At the beginning of the second trimester you may wake up and realise that something is missing — morning sickness. Not only can you keep down a meal, but your long-lost energy returns.

Your uterus is not yet big enough to cause some of the uncomfortable symptoms that may happen in the third trimester. On the other hand, it may be depressing that you feel huge and your clothes don’t fit, but no one seems to notice that you're pregnant. Don’t worry — this stage is short lived. Some time during this next month, a total stranger will make your day by enquiring, ‘When are you due?’

One reason for the return of your energy is that the arduous work of foetal organ development is mostly complete. By week 14, your baby is four and a half inches long from head to toe and weighs about 45 grams. He or she is quite active, doing somersaults in the amniotic fluid. You will probably feel these movements as a fluttering sensation that begins between weeks 18 to 22.

The second trimester of pregnancy may involve test-taking anxiety for some women. If you are over the age of 35 or had disturbing results from other tests, your doctor will recommend an amniocentesis, which checks for such conditions as Downs syndrome. While one in 200 women experiences problems as a result of the amniocentesis, which could, potentially, lead to a miscarriage, the odds of having a Downs syndrome child are higher. As long as the technician performing this procedure has solid experience, you can further lower your chances of complications.

A common blood test called the Maternal-Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening, which is offered to women between weeks 16 to 18 of pregnancy, is also used to identify potential problems with the foetus. In some cases results can be misleading and cause needless worry: 50 in 1,000 women will have poor results and only one or two of the original 50 will go on to experience problems. One common reason for unusual results is that the pregnant woman is, in fact, carrying multiple foetuses. However, for many women test results will bring great relief.

At about 20 weeks, your uterus will extend beyond the belly button. An ultrasound can clearly identify your baby’s gender. If you are carrying a girl, she already has six million eggs in her ovaries. By birth, the amount of eggs will have decreased to one-sixth of this amount.

By 22 weeks, your foetus weighs nearly one pound, and measures ten and a half inches head to toe. He or she more closely resembles a baby. Eyebrows and eyelashes begin to grow. And a tiny pair of ears can actually tune in to your conversations.

Periodically, some women may feel their uterus tightening. These contractions, called Braxton Hicks contractions, are harmless. You will probably continue to experience them throughout your pregnancy as your body prepares itself for birth. While Braxton Hicks are completely normal, if they occur more than four times an hour call your doctor or midwife. Differentiating between Braxton Hicks and the real thing is sometimes difficult. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the signs of premature labour so that labour can be delayed until a safe time.

By 24 weeks, rapid eye movement has begun. Does this mean your baby is dreaming of past lives? Weighing in at one pound, six ounces and measuring 11 and a quarter inches, head to toe, your baby now has a five to 20% chance of survival if born today. By the time your foetus weighs two pounds, the odds of survival soar to 70%, although premature babies are more susceptible to a host of problems.

Owing to an increase in maternal oestrogen and progesterone, pregnant women are more susceptible to dental problems.

Between weeks 24 to 28, your baby is at his or her most active. More sensitive to the environment, your baby can now respond to touch and will jump in reaction to a loud noise, such as the pan of roast beef you just dropped. Why so clumsy? Water retention and loosening of joints are to blame. Plus forgetfulness can be attributed to hormonal changes.

By week 28, you’ve reached the end of the second trimester. Your little one measures 13 inches head to toe and weighs two pounds and four ounces. Your baby’s eyelids, which have been fused shut, begin to open. From this point on, your baby will spend much time observing the womb.

The second trimester has been a great journey. Between your baby’s daily exercise routine and your burgeoning belly, you have tangible evidence that you are indeed carrying life inside you. It’s hard to believe that in just a little over two and a half months, you will be holding that evidence in your arms.