Your Body
What to expect
As your bump grows you might be feeling increasingly anxious. You may also seem to forget things easily – often referred to as pregnancy brain! You may start to get rib pain as your rib cage expands and your breasts could leak colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk you produce after giving birth, which is thick and usually a golden yellow colour and essential to help your baby fight off infections. If you notice dark pigmentation in your skin, it could be sunburn.
Baby size
What to expect
Your baby is the size of a Grapefruit (roughly 28 cms long and 475 gms).
Your Baby
What to expect
Baby is practising breathing and his/her heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope. Baby also begins to rapidly gain weight and kicks around a lot. You will notice your tummy moving! Baby’s brain is developing and he/she starts recognising your voice.
Taking care
Tips
- Practise relaxation techniques to overcome your pregnancy worries – yoga is a good de-stressor.
- Slide a pillow between your legs and rest with your knees bent when you sleep – this should give you a good night’s rest.
- Keep a bottle or glass of water always by your side.
- Make sure you are getting your extra dose of vitamins and iron supplement
- Avoid face makeup with chemicals to cover any dark discolouration that you may get. These disappear automatically a few months after delivery.
Ask your doctor
Questions
- I get tired very easily; feel weak, breathless and dizzy. What is the problem?
- I get a lot of upper back pain. What should I do?
- How do I stop the burning sensation I get when I go the bathroom?
Your to do list
Action points
- Book antenatal appointment with your doctor.
- Have my iron supplement and prenatal vitamins
- Have 8 glasses of water a day.
- Make sure to have an extra pillow between your legs when you go to sleep.