Second trimester
Your fourth month:
Your baby, now we ighing about 6 ounces, is
growing very fast and is about 8 to 10 inches long by the end
of this month. The umbilical cord continues to grow and thicken
in order to carry enough blood and nourishment. Morning sickness,
fatigue, and many other things that might have bothered you during
the first 3 months might disappear as your body adapts to the
growing baby.
You will begin to put on weight now. You should
gain 3 to 4 pounds, and the majority of it will be gained during
these next three months. The recognized average total gain throughout
pregnancy is approximately 25-35 pounds, although you may gain
slightly more or less. Maternity clothes and a maternity bra may
now be more comfortable.
You may start to feel the baby`s movement now.
Don`t worry if you can`t, But if there is still no movement by
the beginning of your five month see your doctor. ......................
Your fifth month:
By the end of this month, your baby will weigh
about 1 pound and be about 12 inches long. The doctor will now
be able to hear the baby's heartbeat and you will begin to feel
more definite movements. This month you may gain 3 or 4 pounds
and begin to breathe deeper and more frequently.
Eyes, eyelids, and ears are now fully developed.
A fine hair, known as lanugo covers your baby's body.
Your baby will be able to hear your heart beating.
Sounds from outside the uterus will also be audible, although
they will be slightly muffled. Your baby will respond to music
and speech.
You will be seeing your doctor about every four
weeks during this trimester. She will listen to your baby`s heartbeat,
see the baby's development and determine the baby's age. Your
urine and blood pressure will be tested every visit.
Your sixth month:
You are now carrying a fully formed miniature
baby except that the skin is wrinkled and red and there is practically
no fat under the skin. The baby still needs to grow, being now
only about 14 inches long and weighing only about 1 1/2 pounds.
By the end of this trimester, your baby may be sucking his/her
thumb and can cry. Subcutaneous fat is building up under his skin,
and eyelids have opened, allowing the fetus to develop focus.
Brain tissue is also increasing at this time. If your baby has
hair on his head, it may be growing as well.
By the end of the fifth month, the begining of
this month you will have an ultrasound scan also known as a sonogram.
This is a test that uses sound waves to draw a picture of your
baby inside your uterus. From this test you will be able to see
your baby`s movement and see his?her heart beating and evaluate
the size and development of your baby. Your doctor may also be
able to determine your baby's sex at this time, although results
have been known to be inaccurate.
A few symptoms you may experience during the second trimester:
Swelling of the hands and feet
Backache
Nosebleeds
High blood pressure
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