second trimester Content | Baby Billy

Skin darkening during pregnancy

When you're pregnant, it's normal for you to have some dark spots and skin pigmentations. Don't worry, they will disappear on their own after delivery.Skin darkening during pregnancy👩🏽What is skin darkening?Skin discoloration, also called melasma or chloasma, includes dark patches👩🏽 on your cheeks, your forearms or any part of the body that is exposed to the sun. Skin that's already looked pigmented such as your areolas, freckles, scars, your underarms and inner thigh will also look more darkened.😃 👩🏽Causes of skin darkeningPregnancy hormones are the culprit to blame. They temporarily increase the amount of melanin in your body, giving your skin more pigmentations and colors.🤰 Sun☀️ exposure also causes the skin to produce more melanin and darken. If you already have dark skin complexion, you are more likely to have melasma than other moms having lighter skin. Skin darkening prevention👩🏽Use sun protectionSince the sun's ultraviolet☀️ triggers melasma and makes skin pigmentation more noticeable, you should use sunscreen. Wear a hat👒 that shades your face as well as a long sleeved shirt to cover your arms.👩🏽Don't waxUsing wax to remove hair can intensify skin inflammation and worsen melasma.☹️ Consult with your doctor to figure out the best hair removal technique for you while you're pregnant.👩‍⚕️👩🏽Use hypoallergenic skincare productsCleansers and creams that irritate your skin may make melasma worse.🧴 Choose products that are pregnancy friendly and recommended by dermatologists.👩‍⚕️

How can you hear your baby’s heartbeat?

Aren't you excited about your first time hearing your baby's heartbeat? It is indeed a milestone in all parents-to-be journeys.Baby's heartbeat💓When can you detect baby's heartbeat?A fetal heartbeat is first detected by a vaginal ultrasound in 5 ½ to 6 weeks after gestation.👶 When the baby is 6 ½ to 7 weeks old, you can hear your baby's heartbeat💓 more clearly.💓What to expect in the first ultrasound appointment?During your first ultrasound appointment, the doctor👩‍⚕️ will confirm viable pregnancy and check for non-viable molar or ectopic pregnancy. Any abnormal gestation must be detected at this point. Baby's heartbeat💓 and crown-rump length are then confirmed. Baby's heart rate💓Baby's heart rateYour baby's heart rate💓 should be between 90-110 beats per minute at 6 to 7 weeks. When the baby is 9 weeks old, the heart rate should increase by 140-170 beats per minute.💓Why you can't hear baby's heartbeat?It's too early in the pregnancy so you might not be able to hear your baby's heartbeat💓 at your first appointment. Otherwise, you may have a tipped uterus or a large abdomen that impedes heartbeat hearing ability.🩺 If no heartbeat is detected, further fetal measurements like blood test will further be conducted.👩‍⚕️

Do your feet grow during pregnancy?

Are you stocking new shoes because you can't fit in the old pairs? You may notice your feet get swollen as your pregnancy progresses.Feet grow during pregnancy\👣Swollen feet during pregnancySwollen feet👣 and ankles are common symptoms during pregnancy because of the heavy weight of the uterus. There is also a chance that your feet will actually grow during pregnancy.🤰 👣Causes of feet growthWhen you're pregnant, the pregnancy weight gain puts pressure on your ankles and arches of your feet. Your feet then flatten and lengthen. The surges of relaxin hormones relax ligaments in your feet, allowing the bones to get longer and wider.👠 The bones are not actually growing, but the compactness of ligaments gets unleashed, increasing your shoe size.👟Ways to ease the foot swelling👣Take break and sit downStanding all day long makes blood flow concentrate more in your feet and swollen them up. Take breaks and sit down when you can.🪑👣Comfortable shoesA pair of good shoes👟 will definitely make you feel comfortable and at ease when walking. Avoid shoes that pinch or have tight straps. Look for the ones that have a low heel and provide good support for your arches.👢👣Elevate your feetYour sitting position also affects blood circulation. Elevating your feet🦵 while you sit helps refrain fluid from accumulating in your lower limbs and improve blood circulation.🩸 👣Drink plenty of waterDrinking lots of water helps you visit the bathroom faster.🚽 Excess fluids that cause swelling will be discarded making your feet less inflamed.🥛 

