What To Expect During Your Second Trimester

We are here to help you understand the physical and emotional changes you can expect during the second trimester, provide tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and offer guidance on navigating common challenges.

Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, we’re here to support you every step of the way as you continue this path to motherhood.

The second trimester is from weeks 14 to 27 of your pregnancy. During this time, you will start to look and feel more pregnant. Your baby will also start to develop facial features, fingers and toes will become more defined, and they will be able to stretch, make faces, and even suck their thumb.

At this point, you may also start feeling the fetus move. This movement may be described as a flutter or something like the feeling of having butterflies in your stomach. It is completely normal for you to feel this as your baby is doing flips and movements throughout your entire second trimester.

You will have the following visits during your second trimester:

• 14 to 16 weeks: Your provider will discuss prenatal class options with you. You will then be able to call for availability.
• 18 to 20 weeks: Your provider will review ultrasounds and any other test results that have been completed as part of your care. If you are planning a repeat C-section, it may be scheduled at this time.
• 22 to 24 weeks: You will receive additional education to cover your second trimester. Educational videos will continue to be sent to you to support more learning opportunities. These videos will be sent from your provider as a message on your MyChart account.
• 26 to 28 weeks: You will have a screening for gestational diabetes by drinking glucola and having your blood drawn an hour later. Additional labs may also be ordered. Your provider will also discuss the tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine (Tdap), which is given after 28 weeks. Based on your blood type, your provider may discuss the RhoGAM injection and talk about a blood cord donation.
  • Learn more about pregnancy and vaccinations
  • Learn more about blood cord donation
  • Learn about cord blood banking

Here is a checklist for some second-trimester considerations:

• Start preparing for your leave from work. Review your employer's Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy to understand the eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and the amount of leave to which you are entitled.
• Consider investing in comfortable maternity clothes.
• Schedule your 20-week ultrasound appointment, and determine if you want to know the sex of your baby.
• Make your gestational diabetes lab appointment for between 24 and 26 weeks.
• Determine what you’d like in your birth plan and discuss it with your provider.
• Sign up for childbirth classes. We offer both virtual and in-person classes.
  • View classes in Southeast Michigan
  • View classes in West and Southwest Michigan
• Discuss your breastfeeding intentions with your provider, and ask any questions you may have.
• Discuss the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression with your provider and what to do if they occur.

You may have many questions about your pregnancy journey. We are committed to providing you with comprehensive answers and resources to make you feel as confident and comfortable as possible.