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26th Week of Pregnancy
Is 16 to 23 pounds gain in weight in just 26 weeks healthy? Yes if you are in your 26th week of pregnancy. If you are taking healthy food, doing light exercise regularly, then it is considered as the healthy weight gain during pregnancy around 26th week. Your baby is giving you company in weight gain. She now weighs around 2 pounds and has gained height up to 13.35 to 13.38 inches.
During this week, your baby is busy preparing herself to enter in this world. She is swallowing amniotic fluid frequently now. This is very helpful for development of your baby’s lungs. Reproductive organs are developing. If you are carrying a baby boy, his testicles, sperm-producing gland testis usually with its surrounding membranes, have started their descent in his scrotum, the external pouch of skin and muscle containing the testes.
Ear nerves of your baby are developing rapidly during this week. Listening to soothing music, reading stories to your baby will certainly make your baby happy. Involve your partner too in this story reading activity. Some of you may even notice your baby’s increased movements as a reaction to loud noise. This is because now your baby can listen to the sounds outside the uterus.
If your health care provider has not conducted glucose tolerance test earlier in 24th or 25th week, then he may conduct the test this week. If you have any doubts or questions regarding pregnancy, then make a note and ask your health care provider in your next visit.
Cramps in legs, lower back and lower abdomen are quite common during pregnancy. However, if the pain is severe coupled with vaginal discharge, contact your health care provider immediately. Do not take any medicine without your doctor’s consent. Drink lots of water every day, it will give you some relief from heartburn. Maternity clothes are very comfortable and loose fitting. Wearing such cloths will reduce your uncomfortable feeling to some extend.
Fresh vegetables, fruits, fresh juices play very vital role in everyone’s life. During pregnancy need for eating nutritious food increases as your baby can get nutrients through your diet. Take enough rest to avoid fatigue and swelling by end of the day.
Going to child birth education classes, doing prenatal exercise will certainly give you some relaxed moments. If you are still working, try to cut down your working hours. If you have elder kid/s, let your parents, partner or other family members look after them for some time during day so that you can spend that time doing things you enjoy the most.
If you are planning to travel, consult your health care provider. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. If you are traveling by air, try to walk in the plane to avoid stiffness in your legs.
Preparing yourself for arrival of your baby can be stressful. Your worries about upbringing of your child can increase your stress levels. Try to be relaxed as both you and your partner will be good parents of your baby.
25th Week of Pregnancy
By 25th week of pregnancy, your baby weighs around 1 ½ to 1 ¾ pounds and is nearly 13 inches long. Your baby is gaining body fat and because of this wrinkles on her skin are lessening day by day. Most of the time you will find people telling you their guesses about gender of your baby by your appearance or weight gain. You can come to know about whether you are carrying baby boy or baby girl during ultrasound after 20th week. However, it is not the sure way of finding baby’s gender. If you are in no hurry, you will know it in just a few weeks’ time when you will be holding your baby in your hands!
Some of you may experience cramps in your legs. Itching, heartburn and indigestion can also be experienced. Fatigue will keep you from getting enough rest and you will find difficulties going to sleep. Finding perfect sleeping position during pregnancy is difficult. However, sleeping on your sides will certainly help you get some sleep. As you will move further in your pregnancy, going to bed will become more difficult with your growing baby bump. If you sleep on your left side, then it will be beneficial for you and your baby too.
Apart from heartburn and indigestion, you may experience all or some of the following:
You growing uterus is putting pressure on other organs of your body. Lungs may not get enough space to expand compelling you take shorter breaths frequently during pregnancy.
Pressure on the bladder will result in increased restroom visits. You may have to visit restroom for 2-3 times during night. Going back to sleep will be more difficult.
Stress may also keep you from sleeping. Thoughts about arrival of your baby, life after your baby’s birth, if you are working some work place stress etc. may come into the way of catching some sleep during night.
You can buy one of those pregnancy pillows available in the market. You can also get some comfort while sleeping by placing pillows around yourself for support. Healthy eating habits, mild exercise like walking, drinking plenty of water, fresh fruit juices will help your and your baby’s health in the long run. Avoid being in the same position for too long. If you want to bend, bend from knees instead of bending directly.
This week is a busy one for your baby too. Your baby’s lungs are readying for the first breath she will take after birth. Till 25th week of pregnancy, your baby’s openings at the end of the nose were blocked, now they will start opening out. If your baby is born during this week, she has more than 80% chances of survival.
