Understanding Your Pregnancy’s Second Trimester

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey lasting approximately 40 weeks, or a little over nine months when you count from the last menstrual period to delivery. This period of 40 weeks can be divided into three trimesters, each offering its own unique experiences and milestones

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle remains crucial throughout pregnancy, including during the second trimester to support the mother’s health but also contribute to the optimal development of the baby.

Duration of the Second Trimester in Pregnancy

Each trimester is approximately three months long. An expectant mother enters her second trimester at approximately 13 weeks pregnant. The second trimester starts from week 13 to week 28.

During this second trimester, a woman will start looking more pregnant. However, it is also said that the second trimester often brings relief for many expectant mothers, as they will experience less fatigue and morning sickness.

This is arguably the best part of pregnancy as the baby is not big enough to make the mother too uncomfortable and this trimester generally contributes to a greater sense of comfort and well-being during pregnancy.

Foetus Development During the Second Trimester

During the second trimester, the foetus undergoes significant development. It now reaches about 36 cm long.

The foetus’ major organs are maturing, skin folds are being filled out by fat, and eyelids can open and close. Senses (sight, sound, touch) are developed, and facial features, fingers and toes are more defined. The child’s gender becomes distinguishable via an ultrasound.

The mother may start feeling some foetal movements around 20 weeks as the movements become more pronounced. Foetal movements can be felt as a flutter or a feeling of having butterflies in one’s stomach.

An anomaly scan is done in the second trimester to check for any abnormalities in the foetal development and appearance.

Common Symptoms During the Second Trimester

Physical changes of an expectant mother’s body become more visible during the second trimester. Your belly skin may itch as it grows, and there may be some discomfort/slight pain as the skin stretches to support the uterus.

Common symptoms that you may have include tiredness, stretch marks, a dark line down your abdomen (linea nigra), swollen and bleeding gums, nosebleed, indigestion and heartburn, bloating and constipation, headache, backache, leg cramps, swollen hands and feet, urine infections, darkened skin on your face or brown patches, and occurrence of Braxton Hicks contractions.

Braxton Hicks contractions are mild, irregular contractions of the uterus that occur during pregnancy. They are often called “practice contractions” because they prepare the body for labour without indicating that labour is starting. These contractions can feel like a tightening in the abdomen and usually not accompanied by pain.

Tips for Expectant Mothers

Regular antenatal visits during pregnancy are important for monitoring both the mother’s and baby’s health.

Throughout the second trimester, antenatal or prenatal visits with your obstetrician will be once a month. This allows your obstetrician to closely monitor your health and your baby’s development. Attend all your scheduled antenatal visits. Find out more about antenatal screening during the second trimester.

It also allows the assessments of concerns and indicators that could indicate potential complications such as irregular foetal movements, shortness of breath, pain in the lower back or abdomen, vaginal bleeding, or pressure in the pelvis or vagina. Prenatal tests may be conducted as needed.

You should also maintain a healthy lifestyle during the second trimester. This include having a healthy diet whilst taking the recommended prenatal vitamins. Iron-rich foods are important to prevent pregnancy-induced anaemia. You are also advised to reduce your caffeine intake during pregnancy.

Avoid strenuous exercise and stop contact sports. Activities that put pressure on your abdomen such as lifting heavy objects that may put pressure on the uterus and augment the risk of bleeding should be avoided too.

If your obstetrician has given you the green light, you may engage in low-impact exercises for about 150 minutes a week to stay physically active.

Other than that, you should also avoid raw uncooked foods and unpasteurised dairy products, stop smoking, avoid alcohol and illegal drug use, and avoid hot tubs and saunas.

During the second trimester, it is advisable to sleep on one’s left side because this position places the least pressure on the veins and internal organs. Use pillows for support between the legs and to help reduce pressure on the hips, lower body or under the belly, while supporting the baby’s weight.

Avoid sleeping on the back as it may cause the weight of the uterus to press on the spine, reducing blood flow to the baby.

For more information, read our comprehensive guide to prenatal care and find out what to expect in the first trimester and third trimester of your pregnancy journey.

Make an Appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

If you have questions about prenatal care during your pregnancy, get in touch with us to book an appointment today for a consultation, or visit our Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital.