Your Body This Month
If you weren't feeling very pregnant last month, you are probably starting to now. About midway through this month, hCG levels will begin to peak and then slowly decline as the placenta starts to produce the pregnancy hormones progesterone and estradiol. The ebb and tide of your hormones will trigger a few new pregnancy symptoms this month.
At the end of month 2, your baby is officially a fetus.
Your Body Changes
Even though you may not have put on any additional weight yet, your growing uterus is pushing the boundaries of your waistline. On average, most women gain between two and one-half to five pounds in the first trimester.
Changes in skin and hair are common in pregnancy. Hair that was fine and thin may become thick and shiny during pregnancy, and that fabled pregnancy glow may actually be your flawless, blemish-free complexion. On the other end of the spectrum, acne problems and hair breakage and thinning may occur.
Chloasma (also known as melasma) may cause a mask-like darkening or lightening of your facial skin. Freckles and moles are prone to darkening, as are other pigmented areas of your skin (for example, aerolas). To minimize chloasma and other hyperpigmentation, use a good sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) to cover exposed skin when you're out in the sun.
Will coloring my hair hurt my baby?
To date, there is no conclusive evidence that hair color use in pregnancy is dangerous. If you are concerned over a possible risk, you may opt for a vegetable-based or temporary color treatment until the baby is born. Some experts also recommend holding off on all chemical hair treatments during the first trimester.
Your gums may start to bleed when you brush your teeth, a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. Be sure to floss and brush regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy. A warm salt-water rinse may soothe swollen gum tissues. Now is a good time to schedule a thorough cleaning with your dentist; in a few months, leaning back in a dental chair will be uncomfortable, if not impossible. Gum disease has been associated with preterm labor, so even if your dentist is reluctant, you should definitely get regular dental checkups during pregnancy.
What You Feel Like
The stomach rumblings of the first month continue, and an increase in nausea and vomiting may actually occur as hCG levels peak toward the end of this month. On the plus side, your NVP may start to get better in the coming weeks as hCG levels wane. If you're one of those lucky women who do not experience morning sickness at all, you're probably not escaping the feelings of fatigue. Take the hint your body is giving you to take time out to rest.
Other symptoms that may start or continue this month include:
Frequent urination
Tender, larger breasts
Increased vaginal discharge
Occasional dizziness or faintness
Indigestion or gas
Headaches
Nasal congestion and/or runny nose
Increased saliva
