Second Trimester: Feeling Kicks, the Anatomy Scan and Weeks 14-27

Why it's often called the easier stretch

• Nausea and tiredness ease for most people by 14-16 weeks, and energy often returns.
• The bump starts to show, often earlier in a second pregnancy or with twins.
• Not everyone feels great. Ongoing nausea, pelvic pain or low mood are still worth raising.

The baby this trimester

• Grows from about 3 in (7-8 cm) to roughly 14 in (35-36 cm) long, and to around 2 lb (about 900 g) by 27 weeks.
• Hears sounds, practices swallowing and breathing movements, and settles into sleep and wake times.
• First movements ("quickening") feel like flutters or bubbles, usually somewhere between 16 and 25 weeks. They come earlier if you've been pregnant before, later with an anterior placenta (one on the front wall). Kicks become more regular toward the end of this trimester.

Common body changes

• Round ligament pain: brief sharp twinges low in the belly or groin with sudden moves.
• Heartburn, constipation, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and leg cramps at night.
• Skin changes: a darker line down the belly, darker patches on the face, stretch marks.
• Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions may begin: painless tightening that comes and goes.
• See the common pregnancy discomforts guide for what helps.

Tests and visits

• Visits are usually every 4 weeks. Blood pressure, weight, the heartbeat and belly measurement are checked each time.
• The anatomy ultrasound at about 18-22 weeks looks at organs, growth, fluid and where the placenta sits. You can usually learn the baby's sex then if you want to, or ask them to keep it private.
• Glucose screening for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks (see the gestational diabetes guide).
• Tdap vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks (earlier in that window is preferred); a flu shot if it's flu season.

A good time to plan

• Exercise: about 150 minutes a week of moderate activity if you have no complications (see the exercise in pregnancy guide).
• Travel, if you're planning any, is often easiest now (see the travel during pregnancy guide).
• Sort out leave and workplace changes; see the working while pregnant guide.
• Sign up for childbirth, feeding and newborn-care classes, which often fill up, and start thinking about where to give birth and who will support you.
• Start looking for a pediatrician or family doctor for the baby.
• Sleep on your side as your belly grows; a pillow between the knees helps.

Connecting with the baby

• Talking, reading or singing to the bump is a nice habit for any parent, including partners and co-parents. The baby begins to recognize familiar voices.
• If you're adopting or welcoming a baby through surrogacy, this is a good time to plan contact and updates with the birth parent or carrier.

When to check in

• Bring up pelvic pain, persistent heartburn or low mood at your next visit.
• Contact your provider the same day for bleeding, fluid leaking, or cramps or tightening that come regularly (four or more in an hour) before 37 weeks.
• If you have heavy bleeding, chest pain, trouble breathing or a seizure, call 911.