Second Trimester – A Quick Look

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The second trimester officially starts on week 14, when the fetus is 12 weeks old (for more on how pregnancy calendars work, click here). During the second trimester your baby grows from being about as tall as your thumb to weighing more than a pound! You’ll go from being able to wear the looser clothes in your regular wardrobe to needing actual maternity clothes. And you’ll start to feel movement (if you haven’t already).

Month
You
Baby
3For most women, the second trimester means less nausea, fewer bathroom trips and more energy.

Because the risk of miscarriage is now so much lower, this is the month most parents-to-be start spreading the news.

If you haven’t already, you may start to notice your hair is thicker and grows faster.

Stop lights, at the movies, at work– it’s never a bad time to Kegel. And yes, you can have sex while you’re pregnant (unless your doctor advises you not to, of course).

Most health care providers will schedule you for a level two ultrasound between weeks 18 and 22.
With 27 weeks until your due date, your baby is about 3 1/2 inches long — about the size of your fist– and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. Hair begins growing on her head this month and teeth have formed in her gums.

Fetus, 14 weeks

4If you haven’t already, you will start feeling movement this month! The baby has been moving all along, but you’ll finally be able to feel the kicks because her bones are hardening.

Many health care providers schedule a level-two ultrasound between week 18-22.

Hot 2nd-trimester trend: a gender-reveal party.
This month baby’s sense of taste develops and her eyes start moving. If you’re having a girl she’ll start developing the eggs of your future grandchildren in her ovaries.
5The days of sleeping on your stomach or back have come to an end. Prop yourself on your side with a body pillow, or a bunch of firm smaller pillows.
Though you will certainly see a bump below your belly button, if you wear loose-fitting clothes other people may not be able to tell that you’re pregnant.

You may start to feel Braxton-Hicks contractions: your uterus will get hard as a rock for less than a minute, then relax again.
By the end of this month your baby will weigh more than a pound and be about the size of a football.

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