Feeling Better, But Still Figuring It Out: Your Go-To Guide for the Second Trimester by
Dr. Sangeetha Rao
In this episode of The Care Circle by Motherhood Hospitals, host Sneha sits down with Dr. Sangeeta Rao, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Indiranagar, Bangalore, to talk about the much-loved but often misunderstood “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy—the second trimester. Dr. Rao, who brings over 15 years of experience in high-risk pregnancy and women’s health, explains how this phase brings physical relief for many, but also presents its own set of changes and challenges, from back pain and leg cramps to wild cravings and emotional shifts. She walks us through essential second-trimester milestones like the anomaly scan, gestational diabetes screening, and vaccinations, and emphasizes the importance of balanced activity, hydration, and continued prenatal care. Dr. Rao also addresses common myths around exercise, complications, and prenatal supplements with clarity and compassion. This warm and insightful conversation, filled with relatable anecdotes and actionable advice, offers a much-needed guide for expectant mothers navigating the middle stage of pregnancy with confidence and care.
Here are the key takeaways you shouldn’t miss from this episode:
• The second trimester is easier for many, but not free of challenges like cramps, back pain, and cravings.
• Staying hydrated and active is crucial; rest is needed, but excessive bed rest isn’t ideal unless medically advised.
• Cravings are normal, and balance is key to avoid complications like hypertension.
• An anomaly scan around 20 weeks is a vital milestone.
• Routine check-ups, even when you’re feeling fine, are essential.
• Prenatal vitamins must be continued throughout pregnancy and post-delivery.
• Exercise is encouraged unless medically contraindicated.
Stretch marks can’t be completely avoided, but moisturizing early helps with pigmentation.
Dr. Sangeeta Rao, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Indranagar, Bangalore
Dr. Sangeetha Rao is a distinguished Senior Consultant in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with nearly 15+ years wealth of experience and has good success rate with highly recommended satisfaction reviews from our esteemed customers. She has achieved Service Excellence in Women Healthcare and High-risk Pregnancy Treatment spanning both Obstetrics and Gynaecology and has performed till date many complicated Gynaecological laparoscopy and hysteroscopy cases successfully (total laparoscopic hysterectomy, lap ovarian cystectomy, Laparoscopic fertility- enhancing procedures, lap myomectomies and operative hysteroscopy procedures),
She has pioneered the concept and encourages natural childbirth. She routinely employs labour analgesia methods for the easy and comfortable painless birthing experience. She has mastered in all types of open and laparoscopic gynaecology cases having done her course from a renowned Kheil university in Germany. She also has completed her course of fellowship in Cosmetic Gynaecology which is an upcoming field of surgical and non-surgical Vaginal aesthetics. She possesses over 10 years of post-graduate experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She holds special interest in high-risk Obstetric cases, and has successfully managed various challenging and complicated Gynaecology cases. She is also a Cosmetic Gynaecologist specialised in hymen reconstructions , vaginal tightening for post vaginal laxity after child birth, stress incontinence repairs, labia repairs, vaginal rejuvenations, treatment for menopausal dryness, vaginal relief to improve sexual function.
0:06 – Introduction
0:50 – Guest’s Introduction
1:17 – Second Trimester: What to Expect Physically & Emotionally
2:51 – Leg Cramps, Back Pain & How to Manage Them
4:15 – Heat/Cold Packs & Importance of Activity
6:00 – Cravings: Fun Stories & Medical Perspective
8:39 – Screening Tests & Vaccinations in the Second Trimester
10:18 – Myth vs Fact Rapid Fire
12:23 – Stretch Marks and Skin Care
13:29 – Final Advice for Moms-to-Be
14:00 – Outro and Subscription Reminder
Snehaa: Have you ever heard people say, the second trimester is the honeymoon phase? Everyone tells you, you are glowing, you are feeling less nauseous, and you have got more energy. It’s like you’re finally getting the hang of pregnancy, saying to yourself that, hey, I have got this. But hold on.
Pregnancy still has a few plot twists, and the ride’s not over yet. There are still some surprises waiting for you. Welcome back to the third episode of the Care Circle, a podcast series by Motherhood Hospitals.
I am your host, Sneha, once again, and today, we are diving into the second trimester, the phase where people say, you finally started to glow. But of course, it’s not always smooth. Joining me today is Dr. Sangeeta Rao, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Indiranagar, Bangalore.
With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Sangeeta is a leading expert in women’s health and high-risk pregnancy care. From complex laparoscopic surgeries to advanced cosmetic gynaecology, she brings precision, innovation, and empathy to every case. Welcome, Dr. Sangeeta.
Dr. Sangeeta : Thank you. Thanks for having me here today. Feels great.
Snehaa : Dr. Sangeeta, my first question to you is, everyone says the second trimester is a feel-good phase of pregnancy. The morning sickness is gone, and the energy levels are high. Could you walk us through what moms can typically expect during this stage, both physically and emotionally?
Dr. Sangeeta : When it comes to the second trimester, this is when you feel more like yourself again, because the symptoms of the first trimester, which will be troubling her, like the nausea, the vomiting, all those will settle down.
