Second trimester: Your growing baby
The second trimester is a time for your baby to grow bigger and stronger. By the end of the second trimester your baby will weigh about two pounds and measure about 12 inches from crown (top of the head) to rump (buttocks).
Your baby's gender can be identified in the fourth month. However, some babies don't provide a clear enough view during an ultrasound to tell for sure.
Although you can't feel it, your baby is very active. Your baby can kick their legs, move their arms, turn their head and suck a finger or thumb. Your baby is also swallowing amniotic fluid, the fluid that surrounds them, and passing it as urine.
Although your baby is getting oxygen through the placenta and umbilical cord, they practice breathing movements. Your baby's skin is now covered with a fine, downy hair called lanugo.
At about 20 weeks, earlier if you have already had a baby, you'll probably feel the first flutters of your baby's movements. This is called quickening. It will be several more weeks before family members will be able to feel your baby's movements.
During the fifth month, your baby's activity grows more coordinated. Your baby can turn somersaults and make faces. An ultrasound may show your baby frowning or grimacing. Your baby also has eyebrows and is growing hair. Their skin becomes covered with a protective, white coating called vernix.
By the end of the second trimester, your baby hears and responds to sounds. Loud noises may startle your baby, making them move. Your baby is listening to your voice and will recognize it after they are born. Your baby will recognize the voices of other family members, too. Each of you can sing or play a song that is "your song." Your baby will recognize it after birth and quiet when they hear it.
Your baby is also opening and closing their eyes and reacting to light. Your baby can make a fist and grasp the umbilical cord. You may feel your baby pushing their feet against the wall of your uterus as if they are walking. The rhythmic movements you sometimes feel are hiccups.
Baby's development: Weeks 14 to 26
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Week 14 |
Your baby's hair and eyebrows are growing. Their heartbeat is strong enough to hear with ultrasound. |
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Week 15 |
Your baby's middle ear bones have harden, so they can hear. |
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Week 16 |
Your baby's skin is now covered with a fine, downy hair called Lanugo. Baby's external genital organs (girl or boy) are developed enough to be seen with ultrasound. Your baby’s gender can be identified in the fourth month. However, some babies don’t provide a clear enough view during an ultrasound to tell for sure. |
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Week 17 |
Your baby can hear and respond to sound. Loud noises may startle your baby making them move. Your baby is listening to your voice and will recognize it after they are born. They will recognize the voices of other family members, too |
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Week 18 |
Your baby is about 8 inches long and is moving much of the time now. They can kick their legs, move their arms, turn their head, and suck a finger or thumb. Your baby's fingernails and toenails also begin to appear. |
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Week 19 |
Your baby is swallowing amniotic fluid, the fluid that surrounds them, and passing it as urine. Baby may get hiccups. Buds for permanent teeth are beginning to form. |
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Week 20 |
You’ll probably feel the first flutters of your baby’s movements. This is called quickening. Your baby is about 8 1/2 inches long and weighs 8 to 16 ounces. |
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Week 21 |
Your baby's skin is becoming opaque. Their tongue is fully developed. |
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Week 22 |
Your baby's skin becomes covered with a protective, white coating called vernix. Most of the vernix will disappear before birth. |
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Week 23 |
Your baby's heartbeat might be able to be heard with a stethoscope. |
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Week 24 |
Vital organs are developed enough for your baby to survive outside the womb. Lungs are immature, however, and your baby would need breathing assistance if born now. |
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Week 25 |
Your baby's bone centers beginning to harden. |
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Week 26 |
Your baby's body fat is beginning to form. |