If you experience lower back ache, cramps in lower abdomen with some vaginal discharge, contact your health care provider immediately. The discharge may be urine leak or amniotic fluid. Your health care provider will be able to guide you properly.
24th Week of Pregnancy
24th week of pregnancy is very important for your baby as this is the time when your baby’s brain is developing rapidly. Lungs, taste buds are developing. This is the reason babies born before this week suffer from breathing related problems as their lungs did not get chance to develop properly. Amniotic fluid will increase and will continue to increase till delivery. Now your baby is more than 12 ½ inches in length. Her weight is between 1 ¼ to 1 ½ pounds.
Babies born during this week require special care as their immunity will be on the lower side. Breathing related problems may require keeping your baby in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for some time.
This week is crucial for you too moms-to-be. Heartburn and indigestion will continue and some of you may notice increase in that. Plan your meal in such a way that you do not eat large portion of meal at one time. Divide it in five to six small portions. Avoid eating late night meals or snacks to stay away from heartburn.
Constipation, frequent urination, itching, stretch marks, breast tenderness and fullness, heartburn are a few symptoms you may experience during 24th week of pregnancy. Avoid taking any medicine without your health care provider’s consent.
Your health care provider will carry out a test to check for gestational diabetes. During 24th and 28th week, placenta produces hormones that trigger insulin resistance during pregnancy. Fatigue, unusual thirst, increased restroom visits may be an indication of increased sugar in urine. This test will uncover the sugar level in urine, if elevated your health care provider will decide about further treatment.
Keep your eating pattern healthy by including fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, yogurt etc in your regular diet. Drink plenty of water to avoid urinary tract infection and heartburn. Take enough rest and try to sleep for some time during daytime to avoid fatigue and swelling by end of the day.
Take pleasure in your baby’s gymnastics as your baby will start kicking and boxing more often now. If you are a working woman, start preparing documents for your maternity leave and inquire about your rights at the work place during pregnancy.
Many of you may have already got stretch marks. They will fade in due course. Consult your health care provider before applying any cream or lotion to your stretch marks. You can do some light exercise but consulting your health care provider before starting any exercise is a good idea. Going for walk will certainly prove beneficial during pregnancy.
Spend some time alone with your partner. Let him experience baby’s movements as your baby moves around frequently now in your uterus. Encourage your partner to chat with your baby as your baby can now listen to the sounds outside the womb.
Sleeping on your sides will be more comfortable than sleeping on the back as this will put more pressure on your back bone. Avoid sudden change of position. Move around slowly to avoid fall.
23rd Week of Pregnancy
By 23rd week of pregnancy your weight gain can be around eleven to sixteen pounds. Do not worry though; you will get the chance to reduce after delivery. Your baby is also gaining weight. She weighs around one pound and is almost 11 ¼ inches in length. Some of you can even notice darkened skin hair on your baby’s body during ultrasound. Your baby’s bones are getting stronger with other important organs like pancreas maturing.
Consult with your health care provider regarding any anxieties about the weight gain. Do not change your diet abruptly without taking consent from your doctor. Your growing uterus is putting more pressure on other organs in your body.
Some of you may even notice fluid leak. Though it is difficult to make a distinction between amniotic fluid and urine, you can sometimes make out by the fluid’s smell. If it is amniotic fluid, then it will generally be odorless and if it is urine it will have strong smell. If the leak is sudden spurt and is odorless, contact your health care provider right away.
Working moms-to-be are suggested to get acquainted with their rights in their work place during pregnancy. Ask your seniors about such rights. Though there is no hard and fast rule as to how long the pregnant woman should continue working, it is up to you to decide. You can work only if you are comfortable and there are no complications during your pregnancy. If your health care provider advices you to take bed rest, then you should take a break from your office.
You can resume working after your delivery. If you want to continue working once your baby is born, then it is the right time to think about this subject. The main question in your mind is that who will take care of your baby when you are at your office, your partner, parents, day care or baby sitter? Talk to your partner regarding these arrangements so that you will have a firm support when you will have to rejoin your office.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Healthy diet will keep both you and your baby hale and hearty. Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water every day. Drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice instead of canned juice, tea, coffee or soda based drink to keep you well hydrated. This can also keep you away from swelling, urinary tract infections etc during pregnancy. Go for small walk in the morning or evening.
