Pregnancy 6 months

The fifth month of pregnancy still refers to the “golden mean”, which means that it does not bring much inconvenience to the mother and allows her to fully feel pregnant.

Now half of your pregnancy is behind you, you have crossed the equator! During this time, the baby has changed and grown significantly. From now on, you will begin to feel your baby’s movements, and very soon you will be able to see him on an ultrasound and find out his gender!

The 5th month includes 18-22 weeks of pregnancy, you are in your second trimester. In today's article we will tell you a lot of important and necessary things for these weeks of pregnancy, and offer recommendations and advice.

Fetal development at 5 months of pregnancy

18th obstetric week of pregnancy

At the 18th week of pregnancy, the growth of the fetus already reaches 18-20 cm from crown to heels, and the weight approaches 150-200 grams.

At this stage, the baby actively moves in the amniotic fluid - makes turns, somersaults, moves its legs and arms, nods its head, touches the umbilical cord, pushes into the walls of the uterus. Such activity cannot go unnoticed by the expectant mother; as early as this week, the mother can feel the first movements.

The fetal immune system is actively developing; now the immune organs can actively produce immunoglobulins and interferons that protect the fetus from viral and microbial infections. The rudiments of both milk and permanent teeth have already fully formed.

The child actively stores adipose tissue, brown fat is especially actively stored in the area of ​​the shoulder blades and the whole body, and the formation of the brain is actively occurring.

Week 18 marks the third critical period of pregnancy. This period lasts up to 22 weeks, during which time the mother should be more attentive to herself, because due to a number of problems, pregnancy may be in jeopardy.

19th obstetric week of pregnancy

At the 19th week of pregnancy, the growth of the fetus already reaches 22 cm from head to toe, and the weight approaches 240 grams.

The baby continues his active development. By this date:

• The fetus develops its own blood circulation process in the body. At this stage, his heart beats 2 times faster than his mother’s.
• The appearance of basic reflexes occurs - grimaces, acts of sucking, swallowing, flinching from sources of loud sound. The nervous system is actively developing.
• The brain is actively developing. Right now, the formation and improvement of areas responsible for the 5 main sense organs (vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste) are taking place in it.
• The placenta at this stage of its development is almost the size of the fetus; it protects it from all harmful substances coming from the outside.
• In girls, in the womb at 5 months of pregnancy, a huge supply of eggs is laid in the ovaries.
• The fetus swallows amniotic fluid, resulting in intensive maturation of the kidneys and the excretory system as a whole.

20th obstetric week of pregnancy

At the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetal growth already reaches 24-26 cm from crown to heels, and the weight approaches 300-350 grams.

What changes happen to the baby at week 20:

• It is now possible to hear the fetal heartbeat using a regular stethoscope.
• The first hairs begin to appear on the baby's head.
• Nail plates are visible on the fingers and toes.
• The formation of permanent teeth continues.
• The child's epidermis becomes denser. Now it consists of four layers.
• The fetus continues to sleep a lot, but already distinguishes between day and night. During the waking period, he tumbles, turns, plays with his arms, legs, and umbilical cord.
• The skin becomes lighter, more attractive, but still has many wrinkles.
• At the 20th week of pregnancy, the baby’s immune defense completes its formation. Now it can resist various pathogens.
• The formation of grooves and convolutions ends on the surface of the brain.
• At this stage, the baby's eyes open slightly. He clearly reacts to bright light, which manifests itself in the form of grimaces and squinting.

21st obstetric week of pregnancy

At the 21st week of pregnancy, the fetal growth already reaches 26-27.5 cm from crown to heels, and the weight approaches 350-400 grams.

From this time on, all organs and systems have already been formed; in the future they will only mature. The baby gains weight due to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat, it takes on a more rounded appearance, the skin becomes smooth and loses transparency.

Almost all of the baby’s endocrine organs fully perform their function. Hormones are produced by the thyroid, pancreas, sex glands, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. At week 21, the spleen begins to function.

The digestive system functions almost fully. The baby swallows amniotic fluid, from which sugar and water are separated in the stomach, and the remains move through the intestines to the rectum. The development of taste buds on the tongue occurs and soon the child will be able to distinguish four basic tastes.

Connections between nerve endings in the central nervous system are established, movements become meaningful, and the baby rests during sleep. It forms its own defense against infections - leukocytes are produced. The kidneys are able to filter small amounts of urine.

22 obstetric week of pregnancy

At 22 weeks of development, the child’s height is from 27.5 to 29 cm, weighing approximately from 410 to 500 grams.

In the fetal body at this stage of pregnancy:

• there is an increased development of sweat glands;
• heart size increases;
• the formation of the central nervous system continues;
• the genital organs are improved, the testicles in boys descend into the scrotum area;
• active maturation of the lungs occurs;
• The intestines and stomach develop.

