Your second trimester
Many women find that their second trimester is a little easier than the first. Usually nausea and fatigue are gone, but now you'll see more noticeable changes as you gain weight and your baby continues to grow.
Changes in you
As the baby grows, your body continues to change, too. Weight gain is different for everyone, but in general you should add about one pound per week, or three to four pounds during your second three months. You'll probably notice:
- Nausea and fatigue subside
- More energy
- Greater, more frequent hunger
- Weight gain as your abdomen begins to expand
- Aches and pains in your abdomen, back, groin area, thighs
By the end of this period, you'll have felt your baby move.
Changes in your baby
During the second trimester, your baby's arms, legs, eyes, ears, toes and bones are growing. She also will kick, sleep, yawn, swallow and suck her thumb.
- Length: about 13 inches
- Weight: about 1 3/4 pounds
- Heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs are fully formed.
Doctor visits, tests and exams
Your doctor will continue to work closely with you to manage your care. You may have one or more tests:
- An ultrasound or sonogram can show whether your baby is developing normally. Your doctor also may be able to determine the baby's sex.
- Screening tests can look for genetic birth defects. Risk of birth defects increases if you are 35 or older.
- Diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can give definitive answers about birth defects.