Some of you may have mood swings during pregnancy, it will subside after delivery. Heartburn, headaches, stretch marks, itching, frequent urination are some of the common symptoms of pregnancy during 23rd week. Do not take any medicine for headache or heartburn without consulting with your health care provider.
Always remember that each pregnancy is unique and you may get different experience than other pregnant women. Therefore do not worry if other women are experiencing some symptoms that you are not.
22nd Week of Pregnancy
Moms-to-be, you are now around 5 months pregnant. Your health care provider may ask you to visit him/her every week for check up. After a few weeks, your prenatal visits will increase as your health care provider will want you to come for the check ups regularly.
Your baby is now nearly 10 inches long and weighs almost 14 ounces. As each individual is different, each baby’s growth will be different at different stages of pregnancy. Therefore, do not push the panic button if your baby’s growth is slightly more or less than your friend’s baby. Many of you moms-to-be will find second trimester of pregnancy more comfortable than the 1st one.
Your baby now looks like a new born baby, however is comparatively very small. Though there is a rapid development in your baby’s appearance, skin is yet to form properly. Your baby will continue to grow for next 18 week or till the time of birth. Eyes have been formed with eyebrows and eyelids in their respective places. Iris, the colored part of the eye, is yet to develop. Your baby’s brain is growing rapidly each day.
Many of you may experience minor pain in their lower abdomen and slight backache. It may be normal or a sign of pre term labor. Contact your doctor or health care provider immediately. He/she will conduct one test to determine whether it is normal or the beginning of pre term labor.
If you have kids, then let your partner take care of them for some time during daytime so that you can take some time to take rest or do some activity you like. Take enough rest so that your legs do not swell by the end of day. Do not change positions all of a sudden. Move around deliberately. Spend some quality time with your partner as you will not get time once your baby is born. Though intercourse is not easy, some kind of physical closeness will certainly help you and your partner psychologically.
Consult your doctor and if you get his/her approval then you can enjoy some moments together. Holding hands, caressing, cuddling, hugging can do wonders in developing a new bond between you and your partner.
Most of you may suffer from heartburn and indigestion. Weight gain, fatigue, breast tenderness are the most common symptoms that can be experienced during pregnancy. Do not take any medicines without consulting with your health care provider. Include potassium and calcium in your regular diet that can help you in keeping cramps away. Milk, cheese, fresh fruits like banana, orange and grapefruit are a good source of calcium and potassium. Eat healthy.
Enroll yourself in one of the childbirth classes if you have not done that already. You and your partner can find great support by listening to other couples experiences and sharing yours with them. If you are facing difficulties in finding such childbirth education classes, contact nearest community center to help you find such classes.
21st Week of Pregnancy
Congratulations moms-to-be! You have reached half the way of your destination. You have cleared your journey this far surviving most of the earlier months’ pregnancy symptoms. It is the time of pregnancy when you need to take enough rest to prevent swelling on your legs and feet by the end of the day. Though finding good sleeping position may seem difficult, schedule your day’s time in such a manner that you can sit down and relax for some time during day time.
By 21st week, your baby has become around 8 ½ inches long and weighs more or less 12 ounces. Your baby’s day is full of activities. Such as moving around in the uterus, swallowing amniotic fluid, developing body parts etc. If you are carrying a baby girl then her genitals are properly formed and this will continue developing till the time of her birth. Your baby’s digestive system is increasing its strength as your baby swallows the amniotic fluid now.
Your baby can listen to the sounds outside the womb. Therefore reading stories, listening to soothing music is the best way to interact with your yet to born baby. Start decorating your nursery. If you have not bought cloths for your baby, start shopping for your baby. You will find that it is a joyous experience to buy and display these small cloths in your nursery.
As your baby’s is busy growing in your womb, you will see some changes in your body too. Growing size of your belly will tell everyone about your pregnancy in just a glance. Some of you may notice swelling on your feet and legs by the end of the day. It can be avoided by taking some rest during daytime. Inflamed, sore and reddened veins on the legs commonly known as varicose veins can be noticed from this week and sometimes may continue after delivery too in some women. Swelling will subside after delivery.
