4th Month
weeks 16 to 20
Your BabyThe baby will measure about 10 inches long and weigh about three-quarters of a pound by the end of this month
The amniotic fluid increases a lot this month and your baby enjoys moving about freely inside the amniotic sac
Its kidneys now make urine
Hair begins to appear on its head
A fine downy hair (lanugo) begins to appear over your baby's body
Its eyebrows and eyelashes begin to grow
Its skin begins to fill out with fat
It starts a growth spurt in both length and weight
Baby's heartbeat will be heard by the end of this month with a special stethoscope called a fetoscope; this usually marks the midpoint in pregnancy
Baby's movements may become strong enough for some to be felt by the mother by the end of this month
Your BodyYour uterus grows to just below your naval by the end of this month
Your weight starts to increase by about 3/4 to 1 pound a week now; you may gain about 3 to 4 pounds this month
The placenta secretes hormones into your body that helps to soften some of your joints and muscles to make labor and delivery easier
Your appetite increases so you may be hungry more often
Cravings may start for certain foods and may continue throughout pregnancy
Your nipples and the area around them become much darker in color.
A line down the middle of your abdomen may darken (linea nigra)
You may have some tendency now to become more susceptible to urinary tract infections so you need to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day
Your pregnancy is now beginning to show
You are less tired and fatigued now; you may find you are beginning to enjoy being pregnantYour Responsibility
Get your prenatal check-up this month
Continue to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
Avoid caffeine drinks, cigarettes, alcohol, and medications (unless prescribed)
Get some regular exercise--work up to walking at least one mile a day
Make sure that seat belts fit low over your hips
Learn and practice the kegel and pelvic rock exercises everyday
Lie down and get your feet up for at least 30 minutes a day
Continue to take your prenatal vitamins and iron
Pick out some comfortable clothes to wear as you change size
If you are employed, find out the procedures for maternity leave
Talk with your partner about what you both think the baby will be like; its sex, hair color, eye color, personality and also about what it will be like to be responsible for a new baby
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