Baby Kicks, Alcohol Myths, and the Vaccines That Protect Your Baby Before Birth S8 | E211

The Second Trimester, Real and Unfiltered with Dr. Nellie BalfourOn this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Dr. Nellie Balfour for a conversation that is second trimester, real and unfiltered. Dr. Balfour is a paediatrician navigating her own second pregnancy in real time. She brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to every topic covered. This is the second episode in an ongoing real-time pregnancy series. It is honest, practical, and deeply reassuring for any expectant parent.The Second Trimester: A Different Pregnancy EntirelyNellie describes the second trimester as her favourite season of pregnancy. Energy returns. Appetite is restored. The baby bump becomes visible and joyful. For Nellie, whose nausea extended to 22 weeks, the relief of the second trimester was particularly profound. Meg and Nellie discuss the hereditary nature of hyperemesis gravidarum,and address nutritional concerns for mums who lose weight in the first trimester.Baby Kicks: What Is Normal and What to Watch ForFeeling your baby move is one of the most treasured moments of pregnancy. Nellie explains that movement is typically felt between 16 and 20 weeks. In subsequent pregnancies it often occurs earlier. Placenta position plays a significant role in how strongly kicks are felt. The general guideline is to feel around 10 kicks within an hour. If movement is reduced, eating something sweet or lying on the left side usually prompts activity.Alcohol, Teratogens, and Foods to AvoidMeg and Nellie are fully aligned. Alcohol is an absolute no during pregnancy. South Africa carries the highest rates of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the world. There is no proven safe amount of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy.Tests and Scans in the Second TrimesterNellie walks listeners through the key screenings offered in the second trimester. For mothers over 35, NIPT is often completed in the first trimester. For lower-risk pregnancies, the triple or quadruple test screens for Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions. Vaccinations in Pregnancy: Protecting Your Baby Before BirthSouth Africa is ahead of many countries in vaccinating pregnant women. Nellie outlines three vaccines now recommended during pregnancy: RSV, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. Each of these illnesses can be life-threatening for newborns. This conversation is second trimester, real and unfiltered, and it may genuinely save lives.Illness, Toddlers, and TORCH InfectionsRespiratory viruses are generally manageable with hydration, fever control, and pregnancy-safe medications. The more serious TORCH category includes toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes, and syphilis. About Our Guest:Dr. Nellie Balfour is a mom and Specialist Pediatrician with a focus on neonates, newborns, and early childhood development. Dr. Nellie is passionate about empowering parents with credible, evidence-based information so they can make the best decisions for their children. You can find her and her popular Q&A sessions on Instagram at @drnelliepaedsEpisode References and Links:📱 Parent Sense App — Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.https://parentsense.app/CONNECT WITH MEG FAUREWeb: megfaure.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/