The second trimester of pregnancy is glorious. You should have much more energy than in the first trimester and your belly will start to pop which is always so exciting to see and experience. If you haven’t already, you will start feeling tiny baby kicks too!
But what kinds of things should you be doing during these next twelve weeks?
This post breaks down everything you need to know about the second trimester of pregnancy including second trimester symptoms, second trimester essentials, and exactly what you should put on your second trimester to do list.
This post is all about the second trimester of pregnancy.
Second Trimester of Pregnancy
The second trimester occurs during months four, five and six. You can expect to look and feel more pregnant but most of the uncomfortable first trimester symptoms like nausea, extreme fatigue and food aversions should be behind you.
Most moms love the second trimester of pregnancy because they feel like themselves again (except for the baby bump making its appearance) and actually have energy to do things for a change.
But even if it feels “easier”, don’t forget that your body is still doing a lot of growing and developing!
Baby Development Milestones you can expect include:
- Hair, skin and nails – Tiny hairs begin to sprout, eyelashes and eyebrows are growing, and the baby’s skin is covered in lanugo (to keep him warm until he builds up more fat in the third trimester of pregnancy).
- Digestive system – A baby’s digestive system was fully formed by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy so now he can practice sucking and swallowing in preparation for life outside the womb.
- Senses – Baby’s eyes and ears are moving to the correct positions and he is developing senses so he can see, smell and hear. A baby’s eyes actually start to open by week 22 of pregnancy – so wild!
- Heart – By 17 weeks of pregnancy, a baby’s brain is actually controlling his heartbeat and by week 25 of pregnancy, capillaries form to carry the oxygenated blood through his body.
- Brain – Your baby’s brain will control his heartbeat, induces kicks and by 26 weeks of pregnancy will begin blinking his little eyelids.
Common second trimester symptoms include heartburn, constipation, leg cramps, congestion, weight gain (this is totally necessary!), round ligament pain, sensitive gums, varicose veins and/or hemorrhoids and dizziness.
Second Trimester Symptoms
You probably already know there are tons of pregnancy symptoms that span the first, second and third trimesters. But here are a few tell tale second trimester symptoms that you can look out for:
Heartburn
This is one of my least favorite second trimester symptoms because of how uncomfortable it is. Pregnancy hormones relax the valve at the entrance to the stomach, which leads to acid stomach contents moving up into the esophagus. If you are experiencing this, I recommend talking to your doctor about what you can safely do to treat it and make yourself more comfortable.
Constipation
You can blame pregnancy hormones for constipation experienced during the second trimester of pregnancy. Constipation goes hand in hand with the increase in progesterone levels. So usually by two to three months pregnant, you will start to notice constipation.
Leg Cramps
You are not alone if you are dealing with leg cramps. They are common in the second trimester of pregnancy due to a combination of pregnancy fatigue, compression of the blood vessels in the legs, pregnancy hormones and dehydration.
Congestion
During pregnancy, you have more blood circulating, which can make the blood vessels in your nose swell and cause congestion. It can start as early as two months and get worse as you get further along in pregnancy.
Weight Gain
This is a very necessary and expected part of pregnancy. You might love your bump or hate it but seeing it grow is pretty miraculous when you think of all of your baby’s growth happening inside it.
Round Ligament Pain
This is the sharp pain often felt in the lower belly area. These are also known as “growing pains” as a result of your expanding uterus and are often felt when changing positions in bed at night. They are definitely uncomfortable but a sign that your body is stretching to accommodate your uterus and baby.
Gum and Teeth Sensitivity
This one might come as a shock to you but it is a pretty common second trimester symptom. We can thank pregnancy hormones yet again for this one..
True story, I went to my dentist thinking I had a cavity but it turned out to be absolutely nothing. I had crazy pain but my dentist could not find anything. I knew that when it magically cleared up after birth that it was another crazy pregnancy symptom.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are another common part of pregnancy due to applied pressure from the uterus on the large vein that carries blood from your feet and legs to your heart. They are harmless but may become itchy, uncomfortable and painful.
