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Second Trimester of Pregnancy
Second Trimester of Pregnancy
Photo by @tiffe626

Second Trimester of Pregnancy

More energy, bigger appetite, feeling baby kick and more. Here's what's happening during the second trimester.

author-Amylia Ryan
By Amylia Ryan
Fact Checked by Jen LaBracio, CPST
Updated On
Updated On
Our editors independently test and curate products. If you make a purchase via our links we may earn a commission.
Photo by @tiffe626

In This Article

How Long Is the Second Trimester?
Your Baby In the Second Trimester
Your Body In the Second Trimester
Second Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms
Heartburn
Feeling your baby move
Leg cramps during pregnancy
Skin changes
Top Tip for the Second Trimester
✅ Second Trimester Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions About the Second Trimester of Pregnancy
Recommended Products for the Second Trimester

You made it through the first trimester! For most people, this means you should see an end to the extreme fatigue and morning sickness that made those first weeks tough. You’ll probably feel more energetic, so it’s a great time to get some pregnancy-safe exercise and start curating your registry.

Just like with the first trimester, this one also has some big milestones: your belly will start to show a little more, you’ll have baby’s anatomy scan around week 20, you’re able to find out baby’s sex (if you want to) and you’ll finally feel baby move for the first time.

Here’s what all to expect during your second trimester (and remember to check out our full breakdown of weekly developments and milestones in our pregnancy week by week pages).

How Long Is the Second Trimester?

The second trimester runs from week 13 to week 27, which corresponds to months four, five and six of pregnancy. 

Your Baby In the Second Trimester

Your baby is going to make the biggest leap in size during this trimester, starting at around two inches long and weighing less than an ounce at week 13 and ending close to nine inches long (measured crown to rump) and weighing almost two pounds by week 27. 

In the second trimester, your baby’s organs are well formed, the brain is rapidly developing, they’re gaining all that cute baby fat and practicing lots of bodily functions and movements. Here’s what else is going on:

  • Weeks 13–14: Now that baby’s kidneys are fully functioning, baby is consistently swallowing amniotic fluid, processing it through their kidneys, peeing it out and then starting the cycle over again, all to practice the digestive process.

  • Week 15: Baby can hear you now! Talk to them and play gentle music to help those earliest stages of language development.

  • Week 16: The umbilical cord is fully developed and will remain baby’s source of nutrients and oxygen (as well as what carries out any waste) until they’re born.

  • Weeks 17–18: Baby’s skeletal structure, which started out as soft cartilage, is now almost completely hardened into actual bone.

  • Week 19: A soft coating of hair called lanugo now covers your baby, which protects their delicate skin while in the womb. Baby’s facial features are also distinct now, and you may be able to see their tiny face at your next ultrasound.

  • Week 20: The halfway point! The anatomy ultrasound gives a close-up of their organs (all major ones are now fully formed and functioning), and you can likely determine baby’s sex just by looking. They’re also producing meconium, their first poop.

  • Weeks 21-22: Baby is moving around and kicking about 50 times per hour—you likely won’t feel all of them, but you’ll start to feel some light jabs right around now.

  • Weeks 23-24: Baby’s skin is still translucent and their eyelashes and eyebrows are white, but pigment will start to develop in the coming weeks.

  • Weeks 25–27: Brain development ramps up. Baby starts to develop regular sleep cycles (which may not coincide with yours), and they can finally open their eyes. And along with all those other little kicks and bumps, you may start to feel baby’s first hiccups!

Your Body In the Second Trimester

Just as your baby is growing rapidly on the inside, your body is starting to show it on the outside. As your uterus expands to make room for your growing baby, your bump will be more noticeable—most people start to show between week 16 and week 20. If you haven’t yet, this might be a good time to get some maternity clothes (especially leggings and pants) to help you feel more comfortable.

Along with your belly, your breasts may also continue to grow a bit like they did in the first trimester. These physical changes may affect your posture as your lower back and hips try to make up for your shifting center of gravity, so this is a good time to invest in a supportive belly band (before you get even bigger in the third trimester).

But most people’s favorite part of the second trimester isn’t the growth; it’s what’s known as the “honeymoon period.” Those first trimester symptoms of nausea and fatigue ease up, making way for your energy and appetite to increase and you finally start to feel a little more like yourself again.

Your healthcare provider will continue to keep an eye on your weight and blood pressure, and they’ll start to measure baby’s growth by fundal height (the length of your belly from the top of your uterus to your pubic bone). And sometime around week 24, you’ll have a glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes.

Second Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms

Heartburn

The good news is that the nausea of your first trimester has probably passed. The bad news? Up to 80% of pregnant women experience heartburn during the second and third trimesters.

