Weeks 13 to 16 mark the beginning of the second trimester. Some people notice less nausea or a little more energy during this stage, while others continue to feel sick, tired, anxious or physically uncomfortable. There is no compulsory “honeymoon phase,” and not feeling better on schedule does not mean that anything is wrong.
This guide focuses on the questions that are most useful now: how development changes from week to week, when movement may first be felt, which symptoms are common, what to review during antenatal care in India, how Td vaccination and the next scan may be planned, and which warning signs need prompt or emergency care.
Quick answer
At a glance
- Development changes quickly: approximate crown-to-rump length is 74 mm at week 13, 85 mm at week 14, 101 mm at week 15 and 116 mm at week 16.
- Baby movement is usually first felt between 16 and 24 weeks. In a first pregnancy, it may not be noticed until after 20 weeks.
- A second-trimester antenatal review may include blood pressure, weight, urine, haemoglobin, swelling, medicines, supplements and vaccination history.
- The ICMR normal-pregnancy workflow uses Td vaccination: the first dose is given through antenatal care and the second at least four weeks later, with a booster depending on recent vaccination history.
- Thin clear or milky discharge without an unpleasant smell can be normal. Bleeding, watery fluid leakage, foul-smelling or coloured discharge, itching or painful urination need medical advice.
- Sudden swelling, severe headache, vision changes, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, heavy bleeding, severe pain, fainting or a seizure need urgent assessment.
How your baby develops from week 13 to week 16
One size or fruit comparison cannot describe the whole four-week period. The measurements below are approximate crown-to-rump lengths from population guides. An individual scan must be interpreted using your pregnancy dates, clinical history and the measurements taken during that scan.
Around week 13
The fetus is approximately 74 mm long. The ovaries or testes have developed inside the body, the external genitals continue to form, and movements are becoming more deliberate. You are unlikely to feel those movements yet.
Around week 14
The fetus is approximately 85 mm long. The head is becoming rounder and more proportionate to the body. Movement continues, but most pregnant people still will not feel it at this stage.
Around week 15
The fetus is approximately 101 mm long. Fine hair called lanugo begins to cover the body, eyebrows and eyelashes start developing, and hearing may begin to develop.
Around week 16
The fetus is approximately 116 mm long. The nervous system continues to develop, the arms and legs move more, and the hands can form fists. Facial movements can occur, but they are random rather than intentional expressions.
These are typical developmental descriptions, not a checklist that every pregnancy must match on an exact day. Dating differences and normal measurement variation can affect what is seen.
When might you feel your baby move?
The first movements may feel like fluttering, swirling, bubbles or a gentle tapping sensation. Most people begin to feel movement between 16 and 24 weeks. In a first pregnancy, it is common not to recognise movement until after 20 weeks.
Not feeling movement during most or all of weeks 13 to 16 is therefore usually expected. If you have not felt any movement by 24 weeks, contact your obstetrician or maternity service. Later, once you know your baby's usual pattern, a reduction or change in movement needs immediate professional advice. Do not rely on a home Doppler to decide that the baby is well.
Symptoms can improve, continue or change
The start of the second trimester is often described as easier, but pregnancy does not follow one timetable. Nausea, food aversions, fatigue, breast tenderness, headaches, constipation, bloating and mood changes may improve, continue or be replaced by different symptoms.
Nausea and tiredness
Eat and drink what you can tolerate rather than forcing a perfect diet. Small meals, regular fluids and practical help with cooking or household work can be useful. Contact your clinician promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, are passing very little urine, feel faint, are losing weight or remain too unwell to manage ordinary activities.
Round-ligament pain and abdominal discomfort
Brief pulling or sharp pains on one or both sides of the lower abdomen can occur as the uterus grows. Resting, changing position slowly and avoiding sudden twisting may help. Severe, persistent or worsening pain—or pain with bleeding, fever, vomiting, painful urination or feeling faint—needs medical assessment.
Vaginal discharge
More discharge can be normal in pregnancy. Healthy discharge is usually thin, clear or milky white and should not smell unpleasant.
- Contact your clinician if the discharge smells unpleasant or unusual.
- Seek advice if it becomes green or yellow, frothy, cottage-cheese-like, itchy or sore.
- Pain or burning when you pass urine should be assessed.
- Any vaginal bleeding needs prompt medical advice.
- Watery fluid that may be leaking from the vagina needs urgent assessment.
Swelling
Mild swelling that develops gradually in both ankles or feet can occur, especially later in the day or in hot weather. Resting with your feet raised, comfortable footwear and gentle movement may help.
Contact your maternity service immediately for a sudden increase in swelling—especially in the face, hands or feet—or swelling with a severe headache, blurred vision, flashing lights, pain below the ribs, vomiting or feeling very unwell. One-sided leg swelling, redness, warmth or pain also needs urgent assessment.
