Well done, mum, you’re already in your second trimester!
Experts and veteran mums refer to this phase as the honeymoon period of pregnancy since unwanted pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, fade. Yes, it’s time to finally say goodbye to the morning sickness and fatigue you’ve endured for the past three months.
It’s also when you’re learning more about your growing baby – including finding out about the gender. You’ll also feel the baby’s movement for the first time during the second trimester.
Now that you’re slowly getting back to your energetic self, here are some helpful week-by-week guides and articles that may be useful.
When Is the Second Trimester
The second trimester is the middle of pregnancy, which lasts from the 13th to the 27th week. During this time, you may be able to feel your baby’s movements, and you’ll probably have gained some weight by now.
It’s also a great time to start preparing for your baby. Find out what you need to do before the birth, including scheduling prenatal visits and taking care of some paperwork.
When Does Second Trimester Start
The second trimester pregnancy week starts from the 13th week of your pregnancy. The second trimester is generally considered the most comfortable and enjoyable time in your pregnancy. You will have a lot of energy and feel good about being pregnant.
The baby’s growth has slowed down, but it is still growing at a rapid rate. You will continue to gain weight during this period, but not as much as in the first trimester. Your body prepares itself for childbirth by increasing blood volume and developing an adequate milk supply for breastfeeding.
Some women may experience nausea during this period, but it can be controlled with medication prescribed by their doctors if needed.
Pregnancy Second Trimester Symptoms
If you’re pregnant, you’ve probably already noticed some changes in your body. But did you know that the second trimester is when most of those changes kick in? It’s also when some common pregnancy symptoms start to appear.
Here are some of the most common second-trimester symptoms:
- Fatigue and sleepiness
- Increased urination frequency
- Increased appetite and cravings for certain foods
- Constipation
- Headaches and back pain
- Changes in taste buds or smell sensitivity
Image source: iStock
Pregnancy Glow
The second trimester is the time of your pregnancy when you start to feel like a real human being again. Your body is starting to look more like it used to, and all of that morning sickness is behind you. You’re starting to feel more energetic and confident in your body and skin, and your sense of smell returns!
You may notice that you’re getting pimples or breakouts here and there—this is normal. Your hormones are still adjusting, and even though they’re not throwing up everything they eat anymore, they’re still undergoing some changes. This can cause acne, but don’t worry—it will go away soon!
Also, you might start feeling more tired and hungrier than usual during this time. That’s because your baby has been growing rapidly over the last few months (and will continue to do so), which means he or she needs more nutrients from you than ever before.
So enjoy the glow while it lasts!
Braxton Hicks
The second trimester is great for getting comfortable with labour and delivery. This is when you’ll start feeling Braxton Hicks contractions. They’re called that because they were first discovered by an English physician named John Braxton Hicks, who noticed that his wife had regular contractions during her pregnancy.
These contractions are your body’s way of getting ready for the real thing: they’ll be uncomfortable but not painful and feel like a tightening in your belly. They’re a sign that your body is getting ready for birth—they just won’t hurt as much as labour itself will!
Fetal Development During Second Trimester
The second trimester is the time when your baby’s body and brain are developing at a rapid pace. You may feel your baby move around and even notice hiccups!
In the second trimester, your baby is about 3 inches long and weighs about 4 ounces. The fetal development during this period can be broken down into three parts:
Brain Development
Your baby’s brain is growing rapidly during this period, especially regarding the neurons connecting different brain areas. This means your baby’s brain is becoming more complex and more organised by the day.
Your baby will start moving his or her arms and legs more now, although these movements are still fairly limited compared to what they’ll be like later in pregnancy or after birth.
Organ Development
Your baby’s organs are also growing rapidly during this stage of development—especially their heart! The blood vessels within their heart will start forming to circulate blood throughout their bodies once they’re born (or before). The lungs also continue to grow in size during this stage of development, so they’re ready for breathing after birth.
Danger Signs of Pregnancy in the Second Trimester
You’ve probably heard of some of the most common signs of pregnancy, like missed periods and morning sickness. But there are also some less obvious signs that you may still need to be aware of.
The second trimester is often when parents-to-be start to feel more confident in keeping their baby safe, but it’s still important to keep your eyes open for any new developments.
Here are some common danger signs to watch out for in the second trimester:
- Abdominal pain
- Spotting or bleeding
- Increased fatigue (even if you were already tired before)
- Dizziness when standing up quickly
- Headaches that don’t respond to ibuprofen or acetaminophen (if they do, drink more water!)
- Nausea (if it’s severe enough to make it difficult for you to eat or drink enough fluids)
What to Eat During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy
Now that you’re in the second trimester, it’s time to get serious about eating for two—and that means no more skipping meals because you’re too busy.
The most important thing to remember is that your baby has started to grow now, and his or her brain needs a lot of nutrients. That means you need to ensure you’re getting enough protein and iron, which are critical to developing your baby’s brain and muscles.
