Fifth month of pregnancy: what happens?
We are in the middle of the second quarter. Moms, welcome to the fifth month of pregnancy. The gestation is more or less halfway and this is a month of great changes, in which the belly grows, the fetus continues to form and new ailments begin to appear.
The fifth month of pregnancy is one of the most enjoyable for many mothers. Nausea is now a distant memory, the belly is still not heavy, it is pleasant for pregnant women to take a walk, to be outdoors. You feel energetic, dynamic and sometimes you start to feel even more hungry.
But, be careful, because although it is a pleasant moment of the nine months, it is precisely in the weeks of the fifth month that some discomfort can occur, including hemorrhoids, back pain, stretch marks. So let's find out everything about the fifth month of pregnancy: symptoms, annoyances, visits to be made, advice for future mothers.
In this article
- Symptoms of the fifth month of pregnancy
- Ultrasounds of the fifth month of pregnancy
- Belly and weight in the fifth month of pregnancy
- What happens to the baby in the fifth month of pregnancy
- What not to do in the fifth month of pregnancy
- The weeks of pregnancy
- All months of pregnancy
Symptoms of the fifth month of pregnancy
During the fifth month of pregnancy, as already mentioned, there are many changes that affect both the mother and the baby. First in this month the mother begins to gain weight, the abdomen grows and the muscles relax to accompany the growth of the fetus in the uterus.
This is the month when the nipples darken, when vaginal discharge can increase, when some women can suffer from hemorrhoids. With the growth of the belly, in some women the navel tends to protrude, it is completely normal.
If you haven't already started doing this, now is the ideal time to start using a cream or oil to spread regularly on the stomach, hips and breasts to avoid the appearance of stretch marks.
A woman, in the fifth month of pregnancy, may sweat more and experience nasal congestion, it is part of the pregnancy, there is no need to worry. Those who are becoming moms for the first time may also experience stomach discomfort this month, but it has nothing to do with digestive problems of the last few months.
Insomnia - which for some has already occurred in the fourth month - will probably continue in the fifth month as well. To provoke it the need to urinate and the first movements of the fetus. A chamomile tea, a relaxing herbal tea before bedtime can help. In addition, the first contractions may occur, not painful: they are the so-called Braxton Hicks contractions and are essential for the growth of the baby.
Pregnant women, especially not in the first pregnancy, during the fifth month may begin to feel the first movements of the fetus. Usually, for all, the first movements are felt from the 20th-21st week, therefore precisely at the passage from the fifth to the sixth month.
Ultrasounds of the fifth month of pregnancy
In the fifth month of pregnancy, as a routine, the expectant mother will have to undergo tests which include toxo-test and urinalysis. The fifth month of pregnancy is also essential for the development of the morphology.
This is the most important ultrasound of the second trimester, as well as one of the most important of the whole pregnancy in which the gynecologist checks the formation of the organs and all the constituent parts of the fetus.
L'morphological ultrasound takes place between the 19th and 21st week. Only in some cases, the gynecologist may deem it appropriate to carry out an examination prior to the morphology: this is the premorphological, a thorough ultrasound which, already at the 18th week, allows to find important information on the child's formation and to identify the sex.
In the absence of premorphological ultrasound, in fact, the morphological is the occasion in which many parents learn about the sex of their child. It is one of the most exciting moments before birth.
If it has not yet been done and you want to carry out - especially in case of risk of genetic and chromosomal diseases - in the fifth month it is still possible to undergo theamniocentesis (no later than the 18th week).
Belly and weight in the fifth month of pregnancy
As anticipated, in the second trimester and therefore also in the fifth month of pregnancy, the woman's body changes, the belly grows and the weight increases.
In this phase of gestation, in fact, the placenta grows, the breasts grow, the amniotic fluid increases in volume and it is normal to see a few extra pounds on the scale.
In the second trimester, on average, women of normal weight gain about 350-450 grams per week. This does not mean, however, letting go, on the contrary: it is essential that the woman follows a correct and balanced diet by taking those foods that the fetus really needs, avoiding eating for two.
During the second trimester the woman will gain between 4 and 5 kilos.
What happens to the baby in the fifth month of pregnancy
The changes, in the fifth month of pregnancy, do not only concern the mother. The baby, in fact, in the fifth month is now almost fully formed, weighs about 240-250 grams and measures approximately 20 centimeters. Not only are organs and bones formed, so are the taste buds and hair appears on the skin.
During this period of pregnancy, the child perceives sounds, so it can be a good habit to talk to him and start playing relaxing music.
The baby still has a lot of room to move in the belly, so you may start to feel small movements, similar to a flapping of wings.
During the morphology, the gynecologist will be able to see and show the formation of the skull and brain, heart, limbs, veins, bladder and all parts of the child's body. Coordination also improves during this period and it may happen to see - during the ultrasound - the baby with his finger in his mouth.
What not to do in the fifth month of pregnancy
Let's see what are the main precautions to have in the fifth month of pregnancy and, therefore, the do's and don'ts:
- MUST NOT eat for two, but eat a balanced diet
- You MUST NOT skip meals and always include healthy snacks (such as fresh fruit) in your daily diet
- You MUST NOT forget to spread anti-stretch mark oil or cream on your hips, breasts and stomach every day
- You MUST NOT forget to take the vitamins prescribed by the gynecologist, essential for the growth of the fetus
- You MUST NOT take too much caffeine, do not drink alcohol, smoke
- YOU SHOULD NOT underestimate dental problems and red gums (which can occur in pregnancy)
- You MUST NOT get too tired or make special efforts
- YOU MUST NOT expose yourself to harmful substances
- You MUST NOT lead a too sedentary lifestyle: we recommend a walk a day and some adequate physical activity (yoga, stretching, pilates)
- You MUST start doing early breathing exercises (which can help at the time of labor)
- You MUST NOT underestimate pain in the legs and back and do massages, stretching and relaxation exercises
The weeks of pregnancy
The fifth month of pregnancy goes from 17 weeks and 5 days 21 weeks and 6 days. It is the second month of the second trimester, the one that - as anticipated - involves so many important changes in the mother and in the baby.
The nausea is long gone, the belly grows, the baby is almost completely formed, the first movements are felt, the sex is discovered. This is one of the best times of all pregnancy.
All months of pregnancy
First month of pregnancy
Second month of pregnancy
Third month of pregnancy
Fourth month of pregnancy
