Your Body

The morning sickness should have gone by now and you can probably feel the uterus protruding a little below your belly button.

The veins on your breast may be more noticeable through the skin now because of an increase in blood volume by almost 20 percent.

The movement of food through the digestive tract slows; as a result nutrients reach the foetus more efficiently. Patches of darkened skin are also common during this period. This darkening is due to temporary increase in melanin, the substance that colours your hair, skin, and eyes. These darkened spots will fade shortly after delivery.

Your Baby

Your baby is now about 150 mm long from head to toe and weighs about 200 grams. That is the size of a small carrot or radish.

Your baby's arms and legs are in proportion to the rest of the body. The kidneys make urine and scalp hair begins to sprout. Your baby's brain is designating specialised areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch. The teeth buds are forming behind the milk teeth buds. The sex of your baby can now be determined as the uterus or testes are apparent in the foetus. If your baby is a girl, she already has five to six million eggs in her ovaries!

It is okay if…

• Breast lumps occur, which are typically soft and may extend into the armpit area.
• You lose interest in sex; try not to feel guilty.
  
  
• You suffer from heartburn. This is because your uterus pushes up against the stomach.
  
  
• Your lower abdomen area, extending to your groin, aches. This is round ligament pain and is caused by the stretching of muscles and ligaments that support your growing uterus.

Stay Fit

• If you are a single mom, or don't have the support of an extended family, start looking for a nanny or childcare / crèche facilities in your area.

Special Care Tips

• Muscle ache is common now. Gently massage your achy ligaments or use a heat pad or warm face cloth where it hurts.