Second Trimester of Pregnancy: What to Expect for Weeks 14-27

 

Every trimester has its own traits, from how your baby is developing to symptoms you are feeling. The second trimester of pregnancy is one filled with rapid change and new experiences. If you are an expecting parent, use this guide to learn what to expect in weeks 14-27 of pregnancy!

 

An Overview of Your Second Trimester of Pregnancy

 

During the second trimester, you’re embarking on what’s known as the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy. Starting with pregnancy week 14, the second trimester is the time to get some exercise, get some to-do’s done, and have some fun. With pregnancy symptoms like frequent urination and improved hair, skin, and nails, your body will be feeling a range of different symptoms during this pregnancy phase.

Throughout this time, you may experience second trimester pregnancy symptoms such as:

During this stage, you are likely feeling more comfortable with pregnancy than you were during the first trimester. Still, these changes can have a big impact on physical and mental health. With the right resources and a good understanding of weeks 14-27 of your second trimester, you’ll feel more confident as you continue your pregnancy journey.

 

The Second Trimester Weeks

 

Week 14 of Pregnancy

The first week of your second trimester is an exciting one! At the end of the first trimester, you likely felt the less-desirable symptoms start to fade away. During your 14th week of pregnancy, your baby and your belly are growing rapidly. Unfortunately, that means some soreness and aches, but they’re totally worth it.

While your first trimester symptoms are fading, expect them to fade gradually and be accompanied by new ones:

Baby is the size of: A peach. At the start of your second trimester, your baby is moving around more freely by wiggling their toes and starting to suck their thumb. They are also growing light hair to keep them warm.

 

Week 15 of Pregnancy

Week 15 of your pregnancy will likely have you feeling more energetic – especially in the bedroom. Your hormones and increased energy definitely have an impact on your libido, and that’s totally normal. Take advantage of this while you are still feeling up for it!

At this point, some interesting pregnancy symptoms come into play:

Baby is the size of: A navel orange. Your baby’s proportions are starting to even out and they have gained the ability to move their joints and limbs. With this, you are probably feeling more movement as they explore their new capabilities.

 

Week 16 of Pregnancy

Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s pregnancy! If you’ve been looking forward to that pregnancy glow, now is the time to start expecting it to show. Thicker hair, stronger nails, and radiant skin are some of the great perks of week 16. This is also about the time you will have another checkup to hear your baby’s heartbeat.

Though there are still some unpleasant symptoms this week, try to focus on the very positive ones instead:

Baby is the size of: An avocado. Your baby’s cartilage is forming, which means their ears become more developed to hear you. This is also when hair, eyelashes, and tastebuds start to form.

 

Week 17 of Pregnancy

This week is the start-planning week of your pregnancy. Do you want to know the gender? Which childbirth classes are you going to take? What is your birth plan? You are now nearly halfway done with your pregnancy, making this the perfect time to sit down and figure out future plans before things pick up.

As your baby grows quickly, your body is bound to go through its own growth and changes:

Baby is the size of: A pomegranate. Your baby is now growing bigger and stronger as their cartilage develops into bone. Week 17 of pregnancy is around the time when you may choose to test for chromosomal abnormalities.

 

Week 18 of Pregnancy

If you’ve been having trouble sleeping from those weird dreams in week 17, week 18 of pregnancy is when your sleeping habit might have to change even more. Around this time, you’ll want to start sleeping on your side to alleviate pressure on your veins. With your rapidly growing body, be sure to learn which adjustments to make to keep you comfortable.

On top of trouble sleeping from discomfort, you may also be feeling these pregnancy symptoms:

Baby is the size of: An artichoke. Feeling some more movement this week? Your baby is starting to flex and move their muscles. Week 18 is still early for feeling movement, so don’t be alarmed if you don’t feel them just yet.

 

Week 19 of Pregnancy

As your baby continues to grow, you will start to feel them more and form a closer bond. If you weren’t feeling much movement in week 18, you might start to feel some flutters around week 19. There likely won’t be intense enough movement for others to feel, which makes this phase an intimate time between you and baby.

The growing size of your baby means more pressure on your body – namely on your veins, abdomen, and joints:

Baby is the size of: A mango. Just how you might have a heightened sense of feel with your baby’s movement, your baby is also starting to develop their senses through nerve cells in their brain.

 

Week 20 of Pregnancy

You’ve made it to week 20, which means you are halfway through your pregnancy and halfway through your second trimester! Midway through your pregnancy is when you will have an important ultrasound to check in on the development of your baby and, if you choose, learn the gender!

