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The Second Trimester
Many women love the second trimester. You're getting over morning sickness and fatigue is fading away (though you still need to allow plenty of time to rest!)
Your belly isn't big enough to be cumbersome yet. Some women practically glow through this stage of pregnancy!
But if you don't, don't worry about it ;) Pregnancy is different for everyone. You may have enjoyed the quiet secret of the first trimester or relish the heightened anticipation of the third. No matter how you feel pregnancy is a unique experience. Be thankful for it!
During this trimester you'll begin to feel your baby move! You may get to see your baby if you choose to have an ultrasound.
You'll love to feel your baby moving about and you'll like the smiles you get as people realize you're pregnant. Enjoy this special trimester!
Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21
Week 22 | Week 23 | Week 24 | Week 25 | Week 26 | Week 27 | Week 28
Second Trimester: Week 15
13 Weeks After Conception
This week your baby's head is truly sitting on his or her neck rather than on shoulders. Your baby can turn his or her head and open his or her mouth! The baby is moving around and the nervous system is starting to help your baby's movements become smoother - but they're still a bit "jerky."
Your baby is spending most of his or her time floating around inside your uterus. He or she can move quite freely in the amniotic fluid and will enjoy turning flips and swimming all over. A Child is Born
is a great book to read if you'd like to see how your baby is developing in the womb.
Your baby's growth is still very rapid in the second trimester. You need to continue to eat well. Eating several small meals throughout the day is the best way to keep your energy up - you may have already been doing this to keep ahead of morning sickness!
Even if you're still eating three meals a day have healthy snacks between each meal and before bed - you'll know you're getting everything that your child (and you) need. Visit the pregnancy diet pages for more information on why your prenatal nutrition is so important.
You may be noticing more of a "baby belly" by now, or you could still be barely showing. Some women are ready for maternity clothes and others prefer comfortable, loose-fitting versions of their everyday clothes. Your care provider now measures your fundal height, or the height of your uterus in your abdomen. They do this by measuring from your pelvic bone up to the top of the uterus (the "fundus").
Has your care provider suggested amniocentisis? Consider carefully if you want to have the procedure done as there are physical risks involved as well as complex emotional implications.
Second Trimester: Week 16
14 Weeks After Conception
Baby completely fills the uterus now. Lanugo, soft fuzz on your baby's body, begins to form this week. Your baby also has fingerprints! It's easy to tell if your baby is a boy or a girl now, and some mothers start to feel baby movements.
Your uterus will begin to rise up out of your pelvic cavity in the next month of so. If you'd feel more comfortable in them, you may want to get some maternity clothes now. You may feel the ligaments that support your uterus stretching some. If you feel any sharp pains or are worried about pain, call your care provider.
You may have been able to feel some flutters by now that you think are your baby's movements. This is called "quickening" and is one of the most exciting events of pregnancy. It becomes increasingly real to you that you're going to have a real live baby! Some women find it hard to see themselves holding a real baby until their baby is actually in their arms - and that's ok too.
You might be offered the triple screen, or Alpha Feta Protein test. This test can indicate that there is a potential for a problem with your child. However, there is a high rate of false positives and the test often brings unnecessary worries. Weigh your options carefully.
Your veins are pumping more blood and you may notice them more - they can form a beautiful pattern across your pregnant belly and breasts. Take the time to put your feet up eat day so that the pressure on the veins in your legs is relieved. If they begin to bulge, you may want to give them some support - bulging veins are called varicose veins.
Second Trimester: Week 17
15 Weeks After Conception
Your baby's weight is going to increase many times over in the next week or so, but he or she will still be very light. The structure of your baby's body is becoming more and more like that of a newborn, and the function is very similar.
The placenta and umbilical cord are providing outside support, but most of baby's internal structures are working like they will at birth. Your baby's umbilical cord has a lot of pressure going through it and is much like a water hose. The placenta is close to your baby's size this week, but baby will grow faster than the placenta from here out.
You will want to get into the habit of changing positions slowly. If you change positions too quickly it could cause dizziness or nausea. You can sip a tummy soothing tea if this happens (or if morning sickness is still bothering you.)
Make sure that you are still getting the rest that you need. The placenta is taking over hormone production from your body. This means that the hormones needed to sustain your pregnancy are not being produced by you - some researchers believe this is what causes morning sickness to let up.
You may be considering an amniocentesis in the next couple of weeks. The procedure has some risks to your baby and you will want to weigh the pros and the cons very carefully. Consider what your feelings about the results may be.
Feelings about prenatal tests can be very complex and nerve-wracking. Take the time to consider carefully what you will do, and make the right choice for you.
Second Trimester: Week 18
16 Weeks After Conception
Meconium is building up in your baby's intestines. It is a tarry waste material that builds in your baby's bowels while he or she is in the womb. After birth, this will be the first thing that your baby needs to clear.
