Pregnancy can be challenging and confusing, but luckily there are resources to help make it easier. By staying educated and organized, you can tackle each trimester with confidence.
The second trimester can bring a welcome change of pace. If you’ve been feeling tired and sick during the first three months, the next three will likely feel more relaxing in comparison.
The second trimester occurs from week 13 to week 27. During this period, morning sickness usually subsides, your energy returns, and your pregnancy becomes visible with a growing belly.
This trimester is often called the “honeymoon period” of pregnancy. It’s your chance to prepare, plan, and take it all in before you reach the third trimester, when you’ll experience new challenges and changes.
Why Is the Second Trimester Important?
The second trimester of pregnancy is important for ensuring that you and your growing baby remain as healthy as possible. While it is easier to get through physically, you should still be mindful and educated about all aspects of this trimester.
Your baby will grow quickly and substantially during this period. On average, your baby will grow from the size of a peach to a cauliflower over the course of the second trimester.
It’s also likely that during this time, you’ll feel the baby’s first movements, known as “quickening.” Your energy should be higher during this trimester as well, so you’ll be able to start preparing for your baby’s arrival.
Your second trimester is a great opportunity to check many things off your pregnancy checklist. This is the time to go to prenatal appointments, address any symptoms you may have, prepare for the baby, and take care of your mental and emotional wellness.
Because the second trimester often comes with fewer pregnancy symptoms and more energy, it’s the perfect time to make a detailed plan and check things off your to-do list before the third trimester begins.
Second Trimester Checklist
Now that you have the basics down, here is the full second trimester checklist. If you are currently in your second trimester of pregnancy or preparing for it in the future, here are things to consider from weeks 13 to 27.
1. Attend Prenatal Appointments
Be sure to schedule and attend all prenatal appointments during the second trimester. Depending on your health history and your baby’s development, your pregnancy care provider will likely see you about once every 4 weeks during this trimester.
Some of the notable second trimester prenatal appointments you’ll have are:
Anatomy Scan (18–22 weeks) – A detailed ultrasound of your baby’s development.
Bloodwork and Screenings – Your provider may recommend additional tests based on your personal medical history.
Blood Pressure and Weight Checks – These are routine checks to ensure you are developing healthily.
Pro tip: It’s common to forget your questions during a prenatal appointment. Jot them down in advance so you remember to ask during your visit.
Related: 7 Tips to Lose Weight During Pregnancy
2. Review Nutrition
Nutrition is an important aspect of pregnancy. During the second trimester, be sure to:
Eat balanced meals containing protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
Get plenty of calcium and iron. Incorporate foods like leafy greens, beans, nuts, and dairy.
Drink water throughout the day. Aim for at least 8–10 cups daily.
Don’t skip prenatal vitamins. They contain additional folic acid and other nutrients essential for your baby’s development.
Cravings are a normal part of pregnancy. Enjoy those too, but in moderation and with nutrition in mind.
Related: Positive Pregnancy Test but No Symptoms: 7 Reasons
3. Stay Physically Active (Safely)
During the second trimester, many people find that they have more energy and fewer pregnancy symptoms, which makes it easier to stay physically active. Exercise during pregnancy can help improve your energy and sleep and alleviate joint aches, among other benefits.
Physical activities that are safe for the second trimester include:
Walking or light jogging
Swimming or water aerobics
Prenatal yoga or Pilates
Low-impact strength training
Talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen, and always listen to your body.
Related: Crying During Pregnancy: This Is How It Affects the Baby
4. Start Preparing for Baby (Gradually)
While the third trimester will be the most intense for nursery preparation and gearing up for the baby, it’s not too early to start getting some things out of the way in the second trimester. This way, you’ll have less stress and a longer timeline to think about everything. Things you can do to prepare for the baby’s arrival include:
Create a baby registry: Friends and family will want to help celebrate this exciting time, and your baby registry will make it easy for them to do so!
Plan for the nursery: Even if you don’t get it all set up yet, you can at least consider the layout and figure out what essentials you’ll need.