On top of the excitement of being halfway through your pregnancy journey, side effects this week also include:

Baby is the size of: A banana. Around this time is when you will have your mid-pregnancy ultrasound, which will allow you to see the very detailed development of your baby – including chambers of the heart and brain hemispheres!

 

Week 21 of Pregnancy

Now that you’re past the midway point, you’re in the second stretch of your pregnancy! You still have plenty of time to prepare for arrival, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to start planning for the future. It’s a little early for nesting to kick in, but you can certainly start reviewing a new parent checklist or start considering babyproofing your home.

Your body is preparing for your baby, which comes with some symptoms like “false” labor pains and leaky boobs:

Baby is the size of: A carrot. Your baby probably feels more active, and is even more reactive to touch. At this point, your baby is developing their own reproductive system. If you are having a girl, she already has her lifetime supply of eggs.

 

Week 22 of Pregnancy

Feeling a little out of breath? Your baby continues to grow quickly, which unfortunately puts strain on your own body by crowding your lungs and bladder, putting pressure on your back, and even causing an outie belly button to form. While you might be feeling a little rounder, you also might be feeling a pick-up in your sex drive.

The physical changes to your body are more apparent, but you can also expect some more positive symptoms this week:

Baby is the size of: A coconut. By this time, you should have gotten your mid-pregnancy ultrasound to see all the exciting developments. In week 22, your baby’s eyes and lips are more developed, and your baby is starting to have sleep cycles.

 

Week 23 of Pregnancy

Not much has changed since week 22 of pregnancy, though every week in the second trimester is exciting as your baby continues to grow and become more active in the womb. Use this and following weeks to build your bond even further  by talking to your baby, playing music, and having contact with your belly.

In the 23rd week of pregnancy, you’ll likely experience the same symptoms as previous weeks, including:

Baby is the size of: A grapefruit. Your baby is still developing their sleep cycles. Be prepared for periods of intense movement followed by rest! Your baby’s face is now fully formed and they have a better sense of hearing.

 

Week 24 of Pregnancy

Around 24 weeks pregnant, you will take a glucose challenge screening test to see if you are at risk for gestational diabetes. With the proper detection and care, gestational diabetes is not something to fret about, though you and your baby will be under closer supervision if you do test positive.

This week consists of the expected symptoms that come along with carrying a baby, along with some cosmetic changes:

Baby is the size of: A cantaloupe. While the internal developments of your baby are fascinating, it is also nice to know that at this point your baby is looking more and more like a newborn with more opaque skin.

 

Week 25 of Pregnancy

Week 25 of pregnancy means you’re getting close to the end of your second trimester! This week is a mix of increased energy and feeling slowed down by your body. You’ve likely gained around 15-20 pounds by this point, which is simply a sign that your body is creating a cozy home for your baby – even if it doesn’t feel too cozy for you.

The week 25 pregnancy symptoms are similar to other weeks in the final stages of the second trimester:

Baby is the size of: A head of cauliflower. Now that your baby has a fully-formed face and opaque skin, they are filling out with fat on their body and starting to grow more hair.

 

Week 26 of Pregnancy

The unpleasant first trimester symptoms are far behind you, but that unfortunately doesn’t mean the second trimester has been a breeze. This week might start testing your patience with a body and mind that might not feel like your own. Just remember that every week means you are one week closer to finally meeting your baby!

Headaches, pregnancy brain, and trouble sleeping are just some of the things that might be putting a strain on you now:

Baby is the size of: A head of kale. This is the week that your baby is taking “breaths” of amniotic fluid and starting to open their eyes. Your baby also continues to prepare for their debut by building up their immune system.

 

Week 27 of Pregnancy

You’ve made it to the end of your second trimester! Your pregnancy journey may feel like it has taken forever already, but the time will fly as you head into your third trimester. Enjoy this time you have before the rush of preparing for your baby’s arrival – and while you still feel up for it.

Your symptoms at this point are similar to previous weeks, which hopefully helps with knowing how to alleviate them:

Baby is the size of: A head of lettuce. As you round out your last week of the second trimester, your baby has some exciting development as brain activity begins. Your baby is also practicing their breathing with their developing lungs.

 

Navigating Your Second Trimester

 

Your second trimester of pregnancy is an exciting one where you start to feel more connected to your baby and are able to feel a bit more at ease with your pregnancy. The pregnancy journey is a wonderful experience, and being prepared can help you feel more confident and comfortable through it. If you are in your second trimester after a battle with infertility, congratulations! Red Rock Fertility Center is always here to help you through every stage of your pregnancy, from conception to postpartum.