People often say that the second trimester is the best time of a pregnancy. Looking back, I can absolutely see why. After the first twelve weeks, which were marked by lots of new feelings, uncertainties and, above all, extreme tiredness, a sense of normality slowly began to return to our daily lives. My energy came back, my bump became visible and, for the first time, I felt I could really enjoy this pregnancy.

At the same time, it all became a bit more real. What had been a little secret turned into joyful news that we could finally share with our families, friends and work colleagues. We could see our baby more and more clearly during further ultrasound scans, felt the first strong movements and slowly began to prepare for life as a family of four.

Looking back on those months today, it almost feels unreal just how much we were able to experience during that time. We travelled to the other side of the world, celebrated one of the most emotional days of our pregnancy, went on our babymoon and, bit by bit, made the first important decisions for the time after the birth.

In this post, I’ll take you through my fourth to seventh months of pregnancy and tell you what happened during this special time – both with our little miracle and with me.

What happens in the second trimester?

The second trimester covers weeks 13 to 27 of pregnancy and is often described as the most comfortable stage of pregnancy. For many women, tiredness and nausea gradually subside, whilst their energy levels return little by little. At the same time, the baby bump becomes visibly larger and the pregnancy becomes increasingly apparent to those around them.

Whilst many mums are starting to feel more comfortable physically, the baby is developing rapidly. The organs that were formed during the first trimester are now maturing further. The face is taking on increasingly distinct features, the fingers and toes are fully formed, and the baby’s movements are becoming more and more coordinated.

For many expectant parents, these weeks are among the most emotional of the entire pregnancy. The first strong kicks can be felt, and during the detailed ultrasound scan you can often see your baby very clearly; in many cases, this scan also reveals whether you’re expecting a girl or a boy.

Baby’s development

Between the 13th and 27th weeks of pregnancy, the baby grows incredibly quickly. Whilst it is just about seven centimetres long at the start of the second trimester, by the end it measures around 35 centimetres and weighs approximately one kilogram.

The senses are also constantly developing. The baby can hear voices, react to sounds and is even starting to open her eyes. I find it particularly lovely to think that our little girl could already hear our voices during this time – even though, of course, we hadn’t yet had the chance to meet her.

From around the 20th week of pregnancy onwards, the movements also become increasingly noticeable. At first, it still felt like a gentle fluttering to me, but shortly afterwards it turned into proper little kicks, which made me smile every single day.

Changes in the expectant mum

During the second trimester, it is not only the baby that changes, but also the mother’s body. The womb continues to grow, the bump becomes visible, and many women feel they can cope with more again.

Nevertheless, this phase also brings new challenges. Back pain, water retention or feeling tired more quickly during physical exertion are part of everyday life for many pregnant women. Even travelling or going for long walks suddenly feel very different compared to just a few months ago…

During this time, I really came to realise how important it is to listen to my body. Although I certainly had much more energy than I did in the first trimester, I still needed regular breaks and had to accept that some things simply take a bit longer than usual.

My second trimester – personal experiences

The fourth month – at last we were able to share our secret

The start of the second trimester didn’t feel at all like I’d imagined it would at first. Fresh back from our trip through Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, we were initially struggling with quite severe jet lag. So my body had to work twice as hard – on the one hand, to adjust to the time difference, and on the other, to continue nurturing a little miracle every day.

But just a few days later, we had an appointment we’d been eagerly looking forward to for a long time: the first major ultrasound scan in the 13th week of pregnancy. I think every mum-to-be knows that feeling. Even though you know by now that you’re pregnant, there’s always a certain amount of nervousness before every ultrasound scan. You unconsciously hold your breath until you see the little heart beating and know that everything is fine.

When our gynaecologist confirmed that our baby was developing beautifully, a huge weight was lifted from our shoulders. For us, that moment meant far more than just another check-up – it gave us the reassurance that we could finally share our little secret with the world.

I’d been looking forward to experiencing this moment with our loved ones for so long. At last, we no longer had to come up with excuses for why I don’t drink alcohol or why I suddenly get tired so early. Instead, we were able to share our joy openly and look forward to the future together.

With each passing day, my energy levels returned a little more. After those rather exhausting first few weeks, I finally felt like myself again. I was able to lead a more active daily life once more and, at the same time, noticed that my body was slowly changing. My baby bump was still small, but for the first time it was so noticeable that even I couldn’t fail to see it in the mirror.