Some of you may notice increase of acne on your face. It is because of the increase in the oil production by your skin. Wash you face with mild soup and water two to three times a day. Do not take any kind of medicines before consulting with your healthcare provider during pregnancy. If you want to apply any lotion or cream to your skin, then also talking to your health care provider first is recommended.
Though you may continue suffering from indigestion, heartburn and bloating, most of you may find a noticeable decrease in your nausea and other symptoms. Avoid taking any medicines without asking your doctor.
Drink plenty of water to avoid any kind of bladder infection. You can avoid the infection by wearing lose fitting, cotton undergarments. Maintain hygiene after urinating. This will certainly lower the risk of urinary tract infection during pregnancy.
Take care while changing your position, e.g. if you want to get up from the sleeping position, do not get up suddenly. Slow movements will keep you from getting dizzy feeling. Enjoy your pregnancy.
20th Week of Pregnancy
Come 20th week of pregnancy and all you expectant moms be prepared for lots of weight gain during this week and for rest of the pregnancy. You may gain half to one pound every week till your delivery. Gaining eight to ten pounds till now is quite normal. However it depends upon your pre-pregnancy weight. Your healthcare provider or doctor will give you good advice about your eating patterns if you have gained too much or too less.
Your 7 ¾ inches around nine ounces strong baby is surrounded by a protective white substance, called vernix caseosa. Vernix protects your baby’s skin from the irritating effects of amniotic fluid. It also helps baby throughout the birth procedure during labor pains. Your baby has begun the procedure of generating meconuim, baby’s first stool that he/she may pass during or after delivery.
If your second trimester ultrasound is due this week, then there are chances that you might come to know the gender of your baby. This week’s ultrasound is totally focused on the growth of your baby and to know the accuracy of your due date. You will be told to come to the ultrasound with full bladder as it helps in getting clear images to measure your baby’s development. Many labs are equipped to give your few pictures of your unborn baby taken during ultrasound. Ask the lab assistants in advance so that you can add them in the photo album.
You will be more comfortable in maternity or loose fitting clothes. Heartburn and indigestion will make you more uncomfortable. Growing tummy will cause back aches. There will be slight swelling on your hands and feet. Consult your healthcare provider or doctor if the swelling increases.
Watch your diet. It is very necessary that you get enough and nutritious food. Include iron rich food in your daily diet. It helps increase hemoglobin levels in your baby. Iron also helps in preventing premature labor and delivery, low birth weight and anemia. Try to include pork, dried beans, dried fruits, spinach, and oatmeal, iron fortified grains, lean red meat, wheat germ etc in your diet to ensure enough iron consumption.
If you want to breastfeed your baby, then it is the time to collect information. Consult your healthcare provider for detailed and correct information. If you already know whether you are going to have bay girl or bay boy, then it is the time when you start painting your nursery or baby’s room pink or blue. Even if you do not know, start preparing to decorate your baby’s room so that you will be ready to welcome your newborn.
Fathers-to-be can help their partners by decorating nursery. And if you have elder kids, spend more time with them so that your partner can take some time out and relax. Lend a helping hand in doing laundry, arranging closets or doing dishes. This caring gesture will convey your love and affection to your expectant partner and will help in reducing her stress and anxiety.
19th Week of Pregnancy
19th week of pregnancy is a very busy week for your baby. Though the baby grows continuously throughout the pregnancy, in this week this growth is more specific. Your baby is now about seven inches long and weighs around seven ounces.
If you are going to have a sweet little baby girl then her ovaries has already formed more than six million eggs which will decrease up to four million eggs by the time of her birth. The brain parts those are responsible for senses or the ability to make intelligent decisions or sound judgments are getting focused. For example your baby’s senses of touch, view things, hear smell etc. Your baby’s scalp is now getting tiny sprouts of hair and her kidneys are generating urine.
Baby is sleeping for almost 20 hours a day. However, whenever you decide to lie down for taking rest, your baby will wake up and be active. You can now notice increased power in your baby’s kicks as you baby is trying to move around the uterus in search of more space.
There are many changes occurring in your body too. As your baby occupies more space in your womb, you feel the urge to visit restroom more often. Some of you would-be-moms may suffer from sharp pain in the hip area or the abdomen. Because of increasing size of abdomen, some of you might even get the achy feeling in your lower abdomen.
