ligaments, which, in turn, leads to joint instability and pain.
At the end of pregnancy, so-called preliminary pain
– irregular nagging pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, sacrum.
Such pains are harbingers of childbirth.
They are also called “training contractions”, while the general condition of the expectant mother is not disturbed, sleep is preserved.
Pathological back pain
during pregnancy, which may be caused by
the threat of miscarriage and premature birth
, are dangerous conditions for the life of the woman and the unborn child. They are accompanied by pain in the abdomen, especially in the lower part, a feeling of fullness in the vagina (they may resemble contractions or severe pain during menstruation), and bloody discharge from the genital tract.
If these symptoms appear, you should seek medical help immediately!
Any back pain in a pregnant woman must be differentiated from
gestational pyelonephritis
(inflammation of the renal pelvis during pregnancy). The disease begins with a rise in temperature to high values, chills, pain in the lumbar region, nausea, and sometimes vomiting.
Women with urolithiasis
may experience an attack of renal colic - intense pain in the lower back, radiating to the perineum, and blood may appear in the urine. However, painless spontaneous passage of stones is also possible. As a result of a violation of the outflow of urine, a disruption in the functioning of the kidneys occurs, and with prolonged blockage by a stone, irreversible changes in the structure of the kidney can occur with its gradual shrinkage or the addition of an inflammatory process.
Girdle pain is characteristic of pancreatitis
. Such pain is accompanied by loss of appetite, aversion to fatty foods, attacks of nausea and vomiting, rumbling in the stomach, and diarrhea.
Chronic cholecystitis
can bring considerable discomfort into the life of a pregnant woman: a bitter taste in the mouth, pain in the right hypochondrium and lower back, a feeling of heaviness. Exacerbation of the disease is accompanied by a slight rise in temperature.
Spinal abnormalities
can also lead to pain under conditions of increasing load on the spine.
Scoliosis, flat feet, hernias and protrusions of the spine can remind you of themselves during pregnancy with sudden pain when moving.
A deficiency of certain microelements
in a pregnant woman’s body leads to the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.
For example, magnesium deficiency can cause pain in the lower back and pelvic region, twitching of the calf muscles, and the threat of miscarriage.
Which doctors should I contact if I have back pain during pregnancy?
If you experience sudden sharp pain in the back, especially accompanied by bleeding from the genital tract, a rise in temperature against the background of complete well-being, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.
In other cases, it is necessary to seek advice and the necessary appointments. You may need to consult other specialists: a neurologist, a surgeon, etc.
Diagnosis and examinations for back pain during pregnancy
After the examination, the doctor will prescribe additional tests that will help determine the cause of back pain. The list of studies may vary depending on the suspected cause of the discomfort and accompanying symptoms. The list of studies may include:
- ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs;
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING PREGNANCY
Severe pain during pregnancy in the second trimester is a reason to refuse physical activity and a reason to urgently consult a doctor.
But if a pregnant woman feels great, moderate physical activity in the form of walking, swimming, yoga or gymnastics will only be beneficial for pregnant women.
Women endure the second trimester of pregnancy much easier than the first. Monitor your condition, visit your doctor regularly, get more positive emotions, and pregnancy will bring you extremely joyful moments.
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Implantation and prosthetics during pregnancy
Prosthetics in themselves are not prohibited during pregnancy. You can install removable and fixed dentures, and even crowns. But implantation will have to wait until the baby is born. Dental implantation during pregnancy requires a huge expenditure of vitality and body resources, and most importantly, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, strong painkillers, and sometimes antibiotics.
Inserting an implant into bone tissue requires surgical cutting of the gum and drilling into the bone. And then the body must form new bone tissue around the implant. And all this during the period when the skeleton of the unborn child is intensively formed, when every milligram of calcium counts - so much so that the mother’s body is ready to weaken its own bone tissue and the structure of the enamel and dentin of the teeth so that the baby’s body does not experience a lack of calcium.
Therefore, during such a period, it is extremely unwise to further weaken the mother’s body and endanger the unborn child through the most complex surgical implantation operation. It is better to wait a few months and have implantation done after birth, without endangering the baby.