Pregnancy Second Trimester is Fun!

By now, hopefully most of the first trimester symptoms have improved. Here is what to expect week by week in the second trimester.

Weeks 14-17

Physical

• Constipation

• Continued breast enlargement

• Heartburn,indigestion,flatulence,and bloating

• Increased appetite

• Occasional headaches

• Fetal movement near the end of the month.

Emotional

• Scatterbrained, not feeling quite together, and having trouble concentrating.

• Symptoms comparable to PMS. Includes irritability, mood swings,and weepiness.

• Frustration--you are in the "in-between". Your clothes are too tight but you do not feel ready for maternity clothes.

Baby

• Your uterus is about the size of a melon.

• Your baby is about 5 inches in length and about 5 ounces now.

• The baby's body is now catching up to the head giving a more proportioned look.

Weeks 18-22

Physical

• Fetal movement

• Achiness in the lower abdomen as the round ligament begins to stretch.

• Constipation

• Heartburn,indigestion,flatulence,and bloating

• Occasional headache

• Hearty appetite

• Backache

• Leg cramps

Emotional

• Mood swings will be less frequent now, however, irritability and weepiness may continue.

• Continued absentminddedness

Baby

• By the end of the month, your baby is 7-9 inches long and weighs nearly a pound.

• The baby is much more active now since the muscles are getting stronger.

Weeks 23-27

Physical

• More intense fetal movement

• Achiness in the lower abdomen as the round ligament begins to stretch.

• Constipation

• Heartburn,indigestion,flatulence,and bloating

• Occasional headache

• Hearty appetite

• Itchy abdomen

• Leg cramps

Emotional

• Fewer mood swings.

• Continued absentminddedness

• A beginning anxiety about motherhood.

Baby

• The baby is about 2 pounds and is about a foot long now.

• Still very active.

• Baby can open and close the eys now.

• Baby will have bouts of hiccups.