During your second trimester of pregnancy, you can expect the following changes:
Twenty weeks is the mid-point of the pregnancy. The uterus is growing into the abdomen, the fetus is active and the woman can feel the fetal movement. The growing fetus also brings some discomforts. Some women experience indigestion and heartburn as the enlarged uterus puts pressure of the digestive system. There also may be leg cramps or swelling of the lower legs or feet, especially after standing for prolonged periods of time. Many women find that these discomforts are worse at night making it difficult to find a comfortable position for sleep.
In general, you should focus on an overall healthy lifestyle. Avoid substances like alcohol and tobacco as much as possible, since these may harm your developing baby. Restrict caffeine to no more than 200 mg a day, or one 12-ounce cup of coffee. Certain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may affect your baby, so talk to your doctor about whether you should stop taking any medications. Your diet may also affect your baby, so eat a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Also, make sure you're getting the proper vitamins—especially calcium, iron, and folic acid—through your food and vitamin supplements. You should get plenty of moderate exercise so that you and your baby stay healthy. If you have questions about how a particular activity may affect your baby during the 2nd trimester, talk to your doctor.
During the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, you may feel overwhelmed by all of the questions for your doctor. Make sure you write down all of your questions as they occur so that you are prepared for your appointment. Here are some that you might want to consider:
At 16 weeks many women are excited and enjoying their pregnancy. The morning sickness and mood swings of the first trimester are just a memory. The uterus is continuing to grow and weighs approximately 8.5 ounces. The placenta is also growing, and an increased amount of amniotic fluid is being produced to help protect the baby. A baby bump is evident and the anticipation of feeling the baby move is just around the corner.
Twenty weeks is the mid-point of the pregnancy. The uterus is growing into the abdomen, the fetus is active and the woman can feel the fetal movement. The growing fetus also brings some discomforts. Some women experience indigestion and heartburn as the enlarged uterus puts pressure of the digestive system. There also may be leg cramps or swelling of the lower legs or feet, especially after standing for prolonged periods of time. Many women find that these discomforts are worse at night making it difficult to find a comfortable position for sleep.
Many women get Braxton Hicks contractions during their 2nd trimester. Braxton Hicks contractions are small contractions of the uterus that your body produces in order to prepare itself for labor. You usually do not know when they will come and go. If these contractions become very intense, talk to your doctor since this could be a sign of pre-term labor.
The test commonly performed around week 25 is a glucose screening for gestational diabetes. If this screening test is positive a test diagnostic for gestational diabetes will be ordered by the physician.
At 20 weeks, the fetus weighs about 10.5 ounces and is about 10 inches long: head to heel. The fetus is swallowing amniotic fluid and producing meconium which will remain in the intestine until birth. The fetus is beginning to extend and flex its arm and legs and moving around in the uterus.
At 16 weeks many women are excited and enjoying their pregnancy. The morning sickness and mood swings of the first trimester are just a memory. The uterus is continuing to grow and weighs approximately 8.5 ounces. The placenta is also growing, and an increased amount of amniotic fluid is being produced to help protect the baby. A baby bump is evident and the anticipation of feeling the baby move is just around the corner.
At 25 weeks the physical signs of pregnancy are clearly visible. The woman may experience a change in gait as the pelvic joints begin to relax to accommodate the growing fetus and to prepare for the birth. The hormones of pregnancy decrease the normal cycle of daily hair loss resulting in a full and thick head of hair. However once the pregnancy related hormones are gone so is the fullness of the hair. The increased blood volume of pregnancy may result in tingling of the hands, swelling of the feet and varicose veins as well as snoring.
The following developments take place during the second trimester (Week 13-Week 28):
At 16 weeks:
• Muscle tissue and bone continue to form, creating a more complete skeleton.
• Skin begins to form. You can nearly see through it.
• Meconium (mih-KOH-nee-uhm) develops in your baby's intestinal tract. This will be your baby's first bowel movement.
• Your baby makes sucking motions with the mouth (sucking reflex).
• Your baby reaches a length of about 4 to 5 inches and weighs almost 3 ounces.
At 20 weeks:
• Your baby is more active. You might feel slight fluttering.
• Your baby is covered by fine, downy hair called lanugo (luh-NOO-goh) and a waxy coating called vernix. This protects the forming skin underneath.
• Eyebrows, eyelashes, fingernails, and toenails have formed. Your baby can even scratch itself.
• Your baby can hear and swallow.
• Now halfway through your pregnancy, your baby is about 6 inches long and weighs about 9 ounces.
At 24 weeks:
• Bone marrow begins to make blood cells.
• Taste buds form on your baby's tongue.
• Footprints and fingerprints have formed.
• Real hair begins to grow on your baby's head.
• The lungs are formed, but do not work.
• The hand and startle reflex develop.
• Your baby sleeps and wakes regularly.
• If your baby is a boy, his testicles begin to move from the abdomen into the scrotum. If your baby is a girl, her uterus and ovaries are in place, and a lifetime supply of eggs have formed in the ovaries.
• Your baby stores fat and has gained quite a bit of weight. Now at about 12 inches long, your baby weighs about 1½ pounds.
This answer is based on source ionformation from the National Women's Health Information Center.