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Pregnancy

Second Trimester

Your Body

Your Body
Hello to the Thickness

It’s at this point where you can pretty much say bye to what was once your waistline—it won’t be back anytime soon. During this trimester and for the remainder of your pregnancy journey, you should be gaining about a half pound to a pound every week. Time to shop for maternity clothes. And little Junior will start kicking up a storm.

TDuring the second trimester, you'll experience a steady weight gain of about one-half to one pound per week, although individual weight gain varies. Avoid eating and activity patterns that result in too much (more than 35 to 40 pounds) or too little (less than 15 to 25 pounds) weight gain during the entire pregnancy. Your caregiver will tell you the right weight range for you. Eating a healthy, balanced should be your priority.

Soon and very soon, it will be time for you to break out the maternity gear, and if you haven’t done so yet, it’s time to go shopping—be sure to check out chapter 8 of The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy before taking that trip to the mall or my personal fav, Target! If the extra pounds aren’t enough, your rib cage is enlarging to make room for your increasing lung capacity. By the time you deliver, the distance around your rib cage will have grown by two to three inches. Another thing that will continue to grow is your breasts—this will continue until the fifth month. Your man will be very happy!

Even though all of the noticeable weight gain may be the pits, the good news is around twenty weeks, a sonogram can determine your baby’s gender. If it was all surreal until now, learning the sex of your baby will make the whole thing very real. Plus, Between 18 and 22 weeks, you can begin to feel fetal movements. They will start as vague flutters you’ll probably mistake for gas, but gradually become more definite and you’ll know for sure your little one is getting his Tae Bo going!

This is also the trimester when many women report bleeding gums. This is caused by increased blood circulation, which makes your gums soft, swollen, and spongy. When your brush or floss, it may spark bleeding—this is normal. Continue to brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush.

Hormones slowing down the digestive tract can bring on constipation. Some iron supplements can make it worse. To avoid constipation, drink plenty of fluids, eat lots of high-fiber foods and exercise daily to keep things moving.
Slight ankle swelling is also normal and to be expected. You may feel more comfortable (but not more fashionable) wearing nonbinding support hose and elevating your feet while sitting. This can also minimize your chance of getting a few early varicose (swollen) veins.

If that’s not enough fun for you, you’re probably noticing that you’re experiencing increased clumsiness; this is a result of the activity in your bones. I have tripped off of more curbs during pregnancy than I care to admit. The ligaments supporting your abdomen continue to stretch and the joints between your pelvic bones soften and loosen up in anticipation of childbirth. Your lower spine will continue to curve backward—giving you the infamous pregnancy stance—to prevent you from falling forward from the weight of your baby. Let’s see, loose joints + a change in your center of gravity + limited experience in your new body = increased clumsiness. BE CAREFUL!

And enjoy.

For more great pregnancy advice, pick up The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy (Amistad / HarperCollins) by Kimberly Seals Allers and the Mocha Manual DVD available at Wal-mart and walmart.com

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