You are getting to the halfway stage of your pregnancy. Find out what to expect in the second trimester. Including symptoms and your baby’s development.
You have arrived at the second trimester of your pregnancy. The next 3 months should be fairly comfortable for you. The nausea and sickness of the first trimester has probably passed and your bump is not yet big enough to make you too uncomfortable.
You will find that you have much more energy now and this is the perfect time to do as much as you can to get ready for your baby coming. Tackle those big tasks that you will be just too tired for in your third trimester.
In the second trimester, you will feel your baby move for the first time and there are lots of other changes taking place, for you and for baby.
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You can create a free baby registry at Amazon.com. The registry is universal so you can add items from other sites if you wish.
When you sign up you will receive a free baby gift box filled with items for both mom and baby and you get free returns for 90 days for anything bought from your registry.
As well as giving your friends and family gift ideas, having a registry is a great way to keep track of what you need for baby.
Here is what to expect in the second trimester.
What To Expect In The Second Trimester
Pregnancy Symptoms In The Second Trimester
Weight Gain – The second trimester is the time you will start to get your baby bump. Now is the time to buy those maternity clothes. Towards the end of this trimester the pregnancy weight gain will be rapid, so be prepared.
Bigger Breasts – Your breasts will not be as tender as in the first trimester but will continue to grow. The milk glands will enlarge to prepare your body for breastfeeding. Your nipples will get darker and you may get small bumps around them.
Heartburn – The heartburn you experienced in the first trimester may worsen in the second trimester. As your uterus gets bigger it will press on your stomach, causing acid reflux.
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Linea Nigra – A dark line will appear on your belly. It runs from the naval down to the pubic area.
Leg Cramps – These will often happen during the night and are thought to be caused by the baby putting pressure on nerves. Try lying on your side instead of your back.
Water Retention – You will begin to retain fluid for your baby. Your ankles, face, and hands may be swollen and puffy.
Urine Infections – Changes in your hormones may slow down the flow of urine which may cause your bladder not to empty fully. Your uterus pressing on your bladder also contributes to this and makes you prone to infection.
Back Ache – The ligaments between your bones will start to relax as your bones prepare to move for childbirth. This can cause pain in the back, pelvis, and hips.
Swelling – Your feet and ankles will begin to swell in this trimester due to your body retaining extra fluid for your baby. Read here for tips on how to reduce swelling during pregnancy
Your Baby’s Development In The Second Trimester
Week 13 – Your baby’s bones are beginning to harden now, most especially in the legs and the skull. Your baby is also making urine now and releasing it into the amniotic sac.
Week 14 – The neck and lower limbs will be more developed now and red blood cells will be forming in the spleen. Your baby’s sex will be becoming more obvious and they will be around 3 1/2 inches long.
Week 15 – Your baby is growing fast now and the bones are continuing to develop. The scalp and hair pattern is also forming.
Week 16 – The limb movements are now becoming coordinated and can be seen on an ultrasound. Your baby’s head is now erect, their eyes are moving and their ears are reaching position. Baby is close to 4 1/2 inches long now.
Week 17 – This is when your baby’s toenails develop and they become much more active.
Week 18 – Your baby’s ear will be standing out now and they will begin to hear. The digestive system has also started working. By now your baby is 5 1/2 inches long.
Week 19 – Your baby’s growth begins to slow down now. Vernix will start to cover the skin to protect from abrasions, and the hardening that can be caused by the amniotic fluid. In girls, the uterus will start to form.
Week 20 – Welcome to the halfway point! You will now be feeling your baby’s movements and they will be having periods of waking and sleeping. They should be responsive to noises you are making and will be about 6 inches long.
Week 21 – Your baby now has a sucking reflex and can suck their thumb. They are also now covered with a fine hair which helps keeps the vernix on the skin.
Week 22 – The baby’s eyebrows and hair can now be seen and in boys the testes will have begun to descend. Your baby will be about 7 1/2 inches now.
Week 23 – Your baby is now having rapid eye movements and the finger and footprints have started to form. You may now begin to feel small jerking movements which is your baby having hiccups.
Week 24 – Your baby’s skin is now pink, red, and wrinkled due to blood being visible in the capillaries. Your baby is now around 8 inches long.
Week 25 – Baby may now be able to respond to sounds they find familiar, such as your voice or your regular movements.
Week 26 – Your baby’s lungs are now developing and producing the substance that allows the air sacs to inflate. Your baby will be approximately 9 inches long now.
Week 27 – In the last week of the second trimester your baby’s nervous system is continuing to develop. They are also gaining weight which will help to smooth out the skin.
So now you know what to expect in the second trimester so take the time to get things done and enjoy your pregnancy.
