Prenatal Visits

Before we start talking about what you can expect to happen to your body, let’s talk about the exciting things your prenatal visits will focus on. In your second trimester, baby is growing and developing, and you’ll be able to hear the heartbeat! And you could find out if you’re having a boy or a girl … but only if you want to!

Physical Changes

While baby is developing, your own body is further adjusting to your baby’s growth. You can expect your belly and your breasts to continue to enlarge. This is a great time to switch to a more supportive bra!

Some other physical changes you can expect in your second trimester:

Skin

Hormonal changes during pregnancy in the second trimester can cause some changes to your skin, including:

• brown patches on your face
• a dark line down your abdomen
• stretch marks along your abdomen, breasts, buttocks, or thighs

Nose

During pregnancy, your body produces more blood which can aggravate the mucous membranes in your nose, causing:

• nasal congestion
• nose bleeds

Mouth

Staying on top of your dental hygiene is important during the second trimester. During pregnancy, your gums become more sensitive to flossing and brushing, which can cause bleeding. To help prevent irritation:

• Rinse with saltwater
• Use a softer bristle toothbrush
• Make sure you stick to your scheduled dental appointments

Legs

It’s common for moms-to-be to experience nighttime leg cramps during the second trimester. Here’s how to help prevent them:

• Stretch your calf muscles before bed
• Stay physically active
• Drink lots of water
• Wear comfortable shoes that offer support
• Take a warm shower or bath before bedtime

Down There

You’ll also probably notice a discharge that’s typically clear or white. It’s normal. Also normal during this time are urinary tract infections. If either of these conditions become painful, foul smelling, or in the case of a UTI, are associated with a fever, see your doctor, so they don’t lead to vaginal or kidney infections.

Emotional Changes

The fatigue and moodiness you may have felt during the first trimester has probably improved, but as your delivery day approaches and your excitement builds, you’ll probably start to feel a little anxious and maybe unprepared. You may experience:

• Fear and anxiety
• Forgetfulness or “mommy brain”
• Tearfulness
• Negative perceptions of your body

To manage your emotions during the second trimester, focus on staying healthy and happy, and live in the moment as you ride the waves of impending motherhood. Don’t be afraid to talk about what you are experiencing – this is a much healthier alternative to keeping things bottled up!

Prenate^® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post Pregnant for the First Time? Here’s What to Expect in the Second Trimester appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Here is a week-by-week overview of what you can expect during your pregnancy.

Weeks 1 to 4

During this time, symptoms are similar to menstruation: mild cramping, spotting, sore breasts, mood swings, constipation, bloating, fatigue, and a heightened sense of smell or taste. And, of course, a missed period.

Weeks 5 to 8

Some of the same symptoms from the first month carry over, including breast tenderness, fatigue, frequent urination, bloating, and mood swings. Here’s where morning sickness begins for many women, as well as headaches that can be brought on from caffeine withdrawal. Extra saliva production is also common.

Weeks 9 to 12

Morning sickness is still around, as well as a few new symptoms, including weight gain, increased clear vaginal discharge, digestive issues, visible veins, and round ligament pain in the lower belly. You’ll also start to notice a small baby bump and larger breasts. Acne is also a possibility, although some women experience a radiant pregnancy glow.

Weeks 13 to 16

At the end of the first trimester, dizziness and clumsiness may occur. You may also notice darker skin pigmentation, sensitive gums, a stuffy nose, and leg cramps. Mamas-to-be can also expect an increased appetite, increased energy, and increased libido!

Weeks 17 to 20

As baby grows, so do the backaches. Symptoms such as stretch marks, heartburn, constipation, swelling in the hands and feet, dry eyes, and varicose veins are also common. “Pregnancy brain” or increased forgetfulness is also possible. But something to look forward to – your baby begins to kick!

Weeks 21 to 24

Growing baby will put more pressure on your hips, groin, and abdomen and cause shortness of breath, which can lead to snoring. You’ll also see an outie belly button. Your hair and nails will grow fast, but your libido will slow down. You may also see some bleeding in your gums.

