What happens in second trimester – week by week?

There are a lot of nice things that happen during your second trimester. The second trimester is considered to last from the 14th to 26th week, is one that is filled with excitement. During this period, there is rapid growth for you and your baby. Your body tends to change rapidly as your baby develops and grows. In addition, some changes might be scary if you are not aware of their normal course. Understanding the week by week development and growth of your baby as well as the changes that are expected at this time is helpful in keeping you tension-free and healthy.

The 14th week is one of great excitement for all the members in the family as you start to feel the baby move. You may have felt some flutters earlier, but the baby is now large enough for others to feel it. This is probably the best time to explain to younger children that soon a brother or sister will be coming their way! It will be easier for them to grasp when they are able to feel something inside mommy’s tummy. As you enter the 2nd trimester, constipation and even heartburns can be a bit of a problem, so you need to make sure that your diet is healthy, full of fiber and acid free foods.

In the 15th week, your baby starts to grow hair that it will keep, and also a fine layer of hair on all of its body that will be shed later. According to the old midwives tales, this hair is what causes heartburn. The reality is that this event coincides with the time that heartburn normally sets in or worsens, so try as much as possible to stay away from spicy foods.

During this period, your doctor will be able to measure the fundus, also called fundal height. Fundal height is the height between your uterus and pelvic bone. This is an indication to know if your baby is growing at a reasonable pace. You’ll most likely have to start getting maternity clothes at this time, if you haven’t done so already!

Weeks 16 to 20 are a time of rapid growth and development for your baby. You will be gaining weight rapidly as your baby grows, and you’ll feel its movements almost constantly. Have some fun and enjoy with your partner by placing an object on your tummy and watch as it “dances” as a result of your baby’s movement!

As the uterus stretches to make room for your baby, you might experience some cramping and tightness in your abdomen. This is absolutely normal. But, if cramping with spotting or cramping that is severe enough to restrict movement is occurring, you need to get in touch with your doctor immediately.

Weeks 21 to 26 are a time when the baby slows down on its growth and development. By the end of this period, the baby’s vital systems, organs, bones, and spinal cord have all developed. It’s during this time that your doctor is most likely to test for gestational diabetes by conducting a glucose test.

Ultimately, by the end of the 26th week, you will start to slow down and your energy levels will drop as your body passes on more of its nutrients to the baby to facilitate rapid growth which will soon occur in the 3rd trimester.