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The second trimester includes weeks 14 through 27 of pregnancy. For many people, early pregnancy symptoms begin to improve during this time, while your growing belly becomes more noticeable and you may begin to feel your baby move.
This trimester also includes several important prenatal milestones, including the anatomy ultrasound and gestational diabetes screening, and is a good time to begin thinking about childbirth preparation and choosing a pediatrician.
Prepare For Your
Prenatal Visits
Prepare For Your
Prenatal Visits
Glucose Screening Test During Pregnancy (OSU)
The Fresh Test (an alternative glucose drink for gestational diabetes screening. If purchasing for your routine 1-hour glucose test, choose the 50-gram glucose beverage.)
Common Second Trimester Changes & Concerns
Common Second Trimester Changes & Concerns
As your pregnancy progresses, you may notice new physical changes and discomforts. Round ligament or pelvic pain, back pain, heartburn, constipation, headaches, leg cramps, and changes in your skin are all common during the second trimester. You will also usually begin feeling your baby's movements during this stage of pregnancy.
Feeling Your Baby Move
Most people begin to feel fetal movement sometime between 16 and 22 weeks, although it may happen a little earlier if you have been pregnant before or later with a first pregnancy. Early movements may feel like flutters, bubbles, taps, or small muscle twitches and can be easy to miss.
Movement is often inconsistent at first. You may feel your baby frequently one day and very little the next, and we do not expect you to track or count movements this early in pregnancy. Movements typically become stronger and more predictable as your pregnancy progresses.
If you have questions or concerns about your baby's movement, please contact our office. We'll discuss more formal fetal movement monitoring later in pregnancy.
Round Ligament, Pelvic & Back Pain
As your uterus grows, stretching of the supporting ligaments and changes in posture can cause intermittent discomfort in the lower abdomen, groin, pelvis, hips, or back. Round ligament pain is often brief and sharp and may be triggered by standing quickly, rolling over, coughing, sneezing, or other sudden movements.
Changing positions slowly, gentle stretching, staying active, using heat, and wearing a pregnancy support belt may help. Acetaminophen can also be used when needed.
If pelvic, hip, or back pain is persistent or interfering with your usual activities, physical therapy can be very helpful during pregnancy. Please let us know if you would like a referral.
Preparing for Baby
Preparing for Baby
The second trimester can be a good time to begin preparing for childbirth and life with your new baby. Consider exploring childbirth and breastfeeding classes, scheduling a hospital tour, and beginning the process of choosing a pediatrician.
Childbirth Classes & Hospital Tours
Childbirth Classes & Hospital Tours
Novant Health offers several optional classes to help you prepare for childbirth and caring for your new baby. You do not need to take every class. Choose the ones that feel most helpful for you and your family.
To schedule a class, look here. Classes you may want to consider include:
Childbirth preparation
Prenatal breastfeeding
Newborn care
Newborn Q&A
Basic car seat safety
Infant & child CPR
Support basics: supporting a loved one through childbirth
To schedule an in-person tour of Presbyterian Medical Center:
Visit the Novant Health Maternity Events page.
In the Keyword search box, enter “Maternity Tour Presbyterian.”
Find your preferred date and select “More Details.”
Select “View Website” to access the registration page and complete your registration.
Can't attend an in-person tour? You can also watch the Presbyterian Medical Center virtual maternity tour (see video below).
Preparing for Breastfeeding
Preparing for Breastfeeding
Most insurance plans provide coverage for a breast pump. Aeroflow Breastpumps can verify your insurance benefits, show you the pumps available through your plan, and help coordinate any required prescription or paperwork with our office. Coverage and available pumps vary by insurance plan.
Choosing a Pediatrician
Choosing a Pediatrician
It's a good idea to choose a pediatrician before your baby arrives. I generally recommend looking for a practice that is convenient to where you live, since you'll have several visits during your baby's first year and may occasionally need to be seen on short notice.
If you live near one of our clinic locations, the practices below are pediatric offices that our patients commonly use and can be a helpful place to start. This is not a comprehensive list, and you are certainly welcome to choose another pediatrician who is convenient for your family, participates with your insurance, and is accepting new patients.
When Should I Call?
When Should I Call?
Many physical changes and discomforts during the second trimester are normal. However, please contact our office if you experience vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, significant or worsening pelvic or abdominal pain, regular or persistent contractions or cramping, fever, severe or persistent headache, or other symptoms that feel severe or concerning.
If you're concerned about your baby's movement, please also contact us. Remember that movement can still be inconsistent earlier in the second trimester and becomes more predictable as pregnancy progresses.
If you're unsure whether something you're experiencing is normal, please don't hesitate to reach out. For severe or urgent symptoms, please seek prompt medical evaluation rather than waiting for a MyChart response.
→ Bradford Clinic OB/GYN – Hawthorne
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