About Second Trimester Development | Symptoms of Pregnancy | Second Trimester Visits and Screenings | Preparing for Delivery
About Second Trimester Development
Throughout the second trimester, which spans week 13 to week 27 of pregnancy, the baby will continue to grow larger and stronger. By this stage, major organs are present, and sex can be determined around 20 weeks with an ultrasound. Around 16 to 22 weeks, mothers will begin feeling the baby move, and should expect regular fetal movement by 24 weeks. At this time, babies can also begin to survive outside the womb in case of premature delivery.
Second Trimester Symptoms
During the second trimester of pregnancy, some symptoms of pregnancy, such as nausea and profound fatigue, begin to lessen. As a result, many women consider this trimester to be the easiest to manage.
As the baby continues to develop and grow, mothers may have feelings of discomfort or stretching as the uterus expands, and many women will begin showing. It is also normal for women to experience occassional dizziness and lightheadedness as a second trimester symptom since blood pressure is at its lowest during this stage of pregnancy.
Second Trimester Screenings and Visits
Women should be seeing their physician every four weeks for a health check while in the second trimester. During these visits, physicians can perform the following tests to determine if levels are normal:
Preparing for Delivery
Planning for the end of pregnancy early on can help make the last several months of the third trimester far less stressful for parents. While continuing to follow your physician’s guidelines on things to do/avoid to stay healthy during pregnancy, parents should use this time to take education courses, such as Lamaze, newborn first aid and parenting classes. This is also a great time to sign up for a tour of the hospital, so you can know what to expect on the day you have your baby.
For More Information
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 847.570.5020.