Second Trimester of Pregnancy: What to Expect

Giving birth represents a profound life transition that comes with physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes. Besides the rollercoaster emotions and anticipation of labour, the act of giving birth requires incredible strength as a woman to bring a new life into the world. This creates an unbreakable connection between mother and child.

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey that spans roughly 40 weeks, which is a little over 9 months when counted from the last menstrual period to delivery. These 40 weeks are divided into three trimesters, each with its own unique experiences and milestones.

What Is the Second Trimester of Pregnancy?

Each trimester is approximately three months long. An expectant woman enters her second trimester at approximately 13 weeks pregnant.

During this second trimester, a woman will start looking more pregnant. And for many women, this is arguably the best part of pregnancy, as they will experience less fatigue and morning sickness.

The baby is not big enough to make the mother too uncomfortable, but the mother may start feeling some foetal movements.

How Many Weeks Is the Second Trimester and Why Is It Important?

The second trimester starts from week 13 to week 28. Let us find out more about the development of the foetus during the second trimester.

The foetus undergoes significant development during the second trimester, reaching about 36 cm long. At this stage, major organs are maturing, skin folds are being filled out by fat, eyelids can open and close. Foetal movements become more pronounced manifesting as flutter or a feeling of having butterflies in one’s stomach.

Furthermore, senses, including sight, sound, and touch are developed, and the child’s gender becomes distinguishable via an ultrasound. Overall, the foetus continues development throughout this phase, as its facial features, fingers and toes are more defined.

You would be offered an anomaly scan in your second trimester to check for any abnormalities in the foetal development and appearance.

What Are the Commonly Observed Symptoms During the Second Trimester?

An expectant mother will undergo several visible changes in her own body during the second trimester. Furthermore, you may be able to feel the foetus for the first time around 20 weeks. In fact, your belly skin may itch as it grows, and there may be some discomfort/slight pain as the skin stretches to support the uterus.

Signs and symptoms commonly seen include:

Tiredness
Stretch marks including 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
Braxton Hicks contractions

What Should an Expectant Mother Do During the Second Trimester?

It is recommended to visit your OBGYN once a month throughout the second trimester. This allows them to closely monitor your health and the baby’s development to prevent complications.

Regular visits during pregnancy are essential for monitoring both the mother’s and baby’s health. They offer an opportunity to assess various symptoms and indicators that could signal potential complications. By promptly addressing concerns such as irregular foetal movements, shortness of breath, pain in the lower back or abdomen, vaginal bleeding, or pressure in the pelvis or vagina, your doctor can intervene early if necessary.

You should also maintain a healthy lifestyle during the second trimester.

Attend all scheduled antenatal visits. Find out more about antenatal screening during the second trimester.
Continue eating a healthy diet whilst taking the recommended prenatal vitamins. Consumption of iron-rich foods is advisable to prevent anaemia.
Low-impact exercises for about 150 minutes a week but avoid strenuous exercise.

Other matters to be practiced:

Avoid raw uncooked foods and unpasteurised dairy products.
Stop smoking, avoid alcohol and illegal drug use.
Reduce caffeine intake during pregnancy.
Stop contact sports and activities that put pressure on your abdomen.
Avoid lifting heavy objects that may put pressure on the uterus and augment the risk of bleeding.
Avoid hot tubs and saunas.
Sleeping on one’s left side during the second trimester is advisable as this position places the least pressure on the veins and internal organs. Furthermore, an expectant mother should use pillows for support between the legs to help reduce pressure on the hips, lower body or under the belly to help support 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.

Read our comprehensive guide to prenatal care.

Find out what to expect in the first trimester and third trimester of your pregnancy journey.

Make an Appointment at Pantai Hospitals

The second trimester often brings relief for many expectant mothers, as symptoms like nausea tend to reduce, energy levels increase, and sleep patterns improve. This can indeed contribute to a greater sense of comfort and well-being during pregnancy.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle remains crucial throughout pregnancy, including during the second trimester. This involves adhering to a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and engaging in regular exercise suitable for pregnant women. These practices not only support the mother’s health but also contribute to the optimal development of the baby.

Continuing to receive regular prenatal care is paramount during the second trimester as well. Prenatal visits allow doctors to monitor the progress of the pregnancy, assess the health of the mother and baby, and conduct prenatal tests as needed.

Get in touch with us to book an appointment with our team of O&G specialists today. We offer a comprehensive medical care including prenatal and postnatal care. Find out more about our Obstetrics and Gynaecology Services at your nearest Pantai Hospital.

Pantai Hospitals have been accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) for its commitment to patient safety and service quality.