Amniocentesis

Why should I take the test?💡Amniocentesis is a procedure in which the amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus for testing. Not only does amniotic fluid protect the fetus from injury, allow the baby to develop healthily, and control the temperature of the fetus, but it also helps check fetal well-being and diagnose problems. If you have a family history of genetic disorder or receive abnormal prenatal screening test results, the test is recommended to identify any chromosomal abnormalities. If preterm labor occurs, amniocentesis may be done to check for uterine infection, fetal lung maturity and determine whether the baby's lung is mature enough for birth. If you accumulate too much amniotic fluid, the test alerts the necessity of draining out excess fluid from your uterus.The test can also evaluate the severity of anemia in babies who have Rh sensitization, a rare condition in which the baby's and mother's blood are mixed up and the mother's immune system produces antibodies against Rh protein on the surface of the baby's red blood cells. If you carry any risk of a sex-linked genetic disease, or risk of open neural tube defects in the second trimester, you are recomended to take the test.How is the test done?💉Amniocentesis is usually done between week 15 and 20 of pregnancy. If you have amniocentesis before week 20 of pregnancy, having a full bladder during the procedure is beneficial. You should check with your provider how much fluid that you should drink before your appointment. On the other hand, after 20 weeks of pregnancy, your bladder should be empty to lower the risk of puncture with the needle. After locating your baby using ultrasound, you will lie on your back, expose your abdomen while the doctor cleans your abdomen with antiseptic and inserts a thin, hollow needle through your abdominal wall and into the placenta. Then, a small amount of amniotic fluid is suctioned into a syringe and the needle is removed. The specific amount of fluid withdrawn depends on how the pregnancy has progressed. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: Before the procedureYou will be given a consent form before the doctor conducts the procedure. Generally, there is no restriction on diet or activity before an amniocentesis.If you are allergic to latex or sensitive to any medication such as anesthetic agents, you should notify your doctor immediately. Tell the doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders, or take anticoagulant medications, aspirin or other medications that affect blood clotting. During the procedure, your blood and the baby's blood can be mixed up so make sure you already inform your doctor if your blood type is Rh negative. Finally, be ready!After the procedureAfter the procedure, your vital signs and the baby's heart rate will be monitored for a while. You can continue your activities throughout the day but avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 hours. You may feel some cramping, a bit lightheaded or dizzy. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any bleeding or leaking of amniotic fluid at the puncture site, fever or chills, severe belly pain, or any changes in the baby's activities. Risks of the procedureAmniocentesis is associated with various risks, including miscarriage, needle injury, Rh sensitization, infection or amniotic fluid leakage. The risk of pregnancy loss is higher if you do the test before 15 weeks of pregnancy. During the procedure, the baby might slightly move around into the path of the needle, causing mild injuries. The test rarely triggers infection. The decision to have an amniocentesis is totally up to you. Your healthcare provider will help you weigh all your options before you make this important decision. 

Vision changes during pregnancy

Vision changes during pregnancy are common symptoms. Your eyes are not deceiving you. They are slightly blurry and nearsighted these days.Vision changes during pregnancy👁️Why vision changes occur?When you're pregnant, changes in hormones🤰, metabolism, fluid retention and blood circulation can all have an impact on your eyes and eyesight. Fluid retention slightly increases the thickness and curvature of your cornea👁️, causing blurry vision. Surges of hormones can make your eyes drier and more irritated.👁️When vision changes begin?Vision changes often occur in the second and third trimester.🤰 They will be mitigated after delivery or after you finish breastfeeding.😃Other vision changes during pregnancy👁️ Visual disturbances from migrainesMigraine headaches with aura begins a series of symptoms such as seeing flashing lights💡, zigzag line or blind spots. If you experience any of these signs, you should visit doctors.👩‍⚕️👁️ Central serous chorioretinopathyThis is a rare disease where fluids aggregate under the retina👁️. Layers of the retina then detach and distort vision, causing blurry eyesight and blind spots. It often develops in late pregnancy and you will usually get your vision back towards the end of the pregnancy or after delivery.😃 👁️ Diabetic eye diseaseBefore pregnancy, if you're already diagnosed with diabetes, pregnancy can worsen your diabetic eye disease.😟 You should have a balanced diet to regulate your blood sugar and see your doctor to get screened for damage to any blood vessels in the retina.👩‍⚕️  

