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Women's Health

Second Trimester

Dealing with Backache

Backache or aching near your pelvic bone is common due to pressure from the baby's head plus your weight gain and joints that are loosening. To minimize aches and pains:

  • Don't lift heavy objects.
  • Wear flat shoes
  • Try not to stand too long. If you stand a lot, rest your foot on a small stool or box with knee bent.
  • If you sit a lot, rest your feet on a stool or box, knees bent, to relieve pressure on back muscles.
  • Ask your doctor about exercises to stretch and strengthen your lower back.
Preventing Pre-term Labor

Premature, or pre-term labor (before your 37th week) is not common, but you should know its signs. If you can act on symptoms early, you have a better chance of preventing premature birth. Call your doctor right away if you have:

  • Contractions (on and off hardening of your entire abdomen, not just the lower part)
  • Menstrual-like cramps
  • Sharp abdominal pains (like gas), with or without nausea or diarrhea
  • Pressure low in your pelvic area; low backache
  • Blood from your vagina
  • Watery vaginal discharge in a sudden gush or slight amount
Many women find that their second trimester is a little easier than the first. Usually nausea and fatigue are gone, but now you'll see more noticeable changes as you gain weight and your baby continues to grow.

Changes in you
As the baby grows, your body continues to change, too. Weight gain is different for everyone, but in general you should add about one pound per week, or three to four pounds during your second three months. You'll probably notice:
  • Nausea and fatigue subside
  • More energy
  • Greater, more frequent hunger
  • Weight gain as your abdomen begins to expand
  • Aches and pains in your abdomen, back, groin area, thighs

By the end of this period, you'll have felt your baby move.

Changes in your baby
During the second trimester, your baby’s arms, legs, eyes, ears, toes and bones are growing. She also will kick, sleep, yawn, swallow and suck her thumb.
  • Length: about 13 inches
  • Weight: about 1 3/4 pounds
  • Heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs are fully formed.

Doctor visits, tests and exams
Your doctor will continue to work closely with you to manage your care. You may have one or more tests:

  • An ultrasound or sonogram can show whether your baby is developing normally. Your doctor also may be able to determine the baby's sex.
  • Screening tests can look for genetic birth defects. Risk of birth defects increases if you are 35 or older.
  • Diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can give definitive answers about birth defects.


Last modified 04/22/08