YOUR BABY:
By the end of the sixth month, the baby is almost fully formed and is depositing brown fat on its body to keep warm. Growth rate is slowing down, but organs and systems continue to mature. Buds for permanent teeth are beginning to form. Your baby can still move around in the amniotic fluid. Towards the end of this trimester the baby will begin to settle, usually in the head down position. The muscles gain strength and the eyelids and eyebrows are developed. Lanugo hair of the body sometimes gets darker. The baby is starting to produce white blood cells, which will help combat disease and infection. The baby is now 11 to 14 inches long and weighs 1 to 1 1/2 pounds.
You can feel the baby's movement more strongly. Your uterus reaches just above your navel. You've probably gained between 10 and 14 pounds by now. Leg and foot cramps, backache, as well as mild swelling of the ankles and feet, persist. Vaginal secretions, (clear to yellowish in color) called "leukorrhea" increase. Heartburn, indigestion, constipation and hemorrhoids, dilated blood vessels in the rectal area caused by increased blood flow, continue. You may actually feel Braxton Hicks contraction. This is just the uterus preparing for birth.
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. Glucose testing for detecting gestational diabetes is given between the 24th and 28th week. This test involves drinking a sugary beverage, after which your blood sugar level is measured.
Start making a list of things you'll need for the baby's arrival. Confirm your childbirth class enrollment.
Continue to supplement your diet with 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 and drinking alcohol or using any kind of street drugs.
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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