Avoid lying on your back. Sleeping on your side will be helpful instead. Dizziness also can be experienced especially when you change your position suddenly. Avoid swift movements. If you want to get up from your sleeping position, do it slowly and deliberately. The dizziness is the result of low blood pressure. Therefore avoiding sudden movements will keep you form getting dizzy feeling.
Take healthy diet and make sure you drink lots of water during pregnancy. This will help you stay away from any skin related problems. However, do not have drinks that have high caffeine contents, a stimulant found in coffee, tea. Therefore avoid drinking too much tea or coffee.
By 19th week of pregnancy, your baby can listen to the sounds around you. Some of you may even notice your baby’s startled movements after a sudden loud noise. It is a good idea to talk to your baby as he/she can hear your voice. Fathers-to-be can make a good bonding between them and the baby by talking to her. Listening to soothing music, talking softly to your baby may help in boosting baby’s psychological health.
You can feel baby’s movements every now and then however if you do not notice movements for some time, do not be alarmed. It is quite normal; even so visit your healthcare provider immediately. Your healthcare provider may conduct a scan to check baby’s progress.
Do not take any medicines without consulting your doctor or healthcare provider. Even the herbal medicines have some side effects that may harm your as well as your baby’s health.
18th Week of Pregnancy
By 18th week of pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes. People can make out that you are pregnant by this time. Apart from these apparent changes, there are so many changes occurring in your body that others cannot recognize. Some of you may suffer from low blood pressure. However the good news is those of you were suffering from dizziness for last few weeks, may get some relief because of decrease in giddiness.
Your approximately 6.29 inches long baby weighs just about 5 ½ ounces. There are many developmental changes occurring with the baby. If you are carrying a baby boy, then it is the time when his genitals, the reproductive organs, especially the external sex organs are formed. Some of you may even notice them in the ultrasound if your baby doesn’t hide his genitals by curling in opposite direction. And if you are carrying a baby girl then her fallopian tubes and uterus have been placed at their respective places.
Your baby’s nerves are getting protective layer that is myelin. It is a whitish material made up of protein and fats that surrounds some nerve cells. This process will continue till your baby becomes one year old. This weeks ultrasound test will help your healthcare provider know more details about the growth of your baby’s different organs and body parts.
Taking proper care throughout the pregnancy is very essential. Though getting comfortable sleeping position is difficult during pregnancy, getting enough sleep is also important. If you are a working mom-to-be, then try to be relaxed for at least 15-20 minutes by taking a nap. If you are not working, then make sure you take sufficient rest and sleep for some time in the afternoons. If you have older kids to look after, then plan their activities in such a manner that you will get at least half an hour for yourself. Let your partner take care of your other kid/s so that you can use that spare time going for a walk, taking nap or just relax.
Breast tenderness, headaches, heartburn, constipation, frequent urination and itching are some of the symptoms you may experience. Do not take any over the counter medicines before consulting with your healthcare provider.
Your movements will be slower than previous weeks because of growing baby. Avoid sudden body movements. When you want to get up from sitting or sleeping position, get up very slowly. This will prevent any accidents from falling down due to dizziness.
Walking, swimming and meditation are considered as the best exercise options during pregnancy. Consult your healthcare provider. Let him/her decide which exercise is good for you. If you can get yourself enrolled for childbirth classes then it will give you a chance to meet other moms-to-be and you can share your experiences with them and vice-versa.
Do not get perturbed if the weighing scale shows constant increase in your weight. You will get a fair chance to reduce once your deliver your baby. Sometimes it is alright if you gain a few pounds!
17th Week of Pregnancy
In the 17th week of pregnancy, you can easily make out the changes in your appearance. Your stomach is taking the round shape and it is making other organs shift their respective places little bit to give some extra space to your growing baby and uterus. Your body is getting ready and becoming stronger for the rest of the weeks of pregnancy. It is time to start wearing the maternity cloths as you will feels more comfortable in the loose-fitting outfits than the tight ones.
What are the changes happening to your baby’s body?
Umbilical cord, the flexible, often spirally twisted tube that connects the abdomen of a fetus to the mother’s placenta in the womb, and through which nutrients are delivered and waste expelled, is becoming relatively larger and stronger.
Your bay can most probably hear every sound around her as your baby’s ears are properly formed and they have moved to their position.
Your baby has started moving around in your uterus rapidly.
