How’s Baby?

Baby is measuring in at about 14.2-15 inches, about the length of a bunch of bananas, and weighs just over two pounds. And your little one is now opening and closing their eyes with ease! Baby’s brain continues to develop at a rapid pace, preparing to control their body and movements once they’re born. Their brain is starting to control their lungs and regulate their body temperature! And because Baby can hear you now, if you haven’t done so already, try talking or singing to your baby! It never hurts to familiarize them with your voice — they’re already your biggest fan.

What’s new with you?

We know that most pregnant folks can engage in exercise and movement right up until they give birth, but staying active, with all of the pregnancy body changes and symptoms, like aches, pain, and increasing immobility — can become increasingly difficult. Here are some options that might sound good to you! Swimming, or other aquatic exercise, can be a good way to stay active while also momentarily taking some of the pressure off of your body. Yoga can help with things like back and hip pain. Aerobic exercises and light weight lifting can help boost both your mood and your strength for the major workout of labor and birth. Pregnancy-specific exercise classes can also be a great way to connect with other soon-to-be parents!

It can also be helpful to get started on some of the more practical details of getting your home and life ready for Baby, like getting a crib, car seat, and other baby-related necessities. Getting Baby’s nursery or sleep space set up or figuring out how to install a car seat can be a great way to get your loved ones more directly involved in preparing for Baby’s arrival. And keep in mind that sometimes this preparation can be hard or frustrating (think confusing crib instructions or a car seat not fitting the way it should), This is why starting now can be so beneficial, as it leaves you plenty of time to troubleshoot and get expert support. Nobody is born knowing how to be a parent or how to build a crib — there’s always a learning curve!  In terms of other practical prep work, this may be the time you want to look into adjusting any insurance policies as you see fit in order to best protect your family.

Your skin, hair, and nails could be getting brittle at this point. Stronger, thicker hair and nails are the pregnancy symptoms that get the most press, mostly because they’re fun, but between all the hormones in your body and the extra demand for nutrients that your growing baby needs, plenty of folks experience the opposite. This is totally normal, and it doesn’t last forever. If you experience any major changes to your hair and nails, they should go back to how they were a few months after you give birth. In the meantime, you can combat some of these less-than-stellar changes to your nails by keeping your hands well-moisturized and wearing gloves when getting your hands wet.

There’s also a chance you might develop symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) or pelvic girdle pain, a disorder caused by the many physical changes of pregnancy, in which the pregnancy hormone relaxin that makes your pelvic joint particularly unstable. SPD won’t hurt Baby, but it could definitely make things more uncomfortable. There are treatments available, so if you start to experience pain around your pubic bone, lower back, or perineum, check in with your healthcare provider so they can determine if it’s SPD and discuss possible treatments.

---

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

How’s Baby?

Your little one is now 13-14 inches long, the size of a cabbage, and weighs about 1.7 pounds (785 grams). Baby’s hair is thickening, just like yours. And even if you can’t see it, they probably have a hair color by now, though this can sometimes change after your baby is born. Baby’s nostrils are starting to open and the air sacs in lungs continue to develop, priming them to breathe air in just a couple of short months.

What’s new with you?

As you approach the third trimester, this may be when some more unsavory symptoms of pregnancy begin to manifest, including gas, constipation, and hemorrhoids. 25-35% of pregnant women experience hemorrhoids because of their uterus pressing down on veins in the rectum. Kegels and avoiding constipation through exercise, hydration, and adequate fiber intake may help to prevent them. Gas is common, and may be harder to control than it normally would be, because pregnancy tends to slow down your gastrointestinal tract because of all the extra progesterone in your system and because your larger uterus has now grown to put more pressure on your abdominal cavity. Gas is inevitable for a lot of pregnant folks, but paying attention to your diet could help a bit — you may want to avoid fried foods, carbonated drinks, or any foods that you notice to be a particular trigger for you. You should also take care to hydrate, eat slowly, and chew thoroughly.

