5 Months Pregnant- The time to know it’s a boy or girla!
When you are 5 months pregnant, you are almost halfway through your pregnancy journey. There are only 8 weeks away from your third trimester. In pregnancy month 5, several things happen inside you and your baby. Your baby will go through some specific developments and there are some new symptoms that you experience during the 5th month of pregnancy.
5 months pregnant is the most exciting period for both mother and father because in this month you will know the baby’s sex. Once you know whether the baby is a boy or a girl, you may start deciding on color schemes and designs for the baby’s nursery. You may also start shopping for clothes for your cute baby.
What happens to you when you are 5 months pregnant?
Colostrum Production
Your breasts may start to produce a yellowish fluid called colostrum in preparation for feeding and you may start to feel the baby moves during this month.
Pregnancy Brain
Most women notice themselves as more forgetful than usual. No need to worry, it is a common side effect of pregnancy that results from hormone fluctuations. While during some instances this condition can be quoted as frustrating.
Baby Moves
When you are 5 months pregnant, you are more likely to experience your baby’s movements. Though you may not observe these movements, within a few weeks you will feel your little one’s moves.
Constipation
Though this pregnancy symptom is quite annoying, you may get relief by changing your diet and drinking more and more fluids. Include high fiber high-fiber foods in your diet and consume fresh fruits and vegetables.
Varicose veins
The additional weight that you bear doesn’t just distress your back, but also your veins. With the increased weight, you need to handle more and more blood flow, so it is common to experience varicose veins during pregnancy.
Skin Changes in 5 Months Pregnant
When you are 5 months pregnant, you may experience great skin changes. Some women may become even fairer during pregnancy, while some others become darker. All these changes are due to hormonal disturbances. Also, hormone changes are the main reason to have darker nipples and areolas. Also, breast veins become more prominent during this period.
Hearty appetite
It is more common for pregnant women to feel cravings for different foods. But, during pregnancy 5th month, you are not required to eat for two, and also no need to increase the calorie intake even more. Eating too many calories can make you overweight and it will be very difficult for your postpartum weight loss.
Pain and cramps
Usually, most pregnant women experience back pain and leg cramps. This condition is due to the increased weight that you carry during your pregnancy. Sometimes, you may also feel abdominal pain. To get relief from this condition, take enough rest and also take daytime naps. Considering a pregnancy massage, yoga and meditation can relieve most of these discomforts.
Heartburn and indigestion
During the 5th month of pregnancy, your growing uterus is putting great pressure on the nearby organs, along with the gastrointestinal tract. This condition may lead to decreased digestion due to which most pregnant women experience heartburn and indigestion.
Hemorrhoids
During pregnancy month 5, there is more pressure on the rectal veins, due to which you may feel itchy and painful. If the condition is worse, you can take the advice of your care provider. He/she can recommend some creams, which you can use during pregnancy. For most pregnant women, hemorrhoids will disappear once after childbirth.
Mood swings
Usually, during pregnancy month 5, the severity of mood swings is less. This month, the production of hormones decreases and makes more pregnancy symptoms subside.
What happens with your baby when you are 5 months pregnant?
By the end of pregnancy month 5, your baby is about 7.5 inches in length and weighs about 1 pound.
Activation of senses
When you are 5 months pregnant, your baby may start doing several things inside the womb, such as hiccupping, blowing bubbles, and yawning. The baby’s skin is sensitive to the touch. Baby’s taste buds also start developing and responding to sound and light.
Organ Development
The development of internal organs continues this week. Till now the baby has developed about 10 billion nerve cells. Brain development will continue until the birth of your baby. The communication between those nerve cells will be going to determine your baby’s intelligence.
Development of protections in 5 Months Pregnant
During this month, the baby develops some protective agents for the uterine environment. Vernix caseosa is a substance secreted from the oil glands that help to protect your baby’s skin from amniotic fluid. Also, lanugo hair developed on the baby’s skin can help to keep the vernix in place and also aid to regulate the temperature.
What are the physical changes that occur in a 5 months pregnant woman?
From this month onwards, you may notice the baby’s movements and also you may have grown enough that you may begin to notice the stretch marks.
Also, you may notice that your nails become stronger and the hair is thicker and fuller than usual. This is because pregnancy hormones supply extra nutrition for your hair and nails. Cell culture
What care should be taken by a 5 months pregnant woman?
When you are 5 months pregnant, your obstetrician may recommend having an ultrasound exam. Through this, you will know your baby’s gender and also the due date. In 5 month pregnancy ultrasound, you will see the baby.
Also, this is the right time to start taking care of your skin. As the belly grows rapidly from this month, you are more likely to develop stretch marks. To minimize the appearance of stretch marks, you need to use a moisturizer that is rich in vitamin E. Moisturize your belly, breasts, legs, thighs, lower back, and where there is a possibility of getting stretch marks.
Taking enough rest this month is very important than usual and the nighttime sleep should be between 8-10 hours.
Make sure to control your weight gain and strive for a balanced diet and exercise. Don’t eat too many fatty foods, fried foods, and sweets. Include more fruits, vegetables, fiber, protein, dairy, and cereals in your diet.
Increase the intake of iron. Iron deficiency during pregnancy can lead to premature birth or the birth of low weight or underweight baby. Foods that are rich in iron include spinach, eggs, dried fruits, red meat, wheat germ, and oatmeal.
