GUIDE
Published on ·Updated on
Your baby is the size of a nectarine — and can now make facial expressions like squinting and frowning.
Welcome to the second trimester. For many pregnant people, this is when pregnancy shifts from something you endure to something you enjoy. Energy returns, nausea fades, and the fetus is developing at a remarkable pace. This week, the baby's facial muscles are active enough to produce expressions, the roof of the mouth is fully formed, and the body is growing faster than ever.
Be prepared from day one
“There's a host of reasons why prenatal care is important. The earlier that we can get patients seen, the earlier we can start interventions that can improve these longer-term outcomes.”
Your baby is about the size of a nectarine — roughly 8.7 centimeters (3.4 inches) from crown to rump and weighing about 43 grams (1.5 ounces). The body is growing rapidly and becoming more proportional as the torso and limbs catch up to the head.
The standout development this week is facial movement. The muscles of the face are now active enough for the fetus to squint, frown, grimace, and even appear to smile. These are reflexive movements — the nervous system testing and refining its connections to facial muscles — but they give the fetus an expressive appearance on ultrasound that many parents find deeply moving.
The roof of the mouth (hard palate) is now fully formed. The fetus is regularly swallowing amniotic fluid and passing it through the digestive system — important practice for the digestive functions needed after birth. The liver is beginning to produce bile, and the spleen is starting to produce red blood cells.
Lanugo — the fine, soft hair that covers the body — is growing and helps regulate temperature. The fetus's skin is still translucent, and blood vessels are visible through it. The thyroid gland is now functioning and producing hormones that are essential for growth and brain development.
The body's proportions are shifting. At 8 weeks, the head accounted for about half the body length. By 14 weeks, the body has caught up significantly, and the fetus is looking more and more like a miniature human. Arms and legs are long enough relative to the body to move freely, and the fetus is very active — though still too small for you to feel.
For a look at what happened last week, see our week 13 guide.
Welcome to the second trimester. For many people, week 14 feels like a physiological fresh start. The hormonal chaos of the first trimester has stabilized, the placenta is fully running the show, and your body has adapted to the demands of pregnancy.
The most noticeable change is energy. The bone-deep exhaustion that may have defined weeks 6-12 is often replaced by something closer to normal energy levels — not quite pre-pregnancy, but dramatically better. Some people describe it as a fog lifting. Take advantage of this energy window — it is real, and it is the foundation of the second trimester's reputation as the best part of pregnancy.
Your bump is becoming more defined. The uterus is now about the size of a large orange and has risen above the pubic bone, tipping forward into the lower abdomen. Many people transition to maternity pants or belly bands around this time, not because they have gained significant weight, but because the shape of the abdomen has changed.
Appetite returns — often with enthusiasm. After weeks of survival eating, the ability to enjoy a full meal is genuinely exciting. Cravings may become more specific and pronounced. While it is fine to indulge cravings in moderation, try to balance them with nutrient-dense choices. Your caloric needs have increased by about 340 calories per day in the second trimester — roughly a hearty snack.
Some people notice an increased libido in the second trimester. Nausea has passed, energy is up, and increased blood flow to the pelvic area can heighten sensation. Sex during a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy is safe at all stages unless your provider has advised otherwise. As your body changes shape, you might also notice round ligament pain — sharp twinges in the lower abdomen that come and go as the uterus grows.
Every pregnancy is different. You may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms.
This is the week to shift from surviving to thriving. With energy back and nausea fading, you can focus on nutrition, fitness, planning, and actually enjoying your pregnancy.
This is the time to do the things that first-trimester fatigue and nausea made impossible. Catch up with friends, restart exercise routines, tackle nursery planning, take trips, and enjoy meals out. The second trimester is genuinely the sweet spot of pregnancy for most people — take advantage of feeling good.
The mid-pregnancy anatomy scan (also called the 20-week scan or level 2 ultrasound) is typically performed between weeks 18 and 22. It is a detailed examination of the baby's organs, growth, placenta position, and amniotic fluid levels. If you want to find out the sex, this is usually when it can be confirmed on ultrasound. Schedule it now, as popular providers book up.
With nausea behind you, focus on a nutrient-dense diet. Key needs include: iron (to support your 50% blood volume increase), calcium (your baby's bones are hardening), DHA omega-3 fatty acids (for brain and eye development), and protein (for rapid fetal growth). Aim for varied, colorful meals with lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support your uterus, bladder, and bowels. Strengthening these muscles now helps during labor, reduces the risk of urinary incontinence, and supports postpartum recovery. To do a Kegel, squeeze the muscles you would use to stop the flow of urine, hold for 5-10 seconds, then release. Aim for three sets of 10-15 repetitions daily.
The second trimester is the ideal time for travel. You feel well, the bump is manageable, and the third-trimester discomforts have not set in. If you plan to fly, most airlines allow travel until 36 weeks for domestic flights. Check with your provider, especially if you have any complications.
When in doubt, call your provider. No question is too small during pregnancy.
You have made it through the first trimester and into the stretch that most people enjoy the most. The weeks ahead will bring exciting milestones — feeling the baby move, seeing detailed anatomy on ultrasound, and watching your bump grow.
Looking back at your journey so far? Revisit our week 1 guide to see how far you have come. If morning sickness is still lingering, our morning sickness guide covers strategies for nausea that extends into the second trimester. For a roadmap of the months ahead, read our second trimester guide. This is also an excellent week to establish a pregnancy exercise routine and begin monitoring healthy weight gain.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