Heartburn during pregnancy can happen for a couple of reasons: hormones and lack of space. “Rapidly changing hormones can contribute to increased laxity of the esophageal sphincter, which essentially acts as a barrier between the esophagus and the stomach,” says Dr. Rachel Low, a specialist in fertility and pregnancy support. “However, when the sphincter relaxes, stomach acid can creep up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.”

You may get a brief break from heartburn for a few weeks in the second trimester as your body’s production of relaxin settles down, but don’t be surprised if it comes back toward the end of this trimester as baby gets bigger. “This is due to the physical changes that are going on as the uterus enlarges and the other organs within the abdomen begin to shift upward, creating pressure,” Dr. Low says.

If you’re suffering, here are some ways to relieve the discomfort:

  • Watch what you eat. Avoid highly acidic foods, fried foods and spicy foods. Bland is your friend when trying to keep your stomach acid down.

  • Watch when you eat. You’re already limited on space with a growing baby; don’t limit it more with large meals. Instead, eat four to six smaller meals per day, and wait at least 30 minutes after eating before laying down, Dr. Low says.

  • Drink low-fat milk. “Milk is naturally alkaline, meaning it can help decrease the effects of excess acid and soothe the symptoms of heartburn,” says ob-gyn Dr. Kelli Burroughs. She specifically recommends opting for low-fat or skim milk, as milk with higher fat content can actually make heartburn worse, she says.

  • Talk to your doctor. If your heartburn is severe or doesn’t seem to be improving with diet and lifestyle changes, ask your provider about over-the-counter or prescription meds that could help.

Feeling your baby move

Between week 18 and week 25 (or potentially even earlier, if you’ve been pregnant before), you may start to feel your baby moving. It’s an exciting moment, but it can also catch you off guard if you don’t know what it is. 

Baby’s movements typically feel like a light fluttering at first, known as “quickening,” but eventually you’ll feel all kinds of kicks, jabs and somersaults from your growing baby. As you get later in your second trimester, others may be able to feel baby moving around in there too just by placing their hand on your belly. You may even be able to see baby’s movements, like a rolling wave across your belly or a tiny bump as baby presses a foot into the front of your uterus.

Leg cramps during pregnancy

You may start experiencing leg cramps during your second trimester, particularly when you’re sleeping, thanks to pregnancy weight gain, swelling and changes to your circulation that make it hard for your blood to get from your legs to your heart.

While they’re super annoying and can disrupt your sleep, these leg cramps typically aren’t serious. Drink water, stretch throughout the day and make sure you’re regularly getting some pregnancy-friendly exercise (with your doctor’s okay). Compression socks or stockings can also help get your blood flowing, particularly if you’ve got some swelling in your ankles or if you’re flying.

Anecdotally, some parents swear by bananas (thanks to the potassium) as a preventative measure. Or if you have an active leg cramp, try your best to walk around in order to work the kinks out of your muscles.

Skin changes

Nearly every part of your body can be affected by pregnancy—including your skin. As your belly expands during your second trimester, you might notice stretch marks developing around your midsection. They might also appear on your butt, thighs, breasts and all the other areas that stretch to accommodate pregnancy. Stretch marks will usually start out fairly visible, ranging from dark brown to pink, and though they’ll eventually fade to a more silvery tone, they’ll never completely go away, says ob-gyn Dr. Nateya Carrington.

Not everyone gets stretch marks, and you can’t really do anything to prevent them from happening. You’ll see a lot of stretch marks creams on the market, but they haven’t been proven to do anything to reduce them or stop them in the first place, Dr. Carrington says.

Other skin changes caused by pregnancy include increased sensitivity, dryness and dark spots, says dermatologist Dr. Lisa Zhang. She recommends sticking to gentle lotions that are free from fragrances and harsh chemicals, since your skin might be more easily irritated during pregnancy. 

If you notice new dark spots (that aren’t moles), Dr. Zhang says that it’s likely melasma, a common pregnancy skin condition caused by an increase in melanin. Consistent use of sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every time you’re outdoors can limit melasma from occurring, Dr. Zhang says. If you experience any skin darkening, it’ll likely go away on its own soon after your baby is born, though it may take a few months to fully disappear.

Top Tip for the Second Trimester

Enjoy this phase if you can—it’s often the most comfortable part of pregnancy, compared to the first and third trimesters. Take advantage of your renewed energy to build your baby registry, plan your nursery or take a babymoon. Just remember to continue to rest when you need to and listen to your body’s cues.

✅ Second Trimester Checklist

Download this checklist here!

