Second Trimester Symptoms: Body Changes, Baby Movement, and When to Call

What Are Second Trimester Symptoms?

Second trimester symptoms are the body changes, discomforts, and pregnancy signs that can happen during the middle stage of pregnancy. This stage usually includes weeks 14 through 27.

Some moms feel better in the second trimester because nausea and extreme fatigue may ease. Other moms still feel tired, sick, emotional, or uncomfortable. Both can happen.

ACOG says that in the second trimester, appetite may increase, nausea and fatigue may ease, the abdomen begins to expand, fetal movement may begin, and the skin on the abdomen may stretch and feel tight or itchy. ACOG

This page is for general education. It does not replace medical care. Always call your own doctor, midwife, or healthcare provider with symptoms that worry you.

Second Trimester Symptoms by Week

Second trimester symptoms can change as pregnancy moves from week 14 to week 27. Your uterus grows, baby becomes more active, and your body may start feeling different than it did in the first trimester.

Some symptoms may be mild at first and stronger later. Others may come and go depending on baby’s position, your activity, sleep, hydration, digestion, and hormone changes.

Common Second Trimester Symptoms

Second trimester symptoms may include belly growth, breast changes, back pain, round ligament pain, heartburn, constipation, dizziness, leg cramps, vaginal discharge, skin changes, stretch marks, and baby movement.

Mayo Clinic lists second trimester changes such as a larger belly and breasts, lower back pain, Braxton Hicks contractions, skin changes, stretch marks, nasal problems, dental issues, dizziness, leg cramps, vaginal discharge, and urinary tract infections. Mayo Clinic

Office on Women’s Health lists second trimester symptoms such as body aches, stretch marks, darker skin around the nipples, a line on the skin from the belly button downward, patches of darker skin, numb or tingling hands, itching, swelling, and feeling baby move. Office on Women’s Health

Second Trimester Symptoms: Belly Growth

Belly growth is one of the most noticeable second trimester symptoms. Your uterus grows upward and outward as baby gets bigger.

Some moms show early in the second trimester, while others do not show much until later. Bump size can depend on body shape, muscle tone, baby position, placenta location, fluid level, and whether this is your first pregnancy.

Try not to compare your belly to someone else’s. Your provider will use measurements, appointments, and ultrasound if needed to check growth.

Second Trimester Symptoms: Back Pain

Back pain is a common second trimester symptom. Hormone changes, a growing uterus, posture shifts, weight changes, and looser ligaments can all contribute to discomfort.

Mayo Clinic says hormonal changes and a growing uterus can cause backache in the second trimester. Mayo Clinic

Supportive shoes, pillows, gentle movement, changing positions, and asking your provider about safe stretches may help. Call your provider if back pain is severe, constant, paired with fever, burning with urination, contractions, bleeding, leaking fluid, or one-sided pain.

Second Trimester Symptoms: Round Ligament Pain

Round ligament pain can be one of the more surprising second trimester symptoms. It may feel sharp, pulling, aching, or stretching on one or both sides of the lower belly or groin.

ACOG says the abdomen may ache on one side or the other as the ligaments that support the uterus stretch. ACOG

Round ligament pain may happen when you stand up quickly, roll over, cough, sneeze, walk, or change positions. Call your provider if pain is severe, constant, paired with bleeding, fever, vomiting, dizziness, leaking fluid, or contractions.

Second Trimester Symptoms: Baby Movement

Baby movement can become one of the most exciting second trimester symptoms. At first, movement may feel like flutters, bubbles, tiny taps, or little swishes.

Cleveland Clinic says the second trimester is a time when you can feel the fetus move. Cleveland Clinic

Mayo Clinic says that halfway into pregnancy, around 20 weeks, you might be able to feel baby’s movements, sometimes called quickening. Mayo Clinic

If this is your first pregnancy, it may take longer to recognize movement. Placenta location can also affect how early movement is easy to feel.

Second Trimester Symptoms: Braxton Hicks

Braxton Hicks contractions can happen as second trimester symptoms for some people, though they are often more noticeable later in pregnancy. They may feel like your belly tightens and then relaxes.

Mayo Clinic lists Braxton Hicks contractions as one of the possible second trimester changes. Mayo Clinic

Braxton Hicks are usually irregular and may ease with fluids, rest, or changing position. Call your provider if tightening becomes regular, painful, closer together, paired with bleeding, leaking fluid, pelvic pressure, back pain, or if you are before 37 weeks and worried about preterm labor.

