Source: bing.comTable of Contents
Welcome to Trimester 2!
Congratulations mommies, you’ve made it to Trimester 2! The second trimester is often referred to as the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy because many of the unpleasant symptoms from the first trimester begin to fade away. Your baby is growing rapidly and reaching important developmental milestones during this trimester, so let’s dive into what you can expect.
Baby’s Development
During Trimester 2, your baby is growing at an incredible rate. By the end of this trimester, your baby will likely weigh around 2 pounds and be about 14 inches long. Here are some of the major developmental milestones your baby will reach during Trimester 2:
- Week 14: Your baby can make facial expressions like frowning and squinting.
- Week 16: Your baby starts to develop a sense of hearing and can hear your voice!
- Week 20: Your baby’s skin becomes less transparent and more opaque.
- Week 24: Your baby’s lungs are developing and they can now make breathing movements.
- Week 26: Your baby’s eyes are now fully formed and can open and close.
Mom’s Body
During Trimester 2, you’ll likely start to show more as your baby grows. Here are some of the changes you can expect in your body:
- Weight gain: You’ll likely gain around 1 pound per week during Trimester 2.
- Stretch marks: You may start to see stretch marks on your belly, thighs, or breasts.
- Braxton Hicks contractions: You may start to feel these “practice” contractions as your body prepares for labor.
- Back pain: As your belly grows, you may experience back pain.
What to Expect
Here are some things you can expect during Trimester 2:
- Feeling more energetic: Many women feel less tired and more energetic during Trimester 2.
- Increased appetite: You may start to feel hungrier as your baby grows.
- Feeling baby move: You’ll likely start to feel your baby’s movements (called “quickening”) around week 18-22.
- More frequent doctor visits: You’ll start to see your doctor every 4 weeks during Trimester 2.
Conclusion
Trimester 2 is an exciting time for both mom and baby. Your baby is rapidly growing and reaching important developmental milestones, while you start to show more and feel your baby’s movements. Keep taking care of yourself and your growing baby, and enjoy this “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy.Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: When does Trimester 2 start?
A: Trimester 2 typically starts around week 14 of pregnancy.
Q: How much weight should I gain during Trimester 2?
A: Most women should aim to gain around 1 pound per week during Trimester 2.
Q: When will I feel my baby move during Trimester 2?
A: You’ll likely feel your baby’s movements (called “quickening”) around week 18-22 of pregnancy.
Q: How often should I see my doctor during Trimester 2?
A: You’ll start to see your doctor every 4 weeks during Trimester 2.
Q: When do Braxton Hicks contractions start?
A: Braxton Hicks contractions can start as early as Trimester 2, but are more common later in pregnancy.