The 19th week of pregnancy or the 5th month of pregnancy is when most of the major organs and organ systems have formed in the fetus. The formed organ system continues to grow and form its respective shapes in the following months. The weight of the fetus increases each month to become a baby that can survive outside of the uterus. Vernix caseosa, a white creamy fatty substance secreted by the oil (sebaceous) glands of fetal skin, helps coat the entire body to prevent it from pickling in the fluid around the baby (the amniotic fluid). The umbilical cord continues to thicken, as it carries nourishment to the fetus. However, as harmful substances can also pass through the umbilical cord, care should be taken to avoid any substance abuse.
Changes in the female body and symptoms
The second trimester is the most physically enjoyable time for the women. It is the turning point for both the mother and fetus. The metabolic rate of the mother increases to carry essential amino acids, carbohydrates, and minerals for fetal organ development. The increased fetal demand for oxygen supply leads to accelerated red blood cell (RBC) production and increased blood volume. Increased blood flow may make the mother feel warmer than before. She may also sweat more and thus needs to drink more fluids. The mother may feel the flutter (quickening) movement of the baby inside her belly. Also, she may experience other pregnancy-related symptoms such as:
- Melasma (also called the mask of pregnancy, and it refers to the appearance of brownish patches on the face particularly on the forehead, nose, and cheeks)
- Skin pigmentation and darkening of the nipples
- Backaches and low back pain due to weight gain
- Varicose veins (abnormally swollen veins) and hemorrhoids (piles)
- Dry, flaky skin, and red palms
- Indigestion, heartburn, and dizziness
- Tiredness due to sleep deprivation
- Urine and vaginal infections
Fetal growth and development
The baby grows rapidly in length and weight. It measures around half a pound and six-inch long. Major developments take place in the brain, and the sensory areas of touch, sight, taste, sound, and smell are allocated and stimulated. Vernix develops and covers the fetal skin from head to toe and protects it from getting chipped or scratched from its toenail. Fine hair known as lanugo continues to grow on the head. The hearing develops, and the baby can now hear the mother’s voice clearly during conversations. The stomach produces acidic gastric juices, and meconium continues to form from the ingested amniotic fluid. The legs strengthen in proportion to arms and make more powerful kicks, jabs, and punches. In females, the reproductive system is well established with ovaries packed with six million primitive egg cells. In males, the testicles have formed fully and been secreting testosterone (the male hormone). The external genitals continue to grow. The fetus begins to wake and sleep in more regular patterns now and wakes up to the movement and noises of the surroundings.
Checkups and fetal examinations
During the second trimester prenatal checkups, the healthcare provider will continue to check on the mother’s and baby’s health. The size of the uterus is measured. Fetal heartbeat and mother’s vitals are monitored. The current symptoms and discomforts are investigated. Further auxiliary examinations are performed to confirm the fetal growth, health, and development:
- Ultrasonography, most commonly used to visualize the fetus
- Blood, urine, and glucose tests to rule out gestational diabetes (diabetes that is first diagnosed during pregnancy)
- Birth defects screen tests such as amniocentesis, multiple marker screening, and noninvasive prenatal testing.
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See Answerhttps://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pregnancy-calendar-intro.html
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Ectopic Pregnancy (Tubal Pregnancy)
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy located outside the inner lining of the uterus. The majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube. Signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy may include abdominal pain, lack of menstrual period (amenorrhea), vaginal bleeding, fainting, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
Treatment options for an ectopic pregnancy include observation, medication, or surgery.
How Does Pregnancy Affect Mental Health?
Pregnancy can be a time of great joy and happiness. Different women respond to pregnancy differently, but pregnancy can affect some womens' mental health negatively.
magnesium sulfate
Magnesium sulfate is a salt of magnesium, a naturally occurring mineral, used to prevent and treat convulsions (seizures) from preeclampsia and eclampsia (toxemia) in pregnant women. Magnesium sulfate is also used to treat certain heart rhythm disorders, magnesium deficiency, and acute kidney inflammation (nephritis) in children. Side effects include flushing, increased sweating, low blood pressure (hypotension), depressed/poor reflexes, flaccid paralysis, low core body temperature (hypothermia), circulatory collapse, depressed cardiac function, central nervous system (CNS) depression, respiratory paralysis, excess fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), extreme drowsiness, and others.
Is It Normal to Have Headaches in Second Trimester Pregnancy?
Many women experience headaches during pregnancy. Headaches tend to be worse during the first trimester and they get better in the second and third trimesters although some women still experience headaches during the second trimester.ondansetron
Ondansetron is an antiemetic medication prescribed to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiation, and anesthetic medications used during surgeries). It is also used to treat extreme and persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, and itching caused by opioid medications and certain specific conditions. Common side effects of ondansetron include headache, feeling unwell (malaise), fatigue, constipation, low tissue oxygen levels (hypoxia), drowsiness, dizziness, and gynecological disorder. Consult your doctor before taking ondansetron if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Pregnancy Planning (Tips)
Pregnancy planning is an important step in preparation for starting or expanding a family. Planning for a pregnancy includes taking prenatal vitamins, eating healthy for you and your baby, disease prevention (for both parents and baby) to prevent birth defects and infections, avoiding certain medications that may be harmful to your baby, how much weight gain is healthy exercise safety and pregnancy, travel during pregnancy.Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are recommended by most doctors prior to getting pregnant, throughout your pregnancy, and after you have your baby. The developing embryo and fetus need extra vitamins for healthy development. Prenatal vitamins contain iron, calcium and vitamin D, folic acid (to prevent birth defects), zinc, iodine, and vitamin A. Some prenatal multivitamins also contain other minerals and supplements like vitamin B 12 and omega-3 fatty acids.pyridoxine
Pyridoxine is a form of vitamin B6, a water-soluble vitamin and an important micronutrient required for the normal functioning of many biological systems in the body. Common side effects of pyridoxine include headache, drowsiness (somnolence), abnormal skin sensations (paresthesia), nerve damage (neuropathy), impaired coordination/balance/speech (ataxia), seizure (from very large IV dose), folate deficiency, excessive acidity in body fluids (acidosis), increase in liver enzyme AST, nausea, and hypersensitivity reaction.
Stages of Pregnancy: Week by Week
See pictures on the various stages of pregnancy. See and learn what changes a woman's body goes through and view fetal images of how her baby grows during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Swollen Ankles and Swollen Feet
Swollen ankles and swollen feet is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition such as edema, medications, pregnancy, injuries, diseases, infections, lymphedema, or blood clots.
Tubal Pregnancy Picture
A pregnancy that is not in the usual place within the uterus but is located in the Fallopian tube. See a picture of Tubal Pregnancy and learn more about the health topic.
What Are the 3 Prenatal Tests?
Prenatal tests are medical procedures performed during pregnancy to assess the health and development of the fetus and to help identify any potential problems or abnormalities. The three most common prenatal tests include ultrasound, amniocentesis, and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Other prenatal tests include pregnancy test, first trimester screening, second trimester screening, noninvasive prenatal testing, fetal ultrasound, genetic counseling, biophysical profile, Group B streptococcus (GBS) test, glucose tolerance test, anomaly scan, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test.
What Happens in the 2nd Trimester Pregnancy?
The second trimester of pregnancy is often the most comfortable for women. In the second trimester of pregnancy, a woman experiences a growing belly, body pains, melasma, bleeding gums, dizziness, carpel tunnel syndrome, swelling and other changes.
What Trimester Are You Most Tired During Pregnancy?
It is common to feel tired during pregnancy. For most women, the first trimester is the one that causes the most fatigue.