Pregnancy - 2nd Trimester
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I start to show?
How can I prevent stretch marks?
When will I be able to feel the baby move?
Is An ultrasound safe for my baby?
I’ve been feeling like the pregnancy is not “real.” Is this normal?
When will I start to show?
It depends. If it is your 2nd or 3rd pregnancy you may show sooner, since your abdominal muscles tend to be a little more stretched and your body returns to a pregnant shape quickly. It also depends on your pre‑pregnancy body weight. If you were heavier before you became pregnant, in the early weeks, your pregnancy may not be as obvious as for someone who had less body mass before pregnancy.
For more information about other changes you may experience during your 2nd trimester, click here.
How can I prevent stretch marks?
There is very little you can do to prevent stretch marks. Stretch marks are the purple, pink or red marks (striae) that may appear on your abdomen, breasts, and thighs. Risk factors for developing stretch marks are: having a family history of stretch marks (so if your mother or sisters developed stretch marks you may also develop them), being Caucasian, gaining a lot of weight during pregnancy, and already having stretch marks on your breasts or thighs. After birth, the stretch marks will gradually change from red or purple to tan or white, and will become harder to see. Some women never lose their stretch marks.
For more information about other changes you may experience during your 2nd trimester, click here. For more information about healthy weight gain during pregnancy, click here.
When will I be able to feel the baby move?
“Quickening” is the term for the mother feeling the developing baby’s movement. Developing babies move their arms and legs to exercise and to find a more comfortable position. This may feel like bubbling, fluttering or knocking, and can feel different for each pregnancy. If it is your first pregnancy, you may not feel movement until about your 19th week. If this is a 2nd (or later) pregnancy, you will usually begin to feel the movement sooner, at around the 17th week. When it begins, note the date, and tell your health care provider on your next visit.
Is an ultrasound safe for my baby?
An ultrasound test (usually done between 18‑20 weeks) can check the development and position of the baby. It can also check your estimated due date (you may be unsure when you had your last period). An ultrasound uses reflected sound waves to produce a picture of your fetus or developing baby, the placenta (the organ that nourishes the fetus), and the amniotic fluid (the liquid that surrounds the fetus). Fetal ultrasound is a safe way to check for problems and get information about your fetus, such as its size and position. It does not use X‑rays or other types of radiation that may harm your fetus.
For more information about ultrasounds during pregnancy, visit the Health Link BC File Fetal Ultrasound: Test Overview.
I’ve been feeling like this pregnancy is not “real.” Is this normal?
As your 2nd trimester progresses, you will likely experience an increased sense that the pregnancy is real. You may also find that your emotions may be more stable than in the first trimester. Here are some tips to help you connect with your pregnancy:
- pay attention to your body and baby and enjoy your pregnancy
- celebrate your pregnancy
- connect with your baby, and include your partner
- you and your partner can talk to your baby and/or gently massage your belly
- keep a diary during your pregnancy
- keep a pregnancy photo album
If you are experiencing unexpected mood changes, and you are feeling down for longer periods of time and the things that used to give you joy no longer do, you may have perinatal depression. Talk with your health care provider now about how you are feeling. For more information about depression during or after pregnancy, click here. For more information about other changes you may experience during your 2nd trimester, click here.
