Second-Trimester Discomforts

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By: Margaret Comerford Freda

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Article Summary

Your second trimester, the middle third of pregnancy, is usually the most comfortable. Morning sickness has probably subsided, and you're not yet experiencing the physical stress of carrying a lot of baby weight. Nevertheless a few discomforts can develop. The most common are constipation, haemorrhoids, and round ligament pain.

 Combating Constipation

 Help for Hemorrhoids

 Round Ligament Pain

The shift in hormones during pregnancy decreases the activity of your bowels, and as the baby grows, she presses on them. All this can lead to constipation. Luckily, slight changes in your diet can do a lot to get things moving. Try to drink plenty of water?eight glasses a day is best. Eat more fiber, including prunes, bran cereal, and salads. And exercise daily. Exercise improves blood circulation to all your organs, including the intestines, and strengthens your muscles. How much you do depends on your fitness level, but try to walk for at least 15 minutes each day. (For more information on exercising while pregnant, see Get Moving: Exercise During Pregnancy.) Don't take laxatives without checking with your midwife or doctor first.

The other name for these is piles. They are enlarged veins in the rectum and anus. They commonly develop during pregnancy because of the increased pressure in that area. Pregnancy may be the first time you experience this problem. They tend to get worse as the baby gets bigger, so treating them at the first sign of discomfort can help keep them under control later on.

Warm baths can help relieve the pain of hemorrhoids. You'll also want to avoid standing for long periods of time; standing a lot can make your circulation sluggish, which can worsen hemorrhoids. Preventing constipation can also help. The less you need to strain to pass a bowel movement (and the softer your stools), the better. If nothing you try on your own works, ask your midwife or doctor about stool bulking medicines.

If you experience pain in your groin area, chances are it's the result of round ligament pain. As the uterus grows, the ligaments that hold it in place in your abdomen have to stretch. This stretching causes pain in some women.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do to ease round ligament pain. If it becomes intense, contact your midwife. Groin or abdominal pain during pregnancy can also be a sign of a possible complication, so she'll need to rule out anything serious.

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