Second Trimester
(14-26 Weeks)
The second trimester of pregnancy is often referred to as the “honeymoon period” because many women experience relief from the more challenging sensations of the first trimester.
During this time, nausea and fatigue may diminish, and energy levels generally increase. Many women will see a baby bump, have a “pregnancy glow,” and feel some baby movement begin.
By now your baby has developed all its major organs and systems, and begins to grow in size. Your health care provider can produce full anatomy sonogram images of your baby and give you the opportunity to find out if your baby is a boy or a girl.
What can I expect?
You might notice that symptoms like nausea are going away, and other new changes to your body are happening. You may be able to see your baby bump now, and some mothers observe their skin having a radiant “pregnancy glow.”
These physical changes might be accompanied by weight gain and swelling in other parts of the body as your baby grows bigger. You might start wearing maternity clothes towards the end of 25 weeks and begin to notice stretch marks on your stomach, hips and thighs, and breasts. Sometimes these lines diminish after pregnancy and sometimes they do not, so talk to your health care provider about self-care options.
You may also notice a dark line developing down the center of your abdomen. This is called the linea nigra and it fades after pregnancy has ended. Your areolas, the dark skin around your nipples, will also darken. This dark skin is there to help guide your baby to your breasts to breastfeed. Some women may start to leak a few drops of colostrum, or first milk, from their breast as early as the second trimester, but it’s more common during the final weeks of pregnancy. You will feel your baby begin moving for the first time before this trimester is complete.
Talking to Your Doctor
Prenatal visits during the second trimester are highly encouraged for monitoring the health and well-being of both a mother and her developing baby. These appointments provide an opportunity for a health care provider to assess the progression of your pregnancy.
During your second trimester, your prenatal visit may include routine screening for high blood pressure. When you are pregnant, high blood pressure increases your chance of having complications during your pregnancy, including a condition called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure.
Be sure to mention any signs or symptoms that concern you to your health care provider. Having an open dialogue with your health care provider is important for you and your baby’s overall health.
In addition to having your own health care team, now is the time to begin searching for your child’s health care provider and establish a relationship before your baby is born. Ask your health care provider, friends, and family for recommendations.
Second Trimester Checklist
- Continue going to prenatal appointments every few weeks and discuss any concerns you may with your provider, family, and friends.
- Schedule the ultrasound (usually around 20 weeks, and decide if you want to find out the sex of your baby).
- Complete any additional screenings, such as glucose testing for gestational diabetes (usually around 24–28 weeks), and make sure to get regular dental cleanings, as pregnancy can increase the risk of gum disease.
- Continue to regularly take your prenatal vitamins, eat healthy foods, and practice moderate exercising, like walking and prenatal yoga. Consider pelvic floor exercises to prepare for delivery.
- Find fun ways to announce the gender of your baby with family and friends.
- Start your baby name list and begin narrowing down options!
- Begin preparing your baby registry with in-store or online registries. Get help to begin generating ideas by reading our registry checklist. Remember that some health insurers provide free breast pumps, and local Healthy Start Coalitions and other organizations may be able to connect you with diapers, sleep sacks, and other baby essentials, depending on your needs.
- Educate yourself about preparing for labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and the urgent maternal warning signs that can happen throughout pregnancy. Enroll in a childbirth or baby care class through your hospital, birthing center, County Health Department, Pregnancy Resource Center, or local Healthy Start Coalition.
- Decide if you plan to hire a doula to support you through the remainder of pregnancy and delivery, and begin developing your birth plan and exploring your desired birth setting preferences.
- Begin planning for your baby shower (usually celebrated during the third trimester).
- It’s never too early to choose a child care provider to care for your baby when/if you go back to work based on your employer’s maternity leave offering. Visit a provider’s location and enroll or get on a waitlist as soon as possible.
- If you plan to take a “babymoon,” plan your location and start booking your travel. Talk with your health care provider about how and when to safely travel during your pregnancy.
This checklist is a starting point to help you navigate the first stage of this exciting time. Talk with your health care provider, family, and friends to help guide and support you. Florida’s Hope Navigators can help you find guidance and support from basic needs to education and employment. Learn more about additional available resources to help you during pregnancy.
Month 4
Your baby can suck their thumb, yawn, stretch, and make faces.
Month 5
You may begin to feel your baby move – they are developing muscles and exercising them.
Month 6
Your baby now has a unique set of fingerprints. You may start to notice them hiccup.