Dr. Sangeeta : She’ll feel more energetic. And the cutest part, I would say, about the second trimester is when the moms will feel very happy to see that baby bump. You know, that’s what they’ll be waiting for.
When they see that, they really feel like they’re pregnant and then they kind of forget all the symptoms which were there in the first trimester. For some unlucky mothers, I would say the nausea and vomiting will still continue during the early parts of the second trimester, but for most of them, it settles down during the second trimester. And the other cutest part is the little bit of kicks which they start feeling.
Dr. Sangeeta : I would now like to add, not everyone will feel it during the second trimester. It’s not abnormal that they have not felt it in the second trimester. Some mothers will still stretch to the early third trimester when they feel the kicks.
I wouldn’t say kicks, it’ll be those small flutters, you know, so that is the movement of the baby. So, when you have all of this, it’s definitely a honeymoon phase. But then, and the nausea and the vomiting all settling down is a good thing in the second trimester.
Snehaa : Are there any issues like back pain and food aversions that moms-to-be go through during this phase? And what about those pesky leg cramps that they get during the night? What can moms do to manage such issues?
Dr Sangeeta : Yes, see what happens in the second trimester is once they enter the second trimester, the leg cramps increase because, most common, what I have seen is because of dehydration. I would tell them every hour to set an alarm to drink a glass of water. So you can’t gulp in water like the others, that’ll again make them feel very nauseous.
Dr. Sangeeta :Not water alone, maybe fruits, fruit juices or buttermilk or tender coconut or any of these things. So, the fluid intake every hour, that would make a lot of difference because the leg cramps are definitely very common in the second trimester. What you can do about it, as I told you, the fluid intake and a gentle calf muscle stretch during the night.
So, these can be done and staying well hydrated and, you know, getting enough potassium to prevent leg cramps, that will also help. And if you’re feeling the swelling is too much, you can even try elevating your legs by keeping two pillows, because that would help for the blood circulation. So this much you can do.
Snehaa : Doctor, I also wanted to understand using heat or cold packs to manage pain and cramps. Is that something you recommend as well?
A warm compress may be for the back pain. A warm compress can help to relax the muscles, the back, not a hot compress.A warm compress can help, using a warm water bag or something that will help. While a cold pack can reduce any swelling or inflammation. That’s what I said to make sure to not keep a very hot pack there and, you know, damage the skin.
You can wrap up the hot pack with a warm cloth and make sure, keep it on the other side on the leg or something, make sure it’s warm enough, and then keep it on the lower back. That will help. Sounds like a simple and effective solution.
Snehaa : And of course, rest is important too, right, doctor?
Definitely, but not too much rest also. When I say rest, they take it as bed rest. I want my pregnant patients to be as active as they are.
If they have some pregnancy condition where we ourselves have told them not to travel, you have to be under bed rest. Like some conditions called placenta previa, where there’s a low lying placenta, or if she has issues of cervical incompetence, or a case of twins where there is a cervical stitch inside. We ourselves tell them that you have to limit your activities to this level, but then you need not take complete bed rest.
Dr. Sangeeta : But definitely you need some amount of rest. Make sure you’re taking breaks in between. Like if you are in the IT sector, where you’re continuously sitting or something, make sure you get up once in 30-40 minutes and take a walk around your chair, stretch your legs, stretch your back, and then sit back again. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with your household chores and other tasks that might put extra strain on your body.
Snehaa : All right, Dr. Sangeeta. Now, we all know cravings are a part of the deal.And to be honest, they can get pretty wild. I mean, videos go viral on social media showcasing the weirdest food combinations. I also remember my sister-in-law had this hilarious craving for pickles with chocolate ice cream.
Is this kind of craving common, or should we just give in to whatever we are feeling? Cravings are totally common. It’s a very normal thing to happen. Actually, it starts right from the first trimester.
Dr. Sangeeta : Not everybody, everyone will have cravings, but then if it is, then it is a body way of signalling that it wants something specific. But the key is balance. Now, some women will have a lot of cravings for sweets.
Dr. Sangeeta : What I would tell them is I would definitely not want not to have also. So I would tell them to balance it out. Like if they have a lot of cravings for chocolates, I would tell them to have it in a balanced quantity and then compensate it with natural sweetness like fruits or dates or something like that instead of having chocolate every day.
Dr. Sangeeta : There was this patient of mine who had cravings for pickles every single day, like she used to have pickles like sabzi. I ended up with severe hypertension because of the excessive amount of salt and all of that. Whatever you want with the balanced amount would be great.
Snehaa : And what about other common cravings, doctor, like salty or spicy foods? Is that just as common, or are those cravings a bit more unusual?
Dr. Sangeeta : Salt and spicy cravings are also pretty common. Again, they are your body’s way of communicating the need, whether it’s craving for more sodium or something else, as long as you’re mindful about what you are having, that’s enough. What I usually tell my patients is the salt or the spicy craving, have whatever you’re used to at home. Don’t add anything extra. Like every meal, you can’t have extra pickles, extra chips, all of these, which will have extra spice. So, don’t have anything extra.
