Contents
- 1 Fourth month: how many weeks it corresponds to
- 2 Fourth month of pregnancy: what happens to the mother
- 3 Fourth month of pregnancy: what happens to the baby
- 4 Symptoms of the fourth month of pregnancy
- 5 Fourth month of pregnancy and hygiene
- 6 Fourth month of pregnancy: what tests to do
- 7 Fourth month: go to maternity shopping
- 8 The thirteenth week of pregnancy
- 9 The fourteenth week of pregnancy
- 10 The fifteenth week of pregnancy
- 11 The sixteenth week of pregnancy
- 12 The seventeenth week of pregnancy
Welcome second quarter! From the fourth month of pregnancy begins what, for many future mothers, is the most beautiful period. Usually, in fact, the symptoms of early pregnancy diminish until they disappear (although, it must be said, there are some nasty exceptions). The belly is not too bulky yet and so you can indulge in the activities you like best, including small trips. Also, towards the end of this month, a fantastic surprise could arrive: the child's first soccer table. Ready for emotion?
Fourth month: how many weeks it corresponds to
The fourth month of pregnancy ranges from 13 + 2 (13 weeks and 2 days) to 17 + 4 (17 weeks and 4 days).
Fourth month of pregnancy: what happens to the mother
The second trimester starts with a good dose of new energy. In most cases, the annoying nausea should be almost a distant memory. And so was the vomiting, fatigue and sleepiness that characterized the first few weeks of pregnancy. As we mentioned, in some cases this may not be the case because pregnancy is still a subjective event.
From the fourth month of pregnancy onwards, particular attention must be paid to the scale because there is a tendency to accumulate more weight. In part this may be because once the nausea subsides, appetite increases. The advice is always not to overdo the quantities, especially carbohydrates. In addition to making you fat, they could alter your blood sugar, so take it easy.
Fourth month of pregnancy: what happens to the baby
Development always proceeds quickly and the little one moves constantly because he has a lot of space to be able to do it. At the end of the fourth month, the first hair may have appeared on the little head. The bones are strengthened and it is for this reason that the mother must take adequate doses of calcium: she must meet not only her needs, but also those of the fetus.
The mother does not notice it, but in case of very loud noises the baby could wince inside the belly. In fact, the auditory system works better. It is therefore time to start talking to the unborn child: it seems incredible, but she will soon learn to recognize the voice of the mother.
An attentive operator may already recognize the baby's sex. However, the certainty will come later, for example with morphological ultrasound. Although it must be said that it all depends on the position in which the fetus is located. If he is very "demure" and keeps his legs closed, he will not be discovered so easily.
Symptoms of the fourth month of pregnancy
As we have already underlined in the articles preceding this one (first month of pregnancy, second month of pregnancy and third month of pregnancy), the symptoms are very variable. There are future mothers who have them practically all and others who do not know what they are. For some they are very intense, for others just faded. In short, for each of us this is a completely personal and unique journey.
From this period onwards a very common symptom is constipation. The causes are many: hormonal imbalances, changes in eating habits, the child pressing on the intestine are some of these. But a sedentary lifestyle also plays a role in this regard. The movement helps peristalsis (bowel movements), even more so with the belly. The three magic words for constipation in pregnancy are fiber, water, physical activity.
Watch out for urinary symptoms. Burning, discomfort and urgency in urination are the alarm bells of cystitis, very common in pregnancy. A urinalysis with urine culture is required to diagnose it with certainty. This allows us to know which pathogen is responsible for cystitis (there are many) and therefore to intervene with the right drug. An antibiotic is almost always needed. Don't worry: there are some compatible with the interesting state.
Ever heard of "pregnancy mask" or melasma? Especially if exposed to the sun (even simply in the city) the skin of the face has darker, hyperpigmented areas. The most affected areas are the nose, cheekbones and the portion of skin above the upper lip. It is a good rule to always use a product that guarantees good photoprotection. These stains are a bit difficult to get rid of.
The growing belly could predispose to the onset of stretch marks. The elasticity of the skin is severely tested and therefore white streaks may appear. Playing in advance is the best solution: yes, therefore, to the elasticizing cream, coupled with a supplement.
Fourth month of pregnancy and hygiene
A novelty that could appear in this period is a change in sweating that becomes more abundant. This happens because the body's temperature regulation system changes. The latter tends to increase because the more energy the body needs to meet all the needs of the mother and fetus. So here is that the thermometer marks a few tenths more than usual and here you sweat more.
Some advice:
- use clothes in natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen.
- Change often.
- Use shower gel, soap and delicate deodorants: skin is drier during pregnancy.
- Avoid clothes that are too tight.
- Pay particular attention to intimate hygiene.
Fourth month of pregnancy: what tests to do
During this period, some tests are recommended to expectant mothers, which are the responsibility of the National Health System. The first is blood sampling which also includes toxoplasma control. It should always be checked that the woman does not have an ongoing infection. The same is true for rubella, a disease that may seem trivial, but which becomes dangerous in pregnancy. If there are particular risk factors (such as a previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes), the gynecologist may anticipate the glucose load curve, which is usually done later.
Another typical examination of the fourth month of pregnancy is the so-called Tri-Test which is performed with a simple blood sample. Through the analysis of three substances present in the maternal blood (alphafetoprotein, estriol, beta-HCG), analyzed together with other data by a specific software, they give the probability that the fetus is affected by chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. Additionally, a high alphafetoprotein level could indicate an increased risk of a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. It should be noted that this is a screening test, not a diagnostic one. For certainty you must undergo amniocentesis or CVS.
Fourth month: go to maternity shopping
If you have been holding back a little up until now, the growing belly will no longer give you a chance to put it off. Pants tighten. Skirts no longer go up. Bras are unable to contain the increasingly abundant breasts. So ... let the maternity shopping begin!
On the market there are many lines dedicated to expectant mothers. Just look around to find very glamorous garments for all seasons. It is therefore not necessary to "squeeze" into the clothes you wore before pregnancy. And you don't have to spend a fortune either. Just identify the truly indispensable items. For example, "smart" pants that widen as the belly increases in volume. And nursing bras already in pregnancy, so you will already be provided after childbirth.
In this moment of difficulty caused by the coronavirus, rely on Amazon. You will find a large section dedicated to maternity clothing, with everything you may need, from socks to underwear, from jackets to swimwear.
The thirteenth week of pregnancy
By the thirteenth week of pregnancy, welcome to the second trimester. Now you can communicate the good news to whomever you want because the risk of something going wrong is lowered. This week the baby is the size of a shrimp.
The fourteenth week of pregnancy
During the fourteenth week of pregnancy, the tummy begins to show itself. It is very important not to get lazy because weight gain is now steady. The little one drinks large quantities of amniotic fluid which changes taste depending on what you eat.
The fifteenth week of pregnancy
Already from the fifteenth week of pregnancy it is advisable to sleep on the left side. In this way, the weight does not go to burden the vena cava that carries the blood from the legs to the heart. The first very thin hair begins to appear on the baby's head.
The sixteenth week of pregnancy
From the sixteenth week of pregnancy onwards, any moment can be the right time to feel the baby move. At first it might seem like a simple passage of air, but little by little you will realize that this is the first soccer. In this period, if the gynecologist deems it necessary, you could do an amniocentesis.
The seventeenth week of pregnancy
At the end of the seventeenth week of pregnancy (at 17 + 5) the fifth month of pregnancy begins, a rather quiet time. Pay attention to blood circulation: it could be more difficult, causing for example problems in the legs. The baby continues to grow and fat begins to form under the skin.
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