Research childcare options: If you’ll need childcare, now is the time to check out options. Waiting lists can be long, so don’t wait until your due date is around the corner.
Set a budget for the baby: Every little bit counts when it comes to affording your new family member, so start budgeting early if possible.
5. Research Labor and Delivery
Another area you should take advantage of learning about during the second trimester is your options for labor and delivery. It’s the perfect time to start thinking about your choices so you can educate yourself early. As you consider the following questions, make a list of options that feel best for you:
Would I prefer a hospital, birth center, or home birth?
Who would I like on my support team (partner, doula, family member)?
Would I like to take a childbirth class to feel more prepared?
Educating yourself early will give you more time to make well-informed decisions about what you want from the process.
6. Focus on Mental and Emotional Well-Being
The mental and emotional side of pregnancy is just as important to care for. Although many people report feeling more emotionally stable in the second trimester, this doesn’t mean the roller coaster of pregnancy emotions won’t happen.
In fact, because the symptoms of the first trimester have subsided but many of the demands of the third trimester haven’t come into play yet, this may be the most balanced point of pregnancy overall. During this time, be sure to:
Practice mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing techniques.
Keep a journal to track your thoughts and pregnancy milestones.
Talk to your partner and support system about your feelings.
If you ever feel overwhelmed or anxious, it’s okay to reach out to a mental health professional for additional support.
Your mental and emotional health is just as important as your physical health during pregnancy.
Related: What Is Food Cravings During Pregnancy?
7. Get a Few Household Items “Out of the Way”
There are a few household items on your to-do list that are not baby-specific but are worth getting done during the second trimester. The following things won’t take long, and it will help set your mind at ease knowing they’re squared away:
Schedule dental checkups (gum health is important during pregnancy).
Review your insurance coverage for maternity and newborn care.
Prepare for maternity leave and review workplace policies if applicable.
Update your will or add guardianship plans if necessary.
8. Bond With Baby
As your pregnancy progresses and the symptoms of the first trimester subside, it becomes easier to bond with your baby during the second trimester. There are a few things you can do to nurture that bond:
Read or sing to your baby bump.
Invite your partner to feel the movements with you.
Display ultrasound photos in a journal or on the refrigerator.
Bonding with your baby now can increase your excitement and strengthen your connection as a family.
9. Address Common Second Trimester Symptoms
As with any stage of pregnancy, your symptoms may vary. However, there are some common symptoms that you may experience during the second trimester, or weeks 13–27, such as:
Heartburn – Smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce symptoms.
Back pain – A pregnancy support pillow or some light stretching can help.
Swelling in feet or hands – Drink plenty of water and elevate your feet when possible.
Leg cramps – Eat magnesium-rich foods and stretch gently.
If any of these symptoms or others ever feel severe, contact your healthcare provider.
10. Enjoy the Milestones
The second trimester is full of exciting milestones to celebrate as a family. Don’t be afraid to take time and enjoy them.
Start a pregnancy photo journal.
Write letters to your baby.
Keep a record of your thoughts, cravings, and funny stories.
You will be glad you documented these memories later on.
Week-by-Week Quick Checklist
If you prefer a simplified, week-by-week checklist, here’s one to print and use:
Weeks 13–16: Emphasize nutrition, schedule prenatal visits, and begin light exercise.
Weeks 17–20: Anatomy scan, first baby movements, and create a registry.
Weeks 21–24: Explore childbirth classes, check on childcare options, and start nursery planning.
Weeks 25–27: Look into maternity leave, finalize major purchases, and monitor any new symptoms.
Final Words
The second trimester of pregnancy is often one of the most exciting stages. Your energy levels are higher, you’ll visibly see your baby grow, and important milestones occur that bring it all home for you.
Pregnancy is an exciting and overwhelming time, but the second trimester is often more relaxed than the first or third. If you take it one step at a time, use a checklist to make progress, and allow yourself grace, you’ll do great.
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