YOUR BABY:
Your baby can hear sounds by the end of this month - your voice and heart, as well as outside sounds. It will cover its ears with its hands if a loud sound is made near you. The skin is developing and transparent, appearing red because of the blood vessels below it. A creamy white protective coating, called vernix, begins to develop. Soft downy hair called "lanugo" begins to cover the body. Hair on the head, eyelashes and eyebrows are filling in. The rapid growth spurt is tapering off, but reflexes are developing. The baby can now stretch, yawn and make facial expressions. The baby is moving often, twisting, turning, wiggling, punching and kicking. The baby is now 8 to 12 inches long and weighs 1/2 to 1 pound.
You are showing more now, with obvious swelling in your lower abdomen. Mid-pregnancy aches and pains are starting - lower abdominal achiness caused by the stretching of ligaments as your abdomen enlarges, leg cramps, mild welling of the feet and ankles and backache. Heartburn, indigestion and constipation continue, as well as hemorrhoids. Your uterus, now about the size of a cantaloupe, can now be felt just below your navel. Speaking of navel, don't be surprised if it pops out by the end of the month. Temporary red marks, caused by dilated blood vessels, may appear on your face shoulders and arms. Your breathing will become deeper and you may perspire more than usual because of a more active thyroid gland. By the end of the month, you will begin to feel fetal movement, if you haven't already - from "quickening" to gentle nudges.
MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Backache During Pregnancy
Your weight and blood pressure will be recorded. Urine testing is also performed to check for the presence of sugar and protein. The height of the uterus and fetal growth will be measured to evaluate the overall growth of the baby. You can discuss any symptoms or discomforts you may be experiencing. Fetal heart monitoring is performed. You will have a routine mid-pregnancy ultrasound, to assess the baby's growth and development. If the baby is in the right position, its gender may be determined.
Better start looking into childbirth classes, if you haven't already done so. Now is also the time to start playing around with baby names. Look through your family history and read books. Remember to look at combinations for both boys and girls.
Continue to take your prenatal supplements recommended by your midwife and follow a healthy nutritional plan set up for you by your midwife or nutritionist. Be sure your prenatal vitamin has the B-vitamin folic acid (it's found in most multivitamins) to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine. Often a prenatal vitamin supplement may be recommended in addition to a good prenatal nutritional program with adequate protein, vitamins, minerals (including sodium) and calories.
Ask your midwife or health care provider before taking any prescription drugs or over-the-counter products. You should not be smoking or consuming alcohol or using street drugs. You should be getting daily moderate exercise, such as walking or swimming.
MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Pregnancy Calendar Index
Photos obtained from A Child Is Born by Lennart Nilsson
and Pregnancy - in anatomical illustrations by the Carnation Company
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