Second trimester of pregnancy – Week by Week

The second trimester of pregnancy starts from week 13 and ends at week 26. This is the middle phase of pregnancy. Actually this phase is the most enjoyable phase in pregnancy as there would be a welcome relief from early symptoms, you may start seeing your baby bump and feel your baby moving inside you.

Let us know what happens in you and your baby during second trimester week by week.

What happens in you?

Week 13 and Week 14

Week 13 marks the beginning of the second trimester. Your baby is now started to swallow amniotic fluid and excretes urine. The biological sex of the fetus can be seen through ultrasound but determination of the sex of the unborn baby has been outlawed in India. The baby is ours whatever the gender is. Cheers!

By week 14, your baby grow hair follicles and those eyebrows, are filing in too. The hair growth does not only limit to baby’s head, Lanugo (a downy coating of hair) is developed to provide warmth for the baby inside womb.

You may experience less morning sickness and fewer trips to pee. Your breast aren’t quite tender as the last trimester.

It may be the time to hit maternity boutiques

Week 15 and 16

At week 15, you likely have more energy and a lot less nausea. Your little baby is growing, maturing and measures 4 inches. By this week, your baby weighs 4 ounces. Now, the ears are positioned on the sides of the head and their hearing is developing. Babies work on breathing, sucking and swallowing inside the womb. They also do kicking, curling toes and moving those little arms and legs but they are little just in ounces, you may not feel their movement yet.

At week 16, your baby’s backbone and tiny muscles are gaining strength. Now, your baby’s beautiful eyes are working too, making small side-to-side movements and perceiving light, although their eyelids are closed.

You may be at the stage where your bump is shown clearly holding a baby in there. Believe it or not, all the baby bumps are different and it is normal. Some women may not have pronounced bumps at 16 weeks too. Some pregnant moms do experience bleeding gums, so it is recommended to have a dental care during pregnancy.

You’re likely enjoying the bliss of second trimester and you will be able to enjoy seeing more of your baby at your ultrasound in few weeks.

Week 17 and Week 18

Week 17 could be a wind of those funny feelings in your belly. Might be your little baby is moving! Within the next week or so, the pads on your baby’s fingers and toes will be adorned with completely individual swirls and creases. Yes! Those fingerprints are finally made.

Your baby’s nervous system is maturing rapidly when you’re 18 weeks pregnant. The network of nerves are now covered with the substance called myelin which plays role in passing messages nerve cell to nerve cell. Further the brain cells are developed to serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing.

Your baby is growing more acute and can finally fully hear you this week

Your baby and uterus are growing rapidly. But do remember that every woman is different and every pregnancy is different. So, it is not necessary to be concern on size of your baby bump. Your growing uterus shifts your center of gravity which means your lower back is pulled forward while your belly peeps out. So, there is a chance to experience a little of back ache.

Week 19 and Week 20

With 19 weeks down, now you are entering into month 5. Your little one may have a cheesy varnish – a protective substance called Vernix which covers your fetus skin. Vernix actually protects your baby’s sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid.

20 weeks along, the halfway through your pregnancy. Your baby’s lungs are developing more this week. Start feeling your baby’s punches and kicks this week. But it could even take little longer for some women. Your little baby is 10 ounces now. By this week your baby will allow you to feel acrobatics.

The most important ultrasound scan called anomaly scan usually scheduled for anytime between 18 and 22 weeks. You’ll get to know a detailed sneak peek at your baby’s major organs and made measurements to examine their growth.

Week 21 and Week 22

Your baby at 21 weeks has more control over limb movements, and that is why you might be feelng more kicks and stretches. There’s plenty of space for twisting, turning and even a somersault. Your baby might be starting to leave the mark in your belly in the form of stretch marks. It’s not only your belly marks; you find it all over your thighs, butt, hips and breasts. The other symptoms at 21 weeks of pregnancy are increased appetite, bloating, backaches, bleeding gums, fast growing nails.

By week 22, your baby’s grip, vision and hearing are getting stronger now. Since there’s nothing inside to grab, your baby might hold on tight to the umbilical cord. Your fetus can now perceive light and dark even with the fused eyelids. Your baby can hear your voice, your heartbeat, your gurgling stomach and the whoosh of blood circulating in your body. You may be noticing more changes in your body like a protruding navel and possibly even slightly bigger feet which are because of all those hormones and pregnancy swelling (edema). The symptoms at week 22 of pregnancy other than stretch marks and protruding navel are heartburn or indigestion, constipation, faintness or dizziness, leg cramps.

Week 23 and Week 24

Beginning this week, get ready for a major growth spurt, your baby will likely double in size over the next month or so. You may start to experience foggy and hazy feeling. Other symptoms like fetal activity, hearty appetite, bloating, snoring, bleeding gums and tingling hands also joins to it. Baby’s organs and bones are visible through the skin. It becomes less transparent once fat deposit gets settled in.

At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby’s facial features are becoming more defined. Tiny little face is completely formed with eyelashes, eyebrows and hair. Now your baby will be able to hear all kinds of sounds like air exhaling from your lungs, deep breath, gastric gurgles produced by your stomach and intestines, your voice and your partner’s and even loud sounds as honking horns, barking dogs or a waiting fire truck. The symptoms like constipation, lower abdominal achiness, blurred vision, headache, leg cramps, swollen feet and ankles may be experienced.

Get ready for glucose screening which would be scheduled between 24 and 28 weeks. If your blood sugar levels show that you have gestational diabetes which is a temporary condition during pregnancy, You’ll likely have to modify your diet, monitor your blood sugar regularly at home and possibly increase your activity level.

Week 25 and Week 26

By week 25, your baby’s nose and lungs are becoming more functional in the preparation for life outside. Yes! Your baby’s lungs are gearing up to breathe. Blood vessels will also develop in the baby’s lungs, bringing them one step closer to full maturity. For some women, constipation can aggravate haemorrhoids( a form of varicose veins downright painful and even cause rectal bleeding. They aren’t dangerous. The best bet at prevention is to increase your fluid and fiber intake. Doing pelvic floor exercises also helps. Some may have Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction(SPD).

At week 26, your baby’s beautiful eyes may open this week. Right now, the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, still doesn’t have pigmentation. Your baby’s brain-wave activity is gearing up at this stage which means your little one can not only hear the external noises but can also respond to them now. You may be struggling more with pregnancy insomnia and clumsiness as your tummy continuous to grow.

The Takeaway

Second trimester is the most relaxed and enjoyable stage of pregnancy. Never miss to enjoy shopping your maternity clothes, enjoy your baby’s movements and start experiencing the responses from your baby. You can begin prenatal exercise classes. Rest and relax – go full force before meeting your little one.