About you:
During these weeks, you may experience a little swelling on both hands and feet. Hence, avoid standing or seating in one position for long periods. You may also continue to experience heartburn and acid indigestion.
You may experience a little pain on your lower abdomen due to your expanding womb. As your womb expands upwards, it pushes your rib cage up as well. This might often result in shortness of breath, a slight readjustment of the body organs will cause discomforts such as heartburn and constipation. The baby’s movements can now be observed from outside which will make you happy and add to your excitement. You no longer need to wait for your doctor’s visit to be assured of the well-being of your baby; his/her movements will tell you all is well. Due to the fact that each pregnancy is unique in itself, there is no set standard regarding the movements of the baby.
In these weeks, there is no specific requirement as to how much would be considered too little where the baby’s movements are concerned. As your stomach becomes even more prominent, everybody will offer advise, both positive and negative. People’s pregnancy and birthing experiences vary from one person to another, and it is wise to ignore those which worry or frighten you. Don’t forget; positive thinking attracts positive feelings. Take a deep breath, trust your doctor, your baby and do not worry.
Between 24-26 weeks, your doctor must require a glucose tolerance test to check if you are prone to diabetes in pregnancy.
Your baby:
During these early second trimester, the increased mobility of your baby is proof of his/her strengthening muscles. The calcium content of his/her bones is increasing and the skeletal structure is better visible as the bones continue to solidify. You will become aware when he/she is asleep or awake from the movements in the womb. To enhance blood flow to your baby, lie down on your left side during the day. Although, the brain development of the baby is quite rapid at this stage, survival chances of the baby is still small in case of an early birth. Technological advancements however, now offer babies born in weeks 24 to 26 better survival chance.
At the end of the 26th week, the baby should be approximately 30 cm long and weigh 1 kilogram.
Label: Diabetic Pregnancy, Early Second Trimester, Motherhood/For Parents, pediatrician, Pregnancy Care, Sleep, Weekly Development of Pregnancy