Back and pelvic pain
Pregnancy-related ligament and posture changes can contribute to back or pelvic pain. Use safe lifting technique, avoid heavy loads, wear supportive flat footwear and support your back when sitting. Ordinary pillows already at home can be used between the knees, behind the back or under the abdomen if comfortable; no special pregnancy pillow is essential.
Ask for clinical review if the pain is severe, persistent or limiting daily activity. Contact your clinician urgently if back pain occurs with fever, vaginal bleeding, painful urination, pain under the ribs or in the side, weakness, numbness, or loss of sensation.
Headaches, dizziness and skin changes
Headaches, dizziness, darker patches of skin, changes in hair and a dark line on the abdomen can occur, but none is guaranteed. A severe or persistent headache, visual changes, pain below the ribs, sudden swelling, vomiting or feeling very unwell needs urgent assessment.
Antenatal care in India during weeks 13 to 16
If antenatal care has not started, register now at a government facility or with a qualified obstetrician. Bring your ANC or Mother and Child Protection card, previous scan and laboratory reports, vaccination record, medicine list and details of any symptoms or previous pregnancy complications.
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Review your health and symptoms
A second-trimester visit may include blood pressure, weight, urine testing, pallor or haemoglobin review, swelling, abdominal examination and questions about nausea, pain, discharge, breathlessness, urinary symptoms and fetal movement.
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Check medicines and supplements
Continue prescribed treatment unless the prescriber changes it. Ask before starting, stopping or changing any medicine, painkiller, herbal remedy or supplement. If iron-folic acid and calcium have been prescribed, follow the timing given by your clinician; the ICMR workflow notes that they should not be taken together.
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Review your Td vaccination record
The ICMR normal-pregnancy workflow uses tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination. It gives the first dose through antenatal care and the second dose at least four weeks later; a single booster may be used when the recent vaccination history supports it. Do not assume that TT, Td and Tdap are interchangeable or that one vaccine must be given in a fixed pregnancy month. Ask what applies to your record and the current protocol at your facility.
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Plan the mid-pregnancy or anomaly scan
The ICMR workflow lists a level-II ultrasound between 18 and 20 weeks to assess major fetal structures. Ask now where and when to book it. The scan can provide important information, but it cannot detect every condition or guarantee that the pregnancy will remain uncomplicated.
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Know how to obtain help
Keep the clinic, hospital or maternity-unit number and know where to go after hours. Ask which symptoms require a phone call, a same-day visit or emergency care.
Food, iron, calcium and choline
A varied diet supports your health, but no single food can prevent anaemia, improve intelligence or guarantee fetal development. A practical Indian plate can combine grains or millet, dal or another protein source, vegetables, fruit and pasteurised dairy or an alternative.
Iron and anaemia
Leafy vegetables, pulses, beans, sesame, eggs, meat and other foods can contribute iron and other nutrients. Pomegranate and dates may be included as ordinary foods, but they should not be presented as preventing or treating anaemia. Haemoglobin testing and clinician-directed iron-folic acid are central. Contact your clinician for marked fatigue, palpitations, breathlessness at rest or with mild activity, dizziness or poor tolerance of prescribed tablets.
Calcium and other prescribed supplements
Milk, curd, paneer, ragi, sesame and other foods can contribute calcium. Continue only the supplements and doses advised for you. Do not double doses or add multiple prenatal products without checking the ingredient totals.
Choline
Choline is important for fetal growth and nervous-system development. Eggs, milk, soy foods, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains can contribute. Routine choline supplementation is not universally recommended; ask your clinician or dietitian if you avoid eggs and animal foods, follow a very restricted diet or are considering a separate supplement.
Food safety
Use pasteurised milk and dairy products, wash produce, cook eggs and meat appropriately, avoid raw or undercooked animal foods and follow your clinician's advice for any medical diet. Avoid liver and supplements containing vitamin A as retinol unless specifically prescribed.
Movement, exercise, rest and sleep
If your pregnancy is uncomplicated and your clinician has not restricted activity, walking, everyday movement and gentle strength or mobility work can be useful. Start gradually if you were previously inactive, stay hydrated and avoid activities with a high risk of falling or abdominal impact.
Stop and seek advice for bleeding, fluid leakage, chest pain, painful contractions, dizziness, severe breathlessness, calf pain or swelling, or any symptom that worries you. Sleep needs vary; rest when you can rather than trying to meet one fixed night-and-nap schedule.
