Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first, but it is just as important to stay informed about your pregnancy during these months.

You might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away, but other new, more noticeable changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as the baby continues to grow. You will begin to feel your baby move during this trimester.

What should I expect?

• Your doctor will track your baby’s growth by measuring from the pubic bone to the top of your uterus.
• A Doppler instrument will be used to listen to your baby’s heartbeat.
• Your doctor will address fetal movement. Flutters and kicks usually begin around 20 weeks for first time pregnancies and 16 weeks for women who have had prior pregnancies.
• Genetic tests may be performed to test for chromosomal conditions.
• Blood tests will be given to check blood count and iron levels, as well as gestational diabetes and infections.
• A urine test will be performed to test the amount of protein in your urine and look for infection.
• Depending on blood tests and ultrasounds, your doctor may perform further diagnostic testing.

 As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you may have:

• Body aches, such as back, groin or thigh pain.
• Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs or buttocks.
• Darkening of the skin around your nipples.
• A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline.
• Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. This is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy.
• Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet. (Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching confined to palms and soles of the feet. These can be signs of a serious liver problem.)
• Swelling of the ankles, fingers and face.