Safety during the second trimester of pregnancy is just as important as it is at any other time during pregnancy. In some ways, though, the second trimester can be a bit easier in regard to safety. During the second trimester, for example, many women don’t have the same anxieties and worries that they might otherwise have, which creates a safer environment. In addition, at about the 20th week of pregnancy, the risk of having a miscarriage drops to the point where it’s not a concern (unless a woman has specific conditions identified by her health care provider that make it a concern). Yet, in the second trimester, the woman’s abdomen has not grown so much that things like falling are as much of a concern as they will be in the third trimester.
There are some things that a woman who is in her second trimester should do, however, to promote safety. Second-hand smoke (or smoking, for that matter) is still very dangerous for the pregnant woman, even in her second trimester. Consuming large amounts of alcohol, or consuming alcohol regularly can present problems as well. Illicit drug use can still affect the safety of the pregnancy. The woman in her second trimester of pregnancy still needs to take care with prescription and over-the-counter medications, making sure that her health care provider is contacted before she takes them.
There is some danger in the second trimester of over-exertion. A woman’s exercise routine should not be too exerting, even if she does feel really good. Also, ligaments and tendons might pull easily during the second trimester. Obviously, if your health care provider has indicated that you have an incompetent cervix or has put you on bedrest for another reason, the safest thing to do is to stay on bedrest.
The woman in her second trimester of pregnancy should do some other things to keep safe. Hot tubs and saunas should be avoided. If possible, x-rays should be avoided as well. Sugar substitutes may or may not be problematic, based on the woman’s individual situation.
By being educated about safety issues during the second trimester of pregnancy, you can help to insure that your pregnancy will be a safe, happy, and healthy one.