Nursing right away and continuing to nurse frequently in the first few days after birth is the best way to help your baby clear the meconium - and the best way to establish a strong breastfeeding relationship for you and your child.
This week your baby's eyes and ears are moving to their proper positions. The pads on your baby's fingertips and toes are beginning to form, along with the finger and toe prints.
You might find that your pregnancy is becoming more and more real to you. It will probably be within the next few weeks that you feel your baby move. Are you thinking about what you'll need for baby yet? How about where your baby will sleep? A co-sleeper is a good way to keep your baby close to you in the early days.
If you've chosen to have an ultrasound you may see your baby on a monitor soon! It's normal to feel very excited about your pregnancy, and it is also normal to feel ambivalent.
If you are worried about a certain procedure or feeling you have, researching it may be the best thing you can do. Talk to your midwife or your doctor if you feel the need to. Never be afraid to ask for a second opinion on something you are not sure of.
Second Trimester: Week 19
17 Weeks After Conception
Your baby will increase in length to around 7-8 inches long in the next couple of weeks and continue the same rapid growth after that! If your baby is a girl, tiny egg cells will begin forming within her ovaries. Girls are born with all the eggs they will ever have. Your baby's placenta will continue to grow in diameter now, but it won't get any thicker.
Your weight gain will probably average about a pound a week. It might be uneven and come in spurts, but will come to around a pound a week. Don't get very hung up about your weight, however. All women are different. Continue the excellent prenatal nutrition you began in your first trimester. Eat the food you need, salt your food to taste, and drink plenty of water.
If you find yourself obsessing about your weight, stop weighing yourself - your baby needs your excellent nutrition. If you want to cut something out of your diet, cut out unhealthy foods. Take a good prenatal vitamin.
If you begin having a lot of swelling and suddenly gain a lot of weight, contact your care provider immediately - these are warning signs of pre-eclampsia. Remember excellent prenatal nutrition is a good way to ensure that you and your baby stay healthy.
You may be ready to start looking at maternity wear now. Many companies are making stylish maternity jeans made for early pregnancy. If you don't want maternity clothes yet stick with relaxed, breathable fabrics.
Second Trimester: Week 20
18 Weeks After Conception
Your baby will begin to grow eyebrows this week :) He or she is starting to store up some fat - called "brown fat." This fat is special. It keeps baby warm by providing insulation to the baby. This kind of fat is specialized to infants and most of it is gone by adulthood.
There is hair starting to grow on baby's head, and vernix is building up on the skin. Vernix is a thick creamy substance that will protect your baby's skin in the womb. Your baby's skin is separating into different layers. This is the layer that contains your baby's freckles, fingerprints, and any birthmarks he or she may come with!
Your baby girl's uterus will be fully formed this week. Your baby's bones will continue to harden, leading to stronger movements. Your uterus will continue to stretch as your baby grows.
The skin across your abdomen will also stretch - use a soothing oil if your skin begins to itch from the stretch.
You may be able to feel your baby moving this week if you haven't yet. Some moms describe the feeling as "flutters." Others say it feels like tiny bubbles popping inside them. You will be very excited no matter what it feels like to you! Some women don't feel their babies moving until later, it depends on each mother.
You might also be developing a linea nigra. This dark brown line of pigment runs down over the center of your abdomen. Some women have it go from bust to the bikini area, others have it shorter, and some have it all the way from their neck down. Some women don't have it at all.
Second Trimester: Week 21
19 Weeks After Conception
Your baby will begin to develop sleep habits. His or her sleeping or waking patterns are similar to what they will be as a newborn. You may notice your baby seems more active at night if you are able to feel your baby moving. As you move through the coming weeks and feel your baby more and more, you will pick up on his or her patterns.
Your baby's legs are close to the proportions they will be when he or she is born. The bones in baby's body are getting harder and baby is getting stronger this week. Baby can still move about in the amniotic fluid.
Your baby is practicing for digestion after birth. His or her digestive tract will begin making rhythmic "practice" movements as your baby's body gears up for the change that will occur in only a few short months! Read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding now to prepare for nourishing your baby with your own milk.
Your body is replacing the amniotic fluid frequently - every several hours. Your uterus is growing even more and you will be noticing more of a "baby belly." Your hair and nails may also be stronger. If you're over you morning sickness then you'll probably be enjoying the "pregnancy glow." Many women love the next few weeks of pregnancy. Continue to pamper yourself and your baby.
If you haven't already, now is the time to begin making plans for your baby's birth. You will probably want to have a natural birth to give your baby the most natural start. It's also very good for you! Taking the time to prepare yourself now will help make your natural birth a reality. Practice relaxation every day!
