What to expect during the second trimester

Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team – April 2026.

The second trimester (weeks 13 to 27) is often called the “sweet spot” of pregnancy. For many people, early symptoms ease up, energy returns, and pregnancy starts to feel more real – especially as your baby grows and you may begin to feel movement.

If it’s not the best part of pregnancy for you, that’s OK. Every pregnancy is different.

Physical changes

One of the most exciting and visible changes during this time your baby bump appears!

You may also notice several changes as your body adjusts to pregnancy hormones and your growing baby:

• Less nausea and fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Mild swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles
• Bleeding gums
• Nasal congestion or mild nosebleeds
• Round ligament pain (spasms in your low belly/groin area)
• Skin changes like a dark line down your abdomen (linea nigra) or melasma (dark patches on the face)

These changes are common but always check with your healthcare provider if something feels concerning.

Your baby’s development

Your baby is growing quickly! Their facial features are aligning, and their fingers and toes are becoming well-defined. By month 4, they’ll have eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, and hair. They will also be able to stretch, so you might also start feeling your baby move – they may even do flips throughout this trimester.

This first movement is called quickening. Initially, the feeling of movements may not be regular. Usually around 28 weeks, they become more consistent and predictable.

In the last few weeks of the second trimester, your baby can also hear you. If you talk to your growing belly, you might notice movement in response!

Prenatal care and appointments

You’ll continue regular prenatal visits, typically every 4 weeks. During this trimester, your provider may:

• Check your weight, blood pressure, and baby’s growth
• Listen to your baby’s heartbeat
• Offer screening tests for genetic conditions (if not done earlier)
• Find out the sex of your baby during the anatomy scan (around 18 to 22 weeks)
• Screen for gestational diabetes (usually between 24 to 28 weeks) and anemia (low red blood cell count)

You may also receive these injections:

• Tdap: It’s a vaccine that’s recommended at 27+ weeks and helps stimulate your body to produce antibodies against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria (bacterial infection), and pertussis (whooping cough). These antibodies help protect your baby after delivery until they are old enough to get the vaccine themselves.
• Rho(D) immune globulin: It helps to prevent complications if you and your baby’s blood types don’t match. Your provider will likely recommend it if your blood type is Rh negative.

These visits are also a good time to ask questions and start talking about your birth wish list.

Nutrition and lifestyle

As your baby grows, your nutritional needs increase slightly. Try to focus on a balanced diet with protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Your provider may also suggest eating iron-rich foods to support increased blood volume. And staying hydrated remains important, too.

You can usually continue or begin light to moderate exercise if your provider approves. Walking, prenatal yoga, and swimming are common options.

Emotional well-being

Every pregnancy is different. While some people may feel more emotionally stable during this trimester, others do not. Either way, it’s important to pay close attention to mood changes. You might feel:

• Relief as early pregnancy symptoms improve
• Excitement as your pregnancy becomes more visible
• Occasional stress or anxiety about what’s ahead

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or down all the time, it’s important to talk to your provider about it.

When to call your provider

Contact your provider if you have:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Persistent headaches or vision changes
• Sudden swelling in your face or hands
• Decreased fetal movement (later in the trimester)
• Signs of infection, like fever or painful urination

Looking ahead

While every pregnancy is different, many people find the second trimester brings a welcome balance of comfort and anticipation as they move closer to meeting their baby. As it progresses, you may begin preparing for the third trimester and your baby’s arrival. This can include thinking about childbirth education classes, pediatricians, and parental leave.

Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

Recommended reading

• What to consider when choosing a pediatrician
• How to create your parental leave plan
• What to expect during the third trimester

The post What to expect during the second trimester appeared first on Progyny.