• pregnancy & baby
• parenting
• Wii Fit Plus
• health
• beauty
• food & drink
• diet & fitness
• more ivillage
  • • Travel
    • Entertainment
    • Home & Garden
    • Relationships
    • Work & Money
    • Shopping
  • • Competitions
    • Dating
    • Quizzes
    • Newsletters
    • Kalimocho.co.uk
    • Horoscopes
  • 

The middle months of pregnancy

These middle months of pregnancy, after around week 12, are the most enjoyable for many women. The sickness stops and your energy returns

Pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks, and is sometimes divided into three stages called 'trimesters', each lasting around 13

Week 13 to 16

You
Some women start to feel sexy around this time, probably due to the extra hormones and increased blood and fluid in the pelvic area. Don't worry if you don't, as some pregnant women go off sex completely.

You'll notice a small bump developing as your womb grows and moves upwards. If you've felt a desperate urge to urinate over the last few months, it's because your womb was pressing on your bladder. This should now ease off.

If you notice any pain when you urinate, see your doctor. Urinary infections can happen in pregnancy, and it's important to treat them quickly because they can cause low birth weight or premature birth.

Your baby
Your baby may only be tiny, about 16cm to 18cm (6in to 7in) long, but they're already twisting, turning and kicking.

Tip: if you dye your hair, the results may be unpredictable. This is because your hair may be more porous than normal, which can affect the way it reacts to hair products.

Weeks 17 to 21

You
You're halfway there. During this time, you'll probably feel the baby move. Most first-time mums notice the first movements at between 18 and 20 weeks.

You may notice your skin becoming drier or smoother, and your nipples get darker. You may develop a dark line down the middle of your chest and stomach. Normal hair loss slows down, so your hair may look thicker and shinier.

Depending on where you live, you may be offered a second scan at around week 20. If you want to know the sex of your baby, and the hospital is prepared to tell you (some don't), this scan can identify the sex.

Your baby
Your baby is growing faster that at any other time in its life. The body gets bigger, making the head and body more in proportion, and the face begins to look more human. Hair, eyelashes and eyebrows are beginning to grow, but the eyes stay closed. Your baby has its own individual fingerprints now that the lines on the skin of the fingers have formed.

Tip: to avoid puffy feet and ankles, rotate your feet on your ankles when sitting down, and avoid crossing your legs. Put your feet up whenever you can.

read more:  1 |  2 | next printer friendly send to a friend