Halfway between your navel and pubic bone, your uterus is expanding into your abdominal area. Since blood volume increases, increased secretions - from nasal to vaginal - are common.

Thankfully, your hormones are levelling out as well, so you feel more like yourself or as normal as possible. The nausea you felt in the first trimester would have reduced by now, so you are likely to feel more energetic and exuberant.

Additionally, you may see the appearance of tan-coloured spots on your face or chloasma may occur on the forehead, nose, upper lip and cheeks.

Your Baby

Your baby is now about 120 mm long from head to toe and weighs about 100 grams. That is the size of a large tomato or an onion. Going forward, growth and refinement of your baby's existing systems and organs occurs.

Not only are your baby's ears standing out from her head but her fingerprints and toe prints are developing as well.

Your baby's first bowel movement - meconium - is beginning to collect in the colon. Fat deposits appear under your baby's skin, which help regulate temperature after birth. Blood circulation is now established and the umbilical cord lengthens and thickens.

The placenta and foetus are now almost equal in size. The skeleton, which was more of a rubber cartilage till now, begins to harden.

Get Tested

• Ultrasound test, mainly to check your baby's growth.
  
  
• If you are over 35 years, an Amniocentesis is advised to check for conditions such as Down Syndrome in the child.

It is okay if…

• You can't get sleep. Sleep disturbance during pregnancy is common.
  
  
• Your sex drive is back and you are not as tired as you were in the first trimester.
  
  
• You have periodic pain in your legs. This is called sciatic nerve pain and is associated with pressure on the nerve caused by your developing baby.

Stay Fit

• Exercise to maintain elastic skin tone, which in turn will help prevent stretch marks.

Special Care Tips

• Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble.
  
  
• If you are driving, be sure to wear a seat belt. Trauma to your abdomen is not only harmful to your baby but also dangerous for you.
  
  
• Drink water to stay hydrated. Your baby needs the water too!
  
  
• You will get stretch marks. So use an anti-stretch mark cream.
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