Future mother analysis: second trimester of pregnancy

Your tummy starts to round out, and by now you’ve gotten used to the specific symptoms. You’ve already started thinking about a name and can’t wait to find out if it’s going to be a boy or a girl. And, as pregnancy is starting to make itself known, get ready for a pregnancy clothes shopping session. Don’t forget to inform yourself, however, about future motherhood tests: the second trimester of pregnancy. You’ll go to the doctor again to see how the baby is doing and how your body has adapted to the pregnancy.

Future mommy tests: second trimester of pregnancy, back to the doctor

In the second trimester of pregnancy, between 13-27 weeks, it is important to return to the doctor for further investigations. At 4 months pregnant, in week number 16, it’s good to schedule your routine visit. The CBC should also be repeated at this time. This will check the haemoglobin level in your blood. At the same time, you’ll find out if you need iron supplements or other vitamins to fortify your body.

You’ll also have another long-awaited ultrasound scan that will tell you the sex of your baby.

In addition, the doctor will do a new screening for chromosomal abnormalities to complement the tests done in the first trimester. With the new investigations (triple test or dry test specific to the second trimester), the doctor will be able to detect a possible change in the development of the pregnancy.

If there are suspicions or the new results seem to indicate a problem, you will need to have some more genetic tests and an amniocentesis. These investigations will clearly show if there are any complications. Based on them, the doctor will be able to make the best decision for you and your baby.

The baby is moving in the tummy!

It’s also during this period, around your 20th week of pregnancy (or even earlier if you’re not pregnant for the first time) that you’ll experience the most exciting moments. You will feel, for the first time, how your baby moves in your tummy. It will be an experience that will touch you like nothing else and remind you why it is to make all the recommended medical visits during pregnancy.

Mark your 22nd week of pregnancy on your calendar!

This will be the time when you will return to the doctor to repeat some tests (haemolucogram, blood biochemistry analysis, urine analysis, toxoplasma antibody dosage).

You will also have a Doppler ultrasound, which anticipates a possible increased blood pressure problem. At the same time, you will also have a 3D or 4D ultrasound scan to check how the foetus’ organs have developed since the previous visit. This will ensure that no signs of a malformation have appeared.

The doctor will see how the brain has developed, how the heart beats, and the condition of organs such as the liver, spleen and kidneys. It will examine the baby from the tip of the nipple to the little feet to detect any abnormalities early on.

During pregnancy, every woman will ask herself all sorts of questions. She will worry and any discomfort will make her worry. That’s why, beyond the need to detect a problem early, investigations are meant to reassure you that everything is fine. This way, having a positive frame of mind will make the nine months pass more easily.