Weeks 25 to 28

With the approach of the third trimester comes general aches and pains, but also some strange new symptoms. Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by swelling and fluid retention in the hands and hemorrhoids are possible. All these new symptoms can lead to problems sleeping.

Weeks 29 to 32

As your body prepares to give birth, you may notice leaky breasts. You also may experience false labor pains that come and go; these are known as Braxton Hicks contractions. Some other symptoms from your first trimester may also return, such as fatigue and frequent urination.

Weeks 33 to 36

Your little one is letting their presence be known! Braxton Hicks contractions will continue, and so will the kicks! As baby moves down lower, you’ll experience some pelvic pain, but breathing will get easier.

Weeks 37 to 42

Symptoms such as swelling, frequent urination, insomnia, and pelvic pain will continue until baby’s arrival. You’ll also lose your “mucus plug” about two weeks before labor. As labor nears, you’ll experience an increase in contractions, back pain, and dull abdominal pain, and restlessness.

If your brain is spinning, understand that you may or may not experience these common symptoms. If something doesn’t feel right, you should always trust your instincts and contact your doctor when you have concerns.

Prenate^® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post A Weekly Breakdown of Common Pregnancy Symptoms appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Choose Fabrics Wisely

Before you add that super-cute maxi dress to your shopping cart, find out what it’s made of. The secret to staying cool during your summer pregnancy starts with lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen, chambray, or rayon. These fabrics have thin fibers. That means they breathe more than other fabrics, so they’re less likely to stick to your body. The lighter and airier, the better. Here’s a cute cotton chambray belted maternity shirt dress from Seraphine that checks a lot of boxes.

Consider the Color

Instantly infuse a summer vibe into your wardrobe with whites, pinks, baby blues, yellows, creams, beiges, and even grays. Basic physics proves that darker colors absorb more light, so they’ll be hotter. Light colors reflect the sunlight, making them a cooler option in the summer. And mamas-to-be, don’t be afraid to rock some jewel tones too. Not only will they get you noticed, but they might actually boost your mood. How about this adorable yellow floral smocked ruffle maternity dress from Pink Blush for some inspiration?

Wear a Comfortable Bra

Bras are already uncomfortable. When you’re pregnant, they can be downright unbearable. Now, add in summer’s heat, and you’ve got a recipe for mammary misery. The first rule: wear a bra that doesn’t have an underwire. Choose one that’s soft, stretchy (but supportive), and adjustable. Or one that could actually cool you off! Polar Products makes a pair of bra cooler inserts that deliver comfort in all the right places.

Layer Up or Down to Stay Cool

Jumping back and forth between air-conditioned spaces and the outdoors can leave you feeling confused about how to dress for ever-changing temperatures. Layering is key for your summer pregnancy. Make your first layer a sleeveless dress and top it with a denim jacket, a lightweight button down, or a cute kimono like this look on Pinterest that you can easily take off when you start to feel a little dewy.

Wear Stylish Sandals

Lucky for you, sandals are the perfect solution for your tired, swollen feet and toes this summer. No more shoving them into tight shoes! And good news – sandals come in an unlimited supply of cute, frilly, sexy, and just-for-fun styles! Remember that your feet will probably grow during pregnancy, so pick sandals that are wide and cushiony for the most comfort. Check out these saucy leopard print wedges from Dr. Scholl’s.

You are now equipped with fashionable and functional wardrobe tips for the season – so go and enjoy your summer pregnancy!

Prenate^® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post Dressing for a Summer Pregnancy appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Make it About You Too

This is a space you’ll be spending a lot of time in – mornings, afternoons, nights, and middle-of-the-nights – so you want it to be a comfortable sanctuary when you come in for feeding, holding, and soothing your newborn. Make sure you have a comfortable sitting and resting place that’s just for you.

Pick a Palette

Today’s trends are moving away from traditional schemes of pinks and blues in favor of gender-neutral colors. But don’t let the word “neutral” throw you off if you are a color lover. You can still make dramatic statements with bold accents or an accent wall in an otherwise neutral space. Here are some palettes to think about:

• Calming shades of blues and teals combined with light wood furnishings for a modern aesthetic.
• A terracotta orange accent wall paired with white furnishings for an earthy, grounded space.
• Mint green walls and a navy-blue rug and pillows with white furnishings for a coastal vibe.
• Black and white wallpaper, light wood furnishings and bright green furniture for a contemporary eclectic look.

