Second Trimester Checklist: Every Test, Scan & Vaccine You'll Need (Weeks 14–27)

If you've been following along since our first trimester guide, mama, congratulations. You've made it through the hardest stretch. ✨

The second trimester is often called the "honeymoon phase" of pregnancy. Nausea fades, energy returns, and your baby bump finally starts to bloom. You're in the middle stretch now — and there's a lot to look forward to, plus a few important checkpoints to plan for.

Symptoms: Shifting Into Gear

Most mamas feel noticeably better in the second trimester, but new sensations show up as your body makes room for baby. Backaches, leg cramps, and constipation are common as your uterus expands and hormones keep shifting. Round-ligament pain — those sharp tugs on the sides of your belly — is also normal.

The best part? Around weeks 18 to 20, many first-time moms start to feel their baby move. Soft flutters, like bubbles or gentle taps. It's one of the most magical milestones of pregnancy.

If aches and tension are getting in the way, a prenatal massage booked through Hati Health can ease back pain, improve sleep, and help you relax — performed by therapists trained specifically for pregnancy.

Prenatal Massage

₱ 1,500

Experience the soothing benefits of Prenatal Massage, designed specifically for expecting mothers to alleviate discomfort and promote relaxation. This gentle therapy can help relieve muscle pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being during pregnancy.

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Baby's Growth: Bigger Every Week

Your baby is growing fast — from the size of a plum at week 13 to a cauliflower by week 27. Organs are maturing, facial features sharpen, and by mid-trimester, baby can hear sounds from the outside world. Talk, sing, play music — they're listening.

💡 Want week-by-week updates as your baby grows? Follow Hati Health Hub's Pregnancy Calendar for weekly milestone reminders, doctor-backed tips, and what to expect at every stage — straight to your feed, free.

Prenatal Checkups: What's on the Schedule

Expect a prenatal visit roughly every 4 weeks during this trimester. Here are the key milestones — and how to book each one through Hati Health:

• Regular OB-GYN check-ins. Whether you're already with a doctor or still choosing one, Hati Health's OB-GYN consultation marketplace lets you compare doctors, prices, and clinics across the Philippines — in person or via teleconsult — with a free concierge handling the booking.
• NIPT, if you haven't already done it. The Non-Invasive Prenatal Test is a simple blood test that screens for Down syndrome, trisomy 18, trisomy 13, and other chromosomal conditions, with no risk to you or baby. It's available from as early as 10 weeks, so if you didn't get it in your first trimester, early second trimester is still a great window. Book NIPT – Pro by LabLog with home service so the blood draw happens at your doorstep.
• Congenital Anomaly Scan / Anatomy Scan (weeks 18–22). A detailed ultrasound that checks baby's development head to toe — brain, heart, spine, kidneys, limbs, fingers, toes — and can reveal the sex if you wish. Book the Congenital Anomaly Scan (CAS) or the CAS + Placental Doppler version, which also assesses placental health.
• Glucose screening (weeks 24–28). Tests for gestational diabetes — usually a sweet drink followed by a blood test. Ask your OB-GYN to order it, or include it as part of a broader prenatal lab package.
• Tdap vaccine (weeks 27–36). Protects your newborn from whooping cough in their earliest months. Book the Tdap vaccine at a Hati Health partner clinic near you.

Things to Monitor

Aches and stretching are normal as your body grows. But certain symptoms warrant a same-day check-in with your OB-GYN:

• Vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge
• Sudden swelling in the hands or face, severe headaches, or vision changes (possible signs of preeclampsia)
• Severe abdominal pain
• Burning or pain when urinating (possible UTI)
• No fetal movement felt by week 22

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, get it checked.

Special Tips for the Middle Stretch

• Move gently. Prenatal yoga, walking, and swimming are all safe and beneficial. Aim for movement most days.
• Sleep on your side, ideally your left, to support blood flow to baby.
• Eat for energy and digestion. Fiber-rich foods, plenty of water, and small frequent meals help ease constipation and keep energy up.
• Start planning. Maternity clothes, your birth plan, hospital choice, and baby essentials — a little preparation now means less stress later.

Up Next: Your Third Trimester

The final stretch is just around the corner — and it brings its own set of milestones (and decisions). We'll cover that in our next guide. In the meantime, follow Hati Health Hub so you don't miss a week.

Take the guesswork out of your pregnancy journey. With Hati Health, you can book your OB-GYN consultation, NIPT, Congenital Anomaly Scan, Tdap vaccine, and prenatal massage all in one place — with transparent prices and a free concierge to coordinate everything.

And for everything in between? Follow Hati Health Hub's Pregnancy Calendar for weekly tips, milestone reminders, and doctor-backed guidance from bump to birth. 💕