You may experience:
- More energy.
- Less nausea as morning sickness fades.
- Constipation. Hormonal changes and your growing uterus can slow digestion.
- A bigger belly as your baby grows.
- Back discomfort or pain as your belly grows.
- Stretch marks, especially on your stomach, thighs, and breasts.
- Varicose veins, especially in your legs.
- Patches of darker skin on your face or a dark line down your abdomen, known as the "linea nigra."
- Flutters or kicks from your baby, called "quickening," around 18 to 22 weeks.
You'll have regular prenatal visits every 4 weeks (more often if you have any other medical conditions or complications) to monitor:
- Your weight
- Your blood pressure
- Your baby's growth
You'll also likely have:
- Blood tests to screen for gestational diabetes and check your iron levels for anemia.
- An ultrasound (around 18 to 20 weeks). This detailed anatomy scan checks your baby's growth and development, including the brain, heart, and other organs, and may reveal your baby’s sex.
- A screening for neural tube defects.
Weeks 13 to 16:
Your baby can now make sucking movements, and their bones are starting to harden. Your baby is about the size of an avocado.
Weeks 17 to 20:
Your baby’s skin develops a layer of soft hair called "lanugo," and you may be able to feel the baby’s movements. Your baby is about the size of a banana.
Weeks 21 to 24:
Your baby can hear sounds from outside the womb, and their lungs are developing. You can feel the baby's movements. Your baby is about the size of an ear of corn.
Weeks 25 to 27:
Your baby’s eyes start to open, and your baby can respond to light. They're about the size of a cauliflower and gaining more weight.
In the second trimester, you'll likely feel better, have more medical tests, and notice your baby growing and moving more.