Select a Theme

Is there a favorite storybook or nursery rhyme you had as a child you want to use as inspiration for your nursery? Do you have a passion for the outdoors and wildlife you want to share with your little one? Did you have a favorite travel destination growing up that you want your baby to be part of? You can design a nursery around many different themes, such as a special interest you have, something nautical, animals, or something whimsical and fun like a carnival.

Going with a theme doesn’t mean it has to be overdone. You could stick with neutral surroundings and add accents that subtlety reflect the theme.

Make it Nighttime all the Time

Baby will have sporadic sleeping habits (and that means sleeping during the day), so design your nursery with lighting in mind. Add some blackout curtains or window shades if the nursery has windows with direct sunlight so you can trick your bundle of joy into thinking it’s night when it’s really midday and time for a much-needed nap.

A Room to Grow

Babies don’t stay babies forever (if only they could!), so as you design your nursery, think about baby’s different stages from infancy to toddler and how the décor and furnishings will accommodate changing needs.

As they start to crawl and walk and get more curious by the day, babies grab for things, step over things, and put things in their mouths. As you decorate your nursery, you’ll want to avoid knickknacks that can become choking hazards and loose area rugs that can become tripping hazards.

Convertible furniture that grows with your baby can help make the transition from crib to big kid bed much easier and less expensive because you don’t have to buy a new bed in a few years.

Prenate® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post 5 Tips for Creating a Nursery You’ll Love appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Recognizing Dehydration

When your body loses water faster than you can replenish it, and it struggles to keep up with its normal functions, that’s dehydration. Mild to moderate dehydration during pregnancy can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• Dark yellow urine
• Dry, sticky mouth
• Lethargy
• Thirst
• Decreased need to urinate
• Headache
• Constipation
• Dizziness

Replacing lost water is crucial. But there are other things you can do to ensure that you and your baby-to-be are staying hydrated this summer while you’re pregnant. Here we share some valuable tips.

Drink Lots of Water

Water is the secret to staying hydrated. When you are expecting, water is even more crucial because it helps form amniotic fluid, produce extra blood, build new tissue, carry nutrients, enhance digestion, and flush out wastes and toxins. That’s a tall order, meaning you need more water than normal. The average person needs eight 8-ounce glasses a day, but moms-to-be should drink at least eight to 12 glasses a day.¹

Increasing water intake can be a struggle, especially if you aren’t a fan of plain water. Here are few suggestions to make it easier:

• Infuse water with fruit or cucumbers.
• Swap out regular water for sparkling water.
• Set a timer to remind yourself to drink water throughout the day.
• Use an app that helps you track your water intake.
• Carry a reusable bottle with you when you are out and about.
• Drink a glass before every meal.

Eat More Foods High in Water Content

Water doesn’t have to come from a glass or a bottle. There are lots of fruits and vegetables that have high water content. Plus, they’re packed with vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants that are good for you and your little one-to-be! Here are some fruits and veggies to try²:

• Watermelon: 92% water
• Strawberries: 91% water
• Cantaloupe: 90% water
• Peaches: 89% water
• Celery: 95% water
• Cucumber: 95% water
• Lettuce: 96% water

Avoid Activities that Cause Overheating

If you are pregnant, you’re more likely to become overheated during the warmer seasons. That means you may want to put activities you used to enjoy pre-pregnancy on hold until after delivery. Here are some activities you should avoid:

• Exercising outdoors.
• Exercising in closed, hot rooms.
• Cooking in the kitchen on warm days.
• Soaking in hot tubs or relaxing in saunas.

Limit Time Spent Outside in Hot Climates

Getting outside in the warm summer months is tempting but can create unique risks to expecting moms. Pregnant women who have a body temperature above 102.2 degrees are at greater risk for heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration.³ Of course that doesn’t mean you can’t get outside and enjoy the weather – just limit your exposure and make sure you are well hydrated!

