Sixth Month of Pregnancy
Congratulations! You have passed the halfway point of pregnancy: this is the last month of the second trimester and you know you are in sixth month of pregnancy. Your weight increases dramatically, while the fetus now resembles a miniature baby and its movements are the order of the day. What happens in this sixth month? How does your body change and how is the baby growing in the belly? Here is one complete guide.
Read also: Weeks of Pregnancy Calculation
Beginning and end of the sixth month of pregnancy
The sixth month of pregnancy runs from the 22nd week and ends at the 26th week plus two days.
Video, sixth month of pregnancy
Sixth month of pregnancy, Weight
La belly it is quite big by now and in the next few months you will probably put up a few extra poundsIn fact, you will begin to gain most of the extra weight in the last quarter (usually half a kilo per week). Remember that ideal weight gain is around 9-12 kg for the entire duration of gestation. By the sixth month you should be gaining weight by 6 kg, nevertheless, and don't worry if you have an extra 1-2 kg. L'excessive weight gain due to incorrect nutrition it could make the continuation of gestation and, sometimes, childbirth more difficult. There diet follows the normal indications given for the previous months. To regain some strength and support the weight that weighs on you, it can be useful to increase your intake of vitamins and starch. Always consult a doctor before varying your diet.
Sixth month: the weeks of pregnancy
Let's see what happens to the mother and the baby week by week.
- 22 weeks of pregnancy: the baby is about 26 centimeters and weighs about 360 grams. He sleeps most of the day and stays awake for an average of 4 hours, during which time he can move around a lot. Your body produces the first white blood cells.
- 23 week of pregnancy: the baby measures 27 centimeters and weighs about 430 grams. From this week the dental gems and it moves a lot even if the space at its disposal begins to get smaller and smaller. You may start to suffer from the classics heartburn, so eat a balanced diet and ask your doctor how to cope with this ailment.
- 24 week of pregnancy: the fetus it measures 28 centimeters and weighs 500 grams. His vital organs are all developed, but i lungs they have yet to complete their maturation. She moves a lot: she puts her finger in her mouth, grabs the umbilical cord, yawns ...
- 25 week of pregnancy: the baby it measures 30 centimeters and weighs about 600 grams. The uterus is getting bigger and pressing on the diaphragm may make you feel short of breath.
- 26 week of pregnancy: the baby it measures 34 centimeters and weighs about 700 grams. If he was born now would be placed in the NICU in theincubator until he has reached a good weight and proper development. At 26 weeks and 2 days you will enter the seventh month of pregnancy.
Mom in the sixth month
What happens in your body in the sixth month of pregnancy? Let's take a look.
- The mammary glands prepare for a possible breastfeeding: if they are squeezed, the nipples produce yellowish drops of colostrum (also called "first milk"), a liquid secreted also during the first days after childbirth and useful for transmitting the immune defenses to the fetus.
- You may begin to feel heartburn, a feeling of discomfort and irritation that spreads to the lower part of the chest and could also cause regurgitation of small amounts of acidic fluid. Ask your doctor for an antacid to neutralize this discomfort.
- The gums can swell due to the hormones that are produced by the endocrine system during pregnancy. Do not forget that it is very important to take care of dental hygiene during the whole period of pregnancy.
- You may begin to experience pain in your lower abdomen - this is probably uterine contractions. The pain should subside after some rest.
- Your uterus it is quite heavy and will put pressure on the blood vessels causing dizziness and fainting.
- During this month and for the rest of your pregnancy, you may also have pain in the feet and legs caused by the effort of carrying extra weight.
Also common are:
- leg cramps,
- backache,
- frequent urination, caused by the uterus pressing on the bladder.
The fetus in the sixth month of pregnancy
Your baby is growing up and gain weight from week to week. Her skin is covered with hollow paint, which protects it during its stay in the amniotic fluid. He begins to open and close his eyes, he moves more and more and sleeps most of the time.
In the twenty-sixth week the lungs begin to secrete a chemical called surfattante, essential for the development of the tiny air sacs within the lungs. All its vital organs are fully developed, except for the respiratory system which still needs a few weeks to complete its development.
11 PHOTOSDevelopment of the fetus | PHOTO
Development of the fetus | How the fetus grows in 40 weeks of pregnancy
Movements of the fetus in the sixth month of pregnancy
You have arrived at an extremely significant and exciting stage of your journey. It is usually right at the beginning of the sixth month of pregnancy, in fact, that you may be able to clearly feel the baby's movements inside the belly. Over time, as it grows, you will even be able to distinguish them different anatomical parts of your babysimply by touching them. Before the movements were similar to rustling or indistinct wing beats, today, however, you can feel perfectly when the child turns, kick and you will recognize when he is sleeping or when he is awake. Generally, your baby will sleep during the day because you will rock him with movement, while he will likely move more while you are lying down or at rest.
Just in the sixth month of pregnancy it is important to start keep track of your movements of the baby to make sure he is comfortable and moves regularly several times a day.
Read also: The baby does not movePain in the lower abdomen
It is quite common to experience belly pains during this period. This could be:
- Braxton Hicks contractions: caused by a slight tension of the uterus as it begins to prepare for delivery. These preparatory contractions they will become more and more frequent as the pregnancy approaches term. You must call your doctor if the contractions become regular and more and more intense;
- a stretch of the ligaments in the area of the uterus: cause sudden pain in the sides of the belly, often similar to a pinprick.
What to eat in the sixth month of pregnancy
You may begin to hear yourself quite hungry during this period, but this does not mean you can eat whatever you want. Follow one diet adequate, balanced and that meets all your and your baby's nutritional needs.
- Do not forget to eat foods rich in folic acid, which is vital for the brain development of the fetus, as well as fish, rich in fatty acids Omega.
- Fruits and vegetables they will guarantee you the right amount of fiber, useful against intestinal constipation and constipation, vitamins and minerals.
- At this stage it is very important to increase thefluid intake, to hydrate the body, guarantee the child the right amount of amniotic fluid and fight constipation.
Exams to do
Among the exams to do, there are the routine ones:
- blood tests,
- urine tests,
- gynecological examination.
In some cases, instead of at the end of the 5th month, the morphological ultrasound can be done between the 21st and the 22nd week (the postponement of the ultrasound is due only to the availability of medical facilities at the time of establishing the appointment).
Pregnancy month by month
- First month of pregnancy
- Second month of pregnancy
- Third month of pregnancy
- Fourth month of pregnancy
- Fifth month of pregnancy
- Seventh month of pregnancy
- Eighth month of pregnancy
- Ninth month of pregnancy
