Second Trimester of Pregnancy

Key Highlights for the Second Trimester

The second trimester is a period of tremendous growth—for you and baby. Your bump will pop in the coming weeks, and you’ll soon start feeling baby move. You should hopefully experience a sudden boost in energy, but you might encounter a few new pregnancy symptoms too: heartburn, leg cramps, nasal congestion and stretch marks, to name a few. Meanwhile, baby will start to look more like, well, a baby! Keep up with your prenatal appointments; there are some important tests to schedule in the second trimester, including the 20-week ultrasound.

Second Trimester Symptoms

The second trimester is sometimes referred to as the honeymoon stage of pregnancy. It’s likely that many of the worst early symptoms, like morning sickness and extreme exhaustion, have started to fade, ushering in a phase of relative normalcy. Yes, you might actually start feeling like a human again soon! Of course, this isn’t always the case; some not-so-lucky pregnant people are dogged by pervasive unpleasantness that just won’t quit. Either way, you’ll probably also notice some additional or recurring symptoms in the second trimester, including:

Heartburn

Acid reflux and heartburn tend to kick into high gear some time in the second trimester, when the uterus comes out of the pelvis and becomes part of the abdomen. Hormones also relax the esophageal sphincter allowing acidity to creep back up, causing that signature burn. It doesn’t feel great, but there are over-the-counter medications and home remedies that can help. In the meantime, pace your eating and avoid trigger foods (we’re looking at you, spicy sauces and citrus fruits!).

Stretch marks

Your bump is burgeoning, and your body is rapidly changing. That means your skin is also getting pulled tight. Enter: stretch marks, the scars that form when the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers rupture. While they’re normal, common and totally harmless, you might not love the way they look. Keep in mind, though, that these battle scars are a visual reminder of the amazing things you can do. That said, you can try to take some proactive measures to prevent them before they appear—keeping your skin hydrated with stretch mark creams and oils may help.

Linea nigra and other skin changes

If you suddenly see a dark line appear down the center of your bump, don’t be alarmed. This is called the linea nigra. It’s one of many physical changes you may notice in the second or third trimester. It happens when pregnancy hormones stimulate melanocytes, causing hyperpigmentation of the skin. In fact, this is not the only place you may find some darkened patches on your body. Melasma (aka the mask of pregnancy) is another common affliction in the second trimester. Rest assured, your new belly line and any other darkened spots will likely fade soon after delivery.

Baby Development in the Second Trimester

Baby develops by leaps and bounds during the second trimester. Their bones are hardening; lungs are developing and toenails, fingerprints and footprints begin forming. Limb movements become more coordinated, and soon those little flutters you’re feeling will turn into hearty kicks and impressive elbow jabs! Baby can suck their thumb (you might even get to see this on screen during the 20-week anatomy scan). Better yet, they can hear sounds around 16 weeks, so speak up—your little one loves listening to your sweet voice.

What to Avoid During the Second Trimester

The things you avoided in the first trimester are more or less the same things you’ll avoid throughout the remainder of your journey. Smoking, recreational drug use and alcoholic beverages are all off the table. Additionally, you’ll want to continue to stay away from certain foods, including raw meats and seafood, unpasteurized cheeses and juices and deli meats. Good news: You don’t have to entirely give up your beloved morning java. Caffeine is okay in moderation; try to keep your intake to less than 200 milligrams per day (approximately one 12-ounce cup of regular coffee).

Coffee helps, but hopefully you’re feeling a little more energized now that you’re in the second trimester. If so, it’s a good time to start a healthy exercise routine, but avoid contact sports, heavy lifting, activities that put you at risk for falling (i.e., downhill skiing and horseback riding) and hot yoga (it raises your body temperature). Also skip any exercises where you lie flat on your back for extended lengths of time, as this position can limit baby’s oxygen supply.

Finally, while self-care is encouraged, a dip in the hot tub is not. Soaking in hot water will raise your core body temperature, which could potentially affect baby. Better safe than sorry. Here are other things you should avoid in the second trimester.

When to Reach Out to Your Doctor in the Second Trimester

While the second trimester is generally a little more comfortable, you can still expect plenty of aches, pains and pangs. Mild discomfort is normal, but acute pain is not. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider if you’re concerned about any symptoms. Moreover, be sure to seek out help if you experience intense cramping, bleeding or leakage of fluid from the vagina, as these can be signs of serious complications.

It’s important to be aware of potential red flags in pregnancy, but try not to fixate on them. Instead, focus your energy on taking care of your body and keeping up with your prenatal appointments. Your doctor or midwife will continue to screen you for potential complications, including preeclampsia, a condition that can appear in the second trimester and is marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

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Second Trimester Videos

Press play on the videos below to explore what’s known as the “honeymoon period” of pregnancy: the second trimester. Find out what to expect and how to prepare for baby’s big arrival.

Second Trimester Tools

We have a tool for nearly everything. Sorting out the cost of life with baby? Use our Baby Budgeter. From our Baby Registry, Chinese Gender Chart to our Baby Name Finder, we have it all.

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Community Forums

When it comes to navigating pregnancy and parenthood, you’re not alone. Join our second trimester forums and birth month clubs to join discussions with parents-to-be like you.