This is it. The final few weeks of the second trimester and with most moms now feeling less worried about miscarriage (as their baby is now viable) and not yet in the uncomfortable third trimester it is time to enjoy the last few weeks of mobility before you feel yourself getting much bigger and slower.

Week 24

You may be starting to have backache, swollen feet and some pelvic joint discomfort (called Symphasis Pubis Dysfunction). This is all normal. Try to rest as much as possible, wear comfortable shoes and always support your lower back. Invest in a pregnancy pillow to help you find a comfortable position in bed. Baby is now developing taste buds and whatever you eat will flavor the amniotic fluid slightly, giving baby a chance to learn about taste. You may get dry eyes at this point of pregnancy so see your midwife or doctor about eye drops. Baby is 8.5 inches long and weighs over 1 pound. Baby’s kicks also start to get stronger. You are just 3 weeks off your third trimester.

Week 25

Baby’s optic nerve is now functioning and he or she can see a light if shined on your stomach or sunbathing. You may be finding it hard to sleep with regular toilet trips, aches and pains and difficulty in getting comfortable. Invest in a pregnancy pillow to help. You may also be starting to have strange dreams because of the number of thoughts going round in your head. You may develop sciatica as baby presses on your nerves and your bump gets bigger. Not yet round all over your bump is probably looking at it’s nicest around now.

Week 26

Begin to familiarize yourself with the signs of pre-term labour just in case but do not allow yourself to worry. Baby may be up to 12 inches long and is starting to put on more weight. As baby is now hearing a lot of noise from the outside world now is the time to start playing soothing music or singing lullabies. Some studies have shown that babies seem to be more easily soothed by the music or songs that they heard regularly when in the womb. Now just one week off your third trimester you are probably feeling heavier, more swollen and more uncomfortable. Keep a check on swollen hands and feet and familiarize yourself with the signs of pre-eclampsia.