Navigating Your Second Trimester

Congratulations—you’re in the second trimester! This trimester lasts from 13-27 weeks. Many people say this is their easiest period of pregnancy, since their nausea tends to fade and they feel more energy returning. 

What to Expect this Trimester:

• Anatomy scan: Around twenty weeks, you’ll have a long ultrasound called the anatomy scan to make sure you and the baby are healthy, according to Cleveland Clinic. Your ultrasound tech will check the baby’s limbs, brain, heart, and other organs and structures. They will measure the baby to make sure he or she is developing properly. And most exciting—you will be able to see the sex of your baby!
• Screenings: You’ll be screened for gestational diabetes, Rh factor, complete blood count, and rescreening of syphilis.
• First kicks: You will start to feel your baby move around 18-20 weeks! You will feel fluttery movements low in your abdomen first. Your practitioner will tell you to start monitoring movements–also called counting kicks–to make sure your baby is doing well.

Your Body Changes: 

• According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, your uterus will grow to the height of your belly button by twenty weeks. You should start showing by this time!
• The skin on your belly may start to itch as the skin stretches.
• You might experience pain at the sides of your stomach–this is caused by round ligaments stretching as they support the uterus.
• Your gums may bleed easily due to the increase of hormones in the mucous membranes in your mouth. It’s important to keep brushing your teeth and flossing to keep your teeth and gums healthy!
• You might start seeing varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
• You should experience white discharge called leukorrhea. (If you see colored or bloody discharge, this might mean complications and you should check with your doctor.)
• Weight gain might make your back ache.

Baby Development:

• Your baby’s eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows, hair, and nails have developed!
• He or she can stretch, make faces, and suck a thumb by now.
• Your baby will begin to hear your voice near the end of the second trimester. According to the Mayo Clinic, he or she might start recognizing and responding with movement to your voice!
• Your baby’s fingerprints and footprints form.
• Your baby’s lungs are developing!

The second trimester is exciting and rewarding as you start feeling a connection with your baby. At the same time, you might experience anxiety as birth approaches. If you’re in need of support, we at The Pregnancy Network can provide you with free medical services, resources, and education. You can make a totally free appointment here.