Second Trimester Of Pregnancy: Body Changes & What to Expect

Image: Shutterstock

The second trimester of pregnancy is between weeks 13 and 27 (four to six months). During this time, your “baby bump” may become more visible, and you may begin to feel the baby’s movements. Many women find relief from their morning sickness too.

As the body grows in the second trimester, you may face some troubles; however, this is one of the easiest trimesters of pregnancy. Hence, focus on remaining healthy and positive during this time as the baby’s brain develops.

This post will tell you about the physical changes you will notice, emergency symptoms to look out for, baby growth milestones, and tips to stay healthy in this trimester.

What Are The Body Changes In The Second Trimester?

Hormonal changes and the increasing size of the baby can cause certain body changes and symptoms in pregnant moms (1).

1. Lower abdomen aches: Many pregnant women may experience cramps and aches in the lower belly during the second trimester. This can be due to the expansion of the uterus and its pressure on the nearby ligamentsⁱXA connective tissue that connects bones in the joints, providing stability and flexibility and muscles. Stretched ligaments can also cause sharp pain. A warm bath, changing position, placing a hot pack or hot water bottle wrapped in a cloth on the lower belly, and certain relaxation exercises may help reduce the cramps.

2. Backache: Growing babies can put pressure on the back, causing soreness and aches. An anonymous blogger mother shares how she felt extreme pain for the first time during the 23rd week of her pregnancy. She says, “Yesterday, currently at week 23, I experienced back pain for the first time and it was intensely painful. It was a sharp pain in my lower back which came from nowhere, just randomly as I was laying down in bed reading a book. I felt like lightning had struck my spine. I have not felt such pain ever in my life and I will do all the yoga in the world not to experience that pain ever again (i)!” Sitting straight, avoiding constant weight lifting, wearing low-heel shoes, and using a pregnancy pillow during sleep may help relieve backaches in pregnancy.

3. Gum bleeding: Hormonal changes can make the gums more sensitive, swollen, and tender during pregnancy. Increased circulation in the gums can cause bleeding more easily. You may avoid harsh brushing, use brushes with soft bristles, and floss gently.

Image: Shutterstock

4. Braxton-Hicks contractions: Irregular, mild contractions can be felt during the second trimester. This may feel like slight tightness in the abdomen and often occurs in the afternoons or evenings. Intense physical activity, dehydration, full bladder, and sexual intercourse could trigger these contractions. Relaxing and drinking water may help to relieve these contractions. You may seek medical care if the contractions are steadily increasing since this can be a sign of preterm labor.

5. Breast enlargement: Pregnancy hormones also increase the size of the breasts by increasing the fat deposits and the size of milk glands. This is a natural process, preparing your body to nurture your baby. Using a supportive bra with an appropriate cup size can make you feel more comfortable.

6. Nosebleeds and congestion: Hormones can cause mucus membrane swelling in the nose. This may result in a stuffy nose and snoring. These changes may also increase the likelihood of nose-bleeding. Nasal saline sprays and keeping air moist with humidifiers may help reduce these issues.

7. Vaginal discharge: Milky white, thin vaginal discharge can be normal in pregnancy. You may seek medical care if the discharge has a foul smell, yellow or green color, or contains blood.

8. Dizziness: Growing uterus may exert pressure on blood vessels, and mothers may feel dizzy at times. Standing for long, dehydration, hypoglycemiaⁱXA condition characterized by a fall in blood sugar levels to lower than the normal range , and hormonal changes can also cause dizziness in the second trimester. Avoiding lying on your back and standing for long periods and adequate food and water intake may help prevent dizziness in pregnancy.

9. Frequent urination: Pressure of the uterus on the bladder can increase the urinary frequency in pregnancy. Clear urine is an indicator of hydration in pregnancy rather than frequency.

10. Hair growth: Hair can become thicker and grow more due to pregnancy hormones. Some women may have hair on their back, arm, or faces during pregnancy.

11. Headache: Many women can experience headaches during pregnancy. This can be manageable with Tylenol. However, if it persists, you may seek a doctor’s prescription.

12. Leg cramps: Muscle contraction on legs is common in the second trimester, especially during night hours. Stretching legs before bedtime, regular exercise, comfortable shoes, and adequate nutrition may help reduce leg cramps in pregnancy. You may eat more magnesium and calcium-rich foods.

