 |
|
|
Second Trimester - Your Baby's Health and Development
Changes During Your Second Trimester of Pregnancy
|
Discomfort |
What to do about it |
| Heartburn (also called indigestion) |
- Eat slowly and chew your food well
- Eat smaller meals, but eat more often
- Bake or broil food
- Avoid greasy, fried or spicy foods
- Try walking after eating instead of lying right down
- Drink liquids between meals instead of with meals
|
| Feeling light headed and dizzy |
- Stop what you are doing
- Sit down or lie down on your left side with your legs raised
- Change positions slowly
|
| Sore breasts |
- Wear a support bra, even to bed
- Soak in a warm bath
|
| Feeling tired |
- Try to sleep at least 8 hours at night
- Don?t fight sleep. Rest 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day
- Try some gentle exercise each day
|
| Constipation |
- Eat foods high in fiber like bran cereal, whole grain bread, and green leafy vegetables
- Drink lots of liquids such as water, milk, soup, and fruit & prune juices
- Eat raw vegetables and fruit or a fresh salad each day
- Take a walk after meals
- Don?t take laxatives or enemas unless instructed by your health care provider
|
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families © 1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
How Does Food Nourish My Baby?
|
Nutrient |
Food Source |
What it does |
|
Calcium |
Low-fat milk, green leafy veggies, canned sardines |
Helps baby's bones and teeth form. Note: Caffine can lessen how much calcium your baby gets |
| Iron |
Lean meat, spinach, beans and peas |
Produces hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying protein in blood. Baby will store it to meet his needs for the first several months after. |
| Protein |
Meat, fish, eggs, milk and soy products |
Needed for baby's brain, muscles, blood and bones to grow. |
Folic Acid
|
Leafy veggies, lima beans, and orange juice |
Helps develop blood and prevent some birth defects. |
| Vitamin A |
Green and yellow veggies, yellow fruits |
Makes baby's eyes and skin grow healthy |
| Vitamin B |
Organ meat, green leafy veggies, milk |
Helps baby's body use energy to grow. Helps the blood and nervous system form. |
| Vitamin C |
Citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, peppers |
Helps baby take in the iron in his food. |
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families © 1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy Learning Begins Before Birth
Long before birth, your baby's brain is hard at work. Inside your baby's brain, millions of neurons are growing and forming connections. The more connections there are, the better baby's hearing, vision, touch and taste will develop. During this month, all your baby's senses are developing.
- Your baby can hear. He may be startled by loud noises or comforted by your singing.
- Your baby can feel touch.
- Your baby still can't see but he may cover his eyes when a bright light shines on your stomach.
- Your baby can taste.
- Your baby's movements are strong enough that you can feel him kick and turn somersaults.
- Your baby may get upset when you feel stressed or afraid.
Partnes for a Healthy Baby: home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families © 1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Childbirth Preparation
It is a good idea to take childbirth education classes even if this is not your first baby. It's a good chance to refresh your skills and perhaps learn something new.
What will I learn?
- How my baby is born.
- How to control my fears during labor.
- How to cope with labor pain.
- How to relax and breathe during labor.
Why should I take these classes?
- To meet other expectant moms who share may experiences and worries.
- To ask questions I may feel uncomfortable asking my doctor/midwife?
- To learn how babies are born and reduce my stress about childbirth.
- To practice breathing and relaxing for the delivery.
Partners for a healthy baby: home visiting Curriculum or Expectant Families
© 1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
|
 |