You can notice some significant changes in your body too. Your stomach has started fairly showing. You might have gained some weight by the17th week of pregnancy. Baby’s movements, though not regular, are now noticeable. It is the time moms-to-be to feel your baby move around in your uterus. By the end of 17th week of pregnancy, this movement will be more prominent.
Some of you may notice your allergies resurfacing during pregnancy. This is quite normal. Though consulting with your healthcare provider or doctor is a right thing to do. Some over the counter medicines claim to be safe when used during pregnancy, check with your doctor before taking any medication.
Some of you moms-to-be may notice some vaginal discharge during the pregnancy. If the discharge is clear and odorless then contact your doctor immediately. If the discharge is thick and smelly, it may be because of some vaginal infection. If the stinking discharge is red in color, then you are advised to go to your healthcare provider without delay. It can be a sign of early or pre-term labor.
Try to stay away from stressful environment as it may create complications during pregnancy and may cause pre-term labor. Going for a walk is a good exercise during pregnancy. Follow your doctor’s advice and consult him/her before starting any kind of exercise during pregnancy.
In the 17th week of pregnancy, your baby is five to six inches long and weighs around four ounces. She will start accumulating some layers of fat tissues that will help her body regulating the metabolism, the series of processes by which food is converted into the energy and products needed to sustain life and body temperature.
If you are worried about the finances and your baby’s future, it is the right time to start saving for your baby. Your timely start of saving will definitely help you and your baby in the future. Thus you will stay tension free and enjoy your pregnancy.
16th Week of Pregnancy
The baby’s body will grow and is finally having a much larger head and body parts. The chin will look much thinner when compared to its mouth with a larger pair of eyes. However, they remain closed. The baby has learnt to suck his thumb and is now with more of human looks in nature. The baby starts developing fine downy hair all over the body and face. This is popularly termed as “lanugo” and this helps the baby to maintain a regular body temperature. This will prevent the baby inside from the hot and humid conditions that prevail outside. However, this hair will disappear automatically before birth.
The skin developed so far is thin and so transparent. The entire networks of the blood vessels that are present behind the skin layer are easily identified. This makes the color of the baby so red. By the 16th week of pregnancy, the baby has learnt to breathe. There are obvious movements of his chest. Normally the heart beat will be twice that of the normal adults. Slowly but steadily, the sex organs of the baby get developed. The external genital organs can be easily made out using the ultrasound scan. The baby could be spotted moving around vigorously and the rate of growth is more.
Mothers will have a complex body structure at the time of pregnancy. Their sac is still able to receive the punches on a slight note because of their cushioned property. However, mothers can feel a sense of flutter. The baby is now grown about sex inches and weighs around 135g. Second time mothers will probably feel the movements of the baby in a better way due to the previous experience. Generally, it is common for the first time mothers to recognize the fetal movements until the 20th week of pregnancy. These movements are termed as “quickening” which will help to determine the due date.
The movements of the baby will be like a tiny miracle in your abdomen. It will be a lot like gas and the fluttering movements will be seen in the lower abdomen. If you consider this as gas in the initial stages, later you will see continuous movements like this. Your heart will continue to work over time supplying more oxygen for the baby. It pumps about 20% more blood and this will eventually increase with the pregnancy period.
The nails of your baby are well formed and the ears start moving from the neck to head. The baby will start emptying his bladder once in every 40 to 45 minutes. There is a better co-ordination of the limbs with regular movements. Your body becomes voluptuous which is a symbol of your inner beauty and fertility. Most women prefer to wear short and fitted maternity wear at these times. Loose and ill fitting wear can be quite uncomfortable and hence it is preferred to wear fitter maternity wear.
15th Week of Pregnancy
It is in the 15th week of pregnancy, start of second trimester, when you generally start looking like a pregnant lady. It is the time when your stomach starts showing little bit. Though your baby, who is around four to five inches long, is moving very fast inside your womb you will have to wait for couple of more weeks to feel her move.
If it is not your first pregnancy, you can clearly notice your baby’s first moves in the 16th to 22nd week of pregnancy which the first time would-be-moms cannot. Don’t worry though, you can notice your baby’s movements during the ultrasound in the 15th week of pregnancy and afterwards.
When you visit your healthcare provider, you will notice around four to five pounds of increase in your weight. You may gain more or less weight than that which is quite normal considering every pregnancy is unique.