Your hormones may be acting up again, which could leave your whole body aching. These aches can be hard to avoid entirely, but there are some ways to limit them. Like a lot of things about pregnancy, when it comes to feeling good, sticking with the basics can really help: like eating a range of nutritious foods that help you feel your best, including fruits and vegetables, exercising or engaging in movement that you enjoy, and getting the rest that you need. It’s also time to start bending with your knees and engaging your core muscles instead of leaning over at your waist when you lean down to pick things up, because even simple motions like this can put a lot of extra strain on your back. And try to relax as much as you can. Maybe take a warm bath, listen to a meditation or favorite album, or ask a partner or loved one to give you a gentle massage — anything you can do to help yourself have a calm and relaxed pregnancy.

---

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

How’s Baby?

By the end of this week, Baby is probably about 12.5-13 inches long, the size of an eggplant, and weighs 1.5 lbs!

Baby is starting to develop taste buds, which means that before too long, your little one will be able to taste some of the stronger flavors of the things you eat through the amniotic fluid they still swallow regularly. According to various studies, this could impact their food preferences later in life. You’re already getting Baby used to your favorite family meals, and it might mean you’ll have an easier time introducing your toddler to new dishes in less than a year.

Baby’s lungs are developing significantly after all of the practice breathing they’ve been doing. They’re now making cells that will produce surfactant, a material that will help them breathe and get the oxygen they need once they’re born. Surfactant is a liquid that helps keep the tiny air sacs in the lungs, the alveoli, from sticking together and collapsing when a baby breathes air.

Your growing baby gained about a quarter of a pound last week (110 g) in bones, muscle, and fat, so they’re finally beginning to really fill out. Even though Baby’s eyebrows, lashes, and hair are coming in, they still lack pigment and appear white. Your little one’s skin is beginning to glow a bit pinker now, due to the appearance of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. And their ears and fingernails are also fully formed now.

What’s new with you?

Between the linea nigra, stretch marks, and an itchy belly, your skin might be driving you nuts this week. Topical creams meant for stretch marks or dry skin may help reduce the itchiness. Check with your provider about the best and safest options for you. Using unscented, mild lotions and soaps can help, too, as can avoiding baths and showers that are too hot, which can dry out your skin.

Sometime in the next couple of weeks, you’ll likely take or retake a glucose challenge test (GCT) to screen for gestational diabetes. This is a really important test because the complications of gestational diabetes can be serious for you and Baby, and even people with no risk factors can end up with it. It’s a simple test to take and requires no preparation beforehand. Just drink your small special beverage and have your blood drawn an hour later.

Your ankles and fingers might be swollen due in part to fluid retention and the pressure of your growing uterus on your veins. For relief, try elevating your feet or soaking the swollen areas to alleviate some of the pain. Stretching and gentle massage can also feel great! Sudden and severe swelling over the course of a few days can be a sign of something more serious. Sometimes, these symptoms — swelling, headaches, and vision changes — can be serious for you and your baby. So, if you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to tell your healthcare provider right away. They can help you determine if you’re dealing with normal symptoms or something more serious.

---

Baby is now just under a foot long — about the size of an ear of corn — and weighs just over a pound (478 grams). 

When Baby isn’t sleeping the day away (which at this point is 12-14 hours a day), they’re trying to touch anything they can. Whether it’s their face, body, or umbilical cord, your baby is working on their physical abilities and motor skills by practicing movement and getting a feel for things. Your little one’s inner ear is also developing their sense of balance. While Baby may not be using that sense of balance on any gymnastics equipment yet, the more their ears develop, the better the chance that your baby is hearing you when you talk, and learning your voice, so that when they arrive, they’ll recognize you!

Their eyes are still developing, and right now your little one still lacks pigment in their iris, so doesn’t have an eye color just yet. And their pancreas is already busy creating its own hormones, which helps alleviate all of the hormonal heavy-lifting you’ve been doing.

