List of 11- Don’ts in Your Second Trimester

We saw the First Trimester and your baby?s growth in the second trimester in the earlier posts. Well, Here is a list of the most common do?s and don?t?s that you would be looking for in your second trimester.

When I say don?ts I most often mean you have to avoid these things in any situation, because the second trimester is the time when your baby is growing to know his environment and is trying to cope up. You would be disturbing some crucial step if you pose any kind of discomfort to him in this stage.

Image courtesy freedigitalphotos.net

So here is the list of Don?ts

1. Avoid lifting heavy objects.
2. You can do simple exercises regularly; however you should avoid any type of exercise that requires you to lie on your back, such as crunches or certain yoga poses, as these can reduce blood flow to your uterus.
3. Avoid exercises that cause you to bear excess weight, such as lifting heavy dumbbells. Contact sports should be avoided, along with exercises that require balance, since they can result in falls and the jarring of your uterus and baby.
4. You can take plenty of rest and drink lot of fluid. However, Do not drink unpasteurized milk or juice.
   
   
5. Avoid eating undercooked meat.
6. Limit your caffeine intake to 12 oz. or less daily of caffeinated beverages such as coffee.
7. You can take a multivitamin with at least 400 mg of folic acid during every day of your pregnancy, especially the second trimester. ( If you do not get enough folic acid, your future child might suffer from birth defects such as spina bifida.) However, always remember to take it under the supervision of your physician
8. Eat as little sugar and fat as possible.
9. Varicose veins (swollen, bluish veins that bulge near the surface of the skin. This is due to the combination of added blood pressure from the uterus and a surge in the hormones. Also increased blood volume results in this type of veins) is a serious problem to many women in their second trimester. This can be prevented by resting your legs on a stool while sitting, doing exercise and Eating a diet rich in bio-flavonoids and vitamin C, which may help strengthen blood vessel walls to prevent bulging.
10. Avoid taking very large amounts of peppermint oil may promote the onset of menstruation, so if you take peppermint oil during pregnancy, its effect may potentially cause a miscarriage.
11. Pregnant women who smoke have an increased risk of miscarriage, still birth, premature delivery, birth defects, placenta previa and abrupta, ectopic pregnancy and low birth weight. However, even if you are well into your second trimester, it is never too late to quit smoking. Just one day after you quit, your child will receive more oxygen and his growth will improve for the duration of your pregnancy.

Protein is what cells use to grow; you need to make sure you’re getting plenty of it. Most women, however, need 75 to 100 g of protein a day.Protiens not only helps for fetus growth but also increases the new cells. You should know in second trimester you make many red blood cells which you then use to deliver oxygen to your fetus.

Heart burn is also a common symptom in this trimester. Some over-the-counter preparations, including Tums and Mylanta, are considered safe for use during pregnancy.

Bleeding in the gums is also another common symptom in the second trimester. Use soft toothbrush and also do routine dental checkup.

You may notice the appearance of stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, arms or thighs. Use moisturizer and avoid hot Water baths.

Expecting a child gives new meaning to healthy living. So enjoy your pregnancy.