Dr Sangeeta : But then your body needs that amount of salt and spice also. So that much is already there in your diet. Like, say, if the patient is already hypertensive, so we ask them to avoid or reduce the salt content.
For the normal people who don’t have any complications, but don’t complicate it by having extra amounts of salt and spice. Understood, doctor. Now, let’s talk about screenings.
Snehaa : This is also the time for some important tests. What should mom expect during this phase, along with the vaccinations that they need to take during the second trimester?
Dr. Sangeeta : The second trimester, we have the most important detailed scan called the anomaly scan. This is the scan which will, like 20 weeks, the baby is completely formed.All the organs are completely formed, like from the eyes, nose, toes, fingers, everything. This is when we do a detailed scan of every part of the body, which checks the baby’s development. So that is one, and that’s a very important scan done between around 18 to 21 weeks.
Dr. Sangeeta : And sometimes, if it’s needed, we do an early anomaly also by around 16 to 18 weeks, and then follow it up with another anomaly 20-22 weeks. The other important thing is to take the vaccinations. We have two vaccinations in the second trimester.We give the tetanus vaccine to protect your baby against the tetanus. And we have the other blood test monitoring during the second trimester. We also screen for gestational diabetes, monitor the mother’s blood pressure, and keep an eye on the other health issues of the mother.
Snehaa : I remember when my sister-in-law got her 20-week scan done, she was also very anxious. But when she saw that everything looked good, she was beyond relieved. Correct.
Dr. Sangeeta : So anomaly when we do and when that is normal, it’s a big milestone. So that means that, OK, now I can get a clear image of the baby is perfect. And, you know, that’s a huge weight off their shoulders.
Snehaa : OK, doctor, let’s wrap this up with a quick rapid-fire round, which is our myth or fact. Are you ready? if I’m feeling good, I don’t need to worry about complications.
Snehaa : Is this a myth or a fact?
Dr Sangeeta: It’s a myth. Even if you’re feeling fine, it is still important to keep an eye on things like blood pressure and blood sugar. Regular checkups are the key.
Dr Sangeeta : In the second trimester, once in three weeks checkup for patients who don’t have any complications, the regular three-week checkup, even if you’re feeling fine, is needed. From this point onwards, pregnancy is often considered a smoother journey for women. Definitely a myth.
Second trimester is easier. I don’t say no to that, but there are things to be kept in mind, like the back aches, the leg cramps, and whatever we have discussed earlier.
Snehaa : Only women over 35 need to worry about complications.
Dr. Sangeeta : Oh, that’s a myth. Complications can happen to women of any age. Definitely over 35, we are a little more careful because of the age-related complications.But complications can happen to women of any age, which is why regular checkups are very important. It’s safe to skip prenatal vitamins after the first trimester. Definitely a myth.I’ve had my patients taking folic acid, and then that’s it after the first trimester. But no. So we need to have the prenatal vitamins, the iron, the folic acid, and especially the calcium, which is needed from the second trimester onwards to be continued till delivery and even post-delivery till the breastfeeding is done.
Snehaa : You should avoid all exercises during pregnancy.
Dr. Sangeeta : No, myth. Exercises are very important during pregnancy, and it is more important to start off during the second trimester. So things like, you know, I tell my patients 30 minutes of walk in the morning and 30 minutes of walk after dinner. That’s extremely important. And all the prenatal exercises can be done.
Dr. Sangeeta : And I would like to add the most important question asked is about the stretch marks during the second trimester when the, you know, the creams, the fancy creams have to be applied. So one thing what I want my patients to know is that stretch marks are something which will not go away or not come. So the damage happens from within.The marks are seen outside. So, what I would tell them is to just reduce the pigmentation so you can start applying any moisturiser with some butter in it. So anything, start off from the first trimester as well, like say from the 12th or 13th week, morning and evening application of any stretch marks cream with the moisturiser, good butter content on it.Start applying from 12 to 13 weeks, continue till you deliver, and actually post delivery also. That would help.
Snehaa : So, doctor, before we wrap up, what’s your piece of advice for all moms-to-be in the second trimester?
Dr. Sangeeta : As I told you, it is definitely an easier phase compared to the first trimester and while compared to the fear when you enter into the third trimester about the delivery.
This is a very nice phase, a shopping phase. So go shop around for your baby, whatever blue or pink or whatever. Enjoy the phase.
It’s really time to take care of your health. Go for your regular consults, take your vaccines. Definitely don’t skip the anomaly scan. Eat right, stay active, and don’t forget to rest what is adequate. And then you’ve got this. Love that advice, doc.
Snehaa : Thanks for sharing such great insights. And to all the expecting moms out there, keep that glow going. But don’t forget to take care of yourself.
If you found today’s episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe to the Care Circle, your very own expert-led safe space. Follow us on social media for the latest updates and exclusive content. Until next time, stay healthy and take care.
Copyright © 2025 Motherhood Hospitals