By the second trimester (between 13th to 24th week), most woman have already adapted to changes that come with pregnancy and it  is most likely that they are enjoying their pregnancies. Pregnant women at this stage are interested in learning anything about the growing fetus and any health teachings given to them is highly appreciated. However, they still have to deal with frequent discomforts. Some of the signs and symptoms of mid and late pregnancy, like constipation, are similar to the one experienced during the first trimester but they tend to be more intense as the pregnancy advances. 

Discomforts of Middle and Late Pregnancy

Backache

One common cause of backache in pregnancy is the postural changes. Pregnant women tend to assume a lordotic shape as way of maintaining a balance needed to support the growing uterus. This results to frequent back pain and backache tends to becomes worse as the pregnancy progresses.

However, there a few steps that you can take to prevent and relieve backaches;  

Headache

Headache is another common discomfort of the mid pregnancy. Avoiding triggers like staying in front of a computer for a long time, exposure to sunlight, may help to prevent headache.  Sometimes, the physician may prescribe a pain reliever, like acetaminophen. 

If the headache is increasing in intensity and it is not been relieved by the common pain relievers, a pregnant women need to seek medical help as soon as possible to make sure that pregnancy induced hypertension is ruled out.

Dyspnea

As the uterus enlarges in size, it puts pressure on the diaphragm, leading to lung compression and eventually to dyspnea (shortness of breath).   Shortness of breath usually persists throughout the mid pregnancy until at the end of pregnancy, when lightening occurs (fetus drop on the pelvic region).

Sleeping upright, supporting your head while asleep with more than one pillow, using left side while sleeping and limiting the level of activities during the day help to ease the dyspnea.

Ankle Edema

Ankle Edema is another common discomfort during pregnancy and not something to get concerned of, unless it is accompanied by increased blood pressure and protenuria; a sign of pregnancy induced hypertension (pre-eclampsia).

Ankle edema  can be relieved by supporting your legs while sitting down, sleeping on the left side to improve venous return and kidney's filtration rate, wearing loose fitting clothes and avoiding stockings or tight shoes that can impair circulation on the extremities.

Braxtons Hicks

Braxtons hicks are irregular contractions or tightening of the uterus that tend to increase in intensity as the pregnancy advances. Sometimes, a woman may not even be aware of the contraction. Other times, the contractions may become so intense and painful that a pregnant woman may even think she is already going on labor. 

Being able to differentiate the real signs of labor from braxtons hicks or false signs of labor is crucial since a pregnant woman can be able to know when to call her physician.

Braxton Hicks contractions:

Call your doctor if your pregnancy is below 37 weeks and you are;