What to expect when you're expecting (102 page)

Backache

Skin pigmentation changes on abdomen and/or face

Stretch marks

Enlarged breasts

Emotionally

Fewer mood swings

Continued absentmindedness

Some boredom with the pregnancy (“Can’t anyone think about anything else?”)

Some anxiety about the future

Plenty of excitement about the future

It will probably be business pretty much as usual at this month’s checkup. As you end your second trimester, you can expect your practitioner to check the following, though there may be variations, depending on your particular needs and on your practitioner’s style of practice:

Weight and blood pressure

Urine, for sugar and protein

Fetal heartbeat

Height of fundus (top of uterus)

Size of uterus and position of fetus, by external palpation (feeling from the outside)