Overview: Second trimester is usually a welcome relief for most expecting moms. Sometimes referred to as the “honeymoon trimester” of pregnancy, the nausea of first trimester should pass and you’ll feel an extra boost of energy and vitality. You will love being pregnant during these months. Enjoy! Meanwhile, our little fetus is continuing to grow and refine all the systems that were developed during first trimester. Your busy baby will soon be swimming, kicking and performing acrobatic stunts you never knew were possible.
Second Trimester Major Development Milestones:
Weeks 13 – 15: The Blue Lanugo
Baby, you’re covered in a comfy layer of lanugo which will mostly disappear before you are born. Actually, “lanugo” is Latin for “down” and is very soft, unpigmented (or white) fine small hairs (see reference link under Resources below). You have fingerprints, nipples and your back is going to straighten as your bones harden.
Weeks 16 – 19: Growing Steady
Way to grow! You’re about 7 – 8 inches long and weigh about 4 ounces.
Weeks 20 – 23: Rock ‘n Roll
During your fifth month of existence, your legs will grow to their full pre-birth length and you will develop little toenails! You are rocking and rolling and having fun hiccuping, grabbing your umbilical cord and scratching your face. You’ve got some hair on your head and your eyebrows form, but your eyes are still fused shut. Vernix protects your skin in the amniotic fluid and we can listen to your heartbeat which is at about 120 – 160 beats per minute. Your ears are fully formed and the water in them helps you hear mommy’s heart, digestion, speaking, singing and crying and you are responding to her emotions. You are now about 10-12 inches long and weigh about 8 ounces.
Weeks 24 – 27: Livin’ in Paradise
During your sixth month of existance, your skin is wrinkled and translucent. Your tooth buds are forming in your gums and your hair is growing. Your fully formed eyes have opened and you’re making crying and sucking motions. Your arm and leg muscles are growing strong and if we could tickle your foot, you’d plant it downward. You’re about 12 – 14 inches long and weigh about 1.5 pounds. If were to have to be born now, you would be able to survive, but at this point, there’s no rush. Just hang out and enjoy the womb while you’ve got it.
Resources for Second Trimester Pregnancy Calendar
Lanugo Definition - MedicineNet
Website: http://medterms.com
Lanugo: Downy hair on the body of the fetus and newborn baby. It is the first hair to be produced by the fetal hair follicles, usually appearing on the fetus at about five months of gestation. It is very fine, soft, and usually unpigmented. Although lanugo is normally shed before birth around seven or eight months of gestation, it is sometimes present at birth. This is not a cause for concern: lanugo will disappear within a few days or weeks of its own accord. "Lanugo" is the Latin word for down, like the fine small hairs of plants.
Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth
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Book Description: Here is a holistic approach to childbirth that examines this profound rite-of-passage not as a medical event but as an act of self-discovery. Exercises and activities such as journal writing, meditation, and painting will help mothers analyze their thoughts and face their fears during pregnancy. For use during birth, the book offers proven techniques for coping with labor pain without drugs, a discussion of the doctor or midwife’s role, and a look at the father’s responsibilities. Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a process of continuous learning and adjustment; Birthing From Within provides the necessary support and education to make each phase of birthing a rewarding experience.
California Baby
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Weleda Baby Care
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Taking Charge of Your Fertility
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Book Description: Celebrating 10 years of helping hundreds of thousands of women achieve pregnancy, avoid pregnancy naturally, and gain better control of their health and lives.
Amazon Baby Registry
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Everything you need, in one registry. Amazon offers a large selection of baby products and the Amazon baby registry provides tools to help you find the right items.
The Land of Nod
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You'll find everything for your kid's room from A to ZZZ.
Newborn Gifts
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