Second Trimester
14 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 3.4 inches long and weighs around 1.5 ounces, about the size of a lemon.
15 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 4 inches long and weighs around 2.5 ounces and, about the size of an orange. Baby’s arms and legs are completely developed. Baby’s joints and bones are getting stronger. He can now bend, flex, and twist his hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes. His nervous system is operating, and muscles are responding to stimulation from his brain, making movements more coordinated and less jerky. You may be able to feel baby moving at this point, or it may take a few more weeks! Baby starts to practice the movements of breathing. Your placenta is also now completely formed.
16 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 4.5 inches long and weighs around 3.5 ounces, about the size of an orange.
Common pregnancy symptoms during these weeks include:
Cravings for certain kinds of food or food combinations
Constipation, due to increased levels of progesterone which cause muscles of the intestines to slow. Pressure of uterus also can affects or inhibit bowel function. Drink enough water and focus on a fiber rich diet of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.
What you should do:
Now that morning sickness has likely subsided, focus on maintaining a good diet of around 2200 calories, with about 80g of protein per day. Eat a variety of different kinds and colors of vegetables and leafy greens. Be certain you are getting enough calcium, as your babies bones are developing and hardening at this point.
17 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures around 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5 ounces, about the size of a bell pepper. Your baby’s head, while still larger for body size, is beginning to look more proportionate. Her eyes are still closed, though much larger, and eyebrows and eyelashes are longer. This is a period of rapid growth. She has tiny fingernails and toenails. Her heart is pumping as much as 25qts each day. She can hear sounds outside your body and her lungs are beginning to exhale amniotic fluid.
18 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 5.6 inches long and weighs around 6.7 ounces, about the size of a sweet potato. Your baby’s head, while still larger for body size, is beginning to look more proportionate. Her eyes are still closed, though much larger, and eyebrows and eyelashes are longer. This is a period of rapid growth. She has tiny fingernails and toenails. Her heart is pumping as much as 25qts each day. She can hear sounds outside your body and her lungs are beginning to exhale amniotic fluid.
19 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 6 inches long and weighs around 8.5 ounces, about the size of a mango. A whitish coat vernix caseosa begins to cover your baby, protecting her skin during its long immersion in amniotic fluid. This is a crucial stage for the development of her senses. Your baby can now hear and recognize your voice. Your baby's swallowing more this week, several ounces of amniotic fluid each day, which is good practice for her digestive system. Baby also has working taste buds.
20 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 6.5 inches long and weighs around 10.2 ounces, about the size of a pomegranate.
Common pregnancy symptoms during these weeks include:
Breathlessness. As your uterus expands, it pushes against your lungs.
Leg cramps Be sure to do stretches and drink plenty of water.
Heartburn and/or indigestion, as baby starts to crowd your digestive sytem.
Mild swelling in your ankles or wrists (causing the tingling sensations or pain of carpal tunnel). Put your feet up in the evenings and try gentle stretches or a wrist brace for wrist pain.
Insomnia. Try a warm bath, essential oils, dim lighting, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques.
What you should do:
Make sure you're getting enough iron. Your baby needs it to make red blood cells, among other things. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, leafy green vegetables and iron-fortified cereals. Pay attention to if you feel tired, dizzy, or short of breath. Listen to your body and don’t push yourself too hard.