Hemorrhoids
Just like varicose veins, hemorrhoids can be itchy, uncomfortable and very painful. Your growing uterus and and increased blood flow to the pelvic area can cause the veins in the rectal wall to swell, which is one of the most uncomfortable things ever. Definitely talk to your doctor if you are experiencing these.
Dizziness
You might experience dizziness during the second trimester due to your growing uterus putting pressure on blood vessels. For this reason, it is recommended that you lay on your side instead of flat on your back.
Second Trimester To Do List
- Announce Pregnancy (if you haven’t already)
Most moms wait to announce their pregnancy until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy or the beginning of the second. Reaching twelve weeks pregnant is a huge milestone and usually gives moms more comfort in sharing their big news – which can be both nerve wracking and exciting at the same time!
2. Gender Reveal
If you want to find out the gender of your baby and you did not do an early test during the first trimester, then the second trimester of pregnancy is when it will happen! You can expect to have a 20 week ultrasound at which time you are able to find out the gender.
If you want to wait for a gender reveal party to find out or prefer to find out with your husband in private, as that the gender be written on a piece of paper and put in an envelope!
3. Finish your baby registry
Now is the time to put the finishing touches on your baby registry. Just like a bridal registry, this is the time to select everything you want for the baby and takes the guesswork out of it for the guests. People love buying baby shower gifts so do not hold back!
I recommend registering for about 2-3 items per person invited. It is common to register at one or two places and most stores will give the expectant mother a discount when purchasing anything after the baby shower that was not bought.
Popular places to do a baby registry include: Target, Walmart, Amazon, Buy Buy Baby. You can also opt for an all-in-one option that BabyList offers too.
Related: 37 Baby Essentials You Need In the First 3 Months
4. Buy belly butter and/or oil
You can expect your stomach to really start growing in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Many pregnant women use a belly oil to moisturize your skin and help with dryness. As your bump grows, your skin will stretch and get thinner and thinner. This can become uncomfortable especially if it is dry.
It is still up for debate if it helps with stretch marks or not. Some people swear by it while others think stretch marks are genetic.
Either way, a belly oil can make the second and third trimester of pregnancy much more enjoyable.
This is my favorite product I swear by.
5. Start sleeping on your side
Once you hit the second trimester, it is usually time to start sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your back is not recommended as the weight of your growing uterus can put pressure on your blood vessels which you want to avoid.
6. Buy a pregnancy pillow
Sleep can be so hard for many pregnant women. So if you’re experiencing it, you’re not alone.
Not only are there physical changes but your hormones are changing, there is a lot of new excitement and anxiety and so many other discomforts throughout pregnancy.
It is time to get a pregnancy pillow if you are struggling to sleep because of hip pain or you cannot get comfortable. Sleep is an essential part of prenatal care so it is important to do what you can to improve your quality of sleep.
Unlike regular pillows, pregnancy pillows are specifically designed to provide extra support in the places most commonly affected by your growing belly (and baby).
7. Schedule a prenatal massage
A prenatal massage is an amazing way to relieve the aches and pains that come with pregnancy. It can help with back and neck pain, improve circulation, reduce muscle tension and headaches, and reduce stress. All of which can lead to better sleep.
It differs from a regular massage based on the techniques used. For example, prenatal massages do not include deep tissue massaging or strong pressure on the legs due to circulatory changes that put pregnant women at risk for blood clots in the lower legs.
You will most likely lay on your side during a prenatal massage. Laying on your stomach is uncomfortable as you progress through pregnancy and laying on your back is not good either.
8. Buy more maternity clothes and put pre-baby clothes away
Your body grows and changes so rapidly during pregnancy and by the second trimester of pregnancy, you are probably not able to squeeze into pre-pregnancy clothes anymore. Or at least not the pants.
There are some really cute options out there. My favorite maternity clothes are from Gap and Target.
