2nd Trimester

(Weeks 13-26)

You may find that this middle stage of your pregnancy is your favorite one. Once you enter the second trimester, your nausea (morning sickness) and discomfort may lessen or go away completely. You will also notice more changes to your body. Your "baby bump" will start to show and by the end of the second trimester you will even be able to feel your baby move!

Changes for Mom

  • You will probably start gaining around 1 pound per week. You may even be starting to show in your belly.
  • Your morning sickness or nausea will likely end, but you will feel hungrier.
  • You will feel less tired. You may even feel a burst of energy!
  • You won’t feel the need to urinate as much.
  • You may see a white discharge from your vagina. Call your doctor if this discharge is excessive and/or colored, smelly, or itchy.

Changes for Baby

  • Your baby’s eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails and hair are formed.
  • Your baby’s fingers and toes are now well defined.
  • Your baby is constantly moving. You will be able to feel him or her in just a few weeks!
  • Your baby can even suck his or her thumb, yawn, stretch and make faces.
  • The reproductive organs and genitalia are now fully developed, and your doctor can see on ultrasound if you are having a boy or a girl!
  • Your baby is about the size of an avocado - around 4 ½ inches long and 3 ½ ounces.

Changes for Mom

  • You will probably keep gaining about 1 pound per week.
  • Your breasts will grow larger and start to feel softer.
  • You may have backaches.
  • Your feet and ankles will likely swell.
  • You might have hemorrhoids.
  • Your belly and the area around it will start to feel achy because your uterus is stretching.
  • You might have shortness of breath.

Changes for Baby

  • You may begin to feel your baby’s kicks! This first movement is called quickening and can feel like a flutter.
  • Your baby's shoulders, back and temples are covered by a soft fine hair called lanugo. It protects your baby and is usually shed at the end of the baby's first week of life.
  • Your baby’s skin has a thick, white covering called vernix and will shed just before birth.
  • Your baby is about the size of a banana - 10 ½ inches long and around 13 ounces.

Changes for Mom

  • You continue to gain 1 pound per week.
  • You will probably have heartburn.
  • You will notice a tightening around your belly. This is caused by Braxton-Hicks contractions. They are completely normal as long as it happens less than 4 times per hour. If it happens more often than that, call your doctor immediately.
  • You will likely develop stretch marks.

Changes for Baby

  • Your baby can now open and close his or her eyes.
  • Your baby reacts to noises from outside your belly.
  • Your baby can now kick, cry and even hiccup.
  • Your baby starts to develop regular sleeping and waking patterns.
  • Your baby is about the size of an eggplant - 13 ½ to 15 inches long and about 1 ½ to 2 pounds.

 

What to expect during other trimesters

Get rewarded for a healthy pregnancy!

Our Healthy Rewards Program offers exciting rewards and benefits for you and your family to enjoy as we help you plan for a healthy future, such as:

Basic Baby Care and Birth Classes

Fitness Center Membership Fee Assistance (STAR 21+ only)

Dental Services (STAR 21+ only)

Portable Crib/Playpen

Blood Pressure Monitor (for CHIP-P only)

Flu Prevention Reward (CHIP/STAR only)

Prenatal and Postpartum Visit Rewards

*Restrictions and limitations may apply and may vary by plan, including but not limited to age, gender and covered benefits by program. Extra benefits valid during the eligible year (September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025). Visit healthyrewardsprogram.org for more details.

Need help applying for CHIP or Medicaid?

Our Application Assistance Specialists can help.