Pregnancy Month by Month
4 Months Pregnant: Second Trimester Changes and Baby Growth
At 4 months pregnant, morning sickness fades as you enter the second trimester. Learn about baby's facial development, first kicks, and essential health tips.
Welcome to your second trimester of pregnancy. The best news this month is that you should start feeling better. The discomforts of early pregnancy like morning sickness and fatigue will begin to subside as hormone levels stabilise. This is typically the easiest stage, so consider making the most of your newfound energy to get organised and prepare for your little one's arrival.
You at 4 Months Pregnant: What to Expect
- Morning sickness fading: Hopefully nausea and fatigue have started to ease. If you have not gained weight due to morning sickness, be mindful that your appetite may now grow.
- Persistent nausea: If you still experience morning sickness, you may be among the few women who have nausea throughout pregnancy. Consult your healthcare professional.
- Growing belly: As your baby grows, your belly grows with it. Consider maternity pants and maternity bras to maintain comfort.
- First kicks (quickening): If you feel persistent butterflies or bubbles in your belly, it is likely your baby moving. These first kicks are commonly called quickening or flutters and are often mistaken for a hungry grumbling stomach.
Your Baby at 4 Months Pregnant: Key Developments
- Eyes are moving into their forward-facing position and the body is rapidly catching up to the head size.
- Your baby's face is now fully formed and they are experimenting with different facial expressions - frowning or squinting during ultrasound is simply muscle movement, not mood.
- Your baby now responds to the outside world. If you poke or push your belly, you may feel them wiggle out of the way.
- A fine coating of hair called lanugo covers the entire body, keeping your baby warm until they put on enough fat.
Things to Think About at 4 Months Pregnant
- Invite your partner: Ask your partner to come to your next prenatal check-up. Hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time is a beautiful memory.
- Address constipation: Exercise regularly, keep up your fluids (no alcohol), and load your pregnancy diet with fibre-rich fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Manage bulging veins: Due to increased blood flow, leg veins may bulge. Wear support stockings and rest with your feet up when possible.
Kimberly-Clark India makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or other health professional advice.
FAQs on 4 Months Pregnant
At 4 months, morning sickness and fatigue begin to fade as you enter the second trimester. Your belly grows, you may feel your baby's first kicks (quickening), and your baby's face is now fully formed with fine lanugo hair covering their body.
Most women first feel baby movement at around 4 months pregnant. These first kicks are called quickening or flutters and feel like persistent butterflies or bubbles in your belly. They are often mistaken for a hungry grumbling stomach.
Lanugo is a fine coating of hair that covers your baby's entire body at 4 months pregnant. It protects your baby and keeps them warm and cosy until they put on enough fat to regulate their own temperature.
Morning sickness typically starts to fade at 4 months as hormone levels stabilise in the second trimester. However, some women continue to experience nausea throughout pregnancy. If it persists, consult your healthcare professional.
Exercise regularly, keep up your fluids (no alcohol), and load your pregnancy diet with plenty of fibre-rich fresh fruit and vegetables. These steps help maintain healthy digestion throughout the second trimester.
Leg veins bulge during pregnancy due to increased blood flow in your body. To manage discomfort, try wearing support stockings and rest with your feet up when you can. This is a common occurrence starting in the second trimester.
At 4 months, your baby's face is fully formed and they experiment with facial expressions. Their eyes are moving into forward-facing position, arms, legs, fingers, and toes are developed, and fine lanugo hair covers their body.
