Second Trimester

Week 14

Baby is the size of a lemon

• Second trimester begins — energy returns, nausea fades
• Baby can squint, frown, grimace, and pee

Week 15

Baby is the size of a apple

• Baby can sense light; first light perception
• Movement increasing — may feel first flutters

Week 16

Baby is the size of a avocado

• Eyes functional (though still sealed); face expressive
• Baby can hear muffled sounds — your voice reaches them

Week 17

Baby is the size of a turnip

• Sweat glands developing; baby practices breathing motions
• Fat begins forming under skin

Week 18

Baby is the size of a bell pepper

• Baby yawning, hiccupping, and making facial expressions
• Ears in final position; hearing sharper

Week 19

Baby is the size of a mango

• Vernix (waxy coating) thickens — protects skin in amniotic fluid
• Brain developing 5 senses; nerve cells connecting

Week 20

Baby is the size of a banana

• Halfway point! Baby measures ~10 inches
• Sleep-wake cycles regular; can suck thumb

Week 21

Baby is the size of a carrot

• Baby can swallow amniotic fluid; digestive system active
• Eyebrows and eyelids visible

Week 22

Baby is the size of a papaya

• Baby's grip strong; can hold umbilical cord
• Eyes formed but iris still has no pigment

Week 23

Baby is the size of a grapefruit

• Hearing fully functional — recognizes voices, music
• Lungs developing surfactant (will breathe air at birth)

Week 24

Baby is the size of a cantaloupe

• Viability achieved — baby has reasonable chance of survival if born
• Lungs developing branches, blood vessels; practicing breathing

Week 25

Baby is the size of a cauliflower

• Hands fully developed; can make fist, grasp
• Spine forming 33 vertebrae, 150 joints

Week 26

Baby is the size of a kale

• Eyes open for first time; can blink
• Lungs producing surfactant; practice breathing

Week 27

Baby is the size of a head of lettuce

• Brain very active; REM sleep (dreaming!) begins
• Lungs mature rapidly; breathing motions regular