What’s new with you?

Your feet and hands may be some of the next places to feel pregnancy’s side effects, as some swelling is not uncommon during these months. You might notice that any rings you wear on your fingers might start to feel tighter, and your feet could grow a whole size bigger. Wearing maternity compression stockings may help improve your circulation and reduce swelling in your feet and legs, in addition to helping with varicose veins if those have been an issue for you. 

And your expanding womb may have turned your “innie” into an “outie” by now. Don’t worry, it’ll go back to normal after you give birth. Your newly out-facing belly button might be a little sensitive, especially as it rubs against your clothes, but that’s generally nothing to worry about. If, on the other hand, it’s causing you pain, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure that you’re not dealing with an umbilical hernia. 

Really, as any strange symptoms or discomforts pop up for you, be sure to ask your provider about it. Even if there’s nothing wrong, it never hurts to know exactly what’s going on in your body, and it can help you feel better knowing that whatever’s going on is normal.

---

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Baby is about 10 ½ inches long (27.2 cm), the size of a baby bok choy, and weighs between 1/4 and 3/4 of a pound. Your baby looks a lot like a miniature person at this point, which is huge growth when you think about how they were just a microscopic ball of cells merely 20 weeks ago. Baby’s skin is still a bit see-through. It has also developed wrinkles that will allow for internal expansion once their baby fat starts to come in — they’ll soon fill out into a cute, plump little thing! This baby fat is especially important for Baby’s development because the fats in their system will directly fuel their brain’s development and help regulate their temperature once they’re born. 

What’s new with you?

Just like Baby, you’re growing too! If you’ve been experiencing backaches, do what you can to stay active and relieve your discomfort. Supportive, flat shoes, regular stretching and even a support belt can help. And be sure to ask your healthcare provider for advice if you’re feeling very uncomfortable.

You might have noticed, or are beginning to notice, dental symptoms like bleeding or sore gums. The increased blood flow happening throughout your body reaches everywhere, even your mouth, which can lead to these sore and swollen gums and also leave you more vulnerable than usual to infection and plaque buildup. The best way to deal with this is to brush and floss regularly and to continue with scheduled twice-yearly cleanings and other necessary dental care. If you’re dealing with any persistent vomiting or acid reflux, careful dental care is even more important for you. Serious gingivitis and untreated tooth decay have been linked to pre-term birth, so regular dental checkups and care can help you stay as healthy as possible. Be sure to let your dentist know that you’re pregnant, and get a second opinion if anyone advises you to delay needed dental care.

You’ve probably also noticed that you’re feeling super hungry these days, and it’s important to eat enough. All of that growing that you and Baby are doing calls for a lot of good fuel. Do what you can to listen to your body and eat a range of nutritious foods that help you feel good. 

---

How’s Baby?

Baby is now about 10 inches tall (25.5 cm), the size of an endive, and weighs about 10½-12 ounces!

Inside your uterus, your baby’s skin is still in the process of being covered in a creamy white substance called vernix caseosa that will cover and protect their skin straight through until birth. Scientists speculate that this coating might play a part in helping Baby adjust to living ‘on land’ instead of just the watery environment inside your uterus. Speaking of, your little one now regularly gulps down multiple ounces of amniotic fluid each day and is starting to produce meconium, the sticky black substance that will make up their first poop after being born. 

Your healthcare provider may be able to see the presence of male genitals at your second trimester ultrasound (though some babies may wriggle or position themselves in a way that can make it hard for the ultrasound technician to be sure) and, if you wish, can tell you Baby’s biological sex. If your growing baby is female, they now have seven million primitive eggs in their ovaries, and if they’re male, their testicles are descending from their abdomen into their scrotum.

Baby is also sprouting teeth buds underneath their gums, as well as lips, eyelashes, and eyebrows. The face you’re going to know and love is on its way! Just about 20 more weeks until you get to see that lovely little face in person.

