Congratulations on passing the first trimester and entering the second trimester of your pregnancy. Did you know that your little one is now as big as an avocado1? The second trimester of pregnancy is also a very exciting period as your body will undergo a variety of major changes.
For mummies who suffer from nausea, they usually subside in the second trimester. However, there are also women in the second trimester who are still nauseous and vomiting2. You will also start to notice your belly getting clearer and bigger3.
Therefore, mummies out there are advised to enjoy each of these wonderful changes as many say that this second trimester is the easiest trimester to deal with. Let’s hope so, Mummies!
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Before we go any further, we would like to share some important matters that expectant mothers should know. Because everything needs to be planned ahead, and this includes things to do during and after childbirth.
If everything’s still quite blurry, don’t worry, we’ve got a list ready for you. Read along:
Here are 5 Important Things Moms Should Do During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy
#1. Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Practise Healthy Eating4
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Many expectant mothers have regained their appetite after entering the second trimester of pregnancy as morning sickness begins to disappear5.
But mom, do maintain a healthy diet to ensure your baby’s healthy growth. What you can do is prepare enough supply of nutritious food so that it is easily available whenever you need something to eat.
There is nothing wrong with indulging in that chocolate ice cream once in a while, but you just have to be careful. Eat more nutritious foods such as grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and protein. Beware of sugary foods!
Pregnant mothers in the second trimester are encouraged to consume 340 additional calories a day.
Avoid foods such as fast food or carbonated drinks4. Wash vegetables and fruits before eating with vinegar to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination6.
#2. Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Always Stay Active!
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In addition to having more appetite in the second trimester of pregnancy, pregnant women will also feel more energetic than in the first trimester7. So don’t let your sneakers get dusty. Work out and work on that pregnancy glow! But be sure to take safety measures as well. Do not force your body to do strenuous exercise that could potentially harm you. Take into account the limits of your body.
Among the exercises that can be done are as below8:
#3. Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Learn About the Hospital Where You Will Give Birth & Childhood Immunisations
Choose a hospital that is not too far from home. This is so that in the event of an emergency, it is easy to go to the hospital. And don’t forget to take the time to visit the hospital. Learn about the facilities for high-risk pregnancies.
If you have plans to give birth, talk to the hospital about it. And check if they have a lactation advisor who can help you with breastfeeding later on.
Oh! Before we forget, caring for your child’s health should include getting immunised according to schedule. Never take dangerous diseases that could infect your child lightly.
Maybe as a new parent or one who has had a child for a long time, you are still wondering why are childhood vaccinations important? One of the most obvious reasons is because their immune system is still weak9.
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By getting vaccinations early in life, we try to prevent diseases including diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. Babies are most at risk for these diseases because of their weak immune system9.
The following is a list of vaccines in the National Immunisation Program by the Ministry of Health and the diseases that can be prevented by the vaccines/immunisations10.
- BCG is Basile Calmette-Guerin. It is a vaccine that helps provide protection against tuberculosis.
- DTap is a combination of vaccines that helps provide protection against diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis.
- DT is a booster dose that helps provide protection against diphtheria and tetanus.
- Hib is the vaccine that helps provide protection against Haemophilus influenza type B.
- MMR is a vaccine to help prevent measles, mumps and rubella.
- MR is a booster dose that helps provide protection against measles and rubella.
- JE is Japanese Encephalitis and this vaccine is only given in Sarawak.
- Pneumococcal – previously it was the vaccine of choice, but since 2020 the government has started providing free pneumococcal vaccines to all children born in 2020 onwards, to improve the quality of children’s health and help preventing various infections of respiratory-related diseases that could be fatal11.
Parents can also consider these additional vaccines recommended by doctors for your child as well, for example Rotavirus, Chickenpox and Influenza12. Vaccines are important, when a significantly large proportion of the community is vaccinated, the probability of infection is very low because of herd immunity9.
Please consult your doctor or paediatrician to learn more about providing vaccination to your baby if you have any concerns.
#4. Second Trimester Of Pregnancy: Prepare A Room Or Corner For Your Baby At Home
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This is one of the most exciting preparations, isn’t it? Decorating a baby room. Prepare a beautiful section to welcome your little one later. However, there are some things that you should focus on when preparing for this, such as:
- Buy items that can be used for a long time.
- Focus on safety features, for example, do not place blankets, toys and pillows in the crib because of the risk of suffocation13.
- Make sure the diaper change station is easily accessible, diapers are easy to dispose of and the area is easy to clean.
- If possible, place a chair to facilitate breastfeeding.
#5. Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Choose a Paediatrician!
Soon-to-be parents should also be on the lookout for your preferred Paediatrician. Oh yes, keep in mind too that securing a great paediatrician requires you to make an appointment in advance so plan ahead!
If parents cannot feel that compatibility, parents have every right to change experts unanimously.
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Remember, this is about the primary health care for your child, the most important thing in your child’s life.
If there are parents who are still unsure about the different paediatric categories, don’t worry, don’t worry! We are here to help answer all the questions that are stuck in your head.
As a general rule, a Paediatrician is an expert in every issue of health as well as the behaviour of children in general, however they also actually have their own specialisations as well.
