Weight and development of the fetus in the second trimester

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Van Thanh - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.
The second trimester of pregnancy is a period when the fetus develops strongly in both shape and structure of the brain. The weight of the fetus in the second trimester is one of the important factors to help assess the health status of the fetus.

1. Fetal weight by week of age

The second trimester of pregnancy is usually counted from the 13th to 27th week of pregnancy. At this stage, the fetus develops strongly in body, brain and pregnant women begin to feel the movements of the fetus. It also means that in addition to regular antenatal check-ups to closely monitor the development of the fetus, pregnant women must also pay attention to the appropriate nutritional supplements for the fetus.
The weight of the fetus in the second trimester will depend on many factors such as:
Genetic factors: Due to the influence of genetics, the weight of each fetus from birth has been slightly different. little. Mother's body before pregnancy. Age of the pregnant mother. Mother's nutrition Mother's disease: Blood pressure, overweight, diabetes,... Weight gain during pregnancy of the mother. Number of fetuses in the womb: If the mother is pregnant with twins or triplets, the weight of each child is usually lower than normal.

2. Baby's weight in the middle 3 months

Although the weight of the fetus in the second trimester may vary slightly, there will still be common reference standards to make it easier for doctors and mothers to assess the development of the fetus.
The second trimester fetal weight at the standard level is shown in the 2019 Updated Fetal Length and Weight Table of the World Health Organization (WHO) as follows:

3. Some notes on fetal weight in the second trimester

The chart of fetal weight by week of age is the general criterion for reference. However, if your baby is too heavy, or a little underweight, don't worry too much, because the baby's weight depends on a lot of natural factors, such as genetics. Therefore, the obstetrician-gynecologist will help the pregnant mother assess the baby's condition in the most accurate way.
In some cases, if a child's weight is too high or too low, it can be a bad sign.
A large baby makes delivery more difficult and can damage the mother's genital tract. Overweight babies are also prone to many dangerous diseases at birth such as hypoglycemia, respiratory failure, hypothermia, obesity, ...

If the fetus is underweight for a long time, the resistance is weaker, so the baby is very susceptible to other diseases such as pneumonia, polycythemia, hypoglycemia..., even the risk of intellectual disability later .

4. The relationship between mother's weight and nutrition with fetal weight

During pregnancy, the mother's weight should increase preferably about 10-12 kg. Women pregnant with twins should gain about 16 - 20 kg.
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy greatly affects the weight of the fetus in the second 3 months. During pregnancy, pregnant women need to increase their diet containing foods rich in iron, calcium, folic acid, other essential vitamins and minerals, because these substances play an important role in the development of the baby.
If the pregnant mother gains too little weight, the fetus will not receive enough nutrients, and if the mother gains too much weight, there is a risk of gestational diabetes, the possibility of a cesarean delivery is also higher because of the large fetus. Therefore, the weight gain of both mother and fetus must be at a reasonable level.
Pregnant women can consult a doctor during each visit for more peace of mind. Vinmec International General Hospital currently has a Package Maternity Care Program, which helps pregnant women not only examine and care for them, but also support and advise them to have a healthy lifestyle and nutrition throughout their development journey. of the fetus.
Doctor Nguyen Van Thanh has many years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology. The doctor was trained and attended courses in obstetrics and gynecology and infertility at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hanoi University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
For more information about Vinmec's maternity care packages, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec Health system nationwide

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

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