The child’s liver actively produces enzymes that process toxic substances that are dangerous to the body. This is indirect bilirubin, resulting from the breakdown of hemoglobin. Thanks to the liver, this compound is converted into absolutely harmless direct bilirubin, which is easily excreted from the fetus through the placenta.

At this stage of development, the baby’s spine is actually formed. Ligaments securely hold the vertebrae in the desired position. Active accumulation of minerals begins in the bones of the fetus.

The child begins to consciously feel, reflect and analyze his own feelings. He is studying:

• touch your face, arms and legs;
• roll over;
• coordinate your movements;
• thumb sucking;
• respond to stroking the mother’s belly;
• make grasping movements;
• knock on the walls of the amniotic sac.

At this stage, the baby’s hearing organs are finally formed.

Well-being of the expectant mother

A pregnant woman’s well-being at 5 months is no longer as “easy” as it was in previous months; the growing belly is affecting her, which no longer allows her to freely carry out her usual chores and responsibilities. The kilograms gained during pregnancy also do not help you feel good. By this point, you could have gained 3 to 5 kg. Due to weight gain, uterine growth, hormonal changes in the body, etc. You may experience pregnancy symptoms such as:

• swelling of the legs, arms and face;
• haemorrhoids;
• constipation, flatulence, bloating;
• shortness of breath appears after walking;
• heartburn bothers me when lying down;
• stretch marks (stretch marks on the abdomen) appear;
• cramps in the calf muscles;
• nasal congestion;
• pain in the lower back and back;
• insomnia;
• frequent urination;
• increased vaginal discharge;
• itching all over the body or in the abdominal area;
• the appearance of rapid heartbeat.

Thus, at this stage, expectant mothers complain about the inconvenience associated with choosing a comfortable position for rest, because at the end of the 5th month of pregnancy, the stomach is already quite large and does not allow you to sleep as you want. Also, the growing uterus puts pressure on internal organs, including the lungs and diaphragm, making it difficult for the pregnant woman to breathe.

In the fifth month of pregnancy, you may notice a yellowish discharge from your breasts - colostrum. It appears under the influence of hormones, this is a normal process, as the body prepares for breastfeeding.

If necessary, wipe away colostrum with wipes. If the discharge is regular, you will need breast pads. Do not try to express or squeeze out colostrum under any circumstances, as such actions can lead to contractions of the uterus.

In the fifth month, many women feel Braxton-Higgs contractions, which are false. Unlike real ones, they do not lead to cervical dilatation and childbirth, but only prepare the body for upcoming stress. This type of contraction lasts short-term, irregularly and is almost painless.

It would seem that there are so many trials a pregnant woman has to endure, but not a single pregnancy can do without this, just be patient for another 4 months, all the symptoms of pregnancy disappear only after childbirth..

What happens to a woman

At this stage, the uterus continues to rapidly increase in size. The height of the fundus of the uterus, as a rule, corresponds to the number of weeks. Now the reproductive organ is located slightly above the navel, and the roundness is clearly visible to others if the woman is dressed in tight-fitting clothes. Many girls love this gestational period. Now they already look pregnant, and not just put on weight.

Weight gain

From the sixth month of pregnancy, many note that weight gain accelerates. It is very important now to monitor your diet and not eat harmful foods. If you have a high body weight, carrying a baby will be quite difficult. Problems may arise during delivery, which is often associated with a large fetus. You shouldn’t listen to grandma’s advice and try to eat “for two.” The menu should be healthy and balanced, including a lot of fruits, vegetables and grains.

At this stage, it is important to control your weight. The expectant mother can weigh herself at home or once a week during a visit to the antenatal clinic. A girl should gain no more than 350 g per week. Lack of weight gain is not considered normal. Of the total mass of the mother, by the end of the sixth month, about 700 g is the weight of the fetus, amniotic fluid takes up approximately 1 kg, the mammary glands increase by 250-300 g, and up to two liters of blood are added.

Expert opinion

Ksenia Dunaeva

User experience expert and comment moderator. Higher medical education and more than 5 years of actual practice.

Ask Ksenia

Some women try to diet for fear of gaining too much weight. In no case should you adhere to too strict diets if a pregnant woman weighs more than she should. This is due to the fact that during fasting, some toxic substances enter the bloodstream, which can be extremely dangerous for the baby. To prevent rapid weight gain, you should eat in small portions. It is important to exclude from the menu too fatty, salty, fried, spicy, smoked foods. The diet should include a sufficient amount of vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins, amino acids and other healthy components.

Increased blood cholesterol

In the sixth month of gestation, a blood test may show that the expectant mother has increased cholesterol. This happens regardless of lifestyle and nutrition. This is due to the fact that cholesterol is necessary for the normal functioning of the placenta. Thanks to this component, the organ produces hormones that are extremely important for the normal course of pregnancy, in particular progesterone. A woman shouldn't worry. After childbirth, cholesterol levels return to normal on their own.

