We have collated a step by step guide for you to help your second trimester run smoothly. As a pregnant woman you are probably already aware of how much information you can find on the internet regarding pregnancy and childbirth, every detail from what to wear to what life insurance policy to get. We hope that any information you need is here for you.
We have a week by week guide for you which has been divided into You and Your Body and Your Baby. Hopefully this will provide you with advice and tips so you can know what to expect and also how to deal with any issues. We are committed to helping you have the perfect pregnancy.
Select your current week of pregnancy to find out how you and your baby are progressing:
WEEK 14
You And Your Body
The second trimester is probably the best time in your pregnancy when you experience the mid-pregnancy bloom and feel good about everything. Your sex life may return if it had been lying dormant for the past three months.
Your Baby
* Your baby is about 9cm long and weighs approx 60g/2oz
* The chin, forehead and nose become more clearly defined on your baby's face.
* Eyes come closer together and are no longer wide apart on either side of the head.
* Your baby's body begins to grow fine body hair called lanugo. Lanugo is thought to have a protective function and is also used to hold the greasy skin covering secreted by the baby in the later months.
* Your baby can now respond to external stimulus by actually moving away when the midwife or doctor feels your abdomen.
* The heartbeat is strong and can be picked up using a special listening device - sonicaid.
WEEK 15
You And Your Body
* It is time now to think about maternity clothes. Click here for some handy tips
* Your uterus (which is your baby's home) can be felt about 3 inches below your navel.
* As there is an increased amount of blood circulating in your body, the heart enlarges to cope with this.
* The heart also needs to accomodate for your baby's need of oxygen and has hence increased its output by 20 per cent.
* You may feel a lot energetic than before.
* Its time to make plans for holiday between weeks 20-27.
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 12 cm long and weighs about 100g/3.5oz
* The legs are now longer than the arms.
* Eyelashes and eyebrows are present.
* Hair on your baby's head is thicker.
* Your baby has started to hear now although all sounds reach him through the amniotic fluid and appear to be muffled.
WEEK 16
You And Your Body
* A dark line (called Linea nigra) starts to appear down the centre of your abdomen.
* You will find an increase in your appetite as the baby grows.
* Blood samples for serum screening are usually taken around this time.
Your Baby
* Your baby is now approx 16cm long and weighs about 135g/5oz
* Your baby is able to squint, open his mouth and even frown.
* The skin is very transparent and blood vessels can be seen underneath it.
* Sex organs have developed and can be seen on an ultrasound scan to determine the baby's sex.
* If you are carrying a baby girl, her ovaries have now descended from her abdomen into the pelvis.
* Lanugo or the body hair is quite noticeable on your baby's body now.
WEEK 17
You And Your Body
* You may notice stretchmarks especially around the abdomen and the breasts.
* Waistline will have disappeared completely.
* You may experience minor nosebleeds and nasal congestion.
* Bleeding gums (or 'pink toothbrush') may be a problem, so it is a good idea to make an appointment with the dentist for your free dental check-up.
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 18cm long and weighs about 185g/6.5oz
* All the limbs are fully formed now.
* Your baby's taste buds are now beginning to develop.
* The placenta is well established with a dense network of blood vessels and is exchanging nutrients and waste.
* Your baby shows deposition of brown fat, which plays a role in heat generation after birth.
WEEK 18
You And Your Body
* You may be able to feel your baby move for the first time (it may be later in first time mums).
* The baby's movement feels like fluttering of butterflies or even like rumbling of the stomach (similar to a feeling of indigestion).
* Increase in vaginal discharge.
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 21cm long and weighs about 235g/8oz
* Your baby has become more aware of the world around her and can hear sounds outside the uterus
* You may feel her jump at unexpected noises.
* Wrinkled skin due to absence of fat.
WEEK 19
You And Your Body
* You may notice that you are gaining weight in specific areas like hips, thighs and abdomen.
