The child
Your baby measures about 9.4 inches (24 cm) from head to foot and weighs about 10.2 ounces (290 gm) at the start of the week—and about 12.7 ounces (360 grams) at the end of the week. Your baby is moving freely in the amniotic fluid and you may feel kicks high up in your belly and all the way down to your pubic bone. Your baby’s first stool, known as meconium, starts to form in the intestines. Sensory organs are developing rapidly, and the taste buds are fully developed. Your baby starts to react to pain.
Mother
You’re halfway through this pregnancy! You can feel the top of your uterus at the same level as your navel. You may feel like you’ve been pregnant forever, or you may feel like you just took a pregnancy test with a positive result. Many women who already have several children feel that their pregnancy goes faster since they’re focusing on so many other things compared with the first time. Obviously, this is different for everyone.
Your back is under a lot of strain, so take exceptionally good care of it! Pay attention to how you sit and lie down, as well as how you carry your older children if they are young enough to want to be carried. Bend your knees when you lift. To reduce pressure on the small of your back, it’s a good rule of thumb to try to carry the little one inside your uterus close to your back. Imagine that you are pulling your baby in, from your navel, toward your spine and upward. This will automatically improve your posture while reducing pressure on the small of your back. It will also help to strengthen your core muscles. You don’t have to do this all the time, but try to make a conscious effort a few times every day.
You probably remember how we went on about clenching exercises during your previous pregnancies. But let’s go through it one more time since it is vital to remember to give these muscles extra love and attention when you are pregnant again! Every pregnancy puts a great strain on these muscles in particular. Pelvic floor exercises aim to reduce the risk of wetting yourself after childbirth when you exert yourself and to build a strong, healthy back. Clenching exercises are actually incredibly good for your general well-being since the muscles provide support to other organs in your body. We’ll continue to remind you about this! Why not watch our videoclip below about how to do pelvic floor exercises?
Pregnancy hormones make your pelvic floor more mobile, particularly a hormone called relaxin. This is to allow plenty of room for the pelvis to adjust to your baby’s head when it is time for you to give birth again.
If you have a lot of discomfort, you can buy a special belly band that “fixates” your pelvis when you stand and walk. Ask your midwife where you can buy one. It might also be a good idea to make an appointment with a physical therapist/physiotherapist for tips and advice about exercises to alleviate pelvic discomfort. When you exercise, it is particularly important that you avoid going to extremes since this can increase the risk of injury and strain. This recommendation applies while you breastfeed too.
When you exercise, make sure you modify your routine so that it is suitable for your pregnancy.
