title: I’m approaching 20 weeks soon.
date: Wednesday, April 02, 2008
time : 10:47 PM
I’m approaching 20 weeks soon.
What changes I have? My stomach and boobs getting much bigger and I’m starting to experience leg aching after standing for too long or walking too much. I need a lot of effort just to climb up steps of stairs; feeling breathless too. Luckily I got my hubby to gentle massage my legs for me. I don’t really feel like carrying a heavy ‘ball’ in my tummy but I do feel the hardness of my belly where often the top edge of the tummy is bump to the lower rib bone if I never sit up straight; it can be uncomfortable. Soon I will not be able to see my toes when standing upright. I never gain much weight but I think I look weird; my belly is firm and quite obvious to my petite size. Do I look like alien? I noticed a lot of people like to look at me from top to toes then my tummy. Same for my first pregnancy. But I am proud of it, never have the intention to hide my beautiful belly.
More about body changes:
1) Nausea
This is commonly known as morning sickness but one can still feel nauseous any time during the day. I got a very serious morning sickness for my 2nd pregnancy compare to the 1st one. It is 24/7 sickness; I feel nausea all day. According to gynae, to lessen this, do eat small frequent meals. I am a huge eater and with small frequent meal don’t seem to help much. So I choose to continue eating my usual huge portion of meal. The morning sickness ceased when I approached 14 weeks.
2) Cravings or aversion for certain food
Most women will experience this. Some may be averse to food or smells that they once like. Others might like food and smells that they once loathe. For myself, I do like to take spicy food, these are the only food that can trigger my tastebud and make me not feel so sick while eating.
After morning sickness gone, appetite getting better and I can eat even more than usual. And I eat all food. My record 3 full bowl of foods at one go and buffet - I am good at it, definitely worth the money. Lol~
3) Stretch Marks
Some people said it is genetically inherited and no lotion or cream can prevent stretch marks. I didn’t see my mum got any stretch marks so I supposedly I won’t like it also? I never get much stretch mark in my first pregnancy; only one or two of it. Though so, I do still feel worry that I may get it from the 2nd one. To make myself feel better, I do buy stretch marks lotion to apply every night after bathe. Sometime I do get lazy. Hehe but so far, there is no additional and obvious stretchmark showing. Thanks God!
4) Linea Nigra
I got a very obvious Linea Nigra in my first pregnancy. Now the mark is still there though is fading. Here come the 2nd pregnancy; I think it will get obvious soon again. Linea nigra refers to the dark vertical line that appears on the abdomen during pregnancy. The brownish streak is usually about a centimeter in width. The line runs vertically along the midline of the abdomen from the pubis to the xiphoid process - the bottom-most part of the ribcage in the center or tip of the sternum.
It is caused by pregnancy hormones that increase production of the pigment melanin, also known as hyperpigmentation. Why this process of hyperpigmentation occurs in a straight vertical line is uncertain. Before it appears it may be more faintly visible as a linea alba ("white line").
Linea negra tends to appear around the second trimester and may or may not disappear within a few months after birth. Some research suggests there may be a link between linea nigra and insulin. Supplementing the diet with folic acid is said to reduce the discoloration.
There is an old wives' tale associated with this line... if the linea negra runs to the navel, it's a girl, and if it goes all the way up to the xiphoid, it's a boy. My 1st pregnancy, the line runs to the bottom of ribcage but I got a baby girl, so this may not be true.
Pic showing my linea Nigra and stretch mark left from first pregnancy
Pic taken 1 month ago.
5) Skin Changes
Most of the common skin diseases seen in pregnancy are of no risk to the mother or baby and are simply the marks of motherhood and a tolerable inconvenience. The common aggravating condition chloasma (the mask of pregnancy), bad acne, eczema and psoriasis, does send some women to the dermatologist. However, depending on your hormones and skin condition, you may not suffer from these problems. Some women develop rashes and some are completely unaffected. If you have had a long-term acne condition, you may be surprised to find that it clears up during pregnancy. Also, having a rash during your first pregnancy does not automatically mean that the rash will return for subsequent pregnancies. For myself, I do start to notice a lot of tiny pimples appearing on my face and occasionally I will have big acne appearing. That troubling me a lot and seriously I found that dark spot is getting more on my cheekbone. Argh……….
