I tell my prenatal clients that the second trimester is the Glory Trimester.
I tell my prenatal clients that the second trimester is the Glory Trimester. It truly is the best of the bunch. The onslaught of pregnancy symptoms from the first trimester has simmered down and you're not yet so big that it's uncomfortable and tough to move.


You're also starting to look pregnant and are likely sharing the news with others, which can be fun and exciting. What else can you expect?

1. Early symptoms ease up.

For most women, the nausea eases up by the beginning of the second trimester, and so does much of the fatigue and low energy. You feel re-energized and full of pep again. Yay! Your strong aversion to certain foods might also be gone. But… there are some new pregnancy symptoms.

Related: 10 Things You'll Experience in Your 1st Trimester

2. Heartburn and acid reflux.

More gas and bloating. Hooray! With your growing placenta and uterus, there's less space for your digestive tract, so acids get pushed up, causing that awful burn.

3. Food cravings.

Calling them 'cravings' might be too mild a word. For many pregnant women, the cravings feel so intense that they almost feel desperate. I've heard many a story of partners doing midnight runs to satisfy a pregnant woman's food desires. Not only are they intense, but they might also be cravings that surprise you: foods you've never enjoyed before, strange combinations, or even vegetarians craving a hamburger.

I know one pregnant woman who had such an intense and constant craving to eat snow that she bought herself a Snoopy Sno Cone machine so she could indulge herself at any time of day or night.

4. Inflammation and swelling.

Some women manage to avoid this one, but others get swollen ankles and feet, or inflamed gums more prone to bleeding, inflamed nasal passages (hence, congestion)

5. All stuffed up.

It's common for women to get congested during pregnancy, even to the point of turning a formerly quiet sleeper into a snorer. A saline nasal mist can help with this. On the bright side, being stuffed up might make it easier to tolerate the greyhound nose effect that kicked off in the first trimester.

6. Skin and hair changes.

When pregnant, most women stop shedding as much hair, leading to fuller, more voluminous bounce. You might also experience skin changes, for better or worse: skin tags, dark patches, acne, or maybe just that glow you keep hearing everyone talk about.

7. Sex drive.

This one can go either way. Maybe you feel like you have a new lease on life now that the nausea and fatigue are gone, and you're feeling as frisky as you've ever been. Or... maybe you're having a bit of an identity crisis over your changing body and the last thing that you want to do is get jiggy with it.

Related: STIs in Pregnancy: What You Need To Know

8. Varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Increased blood volume and swollen blood vessels can lead to painful varicose veins in your legs and even your vulva. Avoid sitting, or standing in one spot for too long. Take frequent breaks and walk around to help with circulation. You might also get hemorrhoids, which are actually the same thing, but in the rectum. They're harmless, but uncomfortable. Drink lots of water to prevent constipation because straining can make it worse. For comfort, try ice packs, witch hazel, and a donut-shaped pillow.

9. Round ligament pain.

Picture your uterus as a floating balloon being tethered down by two strings, called round ligaments. These ligaments stretch down towards your groin, and as your uterus grows, they get pulled. You might feel a sudden, shooting pain when you stand up quickly, maybe getting out of a car. Change positions slowly to help avoid this.

10. Pregnancy brain.

Certain pregnancy hormones can lead to a new absentmindedness, also known as 'pregnancy brain.' Your once steel-trap mind is starting to be a bit more sieve-like and you'll probably spend lots of time walking into rooms and forgetting why you're there.

Bonus: it's alive!

The most exciting change of all is that you might now notice the baby moving. This varies with each woman, and how much you feel depends a lot on where your placenta is. At first, it might feel like little gas bubbles or butterflies, or that feeling you get when you go over a bump in the road. Over the months, though, it will become more obvious. You'll start to notice your baby's quiet times and awake times - and they won't always sync up with yours. Think of it as your first foray into parenthood.