Essential nutrients in your pregnancy diet

A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but especially more vital when you're pregnant. A few nutrients in your pregnancy diet deserves special attention.Top nutrients💊Folate and folic acidFolate helps prevent birth defects and serious abnormalities of the brain🧠 and spinal cord. Folate is often consumed in forms of folic acid supplementation and fortified foods such as cereals, leafy greens🥬, dried beans and peas.🥜💊CalciumCalcium is vital for strong bones🦵 and teeth🦷 development. It also helps your circulatory, muscular and nervous system run normally.🧠  Dairy products🥛 are the best sources of calcium that you can incorporate into your diet daily. Nondairy sources include broccoli🥦 and kale🥬. Fruit juices and fortified cereals also provide lots of calcium for you.  💊Vitamin DVitamin D builds your baby's bones🦵 and teeths🦷. Fatty fish🐟 such as salmon, fortified milk and orange juice🍊 are vitamin D rich sources that you can include in your meals.💊ProteinProtein is very crucial for your baby's growth during pregnancy. Lean meat🥩, poultry and eggs🥚 are great sources of protein. More 'vegan' options include beans, peas, nuts, seeds and soy products. 💊IronIron plays an important role in hemoglobin formation🩸 that carries oxygen to your tissues and allows your body to function normally. You need double the amount of iron because you're also supplying your baby.👶Iron deficiency anemia can make you become fatigued and lead to dangerous complications during pregnancy.⚠️ Lean meat, poultry, fish, fortified cereals and beans are good sources of iron. Pair them with foods rich in vitamin C such as orange juice🍊, strawberries🍓 to increase iron absorption.Other supplementsA healthy diet😋 high in all sources of nourishment might not be enough to supply nutrients for both you and your baby. Have regular health checkups👩‍⚕️ and consult with your healthcare provider if you have a strict diet that is mandatory to follow, a chronic health condition and need any special supplements.💊

Have your baby’s movements changed?

Can you feel your baby's movements today? There is a baby kicking in there!Fetal movement👶When does fetal movement start?The first fluttery movements are called quickening. You can expect to feel your baby's first kick between 16 to 22 weeks of your pregnancy.🤰 But there is no exact timeline to feel fetal movement so you may feel it a bit earlier or later.😃👶What's movement like in the second trimester?Your baby's movement is still unpredictable at the beginning. As your baby is getting warmed up, you can feel more intense and frequent kicks and punches from your little angel.👶 You can also put your hands on your belly and feel the moving underneath.🤗Kick count👶Kick countYou pick a time of day and count the number of times your baby kicks during that exact time frame.🧮 It's best to pick the same time frame everyday so you can compare and notice any movements drop off.🙆‍♀️ 👶Decreased movementsIf you accidentally start kick counts when your baby is napping, decreased movements are harmless. However, there are more potential reasons like your baby's growth might have been slowed down, or problems might happen with the placenta or the uterus.😟 Call your doctor immediately if you notice any strange silence when monitoring yourself at home.👩‍⚕️

Third trimester sleep

A good quality sleep seems like a distant memory when you enter the third trimester… How does sleep change in the third trimester?😴Can't get comfortableBack pain and sore muscles just keep reverberating even when you try to distract yourself🙁. Your belly is too big to allow you to lie down comfortably. Restless legs syndrome occurs more when your body is trying to rest and urges you to stay active, making it virtually impossible for you to get to sleep.💤 As your digestive system slows down in late pregnancy, acid rising back up causes heartburn in the chest, making it hard for you to fall asleep. Not to mention that your baby👶 is kicking and moving around in your belly keeps you awake at night too. 😴Bathroom visitsYour baby👶 is growing and putting more pressure on your bladder. You will find yourself visiting bathrooms🚻 more often as your need to pee increases. You can reduce the number of nighttime bathroom visits by cutting down fluids in the evening and emptying your bladder completely before you go to bed.🚽 😴WorryPregnancy is a long journey that has all ups and downs. It's normal to be worried at this point since the baby is coming out in no time.😃 Anxiety is not sleep inducing!😢 Talk about your concerns and worries with your partner and friends.👨‍👧 Make sure to gain all information about labor and delivery, postpartum period to prepare yourself for the last phase and stay assured that everything is going to be just fine!🤗Irregular pregnancy sleep patterns are linked to mental problemsPoor sleep😴 during this time is normal due to hormonal and physical changes. Pregnancy takes a toll on your body, making you feel physically drained but don't worry too much! Most symptoms won't develop postpartum depression.😃That said, late pregnancy depression can still progress into postpartum depression. Since it's difficult to tell exactly when depression actually hits you, it's important to express your worries and concerns with your healthcare provider and your partner and be heard.🤗 Don't be scared if you have difficulty sleeping with other symptoms of moodiness. You know that everyone is right here for you!🥰 

