Pregnancy And Baby Care Second Pregnancy Second Pregnancy Week By Week

...to get through the nine months the second time. Here's a brief look at what a woman can expect in her 40 to 42 weeks of pregnancy.

First Trimester (Week 1 to 12)

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. This is done keeping in mind the phases of the baby's growth over each three month period. Therefore, week 1 to week 12, which is the first three months, forms the first trimester. This is the period when the woman displays the first signs of pregnancy. Even in a second pregnancy, usually anytime between the fourth week and the sixth week, is when the woman will experience tiredness, nausea, backaches and general fatigue. The most uncomfortable experience is the nausea, which worsens around the tenth week and wanes by the twelfth week.

Around the eighth week, women go for their first ultrasound as well as for a complete physical examination. Also, in most cases, around the twelfth week, the ultrasound can pick up the baby's heartbeat - a most thrilling experience for all expecting parents.

Second Trimester (week 13 to week 28)

This is the third to the sixth month and generally the most enjoyable period for a pregnant woman. In fact, women feel more energetic during this time, possibly because the fatigue and nausea of the three months has disappeared and also because the woman can now physically start seeing the changes her baby is making on her body. In case of second pregnancies, the woman starts showing as early as the start of the fourth month quite prominently and it is believed that the woman's tummy looks bigger in her second pregnancy than her first. This needn't necessarily be the case for all. Some women look less pregnant the second time around. It differs from person to person.

This is also the phase when the baby grows rapidly. In fact, towards the fifth and the sixth month, the woman should begin to feel the baby moving. During the ultrasound taken towards the end of the second trimester, specifically around the 25th to the 28th week, parents should be able to see the baby's face, body, spine development and quite often the sex of the baby as well. Around the sixth month, you should start feeling the kicks as well. In a second pregnancy, it is believed that these developments happen a little earlier than the first, but there is no certainty of this fact. It could take the baby a longer time to kick in the second pregnancy.

Third Trimester (Week 29 to week 42)

This is the final phase of a woman's pregnancy. The baby's body has formed and this continues to develop through the third trimester. Most importantly, it is in these last twelve weeks that the baby's lungs and respiratory systems develop. The baby is completely grown in about 37 weeks and from here on until the forty-second week is the waiting period for the mother.

It is common for a woman to experience mild contractions called Braxton Hicks early in the third trimester, around 30 weeks and if there no health complications then anytime after 37 weeks she can expect the real contractions.

Around 29 weeks, the fatigue of carrying the baby begins to set in. As the weeks go by, the baby continues to grow and gain weight increasing the mother’s strain. In fact, during this period, backaches and discomfort are constant companions and most women feel very exhausted by nightfall. Added to this is sleep discomfort, which is slightly alleviated by sleeping sideways. Another ordeal now, is the lack of bladder control because the baby is pressing onto your bladder prompting frequent trips to the bathroom. This is a tougher period in a second pregnancy because the woman is already worn out with her daily chores and pregnancy discomfort will only make it more cumbersome.

It is also common to experience frequent episodes of heartburn especially after 30 weeks because the baby is pressing into the stomach. It's not a good idea to binge on any food at this time. Eating smaller meals will help reduce the chances of heartburn. Also, increased stress or high blood pressure could cause swelling of the feet.

In short, the third trimester is as uncomfortable as the first. The comforting thought here though is that it won't be long before it's all over and you'll have an adorable little newborn to make it all worthwhile.