Second Trimester Symptoms: Heartburn and Constipation

Heartburn, indigestion, constipation, gas, and bloating can be common second trimester symptoms. Hormone changes can slow digestion, and a growing uterus can add pressure.

Smaller meals, fluids, fiber-rich foods, gentle movement, and not lying down right after eating may help some people. Ask your provider before taking antacids, stool softeners, laxatives, or supplements.

Call your provider if you have severe abdominal pain, vomiting that will not stop, signs of dehydration, blood in stool, or constipation that becomes painful or severe.

Second Trimester Symptoms: Dizziness

Dizziness or feeling lightheaded can happen during the second trimester. Changes in blood volume, blood pressure, blood sugar, hydration, heat, standing too quickly, or lying flat can all contribute.

Mayo Clinic lists dizziness as one of the possible second trimester changes. Mayo Clinic

Drink fluids, eat regularly, avoid overheating, stand slowly, and tell your provider if dizziness happens often. Call urgently for fainting, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, severe headache, vision changes, heavy bleeding, or severe weakness.

Second Trimester Symptoms: Leg Cramps

Leg cramps can be uncomfortable second trimester symptoms, especially at night. Some moms feel calf cramps, tightness, restless legs, or aching.

Mayo Clinic includes leg cramps among second trimester changes. Mayo Clinic

Ask your provider about hydration, stretching, magnesium, calcium, iron levels, and whether any cramps or swelling need evaluation. Call right away for one-sided calf swelling, redness, warmth, severe pain, or chest pain and trouble breathing.

Second Trimester Symptoms: Skin Changes and Stretch Marks

Skin changes can be common second trimester symptoms. You may notice stretch marks, itching, darker nipples, a dark line on the belly, acne changes, or darker patches on the face.

Office on Women’s Health lists stretch marks, darker skin around the nipples, a line from the belly button downward, and darker facial patches as second trimester symptoms. Office on Women’s Health

Mild itching from stretching skin can happen. Call your provider if itching is severe, widespread, on the palms or soles, worse at night, or comes with dark urine, pale stool, yellow skin, or feeling unwell.

Second Trimester Symptoms: Vaginal Discharge

More vaginal discharge can happen as one of the second trimester symptoms. Discharge may be thin, white, or mild-smelling for some people.

Mayo Clinic lists vaginal discharge among second trimester changes. Mayo Clinic

Call your provider if discharge is green, yellow, gray, bloody, foul-smelling, watery like fluid leaking, or comes with itching, burning, pelvic pain, contractions, fever, or irritation.

Second Trimester Symptoms and the Anatomy Scan

The anatomy scan is not exactly a symptom, but it is one of the biggest second trimester milestones. It can help check baby’s growth and body structures.

Cleveland Clinic says a 20-week ultrasound, also called an anatomy scan, happens between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy and checks how the fetus is growing. It also looks for signs of congenital conditions and checks organs and body parts. Cleveland Clinic

Sometimes baby’s position makes it hard to see everything in one scan. That does not always mean something is wrong. Your provider will explain whether anything needs a follow-up.

Second Trimester Symptoms That Can Be Normal

Many second trimester symptoms can be normal and uncomfortable at the same time. Mild back pain, round ligament pulling, heartburn, constipation, skin changes, leg cramps, vaginal discharge, and baby movement can all happen in this stage.

Symptoms can also vary from day to day. You may have more discomfort after standing, working, walking, eating certain foods, sleeping poorly, or when baby changes position.

Even if a symptom can be normal, it is still okay to call your provider if you are worried. You do not have to wait until something feels extreme.

Second Trimester Symptoms Warning Signs

Most second trimester symptoms are not dangerous, but some symptoms should be checked quickly because they can signal a problem.

Second Trimester Symptoms Summary

Second trimester symptoms may include belly growth, breast changes, back pain, round ligament pain, heartburn, constipation, dizziness, leg cramps, skin changes, stretch marks, vaginal discharge, Braxton Hicks, and baby movement.

Some moms feel better in the second trimester because nausea and fatigue may ease. Other moms still feel uncomfortable, emotional, sick, tired, or anxious. Every pregnancy is different.

The most important thing to remember about second trimester symptoms is this: mild body changes can be common, but heavy bleeding, severe pain, leaking fluid, fever, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, chest pain, trouble breathing, regular contractions, or movement concerns should be checked right away.