If the increase in the weight is considerably more or if you are loosing weight, then you can experience some complications during pregnancy. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider who can help you change your eating habits. Gaining weight during pregnancy is considered as a sign of growth of the baby. However gaining too much or too less may be an indication of some budding complications.
Watch your diet as your baby is now growing rapidly. Different body parts are being formed.
The thin layer of skin is developing around your baby’s body.
Though the eyes are tightly shut, they are moving towards the nose from the sides. If you direct shaft of light towards your abdomen, your baby may turn to the opposite side of the beam.
Your baby’s ears are taking shape and have started looking like the normal human ears. Your baby can probably hear you.
Your baby’s bones are now visible. Joints are active. You are getting those pokes and kicks because your baby has started moving her joints.
Fingernails and toenails are developing.
Hairs on your baby’s head have started sprouting and even the eyebrows have begun to grow.
Around four to five inches long baby weighs around two pounds during 15th week of pregnancy.
During the ultrasound, some of you may notice that your baby is happily sucking her thumb inside your womb.
Here are some tips to make your pregnancy enjoyable:
Throughout the pregnancy, sleep on your side instead of sleeping on your back. It will save your back from bearing more weight and also help in supplying blood to your baby and your lower body parts.
If you sleep on your back, you may face breathing difficulties.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach as it puts more weight on the uterus and may harm your baby’s growth.
Use pregnancy pillow or normal pillows for support during pregnancy.
Frequent visits to the restroom.
Increase in the blood flow will give you the famous pregnancy ‘glow’. Eat healthy and stay fit during your pregnancy.
14th Week of Pregnancy
It’s quite important for you to take extra care on the week 14 of pregnancy. Your unborn child starts feeding on your placenta from the 14th week of pregnancy. Usage of toxins often tends to sweep deep into the shin. Pregnant women should keep away from such cleansing agents as it can harm the unborn baby. Avoid cat faeces in and around the house as they tend to spread disease like Toxoplasmosis .This disease occurs in 14 weeks pregnant women. Apart from this at this stage women can also face problems due to constipation. Doctors advise a 14 week pregnant women to increase their vegetable intake. It constipation problem is not addresses immediately it can result in severe hemorrhoids.
On the week 14 of pregnancy mothers areola becomes quite darker and larger in size. Baby’s heart beat can be easily heard by using a Doppler. What is more remarkable is that the unborn in his mother’s womb starts practicing his suck. The unborn also begins breathing and learns to do his swallowing movements. So many gynecologists consider this week as most crucial period of all .On this week mothers should stick to light exercises.
The 14th week actually falls under the first trimester .Moreover the breathing movement of the baby plays a vital role in taking in and out the amniotic fluid from the lungs. At this stage the small hands of the baby becomes quite functional. Many women face morning sickness during this week .So often doctors advice pregnant mothers to eat more Cereals and Whole Grain Breads. Diet is not an unusual thing during this week. However you should ensure that you are receiving a proper balanced meal consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fats and minerals. Remember at this stage not to deprive yourself of any essential minerals as lack of intake from your end can affect your child’s health.
It’s observed that often pregnant women at this stage experience dehydration, debilitating nausea and vomiting. They also feel extremely thirsty and starved. Further disorders that can be seen in some pregnant women include disorientation, rapid breathing and palpitation. In such cases, it is important to get hospitalized immediately. The doctor will put you on trips and monitor your condition. Many would be mother in their 14th week use ginger in order to prevent nausea .Ginger is an age old favorite for vomiting and nausea and is often used in a powdered or fresh form. Adding ginger to your tea is highly recommended for dealing with your spasmodic pain.
14th week of pregnancy tends to bring about a lot of changes in a mother’s body. It often gives a tough time to the mother as she struggles to cope with it. She is bombarded with different pregnancy symptoms. The most ideal with is to accept the changes and practice meditation. At this stage doctors highly recommend calcium intake of around 1500 mg .Including milk and various milk products provide you all the calcium contents your body needs in the 14th month.
13th Week of Pregnancy
This is the best week of pregnancy. You have just come out of high risk trimester. There is lesser possibility of miscarriage now. This is the time when you can share the news of your pregnancy with your elder kid/s. Visit your health care provider one more time to get your baby’s progress checked.
