Second Trimester Of Pregnancy – 13 Weeks To 27 Weeks

Have you successfully entered the second trimester? Congratulations, you are now in that sweet spot where you might be experiencing a burst of energy and are ready to meet your baby bump. So, when is the second trimester, and how many weeks long is it? It runs from 13 to 27 weeks of pregnancy, lasting around three and a half months.

Now, you might be wondering about the growth of your little one in the second trimester. Read on to find out!

Second Trimester of Pregnancy - A Brief Timeline

The second trimester of your pregnancy is packed with critical fetal development milestones. From fingernails and eyebrows to tooth buds, your baby is growing rapidly with stretch, movement, and even bowel movements. Each week in the trimester brings something new. Here are some highlights of your little ones’ growth week-by-week.

1. Fourth Month

Here is how your baby will grow in the fourth month:

• 13th Week - The baby’s intestines have moved from the umbilical cord, and the kidney might begin to make urine.

• 14th Week - Your baby can now make expressions on her face and might suck their thumb. The neck will become more defined, and the spleen will start to form red blood cells.

• 15th Week - The baby is growing rapidly with the development of skeletal bones, while the patterning of the hair on the scalp will begin to form.

• 16th Week - The baby will be making more coordinated movements. At this stage of fetal development, the baby will be around four and a half inches tall.

2. Fifth Month

Here's how the fifth month will define the baby's growth:

• 17th Week - Your baby will move some more between now and the next several weeks. It will also begin to store a layer of fat under the skin to gain energy and stay warm after the delivery.

• 18th Week - Once you reach this week, as calculated by the pregnancy calculator, your baby will hear things now as the ears have started to stick out from the sides of the head.

• 19th Week - By now, your baby can hear your heartbeat inside the uterus. The baby's skin will be wrinkled and covered with vernix caseosa, a waxy coating to protect their delicate skin.

• 20th Week - This week marks your milestone in achieving the point of your pregnancy journey. You can certainly feel your little one’s movement.

3. Sixth Month

Here's how the sixth month will progress:

• 21st Week - Your baby now knows how to swallow and is becoming much more active.

• 22nd Week - The baby’s eyebrow is visible and is now completely covered with a very fine, downy layer of hair known as lanugo. It helps to hold the protective layer on the skin.

• 23rd Week - The baby will now sense motion and start to have rapid eye movements under the closed eyelids. It begins to form fingerprints and footprints, as well as the taste buds.

• 24th Week - By now, your baby has a regular waking/ sleeping schedule. The real hair on their head will begin to grow with rapid development of the brain and taste buds.

4. Seventh Month

Here's how the last month of the second trimester will progress:

• 25th Week - The baby can now recognize your voice, your partner’s voice, and other familiar sounds. They might also respond to the sound with movements while developing reflexes.

• 26th Week - The baby’s hands are starting to produce a substance called sufactor to help the tiny air sacs.

• 27th Week - The baby's lungs will continue to develop and they might open their eyelids; however, the nervous system will continue to mature.

Pregnancy Checklist for Second Trimester

As you enter the second trimester of pregnancy, you must have regained some of your energy, while the morning sickness might have subsided. However, remember, every pregnancy is unique. Here are some pregnancy tips to ensure a healthy journey.

• Have regular prenatal checkups to monitor your health and baby's development.

• Consume healthy food that is nutritious and rich in protein, calcium, iron, and folic acid.

• Stay Hydrated by at least drinking eight glasses of water a day.

• Keep yourself active by engaging in a regular exercise routine like walking or prenatal yoga.

Preserve your Little One’s Precious Cord Blood

While you are in the remarkable trimester of your pregnancy, there is no better time to secure your little one’s future through cord blood banking. At Cryoviva, we help you collect your cord blood after the delivery without any pain or risks to the mother and baby. The cord blood will be carefully transported and stored in the secured facility, giving you access in the event of a life-threatening medical condition in the future.