Many mothers will tell you their second trimester was the most comfortable – the calm before the storm, you might say! Here’s a brief guide to what you can expect between the 14th and 27th week.

Your Body’s Changes

It’s the second trimester where you can expect your pregnancy to start becoming more pronounced. While the extra weight might not be welcome, you will be glad to see some of your first-trimester symptoms subsiding (or at least becoming more bearable). Your breasts should become a bit less tender and your morning sickness should ease – so you can enjoy eating again!

With that said, there are some common symptoms that women experience during their second trimester, so it may not necessarily be smooth sailing for you. Things to look out for include:

• Congested breathing
• Some dizziness
• Slightly swollen feet and/or ankles
• Cramping in your legs
• Sensitive or bleeding gums
• Aches in your lower body
• Varicose veins

If any of these symptoms seem irregularly severe or are giving you undue concern, we would encourage you to get in touch with our clinic to book an appointment. Phone us on 1300 464 464.

Your Baby’s Development

The second trimester is when your baby will start actually tasting the foods you’ve recently eaten, which is an exciting development. In addition to this, most babies will also develop the following during these weeks:

• Light hairs, including eyebrows and eyelashes
• Eyes and ears (and the ability to use them!)

Your baby’s heart should begin beating regularly during this trimester, and this is when you might start feeling some spontaneous kicks.

This stage of pregnancy might be the most pleasant for many women, but that doesn’t mean it’s stress-free. If you are having difficulties with this change in your life, please browse our wide range of blog posts for information that may be helpful to you.

Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.