Now that your second trimester is here, you’re probably feeling more like yourself even though your baby belly is growing by the day. If you’re wondering what’s in store for this trimester, keep reading. 

We’ll discuss your baby’s growth and development during the second trimester, and then cover what you’ll notice in your changing body. To wrap up on a practical note, we’ll offer a few tips on how to care for yourself and feel prepared for the upcoming arrival of your child.

What to expect in the second trimester: Your baby

Growth

Pregnancy consists of three trimesters, and the second trimester is right in the middle, spanning week 14 through week 27. 

Your baby does a lot of growing during these three months. In fact, they start the second trimester weighing less than one ounce, and, by the end of this trimester, they’ll weigh in around one and a half to two pounds and measure 14 inches long. 

In addition to growing longer and gaining weight, features such as their little eyelashes, fingerprints, hair, and fingernails are also developing. That brings us to the next point.

Development

As your baby grows and their features and organs mature, their senses develop, too. They have all sorts of new tricks! In the second trimester, your baby will be able to suck their thumb, stretch, swallow, and hear, just to name a few of the changes.

Additionally, your tiny unborn baby is looking more like a child with each passing day. 

Plus, the second trimester is an important one in terms of brain development. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that the brain’s most important growth phase begins in the fifth month of pregnancy. 

What to expect in the second trimester: Your body

A bump 

As your baby grows bigger and bigger, so will your belly. You may not have noticed a baby bump during the first trimester, but it will appear in the second. 

With this growth, your body — skin, uterus, ligaments, and more — stretches to accommodate your baby. And you might have stretch marks or itchy skin along with aches and pains.

Feeling the baby

Another result of your baby’s growth and development in the second trimester is that this is when you’ll start to feel them move around. This is called quickening and typically happens around 16 to 20 weeks of gestation. It may feel like butterflies or fluttering. 

It’s certainly an exciting moment for pregnant mothers! 

More energy

Your baby is growing big and strong, but there’s good news for you, too: You’ll probably have more energy. For most women, the first-trimester nausea and tiredness go away in the second trimester. 

An increase in estrogen and progesterone

We won’t go into specifics about pregnancy hormones, but here’s one way they can affect you.

As these two hormones increase, blood flow and mucous membranes are affected, so you may notice your gums bleeding or experience nosebleeds. 

Heartburn

Lastly, even if your appetite comes back in the second trimester, don’t be surprised if you have heartburn, indigestion, or constipation. If heartburn plagues you, try to decipher which foods are causing it so you can avoid them. 

What to do in the second trimester

Now that you know more about your baby and your body during the second trimester, let’s get into some practical tips: What to do during this trimester. 

Buy maternity clothes

As your belly grows, you’ll need to find clothes to fit your changing body. Buy maternity clothes that make you feel like a million bucks in addition to accommodating your baby belly. 

This may also be the time to invest in some quality shoes that support your feet. 

Learn the gender

The second semester (around 20 weeks) is when an ultrasound can tell you if your child is a boy or a girl. 

While it’s exciting news, not all parents want to know. Think about whether or not you’re going to find ou

t. If you want to be in the know, decide how you’ll learn and share the news.

Go to the doctor

You should be going to the doctor all throughout your pregnancy. So, this tip isn’t specific to the second trimester, but it’s still worth mentioning. Go to your regularly scheduled OB appointments to check on your and your baby’s progress. 

During your second trimester, the doctor will start measuring the fundal height (the length from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus) to check on your baby’s growth. 

Along with your routine pregnancy checkups, don’t hesitate to seek medical care if needed or if you have a feeling that something is not right. Ask for help right away if you notice symptoms such as abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, or premature labor.

Start sleeping on your side

The second trimester is a good time to start sleeping on your side — ideally, your left side for optimal blood flow. With a belly that gets bigger each day, sleeping on your back can negatively affect blood circulation and digestion or contribute to backaches. 

That said, don’t fret if you always seem to wake up on your back!

Make a baby registry

Even if your shower isn’t until your third trimester, make your baby registry now. That way, it’s ready to go when shower invitations are sent out. 

Include a variety of price points so your guests can take their pick. But don’t be afraid to include higher-priced items, such as a stroller, crib, car seat, and play yard. Your friends might go in on a group gift, and your registry can serve as a need-to-buy list for you. 

Once your baby shower is over, you can refer to your registry to know what you need to be ready for your baby’s arrival. 

Not sure exactly what should go on your baby registry? You can check out our baby registry checklist here, but we’ll mention a couple of our favorite essentials below.

For a car seat that’s as light as it is secure, turn to the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna. From the first trip home to all your road trips after that, this travel system car seat will always provide a comfortable and secure ride. 

Plus, the included car seat base is easy to install in your car and is available for purchase separately in case you need an extra for your second vehicle.

When it comes to playtime on the go, we recommend our portable Stardust play yard. The unique, all-in-one design and patented aerospace technology enable it to unfold in one second and fold back together in three for easy transport near and far.

The Stardust has a built-in mattress that is adjustable to two heights, making it great for both newborns and babies. And, for your peace of mind and your baby’s comfort, we’ve made the play yard with breathable mesh and chemical-free, high-quality fabrics.

Do your research

Now is a good time to do some research on all things baby, childbirth, and beyond. You may want to decide on a pediatrician for your baby, look into childcare options, or register for childbirth classes.

Take a babymoon

Last but certainly not least, take a babymoon during your second trimester. While you can escape for a getaway later, at some point in your third trimester, your doctor will advise against air travel. And you may want to stick close to home the closer you get to the due date. 

Plus, your second trimester is typically the sweet spot for a babymoon since you probably feel good, have an appetite, and aren’t slowed down by a big baby belly. 

If you’re expecting your second baby and already have a child in tow, you have a few options. Leave your child at home with a trusted adult while you escape for a short trip, bring your little co-pilot with you, or bring them and a babysitter along for the trip! 

To make travel a cinch with your firstborn, use an ultra-compact stroller, such as the Bugaboo Butterfly. Perfect for adventure buddies aged six months to four years, this stroller is easy to unfold and fold without adjusting anything. 

The small, light build makes it perfect for on-the-move families since it’s compatible with the International Air Transport Association and easy to store in small hallways, car trunks, and overhead compartments. 

Adventure awaits!

In this article, you’ve read about your baby’s growth and development during the pivotal second trimester. You’ve also learned about the changes you may see in your own body, such as a growing belly, more energy, and changes due to an increase in estrogen and progesterone. 

Treat yourself to maternity clothes you love, keep up with your doctor appointments, take a babymoon, and create a baby registry complete with the essentials, like the Turtle Air by Nuna car seat, the Bugaboo Butterfly stroller, and all the rest. 

Since most women feel good during the second trimester, take advantage of this time to check things off your to-do list and get excited about everything that is to come! 

Adventure with your new baby awaits!