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| Trimesters of Pregnancy ~ Second | |
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Most women describe quickening as a fluttering, like a butterfly, or as tiny bumps or nudges. It is often mistaken for gas or hunger pangs. Usually, you'll feel quickening sometime between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. Occasionally, you'll feel it as early as 14 weeks or as late as 26 weeks.
At this point in your pregnancy, if these movements are absent for a day or two, don't worry. Your baby may be facing a different direction and you may not feel the kicks. As long as your care giver can hear the baby's heartbeat, all is well. Later in pregnancy, the baby's movements are more predictable and you can determine how the baby is doing by its activity. For now, enjoy these tiny movements when you feel them. Briefly, the second trimester looks like this: 16 weeks meconium forms in the bowel, heart muscle well developed, kidneys in shape, brain continues to develop. 20 weeks vernix caseosa (a lubricative substance that resembles cottage cheese) and lanugo (fine little hairs) appearing, enamel and dentine (teeth) emerging, spinal cord developing. 24 weeks body well proportioned, sweat glands forming, can hear what is going on outside the uterus.
During the second trimester, you will want to begin investigating childbirth preparation classes; classes such as child care (where the basics of newborn and infant care are discussed - great for first timers!), CPR and infant choking prevention classes, breastfeeding classes (yes, Dads are welcome too!) and exercise. Talk to your care giver about classes, contact the hospital or birth facility for their list of classes and also check with instructors who teach independently in the community. Register early as classes often fill quickly.
References: 1. Simkin, et al. Pregnancy Childbirth & the Newborn (4th Edition): The Complete Guide. (2010) 2. Lowdermilk & Perry. Maternity & Women’s Health (9th Edition). (2007) 3. Kitzinger, S. The New Pregnancy & Childbirth: Choices & Challenges. (2011) 4. Lothian, J. The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth With Confidence, 2nd edition (2010) |
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