Common pregnancy aches and pains

Growing a new person in your body takes a toll on your body. You should expect some body aches and pains along the way. Causes of body aches during pregnancy😩Hormonal changesSurges of relaxin and progesterone hormones relax your ligaments and joints to prepare your body for labor.🤰 Your body then feels all the aching and pain😫 as these unstable ligaments slightly move.😩Weight gainYou're gaining weight and putting extra pressure on your joints. Your growing uterus👶 also shifts your center of gravity and stretches abdominal muscles, causing inevitable pain to your back and spine.Relieving body aches in pregnancy😩HeatYou can apply heating pads, a hot water bottle on your abdomen. However, don't apply heat to your body for longer than ten minutes because you don't want to heat up your baby.👶😩ExercisesOne of the best remedies to reduce pain is to stay physically active.🚶 Pregnancy safe exercises help keep weight gain in check, strengthen muscles, support your blood circulation🩸 and reduce swelling. Common body aches in pregnancy😩HeadachesFeeling a squeezing pain on both sides of your head is a sign of tension headache.🤕 It's usually a harmless symptom due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow.😩HemorrhoidsHemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels🩸 in the rectal area due to straining during bowel movements. The growth of the uterus puts pressure on your rectal veins, making you feel downright painful.😩 😩Heartburn  Burning sensation in your chest strikes you after you eat. During pregnancy, progesterone hormone relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing the stomach acid🍲 to travel up your throat. Your baby👶 also contributes to pushing on the stomach and adding to the burn.😩Leg crampsLeg cramps🦵 can be rooted from vitamin deficiency, electrolyte shortage or other reasons. Changes in your body🤰 during pregnancy can cause unprecedented pains in your body.😩Carpal tunnel syndromeDuring pregnancy🤰, you experience tingling pain in your hands✋, wrists and arms. Extra fluid and swelling are the main culprits causing these symptoms. 

Swollen feet during pregnancy

When you're pregnant, you may have different weird symptoms throughout your body. As the uterus is putting more weight on your body, you might notice your feet swelling thanks to the gravity.  Swollen feet during pregnancy👣What is edema?Edema during pregnancy is the assemblage of fluids🌊 in your feet and ankles, causing them to swell and get worse as your due date nears.🙁 👣When swollen feet start?You will be likely to notice your swollen feet around week 22 to week 27 of pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, you will continue the symptoms getting worse as your baby is growing bigger.👶👣What causes swollen feet?During pregnancy, your uterus👶 is constantly growing and putting pressure on the pelvic veins and your vena cava, causing a shift in the center of gravity and impairing return of blood🩸 to your heart. Increased blood flow and large volume of fluid in your body lead to edema in your feet and ankle.How to stop feet from swelling while pregnant👣Avoid long periods of standing or sittingIf you're on your feet🦵 standing for long hours, your feet will get swollen easily. You should take a seat🪑 for a while and rest. If you're sitting down a lot, you should stand up and walk around for 5 minutes after one hour sitting.👣Kick up your feetIf possible, elevate your feet👣 while you sit so that the blood🩸 does not concentrate too much on your feet and ankle. Kick your feet to the air for a while and put them down.👣Sleep on your sideSleeping😴 on the side takes off pressure on the large vein that returns blood from the lower half of the body to your heart. You can put pillows underneath your legs to raise their position.🛏️👣Be physically active throughout the dayYou should take walks🚶 around your yard! Swim laps in a pool are also effective as the water pressure can push fluid back into your veins, then it goes to your kidney and gets released.🏊‍♀️ 👣Wear comfy clothesInstead of tightening your blood flow, loose clothing👚 sets your veins free and allows blood to flow more easily. Don't wear socks or tight stockings on the ankles or calves.🙅‍♀️