Second Trimester of Pregnancy - Physical Examination

Physical Examination of all systems of the body

Once again, your heart is auscultated, any abnormal respiratory sounds are looked for, abdomen is palpated very carefully for any mass and the mental status and is certainly a part of routine medical examination.


Obstetric examination

Examination is not necessarily done during this trimester.

Abdominal examination

As the baby gains weight and size of the uterus grows the height of the fundus is determined at every visit. Fundal height corresponds to the duration of pregnancy and indicates fetal growth.

Your baby's tiny fetal parts can be palpated per abdomen. Be sure to touch your abdomen and feel those tiny hands and feet and this experience is sure to tug at your heart.

The doctor will put a stethoscope on your belly to hear the reassuring beats of your infant. The heart rate of the fetus will be about 140-160 beats/ minute, nearly double that of a normal adult.

If the doctor feels the fetal growth is not adequate, you might be referred for an ultrasound.

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