A look at the second trimester of pregnancy
Your pregnancy is progressing nicely, and you’re in the second trimester. The second trimester of pregnancy occurs at 14 to 28 weeks. Our Athens obgyns are here to walk you through the second trimester of pregnancy.
Doctor appointments during the second trimester of pregnancy
Your appointments with our Athens obgyns will continue to occur about every four weeks for most of the second trimester of pregnancy. At approximately 20 weeks, you will have an ultrasound to assess your baby’s growth, anatomy and gender. Ultrasounds are one of the most exciting parts of your pregnancy, and our Athens obgyns offer the most-advanced equipment available with 3D/4D images.
At approximately 24 to 28 weeks, you will drink a sugary beverage and have your blood drawn one hour later to screen for gestational diabetes. We ask that you do not eat anything the morning of your test to allow for more accurate results. This test can usually be scheduled on the same day as one of your regular visits.
You will be offered a TDAP vaccine at around 28 weeks to help protect you and your unborn baby from contracting whooping cough. We also encourage any family members who are going to be around the infant in the first few months to also have an updated shot. If your blood type is Rh negative, you will also need to have a vaccine at 28 weeks to help prevent your body from making antibodies against future pregnancies.
Symptoms during the second trimester of pregnancy
Many of the common symptoms of the first trimester of pregnancy disappear. Most women find that their nausea is gone and that they have more energy. However, you may notice round ligament pain. Also, during this time, you will begin to feel the first fetal movements, which is known as quickening. It’s an exciting time as you can truly feel your baby.
If you have any questions or concerns, our Athens obgyns are happy to answer them. The team at Athens OB/Gyn is here to make sure you and your baby stay safe and healthy during pregnancy. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
