Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide (Second Month)
It’s true that you have entered the second month of pregnancy, but you may still not know that you are pregnant. However, various hormonal changes have already begun in your body, which may make this month somewhat challenging for you. Below, we have fully explained all the changes and developments happening to you and your baby during these four weeks:
Week 5
Usually during this week, you can find out that you are pregnant by measuring your β-hCG levels. As soon as you become aware of your pregnancy, visit your doctor or midwife.
• During this week, mood changes, breast tenderness, and pregnancy-related fatigue may begin. • Because the embryo is very vulnerable, try to avoid harmful factors such as excessive heat (e.g., saunas and hot baths), exposure to radiation (e.g., X-rays, infrared rays, or therapeutic radiation used in physiotherapy), use of chemicals (e.g., hair dye), taking medications without a doctor’s prescription, excessive intake of certain vitamins such as vitamin A (through supplements or eating large amounts of liver), and consuming certain foods like fish containing lead and canned foods due to preservatives. • Taking folic acid and iodine daily, according to your doctor’s recommendation, starting three months before pregnancy and continuing during pregnancy, helps prevent neural tube defects. Vitamin B6 can also help if you experience nausea and vomiting. • Adequate rest and following a healthy daily diet are recommended.
By a “healthy diet,” we do not mean overeating or consuming excessive amounts of nuts and protein, because excessive maternal weight gain does not always lead to increased fetal weight. At this stage, the chambers of the baby’s heart are forming, and heartbeat and blood circulation are beginning. The brain, nervous system, reproductive organs, and major organs are also developing. During this week, the embryo consists of three layers, each of which will develop into different parts of the body.
Week 6
From this week onward, problems such as nausea, vomiting, and heartburn may become bothersome. These symptoms can often be improved by eating smaller, more frequent meals. Protein-rich foods are recommended to meet the increased nutritional needs of both you and your growing baby. At this stage, brain cells, heart chambers, intestines, small air passages (which will later become the lungs), visual and hearing cells, and muscle cells are forming and multiplying. Your baby is now approximately 4–5 millimeters long, and the heart beats around 100–130 times per minute. Blood circulation has also begun. Week 7
Do not worry—frequent urination is common during this week due to increased pressure from the uterus on the bladder and increased blood volume. It is not always a sign of a urinary tract infection.
First-trimester abdominal pain is usually related to changes in the size of the uterus and the beginning of pregnancy and is generally not dangerous. However, in some cases, it may indicate bleeding or miscarriage. Rarely, it can also be related to ovarian problems or an ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, it is best to be examined by a doctor.
Because your body’s need for vitamins increases, eating fresh fruits and vegetables is highly beneficial. If you have a reduced appetite, pay attention to preventing constipation and eat foods that help relieve it.
During this week, the embryo’s eyes become more distinct and move closer together. Limb buds, shoulders, elbows, hands, and feet (except fingers and toes) are forming, and the embryo begins to move. However, these details are not yet visible on ultrasound. The intestines continue to grow, and due to limited space inside the abdomen, they temporarily extend into the umbilical cord area, creating a normal physiological hernia. They usually return to the abdomen by the end of weeks 10–11. Week 8
During this week, darkening of the facial skin and the areolas around the nipples may begin. Since bone formation starts in the embryo, try to consume foods rich in calcium. Drinking at least four glasses of milk per day is recommended. If prescribed by your doctor, take calcium supplements. Because blood volume increases by 40–50% from this stage onward to meet the needs of pregnancy and childbirth, it is important to prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
Therefore, consume iron-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, beans, whole-grain bread, nuts (including pistachios, walnuts, almonds, and peanut butter), raisins, dried plums, and dark leafy greens. Foods rich in folate—such as spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, beans (especially green beans), lettuce, natural orange juice, green peas, corn, beets, nuts, peanut butter, and bean sprouts—are also beneficial. From the beginning of this week, tooth buds and bones begin to develop. The arms and legs continue to grow, and the arms can now bend at the elbows and wrists. Facial features and the tip of the nose become more distinct, and the sense of taste begins to develop. Week 9
Heartburn and acid reflux may become more common from this week onward due to increased progesterone levels in the blood. It is recommended not to lie down immediately after eating. Drinking a glass of milk may also help. To prevent gum inflammation caused by hormonal changes, use dental floss and a soft toothbrush regularly. Rinsing the gums and teeth with diluted salt water can also be helpful.
Emotionally, you may feel very sensitive or unstable. Rapid mood swings are very common at this stage. First-trimester pregnancy tests are usually performed between weeks 6 and 10. These include blood tests (to determine blood group and Rh factor, detect anemia or infections, and assess kidney and thyroid function) as well as urine tests.
At this stage, the baby’s physical structure has formed and is becoming more human-like every day. The eyelids remain closed. Taste buds begin to develop this week. The liver, spleen, and gallbladder are developing, and the ears become more prominent. The external genital organs have also formed by this week. Ultrasound in the Second Month
In the fifth week, an abdominal ultrasound may show pregnancy as an empty sac, while a vaginal ultrasound can reveal a gestational sac measuring 3–9 mm containing a yolk sac. Rarely, the early embryo (fetal pole) may also be visible, but usually the heartbeat cannot yet be detected. Therefore, if your baby’s heartbeat is not seen at this stage, do not worry.
The crown-rump length (CRL), measured from the top of the head to the buttocks, is used to estimate gestational age in ultrasounds up to week 14.
In the sixth week, the gestational sac measures about 10–17 mm and contains a yolk sac and an embryo measuring 4–5 mm. Sometimes the heartbeat can be detected through vaginal ultrasound during this week, but if it is not visible, another ultrasound is usually requested one week later, because the heartbeat is easier and more reliably detected during week 7.
By week 7, the embryo measures 5–8 mm from crown to rump, and the heartbeat is definitely visible on ultrasound. In week 8, the gestational sac becomes larger, and the embryo measures about 10–14 mm. The neural tube appears as two parallel bands, and fetal movements and heartbeat are clearly visible. Limb buds, especially those of the lower limbs, can also be identified.
In week 9, the embryo measures around 20 mm from crown to rump. The head makes up more than half of the body size, and the upper and lower jaws can be seen. The arms bend at the elbows, and the hands are positioned in front of the chest with visible movements.
Although the external genital organs have formed by this stage, determining the baby’s sex by ultrasound is usually not reliably possible until around the 16th week of pregnancy.