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When the “Best Trimester” Feels Like a Scam
It’s one of the most repeated lines in pregnancy circles: “Just wait until the second trimester! You’ll feel like yourself again.” But what happens when you hit that golden zone — and instead of energy and glow, you get headaches, fatigue, and the overwhelming need to lie down for hours?
If that’s your reality right now, take a breath. You’re not broken. The truth is, this glowing narrative doesn’t match the lived experience of many women — and the myth can leave you feeling even more discouraged when your body doesn’t follow the script.
We recently came across a brutally honest conversation from a mom-to-be at 17 weeks who said it best: “I feel like I was scammed by the second trimester promise.” She’s not alone. Countless women chimed in to share their own stories of being exhausted, winded, and confused — wondering when the boost was supposed to arrive.
Let’s talk about what’s really going on during this phase of pregnancy, why the exhaustion may linger, and what small things might help ease the load.
Why Second Trimester Fatigue Is Still Real
While the second trimester often brings relief from early nausea and food aversions, that doesn’t mean your body isn’t still working overtime. In fact, your blood volume continues to expand rapidly during this phase, which increases your heart rate and oxygen needs — a recipe for fatigue and shortness of breath.
One study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that maternal exhaustion is not limited to the first trimester, and that women may continue to experience disrupted sleep, fatigue, and general malaise well into the second trimester (Brown & Lumley, 1999).
Another piece of the puzzle? Emotional stress. According to a clinical study in Depression and Anxiety, nearly 15% of pregnant women experience depressive symptoms in the second trimester, often driven by hormonal shifts, physical discomfort, or unmet expectations about how they “should” be feeling (Gotlib et al., 1993).
And then there’s the simple reality that no two bodies handle pregnancy the same way. Some may feel energized at 15 weeks. Others may not notice a shift until 22 weeks or later. Some may never get that “boost” at all, and that’s okay.
The “Best Trimester” May Be Just… Less Hard
Many women who responded to this particular thread didn’t sugarcoat it: the second trimester didn’t feel amazing. It just felt less terrible than the first. The nausea wasn’t constant, but headaches kicked in. The vomiting slowed, but reflux picked up. Some had pelvic pain, breathlessness, and even insomnia by week 18.
This matters, because a lot of second trimester praise comes from comparison — not from absolute comfort. If you went from being sick 24/7 to just tired most of the day, that is a step up — but it doesn’t mean you feel like your pre-pregnancy self.
It’s also worth noting that research confirms this layered experience. A study in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth noted that while physical symptoms like nausea might decline in the second trimester, emotional symptoms often persist or even increase — especially in women who don’t see the “glow-up” they were told to expect (Christiansen et al., 2015).
Gentle Support That Might Help
While there’s no quick fix for pregnancy exhaustion, some women find that a few gentle supports can make this phase a little more manageable. One supplement that often comes up in conversations is magnesium. Magnesium plays a role in muscle relaxation, sleep quality, and energy production — and many women are mildly deficient during pregnancy.
If you’re feeling restless at night, experiencing leg cramps, or struggling to fall asleep, a gentle magnesium glycinate supplement might be worth exploring. It’s known for being well-tolerated and less likely to cause GI upset.
Another option some find helpful during this phase is a DHA + prenatal blend. While most women already take a prenatal, some blends include added omega-3s, choline, and iron — which can support both fetal development and maternal energy levels.
These supplements won’t reverse exhaustion overnight. But when paired with extra rest, hydration, and realistic expectations, they may offer some support to help you feel a little more steady during the weeks ahead.
A Word From Vitamins For Woman
If you’re in your second trimester and still waiting for that magical glow to appear, we see you.
Pregnancy isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience, and it’s okay to feel frustrated, tired, or even disappointed when the so-called “easy” trimester still feels hard. What matters most is listening to your body, honoring what it needs, and knowing you’re not alone in this experience.
Whether you’re at week 14 or 24, your feelings are valid. And while this stretch might not feel magical, it’s still a meaningful and beautiful part of your journey.
Be gentle with yourself. The energy might still come. But even if it doesn’t, you’re doing something incredible every single day.
Brown, S., & Lumley, J. (1999). Maternal health after childbirth: Results of an Australian population-based survey. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 39(2), 156–161. https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1479-828X.1999.tb03122.x
Christiansen, P., Madsen, S. A., & Nielsen, J. (2015). The experience of pregnancy and the psychosocial well-being of pregnant women. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15(1), 294. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4272920/
Gotlib, I. H., Whiffen, V. E., Wallace, P. M., & Mount, J. H. (1993). Prospective investigation of postpartum depression: Factors involved in onset and recovery. Depression and Anxiety, 2(6), 273–281. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/depr.3050020606
