Maternity – Second Trimester
The second trimester lasts from weeks 14 through the end of week 27. This time will bring, most likely, a welcome relief from early pregnancy symptoms for you.
Second-trimester checklist
- Ask your doctor about the multiple marker test.
- Create your birth plan.
- Be ready with a work plan for maternity leave.
- Decide if you would like to find out your baby’s gender.
- Take a tour, in person or virtually, of the hospital where you will deliver.
- Pre-register with your hospital.
- Start reading up on baby care now.
- Sign up for a childbirth class.
- Start shopping for nursery items.
- Create your baby registry.
- Shop for maternity clothes.
- Look into childcare.
- Begin sleeping on your side.
- Do Kegel exercises.
- Think of baby names.
Typical pregnancy symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tender breasts
- Mood swings
- Heartburn
- Bloating and gas
- Congestion
- Faintness or dizziness
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Metallic taste
- Food aversions
- Headaches
- Mild swelling of ankles and feet
- Sensitive gums
- Leg cramps
- Achiness in the lower abdomen
- Varicose veins
Reasons to call your doctor
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Sudden thirst
- Painful urination
- Fever over 101.5, chills and/or backache
- Extreme fatigue and snoring
- Severe puffiness in hands/face
- Vision disturbances
What’s happening with mom
Month 4: You start to show! Your nipples start to darken and the line running from your navel to your pubic hair may darken (linea nigra). The next few months are usually some of the easiest in pregnancy because the early discomforts have disappeared. You should begin feeling the baby move.
Month 5: Your uterus has now expanded to reach the height of your navel, and the skin of your abdomen stretches. You should feel your baby moving by now.
Month 6: You will begin your period of greatest weight gain. You may experience a stitch-like pain at times down the side of your abdomen as the uterine muscle stretches.
What’s happening with baby
Month 4: Your baby is very active. The fetus moves, kicks, sleeps and wakes, swallows, can hear and can pass urine. The skin is pink and transparent, eyebrows have formed, and hair is continuing to grow on the head.
Length: 6–7 inches
Weight: 5 ounces
Your baby is the size of an avocado.
Month 5: Your baby has a real growth spurt. Internal organs are maturing. The fetus sleeps and wakes at regular intervals and is much more active.
Length: 8–12 inches
Weight: 1/2 to 1 pound
Your baby is the size of a banana.
Month 6: The fetus is still growing rapidly, and organs are still developing. The skin is wrinkled and red and covered with fine, soft hair. Lungs are still not developed fully. If born at this stage the baby would need highly specialized care.
Length: 11–14 inches
Weight: 1–1 1/2 pounds
Your baby is the size of a lime or a mango.