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The Dad Center provides general pregnancy and parenting information for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider with questions about medical conditions.

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All Pregnancy Weeks
Weeks 14 - 27

Second Trimester Guide for Dads

The “golden trimester.” Morning sickness fades, energy returns, and the pregnancy starts to feel real. This is when most dads shift from processing the news to actually preparing for the baby.

Medical Disclaimer: Content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

What to know about the second trimester

What happens this trimester

Your baby grows from about 3 inches to 14 inches. You can find out the sex, see detailed anatomy on ultrasound, and your partner will start showing. Around week 18-22, you may feel the first kicks through her belly.

Dad's role

This is the action trimester. Start the nursery, attend the anatomy scan (week 20), sign up for a childbirth class, and begin researching car seats and cribs. Your partner has more energy now — use this window to knock out big projects together.

Things to prepare

Create a baby registry, finalize your budget for gear and medical costs, start interviewing pediatricians, and look into childcare options if needed. Tour the hospital or birth center. These tasks only get harder in the third trimester.

Browse by week

Week 14🍑 Peach

The Second Trimester

Week 15🍎 Apple

The Light Sensor

Week 16🥑 Avocado

The Quickening

Week 17🍐 Pear

The Skeleton

Week 18🫑 Bell Pepper

The Ears

Continue reading

Previous
First Trimester
Weeks 1 - 13
Up next
Third Trimester
Weeks 28 - 40

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Key appointments

Anatomy scan (weeks 18-22) is the big one — you will see your baby in detail. Regular prenatal visits continue monthly. Glucose screening typically happens around week 24-28. Be at every appointment you can.

Week 19
🥭 Mango

The Vernix

Week 20🍌 Banana

The Anatomy Audit

Week 21🥕 Carrot

The Digestion

Week 22🥭 Papaya

The Grip

Week 23🍊 Grapefruit

The Hearing

Week 24🍈 Cantaloupe

Viability Week

Week 25🥬 Cauliflower

The Fat Stores

Week 26🥬 Lettuce

The Eye Opener

Week 27🥬 Cabbage

The Brain Wave