Managing change during pregnancy-2nd Trimester

Second Trimester (Week 13-28)

16th Week

You have probably started to look and feel pregnant by now, with noticeable weight and a disappearing waistline. There may be a increase in skin pigmentation.

• Your baby is able to practice breathing and suck his thumbFine hairs (called lanugo) cover his face and body, but disappears after birth.
• Size of baby: approximately 16cm.
• Weight of baby: approximately 135g.
  

20th Week

Your skin pigmentation may be more obvious now. Your breasts are getting larger and heavier, so get a good maternity bra for support. You may experience backache because of your ligaments and joints may have slackened.

You may start feeling that your baby is moving.

Tooth buds developing.

Your baby can grip firmly with his hands.

Hair will grow on his head.

Size of the baby: approx. 25cm

Weight of the baby: 300-340g

24th Week

• Leg and arm muscles have developed.
• Your baby may do somersaults.
• Your baby may cough and hiccup.
• Size of baby: approx. 32-33 cm.
• Weight of baby: approx. 570g.

28th Week

Your abdominal skin becomes very stretched and might have some red strectch marks. Problems like indigestion, heartburn, and leg cramps may occur.

• Fat deposits are being laid down, so your baby looks more rounded.
• Your baby's face and body are covered with "vernix caseosa", which waterproofs the skin.
• Your baby can open and close his eyelids and look around.
• Size of baby: approx. 35cm.
• Weight of baby: approx. 0.9-1kg.

Note: If your baby will be born during 7th-8th month of pregnancy, it could survive under special care.