Prenate® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post Tips for Staying Hydrated While Pregnant appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Why You Can’t Donate Blood if You Are Pregnant

Simply put, you and your developing baby need all of your blood and iron you can get. Even though the amount of blood in your body increases by about 50%¹ while you are pregnant, making that additional blood requires greater amounts of iron and vitamins. Low iron levels can occur from blood loss – such as when you donate blood – and trigger a condition known as anemia.

Anemia is fairly common during pregnancy, and 52% of pregnant women develop iron deficiency anemia.² If left untreated, the condition could lead to preterm birth, low birth weight, prolonged anemia and developmental delays, postpartum depression, and a longer recovery period baby’s birth.

Donating Blood in the Future

Moms can give blood at least six weeks after giving birth, according to the American Red Cross. However, if new moms are breastfeeding, the World Health Organization advises against donating blood and waiting nine months after the pregnancy has ended.³ If you are breastfeeding, your newborn will be relying on you for nutrients and vitamins found in breast milk. Donating blood could deplete them.

Other Ways to Give Back

While new moms patiently wait to be able to give the gift of blood once again, there are other ways you can give back to your communities.

• Host a blood drive. Just because you can’t give blood doesn’t mean you can’t help others give. Working with the assistance of the Red Cross, you can find a location for a blood drive, recruit volunteers, and recruit and schedule donors.
• Make a financial contribution. Donating money enables the Red Cross to maintain an ongoing blood supply and provide humanitarian support to people in need.
• Donate your umbilical cord blood. After your baby is born, you can donate the cord blood to a cord blood bank. This special blood supply contains stem cells that can be used to treat people with life-threatening diseases, including leukemia, sickle cell disease, and immune system disorders. It can also save the life of someone in need of a blood transfusion. If this is something you would like to do, discuss the process with your doctor well in advance of your delivery date.

Prenate® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post Can Pregnant Women Donate Blood? appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Sparkling Mineral Water

Staying hydrated is important for expecting moms, but sometimes plain old water seems boring. Sparkling mineral water gives you the effervescence of a soda without the sugars, artificial coloring, and flavors. Sparkling mineral water comes from a spring and contains salts and sulfur compounds that create natural carbonation. And it has zero calories.

Seltzer

If you are trying to kick your soda habit, seltzer is another way to satisfy your craving. Seltzer’s carbonation comes from added carbon dioxide, not from spring-like sparkling mineral water. If it’s sweet you crave, add a little flavor to your seltzer with some healthy fruit slices or a dash of your favorite all-natural, no-sugar-added juice.

Both sparkling mineral water and plain seltzer have zero calories. Still, several bottled and canned options on the market contain artificial flavors and added sugar, so make sure you read the labels. You can also make your own carbonated water at home by infusing water with carbon dioxide using a soda siphon or soda machine.

Infused Water

Maybe you’re in the mood for sweetness, but not the bubbles. Infused waters are a great, healthy choice to keep you hydrated. And they are so simple to make. Just add your favorite fruits, vegetables, and even herbs to a pitcher, pour plain water (or use sparkling or seltzer if you like) over the produce, and then chill for two to three hours. Yum! The best part is you can eat the fruit once the water is all gone! Try these recipes from Eating Bird Food for Strawberry Thyme, Rosemary Raspberry, and Blueberry Basil infused water, or come up with your own creations.

Cold Brewed Green Tea

Cold brewed green tea (or hot if you prefer) has slightly less caffeine than regular tea and is rich in antioxidants, which is especially important for expecting moms.¹ There is no shortage of off-the-shelf bottles of green tea in the supermarket, but the healthiest way to consume iced green tea is to cold brew it yourself by steeping green tea leaves in cold filtered water. You can store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. You can also add in your favorite herbs for extra flavor.

Juice

One hundred percent pure fruit juice is another alternative to soda when you crave something sweet. Juices contain calories and naturally occurring sugars, so sip in moderation. Don’t forget to read your labels and try to avoid fruit juices that aren’t all-natural.