* Difficulty in finding a comfortable position to sleep due to the extra weight and bigger uterus. To find out how you can sleep comfortably, click here
* Tiny veins may appear on your face (these will disappear after birth).
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 23cm long and weighs about 285g/10oz
* Ears now stand out from the sides of the head.
* Buds for your baby's permanent teeth appear, behind the ones for the milk teeth.
WEEK 20
You And Your Body
* You definitely look pregnant now.
* Your waistline is no longer visible.
* The top of uterus uterus is just below the navel.
* Your navel may be flattened or pushed out and remain this way until after the birth.
* You may experience breathlessness upon exertion.
* Indigestion and heartburn as the uterus starts to push against your stomach.
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 25.5cm long and weighs about 340g/12oz
* Vernix (waxy substance to protect your baby's skin from the amniotic fluid) is starting to form.
WEEK 21
You And Your Body
* Increase in appetite.
* You may develop a craving for something unusual
* You will probably be feeling energetic.
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 28cm long and weighs about 390g/14oz
* Your baby already has a high number of red blood cells.
* White blood cells (responsible for fighting infection) are beginning to be manufactured in your baby's body.
WEEK 22
You And Your Body
* Your growing baby and the expanding uterus push on your ribcage, which may cause you pain.
* It may be a good idea to check with your doctor that you are having enough iron as it reaches its lowest level this week. See anaemia
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 29.5cm long and weighs about 410g
* Your baby is learning about her body and surroundings through touch.
* Fingernails are fully grown by now. They will probably need to be trimmed when born!
* Your baby will frequently touch and stroke her own face.
WEEK 23
You And Your Body
* You may start to feel Braxton-Hicks contractions.
* Your baby can be felt through your abdominal wall now.
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 31cm long and weighs about 440g/15.5oz
* Your baby still looks red and wrinkled because although fat is being produced, skin is being produced at a much higher rate, causing it to hang loosely.
* Your baby continues to swallow amniotic fluid and passing it back as urine.
* Swallowing the amniotic fluid may give your baby hiccups, which you may be able to feel.
* If your baby is a male, his scrotum is now well-developed.
* If your baby is a female, her ovaries already contain millions of eggs (which continue to decrease in number until puberty).
WEEK 24
You And Your Body
* You may be putting on weight at the rate of about 1 lb per week.
* Weight gain will start taking its toll
* Backache, aching feet and general tiredness may be a problem.
* Try to rest as much as possible with your feet up (above the level of the heart, if possible).
* Wear comfortable shoes. Click here for tips
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 33cm long and weighs about 0.5 kg/1 lb
* Eyes (although still closed) are close together on the front of the face.
* Ears move into their final position on the sides of the head.
* Your baby continues to grow hair on her scalp.
* Your baby develops her own pattern of waking and resting periods.
* Heartbeat can now be heard with an ordinary sthethoscope.
* Your voice can be heard clearly by your baby.
WEEK 25
You And Your Body
* Your uterus is now the size of a soccer ball.
* Your uterus along with your growing baby puts increased pressure on your bladder causing you to make frequent trips to urinate.
* Heartburn will be quite common now, especially after heavy meals.
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 34cm long and weighs about 0.6 kg/1lb 4oz
* If your baby is male, testes start to descend into his scrotum.
* If your baby is a female, her vagina hollows out.
* Your baby's own unique fingerprints begin to form.
WEEK 26
You And Your Body
* Try gentle exercise regularly as this will prepare your body for labour.
* You may feel pressure on and around your pelvis.
* Your baby's movements may cause you pain under the ribs.
* Try to raise your hands up or lie on your side to ease the discomfort.
Your Baby
* Your baby is approx 35cm long and weighs about 0.7kg/1lb 8oz
* Your baby finally opens his eyelids.
* Your baby's eyes will be blue in the womb, irrespective of the eye colour he/she develops after birth.
* Fat begins to be laid down under the skin.