Second Trimester Pregnancy Checklist

  • Schedule your 20 week ultrasound (and decide if you want to find out your baby’s sex).
  • Make your pregnancy announcement to friends, family or on social media if you haven’t already (and if you want to).
  • Start your baby registry. This is a great time to research and add the essentials and bigger gear like a car seat and stroller.
  • Get gentle, pregnancy-friendly exercise on a regular basis (with your doctor’s permission). Walking and prenatal yoga can ease aches and boost energy.
  • Make your list of baby names. Narrow it down—or don’t! It’s fun to see what sticks over time.
  • Baby shower time is quickly approaching. First steps: figure out who is going to host and where, set a budget and pick a date.
  • Make your gestational diabetes lab appointment for 24–28 weeks (remember you have to wait 1-3 hours at the lab).
  • Check with your insurance about getting a free breast pump. Many plans cover one at no cost—sometimes you can order early.
  • Think about your birth team. If you’re considering a doula, now’s the time to interview and hire one.
  • Plan your babymoon. The second trimester is the perfect window to travel before you get too far along.
  • Start sleeping on your side. It’s the comfiest (and healthiest) position as your belly grows.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

What should I eat during pregnancy (and what should I avoid)?

Now that your appetite is hopefully back, you’ll want to make sure you’re eating healthy and getting the nutrients you and your baby need. The amount of calories you should aim for depends on your pre-pregnancy weight, how much weight you’ve gained during pregnancy and what trimester you’re in, says registered dietitian Lyndsay Hall. In general, Hall says, you can aim to add the caloric equivalent of one additional snack or small meal.

The foods she recommends getting more of while pregnant are things high in:

  • Calcium: dairy and dark, leafy greens like kale and spinach

  • Fiber: whole grains, fruits like berries, apples, bananas and oranges and vegetables like carrots, broccoli, artichokes and potatoes

  • Protein: meat, eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, pumpkin seeds, peanuts and peanut butter

  • Healthy fats: Avocados, cheese, dark chocolate, eggs, salmon, nuts, olive oil and full-fat dairy (though as we mentioned before: avoid high-fat foods if you have frequent heartburn)

There are also some foods you should avoid eating during pregnancy for safety reasons, including:

  • Fish containing high levels of mercury, like albacore tuna (canned chunk light tuna is okay), swordfish and other big fish

  • Food with a risk of containing the bacteria listeria, like unpasteurized cheeses, deli meats and hot dogs

Alcohol. While you may hear some people say that a single glass of wine in late pregnancy isn’t likely to cause any harm, keep in mind that there is no evidence to support that any amount of alcohol is safe at any point in pregnancy, so the safest option is to avoid alcohol entirely.

How can I get better sleep during pregnancy?

The exhaustion of your first trimester may be gone, but as you get further along in your second trimester, you might find yourself faced with new sleep challenges—namely, the increasing size and weight of your belly making it harder to get comfortable at night.

This is where pregnancy pillows come in handy. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, from small under-bump bolsters to wedges that lift your head to full-size body pillows that can twist and contort around you. No matter what you need to get comfy, there’s a pregnancy pillow out there to support every part of your body.

If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, you’ll need to switch things up in the later part of the second trimester. After week 20, it’s strongly recommended that you sleep on your side (particularly your left), since it’s the best position for blood flow to the uterus. 

While it’s not necessarily unsafe to sleep on your back or stomach after week 20, it can get uncomfortable with the weight and pressure of your uterus on your other organs as well as your circulation. Of course, you don’t always stay in one position all night, so if you wake up on your back, don’t freak out; just roll over and try to go back to sleep.

Can I have sex during pregnancy?

With your morning sickness gone, your energy (at least somewhat) restored and your estrogen levels increasing, don’t be surprised if you noticed an increase in your libido, says ob-gyn Dr. Mary Jane Minkin. As long as you have clearance from your doctor, it’s typically totally fine to have sex while pregnant. There’s no risk of hurting baby, just keep in mind that things might be a little more sensitive down there and may be more prone to irritation.

On the other hand, it’s totally okay if you’re just not feeling it, Minkin says. There are plenty of annoying and painful symptoms during pregnancy, not to mention fluctuating hormones, any of which can affect your sex drive. Be open and honest with your partner, and maybe try finding other forms of intimacy to maintain that strong connection with your partner.

What is preeclampsia?

There are some pregnancy conditions and complications that warrant close observation by your care team, and preeclampsia is one of them. It’s a condition that involves high blood pressure and could cause damage to the kidneys or liver, and it affects between two and five percent of pregnancies. 

Preeclampsia is usually diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Blood pressure above 140/90 on two occasions and blood pressure above 160/110 at least once

  • Upper abdominal pain

  • Protein in your urine

  • Swelling in your face or hands (not everyone experiences swelling)

  • Vision changes, like blurry vision or seeing spots

  • Headaches that don’t go away

  • Vomiting (in the second half of pregnancy)

If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor as soon as possible. Preeclampsia is treatable, so getting the right care early enough is very important for you and baby.

Expert Sources

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