Second Trimester

During this trimester the mother's pregnancy will begin to show. The chances of miscarriage are greatly lessened and many of the previously discussed symptoms are reduced or disappear. The baby's growth is rapid during this trimester and as a result numerous physiological changes will occur in the mother's body.

The baby: the baby begins to grow and store fat. Finger and toe prints form as do eyebrows and eyelashes. The baby starts to kick and move around. By the end of the trimester the mother will be able to feel these movements, although they will be erratic. By 24 weeks the baby will be able to hear outside voices and recognize them. At approximately 16 weeks the baby's eyes become sensitive to light and by the 29th week he can open his eyes and turn his head in order to divert his eyes from light or find it.

The mother: Typically the mother can expect to gain approximately 12 pounds during this trimester. Her nipples will likely begin to secrete colostrums - a thick, yellowish fluid that is the precursor to breast milk. The mother's pregnancy will begin to show and her waistline will have completely disappeared by the end of the trimester. She will notice that her gums will become spongy as the increased blood volume in her body saturates tissue. The pigmentation in the mother's nipples further increases. The musculature of the mother's intestinal tract will relax during this trimester meaning that heartburn will be more common, and she will have fewer bowel movements.

Month 4

During this month the baby's fingers and toes become defined. Eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows and hair develop. The baby moves, kicks, sleeps, wakes, swallows, listens, yawns, sucks his thumb, stretches, makes faces, and can pass urine. The nervous system begins to operate and the reproductive organs and genitalia are completely developed. Through the use of ultrasound, a technician can inform you of the sex of the baby.

Month 5

This month marks the beginning of a large fetal growth spurt. Hair grows on the baby's head and fine lanugo hair covers much of his upper body. The skin is developing and it begins to secrete a white protective coating called vernix caseosa. This coating serves to protect the newly developing skin from the harsh amniotic fluid. As well, the process known as quickening begins - the baby gains new muscle strength with his rapid growth and his movements quicken.

Month 6

The baby's skin is still developing and fat deposits are continuing to deposit under the skin. The skin is red, wrinkled and translucent. The previously fused-shut eyelids are now open. The baby will now begin to respond to sounds by moving or increasing his pulse. The mother may also be able to feel her baby hiccupping. The baby's rapid growth continues and the organs continue their development and specialization.

Common Second Trimester Medical Exams:

Up to the 28th week of pregnancy the mother will likely visit her physician once a month. More regular visits will be scheduled once the third trimester begins or earlier if the mother has a chronic illness or experienced complications in previous pregnancies. The second trimester examinations serve to monitor the baby's growth, predict a more accurate due date, and watch the health of both the mother and the baby. The mother should try to keep a record of various events such as the first time the baby kicks. This will help the mother's physician determine the age of the baby. The first kicks should be felt some time during the 20th week of the pregnancy. The mother's physician will also begin measuring the fundal height. This measurement is from the top of the mother's uterus to the top of her pubic bone. It calculates the age of the fetus and determines whether growth has been regular and healthy. Typically the measurement should increase by 0. 4 inches per week. The mother's blood pressure and weight will also be taken at each visit. It is standard to have an ultrasound performed in the second trimester. This exam looks for various things, including: twin or multiple births, fetal heart movements, the location of the placenta in the womb, amount of amniotic fluid, and measures the fetal head, abdomen, and femur to determine the age of the fetus. Between week 15 and 18 Alpha-fetoprotein testing is done. The baby creates this protein and it can eventually enter the mother's blood stream. Unusually high levels of the protein in your blood can signal problems such as spina bifida, anencephaly, or Down syndrome.

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