Baby is getting bigger all the time, and is now weighs almost 8 ounces (223 grams). And your little martial artist is punching, kicking, and thrashing about harder than ever in your womb — pretty soon you may even be able to feel it! Baby’s facial features are also continuing to develop, and your baby can now yawn, hiccup, and swallow. They’re also beginning to develop a coating of myelin on their nerves, a substance that protects and facilitates the brain’s communication with the rest of the nervous system. Myelin is important for Baby’s brain development, and the best way to support this growth is to make sure you’re getting enough healthy fats, like DHA or Omega-3s.

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By now, you’ve — hopefully! — noticed that for most folks the second trimester trades many of the debilitating side-effects of the first trimester for more minor annoyances. You’ll probably notice your appetite growing to keep up with Baby’s growth. And as your little one starts storing fat to keep themselves warm after you give birth, it’s important to make sure that you’re eating a range of nutritious foods that will help you feel good and help your baby grow well. 

Another common symptom at this time is low blood pressure, so it’s recommended that you don’t rise up from a seated or lying position too quickly, as that might make you feel dizzy and light-headed. Experiencing lower blood pressure during parts of pregnancy is normal, because your circulatory system expands a lot to meet the demands of pregnancy. This period of lower blood pressure generally lasts until around half-way through the second trimester and then will start to dissipate from there. Until it does, support your body by drinking lots of water and don’t be afraid to slow down a little to give your body a chance to catch up — take the time you need to take it easy!

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Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team