Pregnancy - Month Two

During this month, more things will begin to happen to your body both physically as well as emotionally. If you have not experience any pregnancy symptoms before the second month, you probably will now.

These are things that you may be feeling:

1. You may feel sleepy or tired. Try to get more rest so that your body can concentrate on getting the uterus ready to carry a fetus full-term. If you work or stay very busy, consider cutting back on your schedule until your second trimester (4-6^th month). Make sure you are taking your prenatal vitamins and eating right.


2. You may have to urinate (pee pee) more frequently. This usually begins 4-6 weeks after conception and lasts throughout pregnancy.  


3. You may crave or dislike certain foods. Some women do experience this very early in the first trimester, but most will experience this around the end of the first trimester (3^rd month).


4. You may have symptoms like premenstrual syndrome. You may feel depressed, irritable, moody, sad, or bouncing between any and all of these. Remember your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes. 


5. Morning Sickness (or any other time). Usually women will begin to experience this around 2 to 8 weeks after conception. A diet that is high in protein and/or carbohydrates can help. High protein foods are foods such as: nuts, whole-grain products, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, and soy burgers. Carbohydrate food sources are things such as: baked potatoes, whole-grain (wheat) bread, rice, dried beans and peas, and vegetables. You should also drinks lots of fluid to replace the fluids lost by vomiting.


6. You may experience headaches. If you had headaches while taking birth control pills and/or before becoming pregnant, you have a greater chance at having headaches now. Aspirin and Ibuprofen medications (Advil, Nuprin, Medipren) should be avoided during pregnancy. Most doctors will suggest Tylenol (Acetaminophen) after the first trimester (after 3^rd month). Please check with your physician. You can try a cool wash cloth on your forehead or the back of your neck. If lights bother you, go to a dark room that is very quiet. If you can, try to take a nap.  

Note: Some women get migraines or headaches because of TOO much sleep. If this is the case, try to regulate your sleeping patterns.  

7. You may be getting dizzy or having faint like spells. Try to stand up slowly will raising from a sitting position. If you are standing a lot, try to turn your head slowly. Sometimes you may be in too big of a hurry for your body to deal with at this time. If you continue to have these spells check with your doctor.

Tests & Procedures this month:

• Doppler used to detect fetal heart tones (FHT)
• Check blood pressure
• Check blood for anemia
• Weigh you
• Test urine for sugar
• Feel abdomen for fundus (should be approximately 4 inches below belly button) 

Development of Embryo:

During the second month, the embryo is extremely sensitive to chemicals. At the end of the second month, the embryo will have all of its major organs. The embryo has eyelids (sealed shut), ankles, ears, and wrists. All of the fingers and toes are formed. The facial features are human like. The embryo is a little over 1 inch long and weighs less than 1 ounce. The embryo has a beating heart, arms, and legs. Fingers and Toes are completely formed and the embryo can move around.

8 week old embryo

9 week old Fetus

Feet of a 10 week old Fetus