The second trimester often feels like a turning point. For many people, nausea and exhaustion begin to ease, appetite returns and the pregnancy becomes more visible. The NHS groups weeks 13 to 27 as the second trimester, although some clinical organisations start it at week 14. Either way, this middle stretch brings rapid fetal growth, the anomaly scan, the first noticeable movements and a steadily changing body.
What to expect during weeks 13-27 of pregnancy
Second trimester symptoms can be milder than those of early pregnancy, but they do not vanish completely. You may notice round-ligament pain at the sides of your abdomen, constipation, heartburn, leg cramps, headaches, backache, bleeding gums, skin changes and gradually increasing swelling in your feet or ankles. Keep attending antenatal appointments, where routine checks such as blood pressure and urine testing help your maternity team monitor your health.
Your week-by-week second trimester pregnancy guide
Week 13
Your uterus is moving upward out of the pelvis, so a small bump may appear. Early symptoms can still linger, but some people start to feel less sick or tired.
Week 14
Energy and appetite may improve. The placenta is supplying your baby with oxygen and nutrients, but you still do not need to “eat for two”; a balanced diet is the goal.
Week 15
Your bump may become easier to see. Increased vaginal discharge can be normal if it is clear, white or creamy; contact your maternity team if it changes colour, smells unpleasant or comes with pain or itching.
Week 16
Some people begin to notice faint flutters around now, although first movements may take several more weeks. In NHS care, the 16-week appointment commonly includes a wellbeing review, blood-pressure check and urine test.
Week 17
Your baby is increasingly active and your uterus continues to expand. Stretch marks may start to appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips or thighs and usually fade after pregnancy.
Week 18
Baby movements in the second trimester may begin to feel like bubbles, flutters or small rolls. This is also the start of the usual NHS window for the 20-week anomaly scan.
Week 19
A changing centre of gravity can contribute to backache or a slightly clumsier feeling. Pillows between your knees or under your bump may make sleep more comfortable.
Week 20
You are roughly halfway through a 40-week pregnancy. In England, the anomaly scan is usually offered between 18 and 21 weeks to check growth and screen for specific physical conditions.
Week 21
Movements may feel stronger and easier to distinguish from digestion. There is no universal daily kick number to aim for; over time, learn your baby’s own usual pattern.
Week 22
Backache, pelvic pressure, constipation or piles can become more noticeable as your bump grows. Hydration, fibre-rich foods and gentle activity can help with some common discomforts.
Week 23
Your baby’s kicks, turns and stretches may be increasingly obvious. Most people first feel movement between 16 and 24 weeks, so there is still a wide normal range.
Week 24
If you have never felt your baby move by 24 weeks, tell your midwife so they can check the heartbeat and movements. Do not rely on a home Doppler to judge whether your baby is well.
Week 25
Heartburn, indigestion, leg cramps and broken sleep may become more noticeable. Smaller meals and avoiding foods that clearly trigger reflux can make evenings easier.
Week 26
Your baby continues to gain weight and respond to sound and movement. Review upcoming appointments, vaccinations recommended where you live and any work or travel plans with your maternity team.
Week 27
You are nearing the end of the second trimester. Movements may feel stronger, and your bump can start affecting everyday tasks and sleep. Week 28 begins the third trimester in most pregnancy calendars.
The anomaly scan: what it can and cannot tell you
The 20-week screening scan is one of the major milestones of mid-pregnancy. In England it is generally offered between 18 and 21 weeks. The sonographer checks your baby’s development and growth and screens for 11 physical conditions. The placenta and other features are also assessed. Most scans are reassuring, but this is a medical screening test, and no ultrasound can identify every possible condition.
Food, vitamins and everyday wellbeing
A varied diet with fruit and vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, protein and calcium-rich foods supports pregnancy without requiring a special menu. Vitamin D is recommended in pregnancy under NHS guidance. Folic acid is especially important before pregnancy and through the first 12 weeks; taking it longer is not harmful. Avoid supplements containing vitamin A or retinol unless a clinician specifically advises them.
Food-safety rules still apply: avoid alcohol, keep caffeine within local pregnancy guidance, and follow official advice on raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurised dairy, certain fish and other higher-risk foods. A practical meal might combine wholegrains, vegetables and a well-cooked protein rather than chasing a “perfect” pregnancy diet.
Natural internal reading opportunities for this stage include first trimester pregnancy guide, pregnancy-safe foods and third trimester pregnancy guide.
When to contact your maternity team urgently
Seek prompt medical advice for vaginal bleeding, fluid leaking from the vagina, severe or persistent abdominal pain, a high temperature or symptoms that make you significantly unwell. After 20 weeks, a severe headache with vision changes, pain below the ribs, vomiting or a sudden increase in swelling of the face, hands or feet can be a sign of pre-eclampsia and needs urgent assessment.
Contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately if your baby moves less than usual, stops moving or their normal pattern changes. Do not wait until the next day.
Frequently asked questions
Is week 13 definitely the second trimester?
Definitions vary. The NHS week-by-week guide places weeks 13 to 27 in the second trimester, while ACOG defines it as 14 weeks through 27 weeks and 6 days. Follow the convention used by your own maternity team.
When should I feel my baby move?
Most people first feel movement between 16 and 24 weeks. In a first pregnancy, it may be after 20 weeks. Tell your midwife if you have not felt movement by 24 weeks.
When is the anomaly scan done?
In England, the 20-week screening scan is usually offered between 18 and 21 weeks, although local arrangements can vary.
Why is this called the honeymoon trimester?
Many people feel less nauseous and more energetic than in early pregnancy, while late-pregnancy discomforts have not yet peaked. It is only a nickname; healthy pregnancies can still involve fatigue, pain, sickness or anxiety during these weeks.
Moving into the third trimester
The second trimester is less about becoming symptom-free and more about moving from early pregnancy into a stage of growth, movement and new milestones. Keep your appointments, eat safely, stay active in ways that feel comfortable, and learn what is normal for your body and your baby’s movements. By the end of week 27, you will be ready for the final trimester’s focus on continued growth, monitoring and preparation for birth.