Your Body

Your uterus now extends about 38.1 mm above your belly button and is sitting directly on top of your bladder, which can cause you to leak fluid into your underwear. It can be difficult to distinguish urine from amniotic fluid, which is odourless.

Your headaches should subsidise by now. You may be tempted to skimp on liquids, but drink plenty of water because keeping hydrated helps prevent swelling. Expect to have a perpetual stuffy nose.

You will experience Braxton Hicks contractions, which may be felt as tightenings in your lower abdomen. While annoying at times, Braxton Hicks contractions begin the process of ripening your cervix (softening and effacement), which just might mean an easier labour for you!

Your Baby

Your baby is now close to 200 mm long and weighs about 450 gms, which is a little less than half a kilo! If your baby was a fruit, it would be the size of a small papaya. Your baby continues to gain weight and the fine hair covering her body darkens. Your baby is also beginning to look more like she will at birth. Blood vessels in the lungs develop to prepare your baby for breathing.

Your baby's skin is still somewhat translucent, so the circulating blood gives him a pink or red flush, and is quite wrinkled because there isn't much fat to fill it out. His movements are becoming more coordinated as a greater number of nerve fibres connect. Her finger nails are now completely formed!

Common Complications

• If you notice severe or sudden swelling in your hands and face, be sure to call your doctor because it may be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia.
  
  
• Be sure to notify your doctor if you experience more than four Braxton Hicks contractions in a one-hour period. More so if they change in intensity- becoming painful- and / or are accompanied by vaginal secretions.

It is okay if…

• Your ankles and feet show mild swelling. This condition is called oedema and occurs because the changes in your blood chemistry cause the fluid to shift into your tissue. Also, your enlarging uterus puts pressure on the veins returning the blood from the lower half of your body and slowing the circulation in your legs.
  
  
• You experience frequent bloody noses. Blame it on your hormones. You have a lot more blood circulating than ever before and the mucous membranes of your nose are quite delicate.

Stay Fit

• This is the time for you to finalise plans and paperwork for your maternity leave. Be informed on what your rights in the work place are during pregnancy.
  
  
• Research suggests that there is a connection between recently cleaned carpets and Kawasaki Syndrome, a rare but serious condition that's dangerous when untreated. So if you plan to clean your carpets, do so now!

Special Care Tips

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Drinking enough water can help prevent headaches, uterine cramping, urinary tract infections and swelling.
  
  
• Put your feet up when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, avoid sitting still for long periods and exercise regularly to increase circulation.
  
  
• Wear support stockings when you wake up first thing in the morning.