9. Talk to spouse about baby names
This can be fun but stressful so start talking about it as soon as you can! You might love a name but your husband hates it or vice versa so start tossing out names and create a list to keep track of them all.
10. Start thinking about maternity leave
Your due date will pop up before you know it so it is good to start looking into what your employer offers in terms of maternity leave. Make sure you check your state as well.
Where I live, I got a few extra weeks paid for by the state in addition to the benefits I received through my job.
11. Begin the search for a pediatrician
Believe it or not, pediatricians sometimes have wait lists or are not accepting new patients. I recommend reaching out to one or two during the second trimester. It is normal to have a meeting with them during pregnancy so you can ask any questions you have and decide if they are the right fit for you.
You will also need to have a pediatrician lined up before you go into labor so it is never too early to start looking!
12. Start doing things from pre-baby bucket list
Now is the time to do anything you want to do before the baby arrives. Your stomach will not be too large at the beginning of the trimester plus you should have much more energy than in the first or third trimesters.
13. Get rid of clutter
It is also the time to get rid of the clutter in your house. Babies come with a lottt of things between the baby seats, swings, toys and all the things. Now is the time to get rid of what you do not need and really clear out your rooms. Before you know it you will be baby proofing the house so might as well take care of the mess now before your baby is old enough to get into it!
14. Start planning the nursery
This is one of the most fun parts of the second trimester of pregnancy! Even though your baby will most likely sleep in your room for a few months after birth, it is so much fun to design the nursery.
Whether you have a theme in mind or just want to create a relaxing and tranquil environment, completing the nursery is one of the highlights of this trimester!
Related: 7 Ways To Make Sure Your Baby Boy Nursery Is Perfect But Practical
15. Go to 20 week anatomy scan
The 20 week ultrasound is a BIG one! It is also referred to as the anatomy scan and usually takes much longer than your previous ultrasounds.
The ultrasound technician will take key measurements of your baby’s size including your baby’s brain, kidneys, heart, stomach, bladder, diaphragm, genitals, face, chest, arms, legs, feet and hands. The amount of amniotic fluid will also be assessed and you will be given the option to find out the gender of your baby – so exciting!
16. Go on a babymoon
A babymoon is a fun way to celebrate one last vacation with your spouse before your baby comes. It usually occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy (assuming no pregnancy complications). At this time, you will likely have a visible bump but you are still feeling pretty good. Plus, your doctor will not want you traveling past a certain number of weeks in the third trimester.
A babymoon is whatever you make it! It could be a weekend away, a trip to the beach or doing something you and your husband love to do.
17. Start making birth plans
Now is the time to start making a birth plan (if you choose) and educating yourself on labor and delivery. Your doctor may recommend a birth class to you otherwise you can check to see what your hospital has to offer or find something online.
It might seem like birth is a long way off but it will be here before you know it so it is good to be prepared!
18. Plan hospital tour
It can be comforting as a first time mom to go on hospital tour so you know exactly what to expect when it is go time. Even if you end up with a planned c section, a hospital tour is extremely helpful in explaining exactly where you need to go when you go into labor or come to the hospital for your c section.
19. Contact a photographer
If you are looking to get maternity pictures taken or set up a newborn session, I recommend reaching out to a photographer at thai time. Their schedule tends to fill up quickly so it is best to set that up early.
20. Get a baby book
It might seem early to buy this but you will be happy you did. Many moms actually pack it in their hospital bag and add their baby’s footprints to it while in the hospital. Either way, it is a great thing to have so you can record your baby’s milestones from the day he is born.
21. Learn about baby sleep
Don’t worry, I am not talking about sleep training or anything like that. There are virtual newborn classes out there that teach you the basics about baby sleep that can be a total game changer. You can even take a course in the last few weeks of pregnancy if you want to be extra prepared.
This is the course I swear by.
Every part of pregnancy comes with it’s own excitement but there’s nothing that beats the energy that usually comes with the second trimester of pregnancy. Take full advantage of this energy and start checking pre-baby items off of your to do list!
This post was all about the second trimester of pregnancy.