Second Trimester: Week 22
20 Weeks After Conception
Congratulations! This is a big week for you and your baby! You are at the half-way point to 40 weeks. Some babies will arrive before 40 weeks and some will delay. Good nutrition and excellent prenatal care are the best way to keep your baby in as long as he or she needs to grow optimally. Going past your due date is not a bad thing. 40 weeks is only an average!
Your baby's brain begins a rapid phase of growth this week that will continue through early childhood. Your baby is very thin right now, and in the next weeks and months will begin to increase brown fat production and develop more "padding." Your baby's hair is un-pigmented - it's completely white. Pigmentation will develop later.
Your baby boy's testes are descending into the scrotum this week. If you have chosen to find out your baby's gender, you will be able to tell by ultrasound by this week. In fact, you may have already found out.
Many couples enjoy the surprise of not knowing, and some babies are very shy in front of the ultrasound "camera." Ultrasound is a relatively new technology and has not been studied thoroughly for risks, so you may want to research it more in depth. You can have a healthy pregnancy and a natural birth without ever having had an ultrasound.
Continue to take time to put your feet up. Some minor swelling is normal during pregnancy and putting up your feet is the best way to relieve it. Don't stop drinking water to try to stop swelling - you need all the water you can get.
If your swelling is severe, call your health care provider. Salt your foods to taste and give your body time to rest. Go to the bathroom as often as you need to. A good prenatal yoga routine can help you keep your body flexible and everything moving as it should. Prenatal yoga is also very gentle on you.
Take the time to relax and pamper yourself - you deserve it. Kick those feet up, take a soak in a good warm (not too hot ;) bath. Drink plenty of water, eat well, and enjoy your pregnancy.
Second Trimester: Week 23
21 Weeks After Conception
The inside of your baby's ear is beginning to form, though it's not known if babies can interpret sounds that they hear at this point. Your baby is moving into a period of weight gain, and will double his or her weight within the next few weeks. The fat being stored now is still brown fat and it will pad your baby's neck, chest, and crotch areas.
Have you felt your baby move yet? These light first movements are called "quickening." With your baby's length and weight increasing rapidly in the second half of your pregnancy, your diet is still critical. Focus on a good protein intake. Many studies have shown that pregnant women must have a high protein diet - protein is what builds your baby.
If you have any concerns or special health issues that need to take diet into account, speak to an expert specializing in prenatal nutrition. Sadly, many doctors and some midwives brush off the importance of prenatal nutrition. But you know it's vital to you and to your baby eat well!
You might feel some aching or pelvic pain because of your growing uterus. Contact your care provider if anything concerns you, such as sharp pain that doesn't go away. You can expect some soreness and aches. You may also begin feeling some lower backache. Gentle exercise can really help this, especially prenatal yoga positions.
Second Trimester: Week 24
22 Weeks After Conception
Your baby is around 10 inches long and weighs about a pound now. He or she will get even longer by the end of this month. Your baby's skin is wrinkled right now, but throughout this month it will become smoother. A lot of the weight that your baby is putting on is from muscles and bones that are developing. Aside from the brown fat deposits, baby does not have much fat yet.
Your baby still has room to move around in flip in your uterus. He or she is working hard moving about each day and you may be recognizing a definite pattern of movement now. Does your baby respond to sound or touch? Some babies react more to loud sounds. Some become shy when other people touch your belly!
There's no evidence that your baby's behavior in utero will determine his or her behavior once he or she is born. So your little acrobat may actually be quite calm, or your sleepy little baby may keep you on your toes once born!
You may be worried about sex during pregnancy, especially now that your uterus is getting bigger. Sex is safe while you are pregnant, even in the second trimester and beyond. Unless your care provider tells you otherwise, enjoy it.
Some women find that they have an increased sex drive and for some women it is just the opposite. Ask your partner to work with you as you find positions that are enjoyable for both of you. If you feel that it would help, a gentle lubricant (I recommend Pre-Seed EX) may help.
Second Trimester: Week 25
23 Weeks After Conception
Your baby has been practicing reflex movements. You will be able to identify these after your baby is born. Some, like the "stepping" reflex are thought to help during the birth process. Your baby's fingernails and toenails are growing more this week. When your baby is born they will be quite long - your baby will probably need his or her nails clipped very soon after birth.
Someone else can possible hear your baby's heartbeat with an ear pressed against your abdomen. You can probably hear the heartbeat with a prenatal listener or a fetascope. It can be a peaceful, wonderful time to sit back and listen to your baby's heartbeat.
It is possible to rent hand-held Doppler units now, or even buy them, but remember that it is ultrasound technology and no real studies have been done to assess the effects of prolonged or frequent exposure. A prenatal listener or a fetascope (buy from a birth supply company, or ask your midwife where to get one) may be your best bet. You can often make recordings with a prenatal listener.