Image: Shutterstock

13. Heartburn (indigestion): Hormonal changes and pressure of growing babies on the digestive system can make pregnant mothers more vulnerable to heartburn. Avoiding spicy, acidic, and greasy foods and eating frequent smaller meals may help relieve indigestion.

14. Constipation: Hormones can cause constipation during pregnancy. Adequate physical activity and consuming fiber-rich foods can prevent this condition.

Quick tip

Add fiber-rich foods, such as fruits (apple, mango), beans, green leafy veggies, legumes, and whole grains, to your diet to manage constipation (7).

16. Quickening: Fluttering movements felt in the abdomen mid-gestation (20 weeks) is called quickening. Some women may experience it by the end of the second trimester or in the third trimester.

17. Skin changes: Skin may appear flushed on the face due to hormonal changes. Melanin pigment can also cause brown marks on the skin. Stretch marks may also appear as the belly expands. All these skin changes gradually disappear during the postpartum period.

18. Urinary tract infections: Pregnant women are more vulnerable to UTIs. Bacterial infection can cause the increased urge to urinate cloudy or smelly urine and pain or burning sensation while urinating. You may seek medical care if you develop symptoms of UTI during pregnancy.

19. Weight gain: During the second trimester, appetite can be better as the morning sickness reduces in most women. Weight gain is often seen in this trimester.

20. Spider and varicose veins: Increased blood flow can cause tiny red veins in the skin called spider veins. The pressure of growing babies on blood vessels may reduce blood flow from the legs and lead to varicose veins in some women. Moving legs, elevating legs, and using a support hose may reduce these issues.

Image: Shutterstock

What Are The Emergency Symptoms In The Second Trimester?

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms during the second trimester (2).

• Vaginal bleeding
• Severe vomiting or nausea
• Fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Seizures, often due to preeclampsia or hypertension, type 1 diabetes, or hypoglycemia
• Suspected water break (ruptured membrane)
• Jaundice
• Rapid weight gain or weight loss

These symptoms may occur due to various reasons. Some of them may threaten fetal viability and risk the life of the mother if left untreated. You may contact the doctor or visit the emergency department if you cannot contact your doctor on time. It is crucial to address these concerns promptly, particularly when they pertain to gynecology.

How Does The Baby Grow In The Second Trimester?

Image: Shutterstock

By the end of the first trimester, all organs and systems are formed in the fetus, and they continue to grow in the second and third trimesters. The weight of the fetus increases over time. A fetus may weigh about two to three pounds and grow 13 to 16 inches long by the end of the second trimester (3).

The following fetal developments are seen during the second trimester (3).

During the second trimester, various developments occur in the fetal anatomy (3). Let’s take a look at them.

• Vernix caseosa, a creamy white substance, appears on the skin
• Fetal movements, such as kicks, are felt
• Development of sucking and swallowing reflexes
• Eyes and ears form at their place and baby can hear the voice
• Response to certain stimuli, such as maternal voice
• Placenta becomes fully formed
• Fingers and toes are separated, and nails are grown
• Fetus may go through cycles of sleep and wakefulness
• Hair growth occurs on the head, and skin can be red and wrinkly with downy hair (lanugo)
• Eyelids begin to open, and eyelashes and eyebrows are visible
• Fat begins to deposit in the fetus
• Complex brain development begins in the second trimester

Did you know?

By the end of the second trimester, a fetus will have a fully functional digestive and respiratory system (8).

Are There Tips To Stay Healthy In The Second Trimester?

You must adopt a healthy lifestyle with adequate nutrition throughout the pregnancy. The following tips may help to cope with the second-trimester changes (4).

• Eat well-balanced meals to meet daily nutrition needs. Additional 340 calories per day are needed from the beginning of the second trimester for mothers with one fetus. The calorie requirement can be more in multiple pregnancies, such as an extra 600 calories per day for twins and 900 extra calories for triplets.
• It is recommended to drink eight to 12 cups of water a day during pregnancy, even if you do not feel thirsty. Adequate water intake can help eliminate waste products, such as urea, from the body.
• Exercise regularly to promote good health and relieve body aches. This may also help maintain a healthy weight gain during pregnancy. You may also talk to your doctor to know the safest and effective physical activities based on individual factors.
• It is important to prioritize prenatal care by taking the recommended prenatal vitamins and other supplements daily. Iron, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, choline, vitamin B, and vitamin C are the most needed nutrients in pregnancy. Folic acid 600 mcg is recommended for the second and third trimesters. Certain vitamins should not be taken in excess, for example, vitamin A, as it can cause birth defects.

