Your sex drive
During your fourth or fifth month, you might suddenly feel much more sexual. By your second trimester, your body is manufacturing estrogen in overdrive: The ovaries produce as much in a single day as a nonpregnant woman's ovaries do in three years. And, since the first trimester's nausea and fatigue have tapered off, you might just feel more aroused -- some women even experience multiple orgasms for the first time.
Getting in exercise
If nausea and fatigue kept you from your fitness routine in your first trimester, now's the time to start some gentle exercise. Try:
Kegels, which will help you with pushing during labor and reduce the risk of incontinence after. Contract your muscles as though you're trying to stop the flow of urine in midstream. Hold and repeat.
Prenatal yoga. It's tailored especially for you and your changing body, and you'll get to meet other expecting moms in the process.
Hitting the pool. Swimming and water aerobics are low-impact, and the weightless feeling will give your tired legs and feet a break.
Walking. Even just around the neighborhood will get your blood pumping and make you feel more energetic.
Exercise precautions:
- Avoid heavy lifting, or any exercise that requires you to exhale with great force -- this can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels.
- After the fourth or fifth month, skip exercises that require you to lie flat on your back. This position could cause you to compress the vena cava, a major blood vessel that brings blood to the baby.
- Eat a small snack about an hour before your workout. The calorie boost will increase your energy.
- Sip water throughout your workout. It's especially important to stay hydrated while you're pregnant.
- Take extra care with exercises that require balance. Your body is changing rapidly, and while running or doing step-aerobics you can feel especially off-kilter.
Summary
The second trimester is when you'll likely feel at your best during your pregnancy, so take advantage of it! Exercise, go shopping for baby stuff, pamper yourself a bit -- and revel in the wonderful new stirrings and changes you're feeling in your body every day.
Plus:
16 Early Signs of Pregnancy
What Labor is Really Like
Flattering Maternity Swimsuits
10 Weird Pregnancy Symptoms