6) Heartburn
Heartburn or pyrosis is a painful or burning sensation in the esophagus, just below the breastbone caused by regurgitation of gastric acid.The pain often rises in the chest and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw. It's caused by some of the hormonal and physical changes in your body.During pregnancy, the placenta produces the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus. This hormone also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, allowing gastric acids to seep back up, which causes that unpleasant burning sensation. Progesterone also slows down the wavelike contractions of your esophagus and intestines, making digestion sluggish. Later in pregnancy, your growing baby crowds your abdominal cavity, pushing the stomach acids back up into the esophagus. Many women start experiencing heartburn and other gastrointestinal discomforts in the second half of pregnancy. It usually comes and goes until your baby is born.
Frankly speaking, till now I still don’t know what is the feeling of heartburn. I think I never had it before.
7) Leg cramps
I really don't know why women have more leg cramps when they're pregnant. I not yet got leg cramp but my legs is aching quite often after standing or walking for some times. Leg cramp may be due to your heart, kidneys, and circulatory system work extra hard to help you function normally during pregnancy, and your muscles, which are bearing the increasing weight of your pregnancy, feel the strain, too. So as a result, your tired leg muscles may seize up and cramp in protest, especially during your second and third trimester. The pain can wake you from a deep sleep. I tried that because in my 1st pregnancy and I got to shout to my husband for help. Muscle fatigue isn't the only reason you may be suffering from leg cramps. Too much phosphorus (found in processed meat, snack foods, and soda) and too little calcium and potassium circulating in your blood can also cause muscle spasms. Another reason maybe as your uterus expands, it can put pressure on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.
Here are some other tips for keeping muscle spasms at bay:
• Avoid standing or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time.
• Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes when you sit, watch TV or having meals.
• Stretch your calf muscles several times before you go to bed.
For myself….
During the day, simple exercises like wriggling your toes to lessen the cramps.
And I get my husband to massage my legs for me.
At night, I got a habit of resting my legs on pillows when sleeping, I believe it do help to prevent leg cramp cause that they are elevated at a higher level than your hip for better blood circulation. Cover my legs with blanket or wear sock to prevent legs from getting too cold if sleeping in an air-con room.
How to get rid of leg cramps
If you do get a cramp, stretch the muscle straight away. Straighten your leg, heel first, and gently flex your ankles and toes. It might hurt at first, but the pain will gradually go away. You can also relax the cramp by massaging the muscle or warming it with a hot-water bottle. Walking around for a few minutes may help.
8) Backache
This may be caused by the growing uterus, stretching of the ligaments and your posture. To prevent backache, you can:-
a) sit up straight on a chair with back support. Use a pillow to support your back.
b) stand straight, do not slouch.
c) always bend your knees and keep your back straight when lifting or putting down heavy boxes.
d) when getting up from a lying position, roll to your side and put your feet down to the ground., then get up slowly with the help of your hands.
I am lucky, no backache when expecting my girl and this one so far no also.
9) Frequent visits to the bathroom
This happens during pregnancy when the uterus is expanding and pushing against the bladder. Every night, I got to wake up at least once to pee.
10) Bleeding / Spotting during pregnancy
Any bleeding in pregnancy MUST be checked by your gynea. It can be due to many reasons, a threatened miscarriage, low placenta or separation of the placenta from the uterus.
11) Constipation and piles
If happens that you do get piles, consult your doctor. High-fibre foods like fruits, vegetables, wholemeal bread and cereals can help you prevent constipation and piles. I have this problem and I think I need to get some medicine from gynae to soften the stool.
12) Tender / sore breast
Breast tenderness is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. It usually starts around 4 to 6 weeks and lasts through the first trimester. Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause increased blood flow and changes in the breast tissue, which may make your breasts feel swollen, sore, tingly, and unusually sensitive to touch. The sensation is like an exaggerated version of how the breasts feel before period, sometime I do feel abit like I am having mild engorgement, the feeling I got when I breastfeeding my girl. What other changes can I expect? Starting at around 8 weeks, your breasts also begin to get bigger, and they'll continue to grow throughout your pregnancy. It's common to go up a cup size or two, especially if it's your first baby. Your breasts may feel itchy as the skin stretches, and you may even develop stretch marks on them. You may be able to see veins under the skin of your breasts, and you may find that your nipples are getting bigger and darker. After the first few months, your areolas — the pigmented circles around your nipples — will also be bigger and darker. You may not have noticed the little bumps on your areolas before. But now these bumps, which are a type of oil-producing gland called Montgomery's tubercles, may become much more pronounced. Your breasts go through these changes in preparation for nursing your baby. Around your third month of pregnancy, your breasts start producing colostrum (which is the best nutritious for the newborn) the special milk your baby will get when he first starts nursing. During the last few months of pregnancy, you may begin to leak a small amount of this thick yellowish substance, although some women start to leak earlier and some never leak at all.