What’s new with you?

As Baby keeps growing bigger, your body will continue to need more iron to support your increased blood flow during pregnancy, so you should be compensating. Red meat, chicken, soybeans and tofu, most beans, lentils, chickpeas and some dried fruits like apricots and mango are great sources of iron. Fortified grains, dark chocolate and cooked leafy greens also pack a punch! Sardines and oysters contain a high amount of iron per serving, just make sure you’re cooking any oysters thoroughly. 

You may notice a hardening of your nails and a thickening of your hair at this time. Some of that hair might even start growing out of places that are new for you, like your chin if you haven’t had hair there prior to pregnancy. These sorts of changes are very common. Many folks find that their hair situation will go back to normal in the 2-3 months after giving birth, although some folks do report permanent changes in hair texture after pregnancy.

As Baby continues to grow, you might also start to have more trouble sleeping or finding a comfortable position to sleep in. At this point in the pregnancy, lying on your left or right side helps promote healthy circulation to your placenta and baby. If you wake up on your back, don’t panic! Just switch turn to your side. Your body is working extremely hard growing Baby’s little body — and carrying it around with you every day — which makes getting quality rest so important. So don’t be afraid to fidget or toss and turn until you find a sleep position that’s comfortable for you. Using extra pillows may help.

Your uterus is expanding to keep up with your growing baby, which may press against your lungs, causing shortness of breath. Please note that while some shortness of breath is normal — and you may want to work through this discomfort and remain active — any acute shortness of breath should be evaluated by a healthcare provider right away. 

One more thing — feeling in need of some support? You may want to consider hiring a doula, a support person who can help you through pregnancy, labor, and the first few weeks of your baby’s life. A good doula can answer questions you have about labor and birth, help prepare your family for a wonderful birth experience, and provide you with a great deal of emotional support and education throughout this journey. 

---

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Baby is now measuring in at just over 6-9 inches long (23.7 cm) and weighs between 8½-9½ ounces. Your little one is beginning to sprout tiny little hairs from their tiny little head! And underneath all that cute hair, the areas in the brain that control each of Baby’s senses continue to develop. Your baby’s coordination is growing every day as their brain cells (neurons) make connections with their muscles, giving them better and better control over their arms and legs. Those arms and legs are pretty much in proportion to their body by now, just in time for them to start to be covered from head to toe in a waxy, almost cheesy-textured coating called the vernix caseosa. This vernix moisturizes Baby’s skin while in the womb, protects their skin from the amniotic fluid, and facilitates travel down the birth canal when the big day arrives. 

What’s new with you?

Besides the normal second trimester symptoms that you’re probably getting familiar with by now, you might also start to notice red palms or darkened skin in other places. These changes in pigment happen because of all of the extra estrogen and progesterone in your system, and will fade slowly after giving birth when your hormone levels start to return to normal. Although most of these patches (called chloasma) will fade after delivery and are unlikely to be problematic, they can be bothersome. If you’d like to minimize them, take care to apply sunscreen because if you’re exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, it can intensify the pigment discoloration. You may notice skin darkening showing up in other places, too, like on your scars and nipples. This nipple darkening probably helps make it easier for your baby’s brand new eyes to zero in on those very important body parts to help with early breastfeeding.

Some other common symptoms? You may be experiencing hip pain right now. If this is the case for you, try sticking a pillow between your knees and sleeping on your side, which may help you find some relief. It’s also not uncommon for stretch marks on your belly and legs when your skin can’t quite keep up with your growing body. You may want to use a fragrance-free moisturizer on any stretch marks you get, which can help relieve the itchiness that can come along with new stretch marks. Ways to prevent marks can include staying hydrated and keeping active with exercise you enjoy, which not only helps you have a healthy pregnancy but can promote skin elasticity as your body continues to grow. Most of whether or not you’ll get stretch marks is decided by genetics, but if doing some potential prevention makes you feel good – go for it!

---