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Indigestion

By the end of the second trimester, many girls are faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as dyspeptic disorders. It would seem that the level of hormones has stabilized and now there should be no problems with digestion, but everything is a little different. By this time a new problem appears. The enlarged uterus puts pressure on all internal organs.

As a result, a woman may suffer from the following disorders:

• Abnormal stool.
• Heartburn.
• Nausea.
• Belching.
• Flatulence.
• Feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

To reduce unpleasant symptoms, you should follow a proper diet, get enough sleep, do exercises for pregnant women, and also walk in the fresh air more often.

If mommy is still feeling nauseous at this time, you should tell your doctor. This alarming symptom may indicate various gastrointestinal diseases.

Increased uterine tone

While carrying a child, the expectant mother often encounters a condition such as increased uterine tone. Tone occurs under the influence of a wide variety of reasons.

Let's look at some of them:

• Mother's age after 30 years.
• Excess body weight.
• Bad habits (alcohol and smoking).
• Drug addiction.
• Infectious gynecological diseases.
• Intense physical activity.
• Frequent stress and emotional turmoil.
• Developmental defects in an infant.
• Tumor diseases in the mother.
• Tone may occur during re-pregnancy after a Caesarean section.
• Impaired placental circulation.
• Connective tissue diseases.

During an attack, a woman feels heaviness in the lower abdomen, the uterus becomes like stone, and spasms appear. Treatment for tone consists of maintaining a proper daily routine and proper nutrition. In addition, the patient may be prescribed antispasmodics and magnesium supplements.

Pain in the lower abdomen and lower back

At the 6th month of pregnancy, some mothers complain that their lower abdomen is tight and their lower back hurts. Painful sensations can be normal physiological or pathological.

Physiological discomfort is associated with the following provoking factors:

• Enlargement of the uterus, stretching of its fibers.
• Shift in center of gravity due to enlarged belly.
• Increased load on the spine.
• Training contractions.

If the pain is intense and prolonged and does not go away with rest, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is especially dangerous if bleeding occurs. This may indicate preterm labor is starting. If pain occurs, you should never self-medicate or take any medications. Contacting a gynecologist should be mandatory.

You might be interested in reading about real and practice contractions during pregnancy. All the necessary information is in one of our articles.

Discharge

Another problem that mothers often face during gestation is the appearance of pathological discharge. Normally, vaginal secretion should have a mucous, transparent, and odorless consistency. If the discharge pattern changes, this may indicate various problems.

You might be interested in: Gynecological diseases

Bloody discharge is considered especially dangerous, as it can indicate a miscarriage, frozen pregnancy and other pathologies.

Cold

At the 6th month of pregnancy, a cold is no longer as dangerous as in the early stages of gestation. Now the baby is reliably protected by the placenta, so the consequences of ARVI in his mother will not be as serious for him as before. Despite this, a woman should be attentive to her health during this crucial period. Diseases such as influenza, measles, rubella and others pose a danger to mother and baby.

To prevent various diseases, you should maintain careful hygiene, try to avoid contact with infected people and avoid crowded places.

Abortion

Artificial termination of pregnancy may be required if there are certain indications, for example, if there are severe pathologies in the fetus or the patient is infected with dangerous diseases. In this case, one of the methods of termination is selected - instrumental abortion, minor Caesarean section or induction of labor.

Under no circumstances should you try to terminate a pregnancy yourself at home. This is extremely dangerous for the life of a woman and child.

First fetal movement at 5 months of pregnancy

But it is worth noting the positive aspects of the 5th month, namely the baby’s first movements! Some mothers (usually multiparous or thin girls) already felt them last month, now they are only becoming convinced of them, thanks to the intensification of the tremors. Normally, mothers of the second or subsequent child feel the first movements at 16-18 weeks. The fact is that they have experienced movements before and can accurately distinguish and feel them.

Those mothers for whom the baby will be their first child will feel a slight tickling in their tummy for the first time at this stage. Usually, many mothers describe the baby’s first movement this way. Some compare them to the movement of a butterfly's wings or the swimming of a fish in an aquarium. As for the norms for the timing of the first movements, first-time mothers feel them at 18-20 weeks . Some mothers who felt the baby earlier most likely confused the movement with bowel movements (due to rumbling and the passage of gases through the intestines).

As for the number of movements, before the first activity of the child recorded by the mother and until the 26th week of pregnancy, the time intervals between episodes of movements can reach 24 hours. This is normal and does not indicate any pathology. It’s just that the mother may not notice some movements or confuse them with increased gas formation in the intestines. Especially the mother may not notice them during the day, during the mother’s activity; babies, as a rule, sleep.