Fatigue will be accompanied by the heartburn, indigestion, discomfort or slight ache in the abdomen. Do not panic though. This is quite normal. However, if the pain is excruciating or severe, rush to your health care provider immediately. If the pain is accompanied by vomiting, cramp and/or bleeding, contact your doctor right away
And there is good news for some of you moms-to-be. Some of you may notice subsided nausea and morning sickness. To your surprise you might even feel like eating something. Yes this is known by the name of pregnancy cravings. There is no respite for you moms-to-be in the 13th week of pregnancy when it comes to fatigue. It will accompany you like a faithful friend throughout your pregnancy. One more thing may disappoint you and that is your favorite cloths will no longer fit you.
Always remember not to wear tight clothing during pregnancy. If you do it will only increase your discomfort. The maternity cloths are still bigger for you and therefore out of question. However, start wearing loose fitting T-shirts, trousers and skirts.
Here are a few things that many of you may notice during the 13th week of pregnancy:
Decrease in nausea and morning sickness
Increase in the appetite
Food cravings
Growing abdomen that is growing baby bump
Reducing breast soreness
Stretch marks
Slight increase in libido (sexual drive)
Decreased nausea and increased appetite along with the infamous pregnancy cravings will certainly help you in gaining little bit weight. Many pregnant women loose weight during first trimester of pregnancy and start gaining it gradually after the 13th week of pregnancy.
Many couples refrain from having sexual encounter during pregnancy. Sex during pregnancy is safe if you are not suffering from any of the following things:
History of miscarriage
Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Low lying placenta
History of early or premature labor
How big is your baby?
Your baby is growing steadily. Almost the size of a lime and about three and a half inches long, your baby’s joints are now active. Though you may not feel it buy your baby can mover her arms and legs. Your baby’s kidney and urinary tract are now functional and active. Your baby’s finger prints are being formed.
In the 13th week of pregnancy you may notice apparent change in breasts. You may find lumps on you breasts. Stretch marks will start to appear on the breasts, thighs, abdomen and hips. Some of you may see colostrum or foremilk when the breasts are slightly pressed.
Remember that each pregnancy is only one of its kinds. Your baby’s development may differ from others.
12th Week of Pregnancy
The baby is about 2.2 inches long and has a weight approximately up to half ounce. The baby tends to grow in a very fast pace and many changes will occur in the baby for the next months. The genitals of baby will show the signs of being a boy or a girl. The brain of baby begins to create hormones and cells of nervous system, which gets multiplied very soon. The baby even begins to produce urine.
You will also feel some changes in your body structure. This week’s end will mark your uterus to pop out of the pelvis region and it will be seen above the bone of pubic region. It will abruptly grow to accommodate the baby. It grows till the period of 9 months and then soon contracts to its normal stage, after some weeks of delivery. The weight of uterus will also begin to enhance.
The skin changes are very common during pregnancy. In case, you have many freckles developed during pregnancy, they get dark and skin becomes patchy after week 12. Some women also get ‘linea nigra’, which is a dark line, which is straight to the length of abdominal region. This line fades within some weeks of delivery. Some women also get the dark brown patches on facial area and also on neck. They usually disappear or become light after delivery. The skin needs a lot of protection and you should use sunscreen regularly to save your skin to get any kind of temporary or permanent markings. Some products are available for specific needs of pregnant women and have to be applied regularly on the skin, to save it from any patches.
Some women make use of the creams for wrinkled skin and other skin firming lotions. The products with more of Vitamin A content need to be avoided as it can prove out to be very dangerous for mother and baby. It can create the issues like jaundice and liver damage. Be sure that you consult about the product with your gynaecologist, before using it regularly.
This week may also make you experience more rate of heartburn than the previous times. This sensation may occur in the regions of chest, upper abdomen and even throat area. It is the common complaint during pregnant women at 12 weeks. The main cause for heartburn issues is the increase in progesterone hormone during pregnancy. This hormone makes relaxation of the valve between oesophagus and stomach area. This makes the stomach acids for entering the oesophagus and it causes a feeling of irritation and gives a feeling of heart burn.
There are some things to be followed for getting relief from heartburn:
Consume six small meals in a day, instead of three small meals
Do not consume liquid drinks with meals
Avoid eating immediately before going to bed
Stay away from fried and too much greasy food
Eat slowly and chew the food properly
Do not consume alcoholic drinks