Prenate® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post Healthy Soda Alternatives for Pregnancy appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Many of the major physical changes that women experience during pregnancy occur during the second trimester. The uterus and abdomen expand to make room for a baby, and the level of pregnancy hormones continues to increase. A growing belly and breasts also are trademarks of the second trimester. But for many women, these are the easiest months of pregnancy. They feel their energy start to return, and they begin making plans for their baby’s arrival.

While many women feel better during the second trimester of pregnancy, there are still major changes taking place inside their bodies as their babies grow and develop. The second trimester requires essential nutrients to support that growth.

Key Developmental Milestones in the Second Trimester:

• Organ systems develop further
• Reproductive organs and genitalia fully develop
• Bone structure starts to harden
• Eyelids, eyebrows, nails and hair are formed
• Eyes open and are starting to be used
• Movement develops
• Senses improve

In addition, a mother’s blood volume increases up to 50 percent during the second trimester to support her baby.

Prenatal Vitamins for the Second Trimester

While a balanced diet is preferred, some women may have trouble meeting their daily recommended intakes for certain vitamins and minerals. The Prenate^® Vitamin Family offers a line of prenatal vitamins that are designed to carry moms and babies through preconception to pregnancy and into the weeks and months after delivery.

These vitamins are specifically formulated to fit the needs of the second trimester:

• Prenate Mini^® is a small but robust softgel prenatal supplement with 14 nutrient forms.
• Prenate^® Enhance is a prenatal vitamin with 400 mg of DHA, 25 mcg of vitamin D, and chelated iron.
• Prenate^® Restore is the only Prenate^® prenatal vitamin with probiotics, plus DHA and chelated iron.

These prenatal vitamins contain key nutrients to help support second trimester developmental milestones:

• Vitamin D – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant and lactating women consume 400 IU of vitamin D daily.¹ One of the primary benefits of vitamin D is in maintaining and building bone mineralization. Vitamin D works to increase the body’s absorption of calcium, which helps build a strong skeletal system.² Because a baby’s body doubles in length in the second trimester, it is especially important for an expecting mother to meet her daily vitamin D requirements during this time. Otherwise, nutrients are taken away from the mother and preferentially partitioned to the baby.³ However, vitamin D does not only help build and maintain healthy bones. Ample vitamin D supplies also may help reduce the mother’s risk of developing preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.⁴
• Calcium – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant and lactating women get 1,300 mg of calcium daily.¹ As with vitamin D, a baby draws calcium from the mother’s bones if the baby’s need for calcium is not met.⁵ Calcium also plays a role in developing and maintaining bone strength and healthy teeth, and helps the heart, nerves, muscles and other body systems work properly.⁶ 

Calcium supplementation appears to be beneficial for pregnant women who are at high risk of gestational hypertension.⁷ Calcium supplementation during pregnancy also may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the risk of preeclampsia.⁸
• Iron – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women get 18 mg of iron daily.¹ During pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume increases 50 percent, and her need for hemoglobin is greater. Iron is an essential mineral in the body’s formation of hemoglobin, the red protein in the blood that is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Sufficient iron consumption during the second trimester helps a growing baby receive the amount of oxygen needed to develop a strong heart, lungs and muscles. In addition, it helps moms maintain a healthy immune system and prevent anemia.
• DHA – The National Institutes of Health recommend that women consume 300 mg of DHA during the first trimester of pregnancy.⁹ DHA is essential for growth and functional development of an infant’s brain.^10,11 During the second trimester, when the baby’s body is dramatically developing, DHA aids in a healthy birth weight and the length of gestation.^12,13

Talking to your Healthcare Provider About Prenatal Vitamins

These essential nutrients should be included in every prenatal diet during the second trimester. The Prenate^® Vitamin Family helps support expecting moms with robust doses of key nutrients. Talk to your doctor to see if a Prenate^® prenatal vitamin may be right for you to help fill nutritional gaps.

The post Prenatal Vitamins for Each Stage of Pregnancy: Second Trimester – Months 4 to 6 appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.