Iron is found in red meat, seafood like tuna and salmon, eggs, beans, lentils and dark leafy greens like spinach. Protein comes from meat (chicken breast is an excellent choice), eggs and dairy products like milk or yoghurt. You should try to eat these foods at every meal, so your body has plenty of energy for babysitting this little one!
You’ve got a year-long relationship with vegetables ahead of you, so it’s important to start things off on the right foot now. Try to eat five servings of vegetables daily, which means eating approximately six servings per week (three servings at each meal). If it helps, buy fresh veggies instead of frozen ones so that they maintain their nutritional value before you have time to eat them all.
Fruits are high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which are great for keeping your immune system strong. But since they’re also high in sugar, try to eat only a few fruits unless they’re organic or naturally sweetened (like apples). If you do choose fruit instead of vegetables, aim for two servings per day—or three if they’re organic
Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide for Your Second Trimester
Week 13 pregnancy guide
Week 14 pregnancy guide
Week 15 pregnancy guide
Week 16 pregnancy guide
Week 17 pregnancy guide
Week 18 pregnancy guide
Week 19 pregnancy guide
Week 20 pregnancy guide
Week 21 pregnancy guide
Week 22 pregnancy guide
Week 23 pregnancy guide
Week 24 pregnancy guide
Week 25 pregnancy guide
Week 26 pregnancy guide
Week 27 pregnancy guide
Week 28 pregnancy guide
Useful Information for the Second Trimester
Changes to Expect for Each Trimester of Pregnancy
Compulsory And Optional Pregnancy Scans In Singapore
Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby’s Movements in Pregnancy: Trimester by Trimester
Breaking Down Safe Sleeping Positions Trimester by Trimester, to Avoid Stillbirth
7 Ways To Prevent Muscle Cramps During Second Trimester Of Pregnancy
Is It a Boy or a Girl?: When Can You Find Out Your Baby’s Gender
Early Signs That You Might Be Pregnant With Twins
When To Stop Travelling While Pregnant? Here Are Tips For Travelling Safely By Air, Road And Sea
Going On a Babymoon? Here Are a Few Things To Keep In Mind
55 Creative Pregnancy Announcement Ideas To Totally Steal
Sex During Pregnancy: Safe Positions Per Trimester
Dealing With Mood Swings In Pregnancy? Here’s The Truth!
Babies and pets: Can they co-exist?
8 Household Chores You Should Avoid While You’re Pregnant
Sports and Exercises That Are Safe During Pregnancy
Maternity Hospitals in Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide for New Parents
Pregnancy Health
Understanding Prenatal Testing: The Tests You Need to Have Per Trimester
Essential Vaccines You Need During Pregnancy
How Much Pregnancy Weight Should You Gain?
Fetal Development Stages: Your Guide To The Complete Pregnancy Period
Baby’s Movements Through Pregnancy: What’s Normal & What’s Not?
Diarrhoea During Pregnancy: What Mums-To-Be Need to Know
Constipation During Pregnancy: What Is Safe To Take?
Dengue Fever in Pregnancy: Why You Should Be Careful About This Disease
Baby Hiccups During Pregnancy: When Should You Be Concerned
How Your Child’s Senses Develop In Your Womb
Headache During Pregnancy: Causes and Remedies
Here’s How You Should Take Care of Your Eyes If You’re Pregnant!
Back Pain During Pregnancy – Can You Prevent It?
A Bloody Nuisance! Nosebleeds During Pregnancy
Varicose Veins and Haemorrhoids in Pregnancy: Causes and Solutions
Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy: Here’s What Mums-to-Be Should Know
How To Deal With Pregnancy Fatigue
Pregnancy and Colds: Everything You Need to Know
Pregnant With Cough? 9 Ways To Cope Without Losing Your Cool
For the Dads
Husband’s Support During Pregnancy: A Guide for All Expecting Fathers
7 amazing pregnancy perks daddies-to-be can look forward to
6 Ways to keep your husband involved during pregnancy
What Are the Sex Positions to Avoid When Pregnant?
Food and Nutrition
Nutrients and Vitamins Needed By Mums During Pregnancy
Here’s How Much Water You Should Be Drinking During Pregnancy
15 Foods and Drinks All Pregnant Mums Should Avoid For Baby’s Health
Can I Eat Papaya During Pregnancy?
A Guide To Eating Fish During Pregnancy
Dieting During Pregnancy? All You Need To Know About Vegetarian, Pescatarian, and Gluten-free Diet
Is Canned Food Safe for Pregnant Women? Here’s What You Need to Know
Here’s What You Should Remember About Drinking Green Tea During Pregnancy
If you have any concerns about your health or your baby’s health in the second trimester of pregnancy, do not hesitate to ask your OB-Gynaecologist on your next check-up.
Updates by Pheona Ilagan
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
