EYS M2B

Nesting the Baby

Second Trimester: 4 to 6 Months

Rapid Growth Up Ahead!

Tiny Wonders during the Second Trimester

Your baby's development enters a phase of rapid growth. Now, the tiny features become more defined and they develop their unique fingerprints. You may even start feeling those first gentle flutters and kicks as your baby becomes more active.

At this stage, your baby's senses start to develop. They can hear your voice, and their taste buds and sense of touch continue to form. This is a good time to strengthen your bond and start talking to your baby. Listening to pleasant and relaxing music can also help with the baby’s development.

The Human Blueprint Takes Shape

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the remarkable blueprint of your baby's life unfolds as their senses and physical traits become more defined.

By the fourth month, tiny bones and joints form, and your baby's unique sense of taste begins to emerge. Skin gains pigmentation, and their hair starts to grow, adding to their individuality.

In the fifth month, your baby's sensory world sharpens. They feel, see, and hear, and their eyelids open to perceive light and darkness. You may even begin to feel their first fluttering movements.

The sixth month brings further growth and sensory enhancement as the blueprint is now in place for your bundle of joy. Everything they can sense within your womb will stimulate their brain as they rapidly grow into a unique individual.

During the second trimester, usually during the 18th to 20th week, you may have the exciting opportunity to find out the gender of your baby through an ultrasound.

How can TCM help?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can provide support for both the mother's well-being and the baby's development. TCM's emphasis on nurturing the mother's overall health ensures that the growing baby receives essential nutrients and a balanced environment for optimal growth. By addressing common discomforts and promoting relaxation, TCM helps create a harmonious and stress-free environment that positively impacts the baby's development. Through herbal remedies, TCM supports the mother's energy flow, which benefits the baby's health and fosters a healthy pregnancy journey for both.

TCM Takeaways:

Relish this phase of your journey, often referred to as the sweet spot of pregnancy!

As your baby continues to grow and thrive in the second trimester, take the opportunity to connect with your little one. Engage in heartwarming conversations as tiny ears and hearing develop, allowing your baby to hear the soothing sound of your voice.

The excitement builds as your baby bump becomes more pronounced. Remember to prioritise your well-being and that of your precious little one. Maintain a healthy diet to support your baby's rapid growth and opt for a nourishing diet rich in protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Embrace this wonderful time and indulge in activities that foster bonding, relaxation, and joy.

Thrive while Nesting the Baby

Congratulations on reaching the glorious second trimester! As your baby continues to grow, taking care of your body and maintaining a balanced diet becomes even more crucial during this magical phase.

How can TCM help?

To ensure a healthy and joyful experience, focus on nourishing both yourself and your baby with a nutrient-rich diet.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pregnancy is thought of as a ‘hot’ condition. In the second trimester, the pregnant woman experiences a yin blood deficiency and excess heat. To help maintain balance, be mindful of your diet:

Cooling foods can counterbalance the heat in the body

Vegetables like broccoli, artichoke, eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes
Fresh fruits like apples, bananas, pears, strawberries, pineapples, melons, cherries, mangoes

This is also the time to eat reinforcement foods and a nutrient-rich diet to help the baby with this rapid period of growth and development. Reinforcement foods include spring cabbage, spinach, sesame, white fungus, coconut, and beans.

It is strongly advised to avoid caffeine and alcohol throughout the pregnancy.

Staying hydrated is equally important, so drink plenty of water throughout the day to support your body's needs.

Limit the consumption of red meat, soy-based food, fried food, and sugar, especially during this period.

TCM Takeaways

Nutrition isn't the only aspect to consider during the second trimester. It's equally vital to keep a positive and happy mindset. Surround yourself with uplifting, relaxing activities and people who bring positivity into your life. Do gentle exercises like meditation and gentle walks in nature.

Embrace this golden period of pregnancy. By taking care of yourself, you're not only supporting your own well-being but also providing the best foundation for your baby's healthy development.

TCM Wisdom on Relieving Pregnancy Backaches

As your body undergoes significant changes to accommodate the growing baby, the release of the ‘relaxin’ hormones can lead to the relaxation of ligaments in the pelvis and increased strain on the lower back and pelvis. These physical changes, combined with the added weight of the developing foetus, often result in discomfort and pain.

Here are some tips to alleviate your backaches:

Avoid continuous sitting and standing for a prolonged period
Wear flat shoes and avoid high heels
Carry items by distributing the weight equally on both sides of the body
Sleep on firm mattress
Watch your posture closely. When possible, use a chair with good back support or cushion

TCM Perspective:

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that pains are usually the result of blockages in the body due to clots or stagnation of Qi or the deficiency of the body which results in the lack of nourishment to the affected body tissues.

The danger of backache is compounded when it comes to TCM. Backache is likely to affect women who have Qi deficiency in the liver and kidney, as well as women who do not have sufficient calcium in their bodies. This is due to the growing baby, who needs increasing levels of nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus.

While a moderate degree of massage can relieve some degree of strain and pain from the back muscles, it should be done by a trained professional to avoid injury or miscarriage during the massage. Acupoints such as He Gu, San Yin Jiao, Jian Jin, etc. which are commonly used in the treatment of backache and shoulder-related problems should be avoided. Other acupoints to be avoided during pregnancy include Tai Chong, Yong Quan, Du Yin and Zhi Yin. Massage pressure should be mild and gentle and pregnant mothers should not feel discomfort during the process and should be avoided during the first trimester and near delivery period.

Despite these innocuous-sounding factors, backache is a condition not to be taken lightly. According to Physician Ban, severe backache during pregnancy may lead to miscarriage. “It is important for us to verify that there is no risk of miscarriage when backache occurs,” she says. “Typically, backache only happens during the later part of pregnancy. Women should consult a doctor if they experience backache during the early stage of pregnancy. If she also experiences vaginal bleeding, she should seek medical help immediately as this may be a sign of miscarriage,” she warns.

If you like cold beverages, avoid it during pregnancy.
In TCM, cold possesses the characteristic of contraction and constriction, and can be in the form of muscular contraction or constriction of blood vessels.
Drinking cold beverages may hinder the circulation of blood around the body leading to a reduced blood flow to the muscles. Obstructed blood flow often causes muscle soreness or pain.