Pregnancy Stages (Second Trimester)

Second trimester (week 13-week 28)
diagram of a fetus during the Second trimester (week 13-week 28)
See how your baby is growing inside of you during the second trimester.
Did you know? You can do something about common pregnancy discomforts.

Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first. But it is just as important to stay informed about your pregnancy during these months.

You might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away. But other new, more noticeable changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as the baby continues to grow. And before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move!

As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you may have :

    Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain
    Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks
    Darkening of the skin around your nipples
    A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline
    Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Patches often match on both sides of the face. This is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy.
    Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome
    Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet. (Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a serious liver problem.)
    Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)