Has started “breathing” amniotic fluid in through its nose and respiratory tract, giving those lungs some very early practice for the real thing. (Late in the third trimester, you can actually watch the foetal breathing on an ultrasound,
Can sense light and pressure from outside of the womb.
You are:
May be experiencing some of the symptoms of pregnancy, many of which can start early in the second trimester.
Sinus congestion! Runny nose! Stuffed-up nose! So much freaking mucus, and not in the places where you would ASSUME mucus would be involved. It’s called rhinitis of pregnancy and once again, they just blame it on “hormones.” Get yourself a humidifier or vaporizer, inhale steam in a fogged-up bathroom or try those saline nasal drops. Ask your doctor before taking any decongestant or medicated nasal spray.
Bleeding gums! A side effect of all that extra blood you’ve got coursing through your system. (Nosebleeds are common too.)
Skin pigmentation! The linea nigra, or that darkish line that runs down the centre of your belly, sometimes shows up as soon as you start showing, sometimes much later. Moles, freckles and birthmarks can spread and/or darken. You might notice some melisma, or “mask of pregnancy” across your face, particularly if you spend a lot of time in the sun or have a naturally olive or darker complexion. A lot — but not all — of these changes will fade after you give birth.
Is a little over four inches long and weighs a little over 2.5 ounces.
Has fingernails and toenails, all of which will be flesh-tearing talons by the time the baby is born.
Is covered with fine, downy hair called lanugo. THIS will mostly fall out by birth.
You are:
Are leaving the more miserable symptoms behind in the dust, more or less. My gag reflex and appetite remained extremely sensitive until about WEEK
Can feel your rock-hard uterus about three inches below your belly button (especially when you lie on your back). As your baby grows your uterus will continue to inch upwards out of your pelvis.
May be having very vivid but bizarre dreams. Some will be obviously pregnancy-related (the usual ones involve breastfeeding, and others will be just plain weird or upsetting, like your childhood nightmares. They should be interpreted as nothing more than dreams stemming from nerves, hormones and your constant thoughts about the future.
17 WEEK
Your Baby:
Is about five inches long from head to rump.
Has begun to develop the all-important adipose tissue — more affectionately known as baby fat.
Is hard at working transforming its skeleton from soft cartilage into solid bone.
You are:
Possibly feel immensely huge and very pregnant, but your bump probably isn’t as noticeable as you think it is.
“Normal” weight gain at this point can be anything between 2 to 5 kg
18 WEEK
Your Baby:
Is about the size of a baked potato — five-and-a-half inches long.
Has actual cute little ears and working ear bones and can hear sounds through the amniotic fluid.
Is moving. The baby is still small enough that you may not feel every kick and punch yet, but the movements will start getting less bubble-like
You are:
Possibly feel immensely huge and very pregnant, but your bump probably isn’t as noticeable as you think it is.
“Normal” weight gain at this point can be anything between 2 to 5 kg