A pregnancy complaint that some women have is hemorrhoids. As with many things, diet can really help this. Eat good fiber rich foods, and be sure you're getting plenty of leafy greens. Enjoy at least eight glasses of water each day.
Getting moderate exercise every day also helps "keep things moving," which eases problems going to the bathroom. Hemorrhoids often form from excess straining when you need to go. Don't strain ' just relax. Ina May Gaskin's "Sphincter Law" works well for birth and going to the bathroom. It involves relaxing your jaw muscles. Do that and notice how your bottom muscles relax as well ;) A relaxed bottom is best for pooping and for birthing. Read more about the Sphincter Law in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. Elevating your feet on a little stool while you go to the bathroom can also help.
Second Trimester: Week 26
24 Weeks After Conception
Your baby's nostrils have been plugged, but they are starting to open now! Your baby will practice "breathing" through his or her newly opened nostrils. Your baby's lungs are also developing and tiny capillaries are forming within them and all over baby's body. Your baby's visual and auditory brain patterns are noticeable now, meaning that baby can possibly hear, and pick up some differing shades of light.
Change positions frequently throughout the day to ensure good blood circulation for yourself. Also be sure that you are resting as you need to throughout the day. A daily nap is a good habit to get in to. You may want to use your nap time to listen to a guided relaxation - if you're doing a birth hypnosis program, naptime will be a good time to practice along with your recordings.
If your care provider does it routinely, you may have to consider a gestational diabetes test within the next few weeks. Consider this test carefully as it is unpleasant and some care providers feel it's totally unnecessary. You will want to weigh the pros and cons of the test carefully before you make your decision about having the test done.
Second Trimester: Week 27
25 Weeks After Conception
Your baby's lungs are developing rapidly, but they are still not ready to breathe. Your baby's brain is also developing at a fast pace. The brain wave pattern of your baby's brain is very similar to what it will be when he or she is born, and sensory receptors are beginning to function more and more.
You're probably feeling your baby move very regularly now and have picked up on some of his or her activity patterns. Your care provider may want you to keep track of your baby's movements for a short period of time each day. This is called a "kick count" test, and it involves counting your baby's movements until you reach ten movements within a certain time period. If your baby "fails," you should go straight to a hospital. Some care providers do not feel that a kick count test is necessary.
All providers will tell you that if you haven't felt your baby move for quite awhile, you should be concerned. Drink or eat something energizing, such as orange juice or fresh fruit and lie down on your left side. If you don't feel any movement, go to the hospital Sometimes you may think your baby hasn't been moving, but he or she actually has been - you just didn't notice because you were busy. It's better to be safe than sorry if you are in doubt.
Babies born at this stage of fetal development have a slim chance at survival in this day and age. However, your baby is far better off inside you. Continue to take excellent care of yourself. Eat a wonderful diet and get mild exercise. Remaining healthy and active will make you feel great and is very good for your baby.
Second Trimester: Week 28
26 Weeks After Conception
Your little champ has a pretty strong grip by now. His or her muscles are getting even stronger. Your baby is also starting to improve at sucking and swallowing. Baby's eyes are starting to open now. Some researchers now believe that babies can open their eyes before this traditional mark (around six months or so). Your baby's eyes are going to be forming completely within the next few days.
Your baby's lungs are becoming capable at breathing air, making the chances of survival rise slightly. Your baby is now anywhere from 10-13 inches long and weighs around 1.5-2lbs.
Is your kicking baby keeping you up at night? Some people may tell you to get used to it ;) Your baby may be more active at night. This is common because baby is lulled to sleep while you are active during the day. Then when you become still at night, baby wakes up!
Enjoy those little midnight aerobic sessions, but get the rest that you need too. A good pregnancy pillow can help you get a good nights rest. Or use a lot of pillows behind your back, between your knees, or wherever you need to get comfortable. If you have trouble falling asleep, bedtime is an excellent time to try some guided relaxations - you might also try a warm soak in the tub, or a soothing herbal foot bath before climbing into the bed.
Your belly is growing at this point and your skin may be starting to get get itchy. This is because of all the stretching that it's doing to accommodate your growing baby (you can try a stretch oil to ease the itch. You may also be going to the bathroom pretty often. Unfortunately this problem will probably only become more apparent as your baby gets bigger and your uterus really starts to push down over your bladder. If you notice that you have a little leakage when you bend over, cough, or laugh, step up your kegel routine to strengthen those pelvic floor muscles!
Congratulations, you've reached the end of your second trimester! You're ready to move into the third trimester and you're beginning to think more and more about labor and birth, and about preparing for your baby. Move into the third trimester to find out what is going on with your baby and your body.