What to Expect During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

The second trimester of pregnancy, which lasts from weeks fourteen to twenty-seven, is for many pregnant women the most exciting and the easiest trimester of pregnancy. Morning sickness has usually begun to fade and for many is completely gone by a few weeks into the second trimester. Mothers-to-be may feel more energetic and optimistic as they pass the danger zone for early miscarriage and their pregnancy begins to show.

By the end of the second trimester of pregnancy the fetus can inhale, exhale and cry. The average length of a twenty-six week fetus is over fourteen inches in length and over a pound and a half in weight. As early as the end of the second trimester, the fetus has a fifty percent chance of survival if born from pre-term labor.

The Quad Screen test is performed between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. The Quad Screen test is a blood test that checks for markers indicating problems with the brain, spinal cord and other neural issues as well as certain genetic disorders. The test is safe for both mother and baby, but many mothers-to-be are choosing to forego the Quad Screen. There is a high rate of false-positives associated with this test. Other moms would rather be prepared for a possible birth defect and choose to have the test done.

One of the most exciting parts of the second trimester is the mid-pregnancy ultrasound. Usually between seventeen to twenty-two weeks of pregnancy an ultrasound is performed to check fluid levels, organ and bone development and the location of the placenta. Measurements of the baby are taken to ensure that his or her size is correct for the dates of the pregnancy. This ultrasound also allows parents to get a glimpse of their little one. While facial features aren’t clear so early in the pregnancy, it is still amazing to watch the fetus move around in utero. If possible, most ultrasound technicians will try to guess the sex of the baby if the parents are interested in knowing. Sometimes it is possible to get a video of the ultrasound or pictures to share with family.