Research finds

Adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy are vital for healthy fetal development. Also, it may reduce the risk of gestational diabetesⁱXPregnancy-specific condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, which may pose a risk of maternal-fetal complications in the second trimester (9).

• Moisturize the belly to reduce stretch marks and itching during the second trimester.
• Avoid excess heat since it may cause heatstroke.
• Avoid contact with toxins and chemicals since they can be hazardous to the fetus.
• Avoid X-rays and other harmful diagnostic procedures during pregnancy.
• Practice good hand hygiene to reduce the risk of viral and bacterial infections.
• Maintain good dental health and visit your dentist regularly.
• Always seek prescriptions for any condition after informing that you are pregnant to avoid teratogenic medications. Avoid over-the-counter medications and self-treatments during pregnancy.

What To Expect In Second Trimester Antenatal Visits?

Doctors may focus on the baby’s growth and health during the second-trimester visits. Blood pressure and weight are assessed in all visits. Uterus size is estimated by measuring fundal height, the distance from the top of the fundus to the pubic bone. Assessment of fetal heart rate and movements is also possible during the second trimester.

You may also discuss any symptoms or signs concerning you during this time. Doctors may also suggest nutritional intake and physical activity requirements for the second trimester. In addition, various genetic testing and blood tests might be offered during these visits. These check-ups help ensure the health of both mother and child.

How To Prepare For Birth In The Second Trimester?

Although childbirth is still some time away, you may begin preparations from the second trimester to make your third trimester easier. The following measures may help expecting moms prepare for the third trimester and birth.

• Attend baby care classes online or from an educator. This may reduce worries related to caring for the newborn and breastfeeding after childbirth. They may also teach you first aid for newborns and parenting tips. First-time moms can benefit more from prenatal education.
• Invest time to do mommy and baby shopping in the second trimester since you may feel less morning sickness and move around more easily as compared to when you are in the third trimester.

Image: Shutterstock

• To prepare adequately for childbirth, learning about different delivery methods and maternal hospitals specializing in obstetrics is essential.
• You may also begin searching for caretakers for your baby at this time.

Infographic: When To Call A Doctor During The Second Trimester?

During the second trimester of pregnancy, you may have some relief from the symptoms, and the risk of miscarriage also decreases. There are still some signs you should be aware of that might require prompt medical intervention. The infographic below enlists these symptoms, which require you to contact your healthcare provider.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

The second trimester of pregnancy is a time when the baby begins to increase in size. Although you may experience a few symptoms and discomfort due to the increased size of the uterus, most of them are manageable through lifestyle changes.

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Curious about your second trimester of pregnancy? Join a licensed OB-GYN as she tackles your top questions about this time of pregnancy! From the size of your baby to health tips, get the answers you need for a worry-free journey.

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Reviewer
• Author
• Editor
• Fact-checker

Dr. Ng Kai LynMMed (O&G), MRCOG

Dr. Ng Kai Lyn is a Singapore-based obstetrician and gynecologist, specializing in urogynecology, minimally invasive surgery, and clinical interest in fertility. She has an experience of 12 years managing and treating benign gynecological conditions, including uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometrial polyps, and endometriosis. She is also fellowship trained in urogynecology. She manages pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor reconstructive surgery, overactive...more

Dr Bisny T. JosephMedical Doctor

Dr. Bisny T. Joseph is a Georgian Board-certified physician. She has completed her professional graduate degree as a medical doctor from Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia. She has around 5 years of experience in various sectors of medical affairs as a physician, medical reviewer, medical writer, health coach, and Q&A expert. Her interest in digital medical education and patient education...more

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). She has been into health and...more

Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction. She writes health and wellness articles for children and pregnant and lactating women. Reshmi has completed her post graduation in Biotechnology from MITS School of Biotechnology,...more