You may find that bras with underwires are less comfortable now. Your best bet is to find a few good, supportive bras. To prevent chafing, look for soft material with no seams near the nipple. Cotton bras will be more comfortable and breathable than synthetic. For extra support during the day, I do wear a maternity bra. (During your third trimester, you might want to invest in a nursing bra, since you'll need one anyway if you'll be breastfeeding.) For nighttime, try a pregnancy sleep bra — a soft, nonrestrictive cotton bra available at maternity stores. I usually don’t wear. Keke! Consider buying your bras with a bit of room to grow, since you may go up a size or two (both in cup size and chest circumference) as your breasts grow and your belly expands. Choose the ones that fit when the clasp is on the tightest setting, so you'll have some room to let them out.
Exercise that help in Breast Tightening
This exercise will strengthen the muscles that support your growing breasts.
1. Raise both your arms to shoulder level.
2. Use each hand to grip the other arm above the wrist. Keep both arms parallel to the floor.
3. Push your elbows toward each other and tighten your breasts muscles at the same time.
4. Hold this position for about 2 to 3 seconds, and then relax.
If you cannot feel your breast muscles tighten, raise your arms higher.
13) White Discharge
This is very common during pregnancy too. One tends to have more virginal discharge then usual. I do have lot of discharge, making me worry. I have an infection once during this pregnancy and was on medication. I am going to consult gynea again for testing, think it came back again. And I am using Stellisept scrub (antiseptic) to ensure cleaniness there.
More information I found online
What you're noticing is probably normal leukorrhea — the odorless or mild-smelling milky discharge that you occasionally noticed in your underwear before you were pregnant. There's just a lot more of it now, partly because of increased estrogen production and greater blood flow to the vaginal area. This discharge is made up of secretions from the cervix and vagina, old cells from the walls of the vagina, and normal bacterial flora from the vagina.You'll probably notice more vaginal discharge as you approach labor, although it's likely to look somewhat different from the flow you've become accustomed to. In very early pregnancy, cervical secretions filled your cervical canal and created a protective barrier — the so-called mucus plug.As your cervix begins to efface (thin out) and dilate, it may expel this mucus, and you'll notice discharge that looks like egg white or mucus from a runny nose on a cold day. You may even expel the plug in one gelatinous glob. This discharge might be tinged with a bit of blood.
When should I call my caregiver? If there's a lot of thin, clear discharge, it can be hard for you tell if it's just mucus or if you're leaking amniotic fluid. If you have any doubt, contact your midwife or doctor.Call your practitioner right away if you're not yet at 37 weeks and you notice an increase in discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's just tinged with pink or brownish old blood). This can be a sign of preterm labor. You should also call your caregiver if you suspect that you have an infection. If you have an odorless, whitish discharge that's causing you discomfort such as itching or burning — or your vulva looks inflamed — you might have a yeast infection. If your discharge is foul-smelling or frothy or yellow, green, or gray, you might have a different kind of vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection, even if you don't have symptoms of irritation, itching, or burning.
These are so far what I can think of.
Lastly...Hope I still can get back my pre-pregnancy figure after delivery.
Labels: 2nd Trimester, Pregnancy
.jpg)
3 Comment(s):
Good explanation!!! Well done...
You dare to take your stomach pics.. Hehe i paiseh to take.. my linear look darker than u leh.. My "du qi" haven poke out yet....
your tummy picture so nice! inspire me to take one too..heee.
Dreamycat. thanks! You shall take a pic of your tummy too. I regretted never take a pic of the nude tummy when I expecting Amabel. Only take a video of it but not clear.
icegal. Haha why don't dare? Pregnant woman belly is so beautiful mah. Hee!