In their field, there are various categories of paediatricians and this all depends on their own abilities and capabilities. Examples14:
#1. Paediatric Cardiology
This group consists of experts in all matters related to the child’s heart15.
#2. Paediatric Gastroenterology
This group consists of experts in all matters related to the child’s digestive system16.
#3. Paediatric Endocrinology
This group specialises in all matters related to growth, puberty or any disorder closely related to hormones and glands that produce them in a child’s body17.
#4. Paediatric Nephrology
This group specialises in all matters related to children’s kidneys and the urinary system18.
#5. Paediatric Rheumatology
This group specialises in all matters related to the child’s joints, muscles, bones and tendons19.
#6. Paediatric Hematology-Oncology
This group specialises in diagnosing and treating all kinds of blood disorders and cancer in children20.
#7. Neonatal-Perinatal Paediatrics
This group consists of experts who care for and treat high-risk newborns after birth21.
#8. Paediatric Pulmonology
This group consists of experts who care for and treat children with breathing problems and lung diseases22.
#9. Paediatrics of Child Abuse
They are experts who care for and treat children who are victims of abuse23.
#10. Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics
They are experts who help children with developmental-behavioural issues24.
#11. Adolescent Paediatrics
This group consists of experts who help teenagers with problems in social, physical and behavioural health problems25.
This is quite an extensive list, so do choose according to your child’s needs, okay?
We at theAsianparent wish good luck to the mothers out there who are in the second trimester of pregnancy. May you be more sensitive towards your own health. Take care of yourself and baby, yes!
MY-ROT-00243 Jun/2022
Reference
- National Health Services (NHS). 16 Weeks Pregnant. Available From: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/2nd-trimester/week-16/#anchor-tabs. Last Accessed 22 Jun 2022.
- Healthline. When Will This Ever End? How Long Morning Sickness Lasts. Available From: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/how-long-does-morning-sickness-last#into-second-trimester. Last Accessed 7 Jun 2022.
- Mayo Clinic. 2nd trimester pregnancy: What to expect. Available From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20047732. Last Accessed 22 Jun 2022.
- eMedicineHealth. How Much Should I Be Eating in the Second Trimester? Available From: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/how_much_should_i_eat_in_the_second_trimester/article_em.htm. Last Accessed 7 Jun 2022.
- Cleveland Clinic. Pregnancy: Second Trimester. Available From: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16092-pregnancy-second-trimester. Las Accessed 15 Jul 2022.
- Colorado State University Extension. Guide to Washing Fresh Produce. Available From: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/Guide%20to%20Washing%20Fresh%20Produce508.pdf. Last Accessed 22 Jun 2022.
- University of Rochester Medical Center. First Trimester Fatigue. Available From: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=134&contentid=4. Last Accessed 7 Jun 2022.
- Healthline. What Exercises Are Safe in the Second Trimester? Available From: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/second-trimester-exercise-fitness#running. Last Accessed 7 Jun 2022.
- MyHealth. Immunisation: Facts and Myths. Available From: https://www.myhealth.gov.my/imunisasi-fakta-dan-kemusykilan/. Last Accessed 02 Jun 2022.
- MyHealth. Immunisation Schedule. Available From: https://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/immunisation-schedule/. Last Accessed 7 Jun 2022.
- From the Desk of the Director-General of Health Malaysia. Kenyataan Akhbar KPK 24 November 2020 – Pelaksanaan Pemberian Vaksin Pneumokokal Di Bawah Program Imunisasi Kebangsaan Untuk Kanak-Kanak. Available From: https://kpkesihatan.com/2020/11/24/kenyataan-akhbar-kpk-24-november-2020-pelaksanaan-pemberian-vaksin-pneumokokal-di-bawah-program-imunisasi-kebangsaan-untuk-kanak-kanak/. Last Accessed 15 Jun 2022.
- Immunise4Life. 5 Additional Recommended Vaccines for Children. Available From: https://immunise4life.my/5-additional-vaccines-for-children/. Last Accessed 13 Jun 2022.
- U.S Food & Drug Administration. Do Not Use Infant Sleep Positioners Due to the Risk of Suffocation. Available From: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/do-not-use-infant-sleep-positioners-due-risk-suffocation. Last Accessed 7 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Pediatrics. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/pediatrics. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Pediatric Cardiology. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/pediatric-cardiology. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Pediatric Gastroenterology. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/pediatric-gastroenterology. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Pediatric Endocrinology. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/pediatric-endocrinology. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Pediatric Nephrology. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/pediatric-nephrology. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Pediatric Rheumatology. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/pediatric-rheumatology. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Pediatric Hematology-Oncology. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/pediatric-hematology-oncology. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/neonatal-perinatal-medicine. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Pediatric Pulmonology. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/pediatric-pulmonology. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Child Abuse Pediatrics. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/child-abuse-pediatrics. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Development and Behavioral Pediatrics. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/developmental-and-behavioral-pediatrics. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Adolescent Medicine. Available From: https://www.aamc.org/cim/explore-options/specialty-profiles/adolescent-medicine. Last Accessed 19 Jun 2022.