To make sure that this is the first movement, first you need to choose a moment when the gastrointestinal tract is in a “calm state”, then lie down on your back, put your hand on your stomach and wait for a few minutes. If you do not feel any movements, then be patient; it is possible that the baby is still small, or is not awake at the moment. If you have concerns about this, then visit a doctor who will listen to the fetal heartbeat. In any case, you will have an ultrasound soon, where you will be able to see how active your baby is.

Abortion at 5 months

In obstetric practice, the risk of miscarriage before the 22nd week of pregnancy, which affects almost a quarter of all pregnant women, still remains a big problem. These risks are determined by a number of factors, many of which are virtually impossible to influence.

The main causes of miscarriages in the fifth month:

• genetic abnormality of the fetus;
• maternal hormonal problems;
• infectious diseases;
• stress;
• injuries;
• Unhealthy Lifestyle.

There are cases when an abortion at 5 months of pregnancy has to be done for medical reasons. This process is similar to artificial childbirth, since obstetricians terminate the pregnancy not mechanically, but naturally, provoking premature labor with the help of special medications.

Artificial birth at 5 months of pregnancy is prescribed for the following indications:

• identified chronic diseases that do not allow bearing a healthy child;
• underdevelopment, defects and chromosomal abnormalities in the baby;
• frozen fruit;
• uterine bleeding;
• severe illnesses suffered by a woman in the early stages.

Doctor's examination and tests

From the 5th month you need to visit the gynecologist more often - this month you will visit the doctor twice. More frequent monitoring is due to the increasing workload on you. Before each visit, you will have a urine test. At your appointment, you will be weighed, your blood pressure and size of your tummy, the height of the uterine fundus will be measured, you will be examined on a chair, and a smear will be taken.

You will have a second scheduled ultrasound this month. During the study, you will also undergo Doppler ultrasound - this is a way to study blood flow in the vessels inside the uterus, placenta, umbilical cord and the baby's body. Read more about the second screening below.

Features of pregnancy at 6 months

Visits to the gynecologist are now carried out every 3-4 weeks. During the appointment, the specialist performs the following actions:

• Measures blood pressure and pulse rate.
• Measures the circumference of the abdomen and the height of the uterine fundus.
• The doctor is interested in the patient’s well-being and asks if there are any complaints.
• To monitor the general condition of the body, a general blood and urine test is prescribed.
• Sometimes a specialist prescribes a blood test for the Rh factor.

Rh conflict between mother and child is a rather dangerous condition that occurs when Rh factors are incompatible.

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If the problem is detected in a timely manner, the baby’s life can most often be saved. That is why you should never refuse to take any tests.

Recommendations and advice for pregnant women

• Don't forget to add foods containing iron to your diet : liver, pomegranate, nuts, beans, seaweed, cocoa, spinach, rose hips, meat, apples. At this stage, mothers often experience anemia, which can negatively affect pregnancy.

• At this stage, the baby's bones store calcium , and if the mother does not have enough of it, calcium will be extracted from the woman's teeth and bones, which will lead to dental problems. Eat more foods containing calcium and vitamin D.
• Wear comfortable shoes , preferring shoes with wide and low heels, to avoid increased uterine tone.
• Do not forget to perform the knee-elbow position from this month, it is necessary for: eliminating congestion in the abdominal organs; prevention of edema, cystitis, pyelonephritis; reducing pressure on the kidneys and bladder; improving blood circulation in all pelvic organs; promotes correct positioning of the fetus; normalization of pressure, etc.
• It is better to fall asleep on your left side, forget about sleeping on your back . During the daytime, also try not to lie on your back for long periods of time. Under the weight of the child and mother, the vessels are compressed, in particular the vena cava suffers. Its main function is to transport blood from the lower body to the heart. If the vein is compressed, blood circulation will fail. This is dangerous due to loss of consciousness during sleep and hypoxia in the fetus.

• Rest often during the day, walk at least 1-2 hours a day , sleep during the day if possible.
• Watch your weight gain, do not give in too much to your appetite , but at the same time go on a diet. Food should be varied, healthy, natural, fresh. Meals should be fractional, approximately 5-6 times a day, and the serving size should be average.
• Don't forget about the drinking regime ! Include cranberry and lingonberry juice in your diet. It has diuretic and bactericidal properties, helps remove excess fluid from the body.
• Avoid fatty foods , such foods will not be beneficial. In addition, it will lead to heartburn, especially if you eat such food before bed.
• Do not avoid romantic relationships with your spouse; sex in the 5th month is not contraindicated during a normal pregnancy. Moderate activity during sexual intercourse and the absence of harsh actions are the main conditions that provide not only pleasant sensations, but also benefits from sex. It is necessary to refuse sex if the gynecologist insists on it.