Your Body

By now, your inside has become a punching bag for your baby! Varicose veins appear in your legs or vulva and these can be unsightly and painful as well.

You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen, buttocks, thighs, hips and breasts. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown and become more apparent as the pregnancy progresses.

Another interesting skin quirk you may notice is vascular spiders. These are little areas of raised, reddish skin, with tiny branches. Commonly found on the face, neck, upper chest, and arms, they are caused by the higher levels of oestrogen and usually disappear after delivery.

Your Baby

Your baby is now about 190 mm long from head to toe and weighs about 360 grams. If your baby was a fruit, she would be the size of a small melon! Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn with the eyelids and eyebrows in place.

If your baby is a boy, the testes have formed and begin their descent into the scrotum. His skin appears wrinkled and fine hair covers his body. The lips become distinct and the first signs of teeth appear as buds beneath the gum line. His eyes are developed though the iris lacks pigment. Your baby is now five months old and has his own immune system and pancreas essential for hormone production.

Get Tested

• Undergo a test if you are worried about pre-term labour. Watch out for lower abdominal pain, backache, pressure in the pelvic area, cramps, and a change in vaginal discharge.

It is okay if…

• You have a desire for sex. Sex can be very fulfilling at this stage of pregnancy due to the increase in blood flow to your clitoris and an increase in vaginal lubrication.

Stay Fit

• If you haven't already, register for a childbirth class. The more you know about giving birth, the more comfortable you will feel.
  
  
• Take off your rings. Many pregnant women need to have their rings cut off by a professional jeweller because their fingers have swollen up around them.