Overview of that week

Like you, your baby is also peeing very frequently i.e. about every 45 minutes. Unlike you, your baby takes the help of the umbilical cord to pass its urine and will do so for the next five months. 

Your baby is practicing a lot of things with the help of the umbilical cord. It is swallowing and sucking amniotic fluid which passes right through its digestive tracts out into the amniotic fluid with the help of the cords.

Baby development

Your baby is now as big as an apple that weighs about 180 grams. The tiny apple is busy moving around the belly and making expressions. The baby has developed ears which means that it can now hear noises. 

Since they can hear you now, start talking and singing to the baby to help them recognize your voice. As your baby gets habituated in the womb, with the new found ability to hear, its overall hand-body starts to coordinate more easily. 

Body changes and symptoms in mother

Gaining weight

With a 180 grams baby growing inside of you, you will have gained a considerable amount of weight by this point in pregnancy. With your baby, you also have a placenta growing alongside it. You shouldn’t worry much about how much weight you are going to gain and instead focus on remaining healthy for your baby. As long as you focus on eating healthy and exercise regularly you will be able to go back to your normal weight after pregnancy in about a year.  

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection is at high risk during pregnancy. Due to a general increased urge to pee during pregnancy you might sometimes ignore the early symptoms of an UTI and only notice it when it gets more serious. It can be controlled using simple antibiotics and proper care but it is important to report it to your doctor as soon as you notice the symptoms.

Glow

Did someone already ask you why your skin looks so good this week? Apart from having an actual baby inside of you, it might help knowing that at some point all the extra blood in your body might result in glowing skin and thick hair. It is not a guaranteed result but most women will report benefiting from the pregnancy. You might also have melasma: the mask of pregnancy that makes you look more pregnant.

Sleeping

Sleeping during pregnancy can continue to be uncomfortable for the entire duration. It is recommended to sleep on your left during the pregnancy while placing a pillow in between your legs. This provides the needed support to your stomach and legs while helping you prevent pressing any nerves.

What should you do and don’t

• Studies show that your baby can remember the lullabies that they hear frequently in the womb. Listen to calm soothing music for your baby and talk to them whenever you can. 
• Babies start their first step towards learning communication in the womb through hearing you, so keep talking to them. 
• Use sunscreen to avoid getting pigments in your skin as it is the most sensitive to sunlight right now. Try to stay away from the sun unless necessary.
• Use a humidifier to keep your nose from getting dry during the night and help you from snoring.
• Drink the recommended amount of fluid to stay hydrated and avoid getting constipated as it increases the possibility of developing hemorrhoids.
• Maintain good dental hygiene practices throughout your pregnancy.