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Odds are the second month of your pregnancy is the month you’ll see the “+” sign on the pregnancy stick for the first time. Most women are completely oblivious to their pregnancy during the first month since a period may not have been skipped, and many of the more obvious signs haven’t manifested just yet. By Month 2, however, you’re probably noticing a few changes.
Your Second Month of Pregnancy: What’s Going on in There Now?
Although cells have been dividing like crazy and your wee fetus has been growing quickly, he or she is still only the size of a grain of rice as you enter Week 5 of your pregnancy. By the time you reach the end of this month – Week 8 – the baby will be about the size of a kidney bean. That doesn’t sound like much but it’s actually exponential growth. Good work, mama!
During this month, the bulk of development occurs in the brain and spinal column as well as the internal organs. In fact, your baby’s heart and primitive circulatory system will set in motion sometime this month, most likely towards the end of Week 5 or the beginning of Week 6. If you get a fetal ultrasound at this point, you will probably get to see the tell-tale rhythmic pumping that encompasses his whole body. Of course, while we call it “your baby” the scientific world still refers to him/her as a fetus, and will continue to do so for the next few weeks.
In the middle of this month, your baby will begin to develop the little “buds” where arms and legs, hands and feet, fingers and toes will eventually differentiate themselves. While the eyes and nostrils are starting to develop, the eyes are disproportionately large for its head and the nose is more like a crater. Close up views at this stage can be a bit alarming and look almost alien in nature. It can be difficult to imagine that the little pink kidney bean is going to develop into a beautiful newborn baby.
By the end of Month 2, your baby will have all of its organs in some way, shape or form, will be about one-inch long and should weigh a whopping .1 ounce (that’s 1/10th of an ounce, in case you missed the decimal point).
What’s Going on For Your Body?
Depending on your body, that little kidney bean of a body may feel more like a 10-ton truck. How can something so incredibly small cause such an upheaval in normal body functions? In some cases, women still don’t even know they’re pregnant. If missing the occasional period is the norm, you may just feel more tired than usual, and/or queasy, and think you’re fighting a vicious flu.
During the second month, most women experience at least one of the following hormone-related symptoms:
Sore/Tender/Bigger Breasts. Your breasts are already preparing for the big job ahead: feeding your baby. As a result, they will swell and little as the mammary glands gear up. Your nipples and areolas will become bigger and darker and a network of veins may become more visible underneath your skin. You may find that a more supportive bra is in order to help combat the tenderness.
Morning Sickness. Who the heck named it that, anyway? It’s more like Anytime Sickness and the queasiness can range from mild to severe. Most women find there are a few “must-have” remedies, ranging from soda crackers and ginger ale to odd combinations of foods and snacks. Eating a little bit all the time may be better than a few square meals to keep your tummy from getting completely empty. Just try your best to eat as nutritiously as possible. Smoothies may be your best friend.
Fatigue. You probably feel more tired than normal and it’s important to get as much sleep as you can. If naps are out of the question, try to find a few minutes here and there that you can stop, put your feet up and rest.
If you haven’t done so already, schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN or Midwife so she can check in and see how things are going. This is the time to ask questions and get the information you need to keep yourself and your developing baby as healthy as possible.
Don’t have an OB/GYN or Midwife yet? Don’t feel the one you have now is the one you want caring for you through your pregnancy, labor and delivery. Contact Overlake OB/GYN and schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you both.