WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

The Main Milestones in the 2nd Trimester

Pregnancy
Pregnancy week by week
The Main Milestones in the 2nd Trimester
The second trimester of pregnancy, spanning weeks 13 to 26, is often considered the 'honeymoon' period for many expectant mothers.
This phase is marked by significant developmental milestones for the fetus and notable changes for the mother.
Fetal Development in the Second Trimester
During this trimester, the fetus undergoes rapid growth and development.
  • Weeks 13-16: The fetus begins to use muscles; facial features become more defined. The sex of the baby can often be identified during this period.
  • Weeks 17-20: The fetus starts to develop a regular sleep-wake cycle. Mothers may begin to feel fetal movements, commonly referred to as 'quickening'.
  • Weeks 21-24: The fetus's skin is still translucent but is developing rapidly. The lungs are developing surfactant, crucial for breathing outside the womb.
  • Weeks 25-26: The fetus continues to grow in size and strength
. Hair begins to grow on the head, and the body begins to store fat.
Physical Changes for the Mother
The second trimester brings noticeable changes and symptoms for the mother.
  • Decrease in Morning Sickness: Many women find that nausea and vomiting decrease or even disappear.
  • Growing Belly and Breasts: The abdomen continues to expand as the baby grows, and breast tenderness may continue.
  • Feeling the Baby Move: Initially felt as fluttering movements, these become more distinct as kicks and nudges.
  • Skin Changes: Some women experience the "pregnancy glow," while others may develop stretch marks or the "linea nigra," a dark line running down the abdomen.
Important Health and Wellness Considerations
Maintaining health and wellness is crucial during this stage.
  • Regular Prenatal Visits: Monitoring the health of both mother and baby is essential.
  • Nutritional Needs: Adequate nutrition, including increased calcium, iron, and protein intake, supports fetal growth and maternal health.
  • Exercise: Moderate exercise, as recommended by a healthcare provider, can help with overall health and prepare the body for childbirth.
  • Emotional Well-being: Emotional changes are common, and it's important to seek support as needed.
Preparing for the Baby
The second trimester is an ideal time for expectant parents to start preparing for the baby's arrival.
  • Planning and Organizing: This can include setting up a nursery, purchasing baby essentials, and starting to think about childbirth and parenting classes.
  • Educational Resources: Reading books about childbirth and parenting, and joining prenatal classes can be beneficial.
Ultrasound Scans and Anomaly Screenings
During the second trimester, important scans and screenings are conducted.
  • Anatomy Scan (18-22 weeks): This detailed ultrasound checks the baby’s growth and development. It can identify most physical abnormalities and confirm the number of fetuses.
  • Gestational Diabetes Screening: Typically done between 24-28 weeks, this test checks for gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy.
The second trimester is a period of significant growth and development for both the fetus and the mother.
It's a time of physical changes, emotional adjustments, and increasing anticipation.
Understanding these milestones and maintaining good health and wellness practices are key to a healthy pregnancy.
Find out more
The Second Trimester Ultrasound Scoop
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My Second Trimester Medical Follow-Up
3 min read
T
T’Yandra
22 Nov 2023

Will be begin 2nd trimester in exactly 2 weeks. Appt with NIPT test is in 6 days 🤎 Thank you God

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
8 comments
G
Georgia
When’s your due date? I turn 11 weeks tomorrow and on December 4 I go in for my 12 weeks appt and will get gender testing done as well among other blood tests 🙏🏼💓🥰
27 Mar 2024

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V
Vanessa
Same when is ur due date mines on June 5 .so excited
27 Mar 2024

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L
Ledeja
4 Sep 2023

Had to go to the er lastnight with my boyfriend because i started bleeding 🙏🏾thank god baby is fine , bleeding was cause by something called a subchronionic hematoma but should resolve in a couple weeks or right before my 2nd trimester. 2nd trimester begins in 1 week 1 day 😊😊we got this 💪🏾

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
3 comments
R
Rahdearra Johnson
Y’all got this for sure! I had one my entire first trimester with my first pregnancy and it went away during my second trimester thank G*d because that bleeding was worrisome. Baby was always safe and healthy. Had a healthy rest of pregnancy, labor and delivery and baby. Now on this one no sign of a hemorrhage at all❤️. Praying for you and baby mama🙏🏾❤️
27 Mar 2024

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L
Ledeja
Thank you so much for the reassurance becauee i most definitely was panicking but my boyfriend was calming me down to let me know things will be fine and it was 😭😭 i hope that mines go away in my second trimester also 🙏🏾god got us
27 Mar 2024

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E
Elizabeth
15 Aug 2023

Officially in the 2nd trimester! 🎉 🥰 🌈 Plus I got my NIPT test results back, IT’S A GIRL!! Over the moon excited! #growbabybirlgrow

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
6 comments
S
Salina
🥳 🎉🥰
27 Mar 2024

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C
Carina
Yes team girl!!! 💕🌸💕🌸
27 Mar 2024

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M
Mariah
9 Aug 2023

1 more month till I’m in my 2nd trimester 🤞🤞🤞please be a sticky baby this time ❤️❤️🤞🤞🤞

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
3 comments
G
Gabriela
Same here girl!!! I’m a week behind you ❤️🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
27 Mar 2024

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M
Mariah
Hopefully it goes by fast for the both of us!
27 Mar 2024

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C
CjaeW
7 Aug 2023

I’m definitely sleeping more in the 2nd trimester than I did in the first and it’s kinda annoying! 😩😩😩 #stickbaby #stickybaby #rainbowbaby #pleasestay #weloveyoualready

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
3 comments
J
Jessii
Girl me toooooo
27 Mar 2024

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M
Maya
Please tell me it isn’t so 🤦🏾‍♀️. I’m praying it lightens up for me, I sleep so much.
27 Mar 2024

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S
Shelly
24 May 2023

Nugget heart beat is 164 😍 awwwww i almost cried!!! I’ll be in my 2nd trimester tomorrow 🥹🤗🥳

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
11 comments
H
Heather
Mine was between 155-160
27 Mar 2024

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H
Heather
So idk if I’m having a boy or a girl
27 Mar 2024

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S
Sarah
13 Apr 2023

Did anyone start going to the gym (treadmill and bikes) in 2nd trimester ? I’m starting now at 22weeks

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
3 comments
A
Amber
Be careful on treadmills and bikes because u can fall hard boo. But I did YouTube walking videos the 20min ones they were good. ☺️
27 Mar 2024

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N
Nicole
23 Dec 2022

Has anyone gotten a tooth pulled while in their 2nd trimester? #19 weeks #worried

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
3 comments
C
Cee
I’m supposed to be getting one pulled Tuesday , and wondered the same thing
27 Mar 2024

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S
Sariah & BabyTurtle 💕👣🤰🏽
Following because I need one pulled asap
27 Mar 2024

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A
Aireonna
21 Aug 2022

Finally getting my energy and moving into my 2nd trimester… the 1st trimester has been the worse! #2nd&lastbaby 💙 (hoping for a boy)

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
2 comments
M
Melissa
your so pretty
27 Mar 2024

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A
Aireonna
Thank you beautiful 💓
27 Mar 2024

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S
Sequoia
13 Jul 2022

This is my 3rd pregnancy. I never experienced this much morning sickness in my 2nd trimester #25weeks

Pregnancy Pregnancy week by week
2 comments
c
cricket 😊
I feel ya and this is only my second pregnancy
27 Mar 2024

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A
Alana
This is my fourth and I do feel nauseous some days but def more then any of my other pregnancies.
27 Mar 2024

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