By the time women reach their second month of pregnancy, there are already big changes going on with the baby. The good news is that many women begin to recognize the signs of pregnancy in their second month. Taking a home pregnancy test will let moms-to-be know for certain that they are pregnant. What else should expectant mothers do in the second month of pregnancy and what should they expect during weeks 4 through 8?
Schedule a Prenatal Visit in the Second Month of Pregnancy
Getting early prenatal care is one way to get pregnancy off to a good start. The second month of pregnancy is one of the best times to schedule the first prenatal visit with a medical care provider. In most cases, this means seeing an obstetrician, midwife or family practitioner.
Even though it is natural to continue to see the same provider managing gynecological needs, pregnancy is a time when expectant mothers can make other choices with regard to a care provider. Early pregnancy is the ideal time to ask questions in prenatal visits to make certain that both the mother and her care provider are in agreement on crucial childbirth issues.
When is Baby's Due Date?
Part of the first prenatal visit includes establishing when baby is due. This is often done using a formula known as Naegele's Rule. Expectant moms can figure out their own baby's due date by starting with the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). Then subtract three months, and add seven days to come up with baby's due date. Remember that very few babies will actually arrive on their due date, but this gives a medical care provider an estimate of when to expect baby.
If a woman does not have regular cycles or does not know the first date of her last menstrual period, her care provider can perform a vaginal ultrasound as early as the second month of pregnancy to discover when her baby is due.
Research Prenatal Testing Options
Even though most of the prenatal testing will be offered later in pregnancy, there is a new blood test that can detect Down Syndrome as early as the fifth week of pregnancy. Options for prenatal testing later in pregnancy include the nuchal fold translucency, (NFT), the quad screed (formerly known as the AFP test), chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and amniocentesis.
Some mothers opt to not do any prenatal testing during their pregnancies. Others decide to have a few screening tests done in early pregnancy. And a few mothers who are high risk may choose to have several prenatal tests done in order to gather as much information about their baby's well-being as possible. There are good reasons to do prenatal testing as well as good reasons to avoid them. Each expectant mother should make decisions about prenatal testing that are best for her.
Avoid Any Harmful Substances During the Second Month of Pregnancy
Weeks 3 to 8 of pregnancy (which includes the second month) is called the embryonic stage. This is the time during pregnancy when the baby's major organs are forming. For that reason, it is also the time that the baby is most vulnerable to harmful substances.
Especially during the first and second month and continuing throughout pregnancy, it is a great idea to avoid exposure to harmful or toxic substances, including things like smoking, alcohol, medications, chemicals or fumes and pesticides.
Continue to Take Prenatal Vitamins, Eat a Healthy Pregnancy Diet and Get Light Exercise
Many moms today begin to prepare with a good pregnancy diet, prenatal vitamins and regular exercise even before pregnancy. As pregnancy continues, these healthy lifestyle choices will be important to be sure both mother and baby are getting what they need.
It is not unusual to begin to have challenges with morning sickness in the second month of pregnancy, making both pregnancy diet and taking prenatal vitamins challenging. Taking natural prenatal vitamins or even liquid vitamins can help. Also there are many tried-and-true remedies for morning sickness today that are effective.
The second month of pregnancy is one of the most important times for expectant mothers to take good care of themselves, get lots of rest, eat a healthy pregnancy diet and begin preparations for the months ahead.
References:
Lane, B and Kirsch, I., Knack Pregnancy Guide, Globe Pequot Press, 2009.
Brenda Lane - Brenda Lane is a published author, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer.
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