The fifth month – travelling to Australia with a baby bump

No sooner had we shared our big secret with friends, work colleagues and followers than the next adventure was already waiting for us. Our suitcases were packed once again – this time we were off to Australia. The flights felt a bit more tiring than usual, but my bump was still relatively small.

Australia captivated us from the very first moment. We strolled through the streets of Sydney, enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, discovered beautiful coastal landscapes and made memories we’ll never forget. I found the dolphin watching particularly impressive. Watching these fascinating animals in the wild was one of those moments that’s hard to put into words. Of course, culinary exploration was a must. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love trying good food. Once again, we tried out numerous restaurants and spent many evenings together enjoying good food.

Back in Switzerland, however, I was also looking forward to getting back to my usual daily routine. I started going to the gym regularly again and made a conscious effort to stay active. Exercise has always done me good – both physically and mentally. Especially during pregnancy, it helps me feel more balanced and stronger.

Another big highlight awaited us in the 20th week of pregnancy: the organ scan. Our little girl showed her lively side. She was tumbling about energetically, moving her arms and legs, and didn’t exactly make it easy for the doctor to take all the scans. It was incredibly lovely to see just how full of life she already was. After every scan, we left the surgery with an even bigger smile than before.

The sixth month – a magical moment full of emotion

The sixth month brought a moment I’d been looking forward to for a long time – and which also turned out to be one of the most emotional moments of the whole pregnancy. Our gender reveal party.

We deliberately chose a venue that would do justice to this moment: a beautiful castle setting, nestled in a backdrop that seemed almost a little surreal. Surrounded by our closest friends and family, we celebrated this special day – quietly, deeply and full of anticipation for what lay ahead. And then came that one moment that changed everything. Confetti, silence for a brief moment – and then that delicate shade of pink drifting through the air. It’s a girl. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment. Not just because of the surprise, but because of that overwhelming mix of joy, relief and deep connection. In that instant, a hunch became reality. Our little daughter suddenly had a face – even though we couldn’t see her yet.

After the party, everyday life began to feel a bit more tangible again. The pregnancy suddenly felt less abstract and all the more real. We started visiting our first maternity hospitals. The first medical check-ups were also due, including the glucose tolerance test, which, whilst not particularly glamorous, is an important part of this stage. However, as I initially had a false-positive result and wasn’t entirely happy with the process, I wouldn’t do it again.

The seventh month – our babymoon in Texas

To mark the end of the second trimester, we made a conscious effort to set aside some time. Time just for us. Time as a little family, before everything changes. Our babymoon took us to Texas. We wanted to play it safe, and we already know and love Texas.

This trip was something very special because it felt like a deliberate full stop at the end of a chapter. Our last big trip as a threesome, before we would soon be a foursome. We made a conscious effort to experience these days differently from our previous trips. Fewer planned activities, a slower pace, more tranquillity. Plenty of time for conversations, for walks, for good food and simply for being together in the moment.

In between, we went baby shopping, picking out little things that suddenly took on a whole new meaning. Every purchase brought us one step closer to reality.

At the same time, I’ve noticed how my body is continuing to change. My bump is getting bigger, the movements more distinct, the kicks stronger. It’s as if our little girl is making her presence felt more and more – a little bit more every day. And that’s exactly what makes this time so special: you’re already so close, and yet you haven’t quite got there yet.

What helped me during the second trimester

During this phase, I learnt one thing above all else: less pressure, more intuition. My body showed me quite clearly what it needed. Rest when it all became too much. Exercise when I felt sluggish. And plenty of flexibility in my daily life.

Even small routines helped me to stay balanced. A gentle start to the day, short walks, consciously winding down in the evening. And perhaps most importantly: not being too hard on myself. Not trying to plan everything, not feeling I had to meet every expectation, but seeing this time as something that’s constantly changing.

My thoughts on the second term

If I had to sum up these past few months in one word, it would probably be this: gratitude. Gratitude for the many moments, big and small. For the trust I have in my body. For all the people who are supporting us. And for this special bond that grows a little stronger every day.

At the same time, during this phase, you begin to realise that it won’t be long now. The thought of holding our daughter in our arms soon is becoming ever more tangible – and that’s exactly what makes it all so emotional.

Now the final trimester begins. The home stretch. And with it, what is likely to be the most intense period of this whole journey.