When to seek urgent medical help
Get emergency help now
Go to the nearest emergency department or call local emergency services for:
- heavy bleeding, severe persistent abdominal pain, fainting or collapse
- chest pain, sudden severe breathlessness, coughing blood or severe difficulty breathing
- a seizure, loss of consciousness or new severe weakness
- severe pain with dizziness, pallor, sweating or feeling that something is seriously wrong
Contact your obstetrician, maternity service or hospital promptly for:
- any vaginal bleeding or watery fluid leaking from the vagina
- persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, very little urine or signs of dehydration
- a high temperature of 38°C or above, chills or feeling acutely unwell
- a severe or persistent headache, blurred vision, flashing lights, pain below the ribs or sudden swelling
- one-sided leg swelling, warmth, redness or pain
- severe or worsening abdominal, back or pelvic pain
- pain or burning when urinating, reduced urine or side pain
- unpleasant-smelling, green or yellow discharge, itching or soreness
- stress, anxiety, panic, low mood or intrusive thoughts that are affecting daily life; seek emergency help if you may harm yourself or someone else
Related pregnancy guides
For the stage immediately before this one, read '9 to 12 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Screening and What to Expect'.
For broader guidance covering first-trimester nutrition, food safety, activity, medicines and substances, read 'First Trimester of Pregnancy: What to Expect and When to Seek Care'.
This guide focuses specifically on weeks 13 to 16: early-second-trimester development, movement timing, antenatal follow-up, Td vaccination, planning the next scan and warning signs.
Common questions
Is it normal not to feel the baby move at 16 weeks?
Yes. Movement is usually first felt between 16 and 24 weeks, and a first pregnancy may not be recognised until after 20 weeks. Tell your clinician if you have not felt movement by 24 weeks.
Does normal discharge mean there is no infection?
Not always. Thin clear or milky discharge without an unpleasant smell is commonly normal. Colour change, smell, itching, soreness or pain when urinating can suggest infection and should be assessed.
Which vaccine should I receive in the fourth month?
Do not choose a vaccine using the pregnancy month alone. The ICMR normal-pregnancy workflow uses Td and bases the schedule on the current pregnancy and recent vaccination history. Your obstetrician or antenatal clinic should confirm the vaccine and timing that apply to you.
Do I need a choline supplement?
Not routinely. Choline-containing foods are useful, but there is no universal recommendation that every pregnant person take a separate choline supplement. Discuss your diet and any prenatal-product label with a qualified clinician or dietitian.
Is a pregnancy pillow necessary?
No. Some people find extra support comfortable, but ordinary pillows or folded towels can often be positioned between the knees, behind the back or under the abdomen. Significant or persistent pain needs clinical review rather than a product alone.
When should the anomaly scan be booked?
The current ICMR normal-pregnancy workflow lists a level-II ultrasound between 18 and 20 weeks. Availability and exact timing can vary, so ask your facility during weeks 13 to 16.
The bottom line
Weeks 13 to 16 are a transition into the second trimester, not a promise that every difficult symptom will disappear. The most useful priorities are:
- follow development week by week rather than using one size for the whole month
- remember that movement may not be felt until well after week 16
- attend antenatal follow-up and carry your records
- confirm the Td schedule and other vaccine advice from your own facility
- plan the 18-to-20-week anomaly scan
- continue prescribed medicines, iron-folic acid, calcium and other supplements exactly as advised
- use food for balanced nutrition rather than as a substitute for anaemia testing or treatment
- seek help promptly for bleeding, fluid leakage, severe pain, sudden swelling, headache or vision symptoms, fever, urinary symptoms or breathlessness
Pregnancy experiences differ. You do not need to feel energetic, glowing or emotionally positive to be progressing normally, and you deserve support when symptoms or worries affect daily life.
Sources
Accessed 21 July 2026.
NHS. Vaginal discharge in pregnancy. Page last reviewed 17 April 2024.
NHS. Swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy. Page last reviewed 19 April 2024.
NHS. Back pain in pregnancy. Page last reviewed 10 January 2024.
NHS. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help for. Page last reviewed 24 June 2026.
NHS. Pre-eclampsia. Page reviewed 23 March 2026.
NHS. Foods to avoid in pregnancy.
NHS. Vitamins and supplements in pregnancy.
NHS. Mental health in pregnancy. Page last reviewed 11 March 2026.
NHS. DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Page last reviewed 30 April 2026.
What this means for you
People do not all feel better at the same stage, and the first movements may be noticed at different times. Scans and screening provide useful information but cannot guarantee that every condition will be found. Seek urgent care for warning signs such as one-sided leg swelling, chest pain, sudden breathlessness or coughing blood.
About this article
Researched and written by the MomCare Haven Editorial Desk using the reliable sources listed above. This article has not been reviewed by an external medical specialist.
Medical disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Pregnancy care, vaccines, medicines, supplements, investigations and activity recommendations should be decided with a qualified clinician who knows your health history and local services. Seek urgent medical help for warning signs or whenever you feel seriously unwell.
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