Second trimester

WEEK 12

YOUR BABY Congratulations! It’s the last week of the exciting first trimester. The foetus weighs about 14g and pees for the first time after it learnt how to suck and swallow the fluid surrounding it. YOU Headaches? Blame the hormonal changes. Sit up straight, eat regularly, avoid fluorescent light and get some fresh air.

WEEK 13

YOUR BABY A rapid growth phase kicks off. The eyes and ears move to the right spot. The gut goes from the umbilical cord to the abdominal cavity. The foetus has doubled in length from week seven to 7,8cm. YOU That soft, round ball you feel under your abdomen is your uterus growing upward after it’s filled your pelvis.

WEEK 14

YOUR BABY Baby’s head now grows faster than his body. Just last week it was half the size of his body. He can suck his thumb, make faces and frown thanks to brain impulses. The eyelids are still firmly shut. YOU You’re hungry again! The appetitesuppressing morning sickness – often the cause of weight loss up to week 12 – is gone.

WEEK 15

YOUR BABY The big organs have been formed, but the heart and liver keep developing up until the last trimester. The neck becomes more visible and longer, and the chin no longer rests on the chest like that. He’s 10cm long.

YOU Your blood plasma (the oxygen part of your blood) has already increased. You’re getting more red blood cells to prevent anaemia.

WEEK 16

YOUR BABY The heart pumps about 24 litres of blood per day. It will increase as the foetus develops further. Although it’s still early, the sex of the foetus can be seen with the help of good sonar equipment. YOU Stretch marks might start appearing now. Keep your weight gain gradual, and increase your skin’s elasticity with vitamin C foods.

WEEK 17

YOUR BABY Fat that has to regulate his body temperature is being built up under the skin. Meconium forms in the gut. Shortly after his birth it will be his first sticky black poo. YOU Your body secretes a hormone (relaxin) that makes everything relax to make space for Baby. You might feel clumsy, so take care.

WEEK 18

YOUR BABY A protective layer forms around the nerves. It will keep going until a year after the birth. The lungs keep developing, and he practises to open and close his mouth as if he wants to cry! YOU Get up slowly from lying down or sitting, otherwise you might feel dizzy. Your body’s changing on a cardiovascular level, and your blood pressure is lower.

WEEK 19

YOUR BABY The three bones in his inner ear have already been formed so that he can hear your heartbeat, rumbling tummy and even the blood coursing through the umbilical cord. Sing him a song.

YOU You might be less emotional and teary now. The pregnancy feels more real. You have more energy.

WEEK 20

YOUR BABY Halfway! Rapid growth diminishes, but important development still takes place. Nerves responsible for taste, smell, hearing, sight and touch start forming in the brain.

YOU The vertical muscles running from the ribs to the pelvis separate from the midline to make space for Baby.

WEEK 21

YOUR BABY Arms and legs are finally in proportion. Cartilage throughout the body changes into bone. Neuron links between brain and muscles have been formed, so movements are more coordinated.

YOU If you have not felt your baby moving, you’ll definitely feel the joy within this next week.

WEEK 22

YOUR BABY By now, Baby can absorb little bits of sugar from the amniotic fluid around him. The bone marrow starts making blood cells. The liver and spleen have been responsible for this up till now. YOU You walk like a pregnant woman: slightly wide legged, and bent back to counter gravity.

WEEK 23

YOUR BABY The lungs start making surfactants that help the alveoli in the lungs to inflate and prevent them from sticking together upon deflation. The foetus practises his lungs and inhales and exhales amniotic fluid.

YOU Your ribs move up, and your lower ribs spread to the sides. You have less space to take deep breaths and might feel out of breath.